Melissa‘s review of Obsidian Butterfly, book seven in Laurell K. Hamilton‘s Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series.
“MY NAME IS ANITA BLAKE. I’D LIKE YOU TO MEET EDWARD…
Edward was a hit man. He specialized in monsters. Vampires, shapeshifters, anything and everything. There were people like me who did it legal, but Edward didn’t sweat the legalities or, hell, the ethics. he was an equal opportunity killer. I may be one of the few friends that Edward has, but it’s like being friends with a tame leopard. It may curl on the foot of your bed and let you pet its head, but it can still eat your throat out…
Obsidian Butterfly is the best LKH book I’ve read so far. If you have read the previous books in the series, you know that Anita owes the mysterious Edward a favor. Well, he calls it in. He is actually letting Anita see part of his life. Which means the monster they are hunting is close to home. Edward has 2 other hit men already in place. They are some interesting characters. Very scary, very deadly. It is interesting how they interact with Anita.
Anita has a couple of close calls in this book. She has put her 3-way relationship on hold. She is trying to figure out what to do. But, by not staying in contact with “the boys” she is weakening herself, and them. Will she make it?
I really enjoyed this book. It is different from any of the others I have read so far in the series. I liked how Anita really had to rely on her instincts, knowledge and ability to kill. Especially in the big meeting towards the end, it was all woman power, no magic. I have been fascinated with Edward from the beginning. I loved being able to see in his life.
There are weird, strange and creepy people in this book. Somewhere in the last 40 pages you get to meet the bad guy. What he was wearing totally made my face green. Yes, I did throw up in my own mouth a little.
5 out of 5
This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here or here in eBook format.
Hey, you’ll get a little more insight into Edward’s life in the Harlequin (book 15). Its interesting, when I re-read this series, I tend to skip Obsidian Butterfly — I might have to go back and experience it again.
*sigh* I totally love this book. I was an Edward fan from the start so Ii was thrilled when I finally got to this title. Some people thought this book made Edwrad look “soft”; I completely disagree. You see a more human side of him, but it just makes the other, cold, harsh side even more dangerous in comparison. And I love Edward dangerous and a little creepy :-D.
What I agree with is the general consensus that this was the last good book of the series. It sure was the last one to put the emphasis on the plot. It might be another reason why it’s my favorite.
This was one of my favorite books out of the whole Blake series. But then book 11 came and I sobbed from the WTF did she do?!?!
It’s a downhill slide after OB.
I also loved Edward from the start and this book so paid off. I loved the line where he told Anita they were soulmates. Mary M – I think what was more upsetting was that Anita wasn’t scared of Edward at the end of the book (at least that was my impression). I liked that Edward scared her more than any monster.
*sigh* The good old days 😉
Cindys
OB was the first ABVH I ever read. LOVED her voice and went back the next day and bought every book available up to that point.
I’ve really been enjoying following along as you discover these books, Melissa, and am looking forward to your review of Narcissus in Chains. It’s THE pivotal book of the series and my favorite (along with Blue Moon and The Harlequin), but it also has been vilified by just as many people as those of us that loved it.
LOL, just warning you that your NiC review won’t be making everyone happy, no matter what you say about it!
One thing about LKH, she can generate a firestorm of passionate opinions! hee. What an understatement!
Like Bev, OB was the first AB book I picked up. It’s actually kind of a good one to come in on, since it takes place away from the Jean Claude and Richard triangle. After finishing it, I too, went out and started from the beginning.
I also agree that it’s probably the last of the books that I really LOVED , while I do continue to enjoy the series is just gets so complicated and Antia is, in many ways, the complete opposite of how she began the series, which isn’t necessarily all bad but man there’s just such a huge divide. Anyway, I can’t wait to pick up the latest, Blood Noir!!!!!!!