Kool Aid Served Daily

I just picked this one back up, I probably read it every 9 months or so. It is my favorite of the Anita Blake series. It isn't just because we get to see the humanization of Edward - it is also the last one which really focuses on the physicallity of Anita. I want to read the books for the action and I happen to buy into Anita as a character. But she is Laurell's voice, and Laurell has decided to focus on the sex and the S&M.

I'm actually very okay with that - it is her right. Normally, I skim over the complicated relationships, teen angst, and discussions about needing a good fsck. But once you get past Obsidian Butterfly, too much of the entire book is that way. I was disappointed in Incubus Dreams - I actually didn't enjoy it. Also, I read Kiss of Shadows in the Merry Gentry series and I never read any of the rest. I can buy into Merry and her plight - but I don't want to just read about her doing it every which way.

When I re-read the Anita series, I tend to start with Obsidian Butterfly and then read the rest in order from the beginning. I did enjoy it again - I was once more drawn into Anita's character. I like the way Laurell fleshes her out. Take for example, the line about the Mexican Restaurant:

I can imagine this coming out of John Madden. In part, these earthly beliefs are why I like Anita. Perhaps we should call up Myth Busters and see if this urban legend is true?

But anyway, Laurell brings Anita to life for me with these types of passages. They can be patently false - I've yet to find an ethnic buffet that is authentic - other than one which is country, i.e. American. Yet when Anita dusts off these beliefs, it brings home to me she is not perfect and Laurell is not trying to portray a superwoman.

I also like how we've seen the evolution of Anita from someone who killed as necessary to an almost cold blooded killer. She doesn't really regret the loss as she can balance it out with the good she has accomplished.

At times, Laurell weaves these crisis of faith discussions into and out of the books. How many times did we here about the legalization of Vampire Executioners as Federal Agents before it happened. I don't think she is reusing text (as compared to Simon R. Green in the Deathstalker series, i.e., when the one character dressed snazzy and in season, it was always the same style, no matter how many years later.), but trying to maintain some continuity. Again, I like the intent, but when the focus shifts to S&M, I lose interest. I actually do like the exploration of her relationships with her were-cat pack, watch the continuity on how she learns to just touch, but in the later books, when it focuses on the sex, again, I want my simple blow away the bad guys girl to back.