AB question

[mhalachai]

A question to the folks who have read Danse Macabre: I'm on page 269. Is there a point to this book or just more Anita whining about what she's becoming? Like, does anything ever happen?

Comments

[tthjinni.livejournal.com]

See - things like that make me glad I didn't waste the $19 to get it at B&N yesterday.

[gilded_lady]

You know, this is the first time I actually feel for Richard's whininess. Anita's world view is SO fucking skewed that she really can't see just how FUBAR it is to the average person. Richard may have issues, but clinging onto the hopes for a monogamous relationship? Not so far fetched.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

It's so dumb, because I really wanted to like this book, but there's no hint of a plot so far. Besides the Anita's powers are growing at the speed of light thing. I love the Anita Blake universe (as is apparent from most of my fanfic) but I can't see a point to this book so far.

Of course, I think you and I both belong to the "get them in the first five paragraphs or they won't read it" school of writing.

So yeah, a little bummed about this.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, from what I see, Richard wants to have it both ways but won't accept either, while Anita has things her way and she'd fine with that.

As a non sequiter, I miss Edward.

[shallanelprin.livejournal.com]

At least Edward will be in the next book (according to LKH's blog)

[tthjinni.livejournal.com]

You know, I didn't even read Micah. Just skipped to the end, did a little 'whoa' over the major new plot twist, and cast it aside. I haven't been able to get into the AB books since she started making AB into super-invincible-solution-to-all-of-lifes-ills girl. lol.

Sorry it disappointed you, tho.

[gilded_lady]

I don't fully *agree* with Richard's whininess, but it is nice to see the viewpoint of someone whose still not fully immersed in the land of the dead, yanno?

My biggest gripe though is that she's STILL fucking growing in power. Isn't there some kind of level limit to this all? I'm honestly amazed that she hasn't been killed by the council yet just on the grounds that she'll likely become a sourde de sang in her own right even though she's not a true vamp.

[gilded_lady]

The universe has such great potential, it just feels like she's wasting it.

I'm still trying to toy with getting Methos to go play with them. I've got some ideas of what I want to do (he's challenged, he wins and then finds out it was another Master's human servant..) it's the whole what to do after.

*continues to ponder*

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

It's interesting, actually, in that since I've started writing longer plot-filled fics, I'm getting more finicky with my reading. I need a plot and character movement and all that jazz. That probably has a lot to with my angsting over writing my book.

Maybe it'll get better later on? I dunno.

[eavling.livejournal.com]

It might be a lead up to another book wherein Anita et al must confront the Mother of All Evils, ya' know, Her.

[page-r.livejournal.com]

I haven't read it yet *very carefully skimming comments* But I've been saying for ages that L.K.H. has been regressing Anita ever since book 10. I kinda wished she's ended the series there. Anita was happy at the end of that book. Then we just HAAAAD to keep the angst up to keep the story going, so suddenly she's freaking out over the same issues that she DEALT WITH 3-5 BOOKS AGO!

Book 12 was a big mess, story wise, heaps of unresolved moments and plot all over the place. I think Ms Hamilton is losing her way, just a bit, I can't see that she's actually going anywhere with all this anymore. :( Which makes me sad, coz like, Anita rules. :(

[goddessvicky.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite finished with the book, but I'm interested. ::shrug:: I'm ok with it going slow and whining because I know once this is out of the way, we'll get back to Anita being the cop that she is deep down. I miss Dolph and Zerbrowski.

I like the sex. And the crazy things going on with her having all the strains of lycanthropy and having both VS and MS is crazy. Makes me think how weird and messed up her life is.

I guess I just admire her imagination. She's kept this story running longer that I think it would have without all the plots. I guess when I get into something I just like it to keep going... by any means. ::shrug:: I mean, I would have watched Buffy where they were just shopping and going to work and only killing the OCCASIONAL demon.

I get obsessed very easily.

[laney-1974.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting until someone tells me if it's any good before I read it. Those books are ridiculously expensive here ($50.00) so there's no way in hell I'll be forking out anything until I can get it for a third of that price.

[alexcat.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I think LKH calls it character development but mmmm, she's a tad Mary Sue-ish, dont you think? I read them for the boys...all but Richard. I rather wish she'd just eat him up and be done with him.

[gwionfawyr.livejournal.com]

I bought it yesterday for 12.50 at Borders. They're offering the book at 30% off, and if you have a Borders reward card you get an additional 10% plus a 40% off coupon. Hell I'm just flowing through the system. *pulls the book out to read between loads of laundry*

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

While I haven't picked up my copy yet, I get what you're saying. She whined so much in the last few books about losing her prudeness and gaining all these powers. I could tolerate more sex, as long as it moves the plot along. The plot seems to not be about solving crime anymore, but about Anita becoming what she feared most: a monster. I was looking forward to seeing her stop getting all CAPSLOCK HARRY (angst much?) and finally say, "Alright, so I'm a monster. But I'm still one of the good guys."

As for where she is going as a character, I think there is a very good reason why vampires are afraid of necromancy. Anyone else see her going all Dark Willow due to the various metaphysical shit? Edward might just have to take a bounty on her head after all...

[thekams.livejournal.com]

Totally just finished it tonight (bought it last night).

There is some interesting plotty-type stuff near the end, when they get to the ballet and all. Lots more sex, and some good humor, too, in some places. I found most of this book was leading up to the next ones, and digging more into the powers Anita's getting, and the powers the others are getting (Asher).

Richard killed me ded. I feel for Anita when it comes to him. He does have some valid points, but he really just wants her all to himself and for them to be 'not monsters'. Gah, I dunno...at times I can't stand him, then he does something and I'm like, "I love Richard". I missed Edward, he's one of my favourite characters, and I missed Zerbrowski. I loved all the Nathaniel.

The only major issue I had with the book, was the name of one of the guards. It was distracting. I won't say it here, cause it's spoilery, but if anyone's read the book, they'll know which guard, and why!

Anyway, all in all, I liked it, though I do think that's it's one of those "transition books".

[kyani-no-kokoro.livejournal.com]

No...other than answering the pregnancy question, nothing happens. I don't think it was quite as bad as ID, and I was definitely intrigued by Samuel and his family. But the lack of mystery bugged me, and the pacing drove me crazy. 480-something pages about 48 hours is way too slow.

Also, is this just my impression, or did everyone (espescially Anita and JC), seem out of character when they wre interacting with Augustine?

[firefox1490.livejournal.com]

Yes no, cause I just finished it and I dont so much see a real plot as something else, um damn how do I say this with out ruining it for you, assuming you didnt finish. I think its more an explaination as to why Sweet Mother is so interested in her and to...um I cant say it in words (I suck like that) without doing a long ass explaination that I'm to lazy to type. But all I can say is for the most part I'm disapointed that it took so long and all the good came out of this is my loving of London, Requiem and Asher.

[emeraldswan.livejournal.com]

From the review I read:

There is nothing of the Executioner here, no cases to be solved or zombies raised, just plenty of vampire and to a lesser degree, lycanthrope politics interspersed with Anita feeding the ardeur.

So, from that alone I gather that there isn't much plot. Thus, I haven't even bought the thing yet. Not sure if I plan to before it's out on paperback. We'll see. Lemme know what you think when you've finished it, please. Spoilers don't scare me . . . knowing how it ends/what happens won't keep me from reading it, after all.

[denitta.livejournal.com]

Like, does anything ever happen?

In a word, no.

I was telling my sister, who's not a fan, that I think the most compelling part of the book has been on the LKH site for the last six months.

[az-anneliese.livejournal.com]

At the end a plot seems like it may be beginning ... but then if falls flat. I got the feeling that this should have been a book that was double the size but got chopped off at the middle.

Sorry

[ansku]

Heh, you sound just like me :)

The book is not coming out 'til July here, so I can't really say anything about it yet.

story line

[(Anonymous)]

I just finished the book. I feel like she had to cut this book up and make more books, I'm thinking the plot line is mostly left for the next book. But it saddens me that she has so many men that some are being forgoten, poor Asher.....
But I think as far as adding any more 'main men' she's done. I hope so anyway, I don't want her to have a lion king, it will make Micha seem not so important, I like Micha:(

My main take is she is setting the story up, writing about how everything is going to fit together later on in the story. Her books have grown, the series has grown so much that its not about instant gradification (sp) any more. She trying to spred the story out in to a few books not just one.

[needlessnoodles.livejournal.com]

I was lucky to find a copy at $13. But even then I have to agree with Mhalachai, I'm rather bummed. I've put it down though and don't plan on picking it back up until someone says the ending is even somewhat worth it.