ISBN: 0-441-00091-6 Order from: Amazon.com
Another enjoyable fantasy novel of alternate reality, with vampires, zombies, snappy dialogue, tension and a wonderful, tough and funny heroine.
Reviewed by David on June 15, 1998
Genre: Fantasy (Mystery, Voodoo, Vampires)
Synopsis: In an alternate America, the supernatural creatures have always existed, but it is only recently that some of the most dangerous predators—the vampires—have been granted equal right by the Supreme Court. Anita Blake, a young vampire executioner and animator (as in raising zombies) is asked to raise a zombie so old, it requires a human sacrifice. Anita's refusal is not taken kindly by her prospective employer, who doesn't think much of murder to get his way.
At the same time, Anita, as an expert on the supernatural, is asked to help the police catch a killer zombie that is murdering people night after night.
Full Review: Raising the dead used to be considered black magic. Or perhaps a religious ritual. Now, however, it is just a profession, at least for Anita: draw a circle, kill a chicken or a goat, say a few words, and voila: the dearly departed can clarify a will or give posthumous evidence in a trial (although the courts are not clear if this is admissible). However, when the dead have been resting a few centuries, only a human sacrifice can raise them from the grave. Even for an absurd amount of money, Anita will not agree to murder. The prospective client, however, has little reverence for human life, including Anita's own if she continues to refuse.
While dodging the increasingly violent persuasion, Anita is trying to help the local police locate and stop a deadly zombie.
As the situation is getting more and more dangerous, Anita starts to realize that the two events may be related—but only a powerful and evil voudoun priestess knows the connection.
Anita's already busy life is complicated by her nemesis and temptor, the new master vampire of St. Louis Jean Claude. Despite her revulsion of the undead, JC's attempts at seduction are getting more subtle and successful.
As in the previous novel, Guilty Pleasures, Anita is the star of this story. She is sarcastic, honorable, capable and terrified of failure. Her struggle is made easier by her friends and colleagues, but the biggest danger she has to face alone. The dialogue is excellent, and the action is non-stop. This may not be great literature, but I've seldom read a more entertaining book.
Overall: 7.5; Plot: 6.5; Characters: 8; Style: 7; World-building: 7; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 1994, Ace, September 1994, Mass-market, 293 pages
ISBN: 0-441-00091-6 Order from: Amazon.com