Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton
Paperback, 560 Pages
2004, Jove
ISBN: 0515136816
Series: Book 11 of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
Synopsis
Once a sworn enemy of all monsters, Anita is now the human consort of both Master Vampire Jean Claude and leopard shapeshifter Micah. When a centuries-old vampire hits St. Louis, Anita finds herself needing all the dark forces her passion can muster to save the ones she loves.
Review
Cerulean Sins is the first book in the Anita Blake series that could probably done with a bit less sex. The book has a phenomenal vampire council storyline and a engaging shifter mystery, both of which get a little forgotten when carnal issues take center stage.
I love the Anita Blake series and I appreciate how Laurell K. Hamilton has woven the story in such a way that the sex becomes integral to the overall plot itself. As the books progress, the sex becomes more important because it plays a large part in both the way Anita carries herself and how her abilities function. Every sex scene in Cerulean Sins has a point, whether to show a new physical relationships in Anita's life, or to set up for heartache later, or to make something "magical" happen. There is more sex behind the scenes and I love that Hamilton knew to leave it unwritten. In a storyline like this, sex quickly becomes something akin to eating or drinking. We don't need to know every time a character eats, unless it's important to the story. The same goes for Anita's sex life and Cerulean Sins is right at the edge of that border. Any more sex would have been detrimental to the story.
Musette, an emissary sent by Belle Morte, has come to visit St. Louis. She isn't hugely important, but Belle can speak through her, bringing about many tense moments for Anita and the vampires. With Musette are two underage vampires, Valentina and Bartolome, who involve some of Anita's maternal instincts. They also allow for a focus on child abuse and pedophilia.
The mystery in Cerulean Sins is in the background for most of the book. While the outcome is interesting, it doesn't effect the plot of the book much. The real importance of the mystery is that it gives the perfect place for Dolph's career implosion.
While I would have enjoyed a bit more about the visitors from the vampire council and a bit less of the multiple sex scenes, Cerulean Sins is a very good novel and does a lot to further certain story lines in the series.
Rating
Links
No comments :
Post a Comment