Laurell K Hamilton Berkley, Oct 2001, 22.95 400 pp. ISBN 0425181685 It has been six months since Anita Blake has seen her two lovers, Richard the shapeshifter and Jean-Claude the vampire. During that time she has been learning how to control her powers so something unpleasant doesn't shock her. She is almost ready to get in touch with her two men and see if they can come to an amicable arrangement since Richard, Jean-Claude and Anita are bound together in a triumvirate of power. Before she can make the first move, two of her were-leopards are being tortured at the S & M club NARCISSUS IN CHAINS. She calls on Jean-Claude for help and he agrees only if she acquiesces to open herself up to the marks of power so she has a fighting chance of coming out of this encounter alive. After Anita takes care of business, she fears changing into a were-jaguar since she was cut by a were-jaguar. Meanwhile a were-Jaguar wants to merge his group with her. Before anything can be arranged, an enemy strikes out at the triumvirate, forcing them to put personal problems on hold and learn who is after them so they can stop him. NARCISSUS IN CHAINS seems to be the definitive book in the series. The protagonist has come to terms with what she is and accepts that her vampire lover is a part of her life because he needs her. She also sees that Richard will never change and makes plans accordingly. Laurel K. Hamilton has written the best book of her career because she gives the audience the long waited answers they have been waiting for. This action-supernatural thriller is a keeper and with the passage of time will be considered a classic. Harriet Klausner | ||
Plot & Themes FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes magical powers: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |