The first book of the Anita Blake series of novels by the American horror writer Laurel Hamilton was published more than 20 years ago, but the cycle continues to be read to this day. The author pleases fans with new works almost every year (more than 25 parts have already been published) and is not going to end, at least official sources are silent about this.
Writer Biography
Laurel Hamilton, born in 1963, grew up in the small village of Sims, Indiana.
Father left them with his mother when the girl was several months old. But on this test the little ones did not end. When she was 6 years old, her mother died in an accident, returning from work in the evening. Since then, Laurel lived with her grandparents.
Family relationships were difficult. Grandfather did not cherish a granddaughter, while beating up his grandmother. Perhaps that is why the writer has characters in her imagination that combine tenderness with cruelty. That is how Laurel remembered her grandfather, whom, in spite of everything, she loved very much.
The author graduated from college with a degree in biology and English literature. She led the ordinary life of an average American: she worked in the Xerox office, got married, gave birth to a child.
Laurel began writing at the age of 12 for her pleasure. Her first fantasy vow of the sorceress was not widely known. But the first book of the cycle about the fearless Anita, published in 1993, caused a sensation among fans of action movies in the genre of horror. Since then, all fans of this genre know the name Laurel Hamilton. The famous cycle has been going on for 26 years. Of course, the first books in it are strikingly different from novels published in recent years ... But the fact that they are still read is a fact.
The plot of the cycle
"Anita Blake" - a series of books about a young woman Anita. At the time the series began, she was 24 years old. The heroine is an animator and makes a living by raising zombies for money. In Anita’s world, this is an absolutely legal way to earn money. The fact is that several countries, including America, have legalized vampirism, and now bloodsuckers are the same law-abiding citizens as everyone else. Although Anita knows the difference, she was their fighter for several years and has seen a lot.
It so happened that fate pushed the girl with the oldest vampire of the city (Master). The monster needed Anita Blake because of the ability to raise zombies. Someone kills vampires, there is a witness and he needs to be "revived" and questioned.
The heroine is very impulsive and does not own diplomacy at all. She manages to turn the Masters of the city against herself, refusing to cooperate. Then the vampires take the girl’s girlfriend Katherine hostage. Anita, in fear for her, agrees to help. This event can be considered the beginning of the entire Laurel Hamilton series.
Anita Blake not only comes out victorious every time from fights with monsters, but also discovers new skills and abilities. This is also due to Jean-Claude, a vampire who is associated with tags with the heroine. They will find many adventures, battles, love stories with the acquisition of allies and enemies.
Anita herself throughout the series will be involved in several novels, and not one of them will be with a person. Werewolves, vampires, fairies, sorcerers - this is who surrounds her. This is her world. She is comfortable with monsters, and she knows the rules.
Who is she? Also a monster and a sociopath or still a man? This question constantly torments the heroine of the book. You will not meet Anita Blake among friends in a club, a store, or a movie. She cannot live a normal life. Throughout the cycle, she loses close friends-people because of their distrust of her. Anita is more and more immersed in the world of monsters. But he is not the same for her. Among the monsters, her beloved and friends are now. This is exactly what she wants to preserve, fighting all who encroach on her new family.
main character
Anita is a young girl with many talents. She can raise zombies and feel undead of any kind.
Lives alone and does not trust anyone. This was facilitated by the early death of the mother and the betrayal of her lover.
The heroine hides that she is a necromancer, trying not to get involved in voodoo affairs. She does not always succeed.
The main characters of the Anita Blake series
- Jean-Claude is a vampire of 400 years and Anita's lover.
- Richard Zeeman is a werewolf of the city of St. Louis and the beloved of the protagonist.
- Damian is a vampire 1000 years old, a vampire servant Anita and part of her triumvirate of strength.
- Asher is a vampire, the heroine's lover.
- Jason is a werewolf, Anita's friend.
- Edward is a hired killer and friend of the heroine.
- Nathaniel is a werewolf leopard, part of Anita's triumvirate of strength.
- Mika is the lover of the heroine and nimirraj of the leopards.
- Veronica and Katherine are Anita's friends.
Series based on the cycle
At the beginning of 2010, the series was announced based on the books of the Anita Blake cycle. The project was undertaken by the IFC television channel together with the Canadian media company Lionsgate. Unfortunately, Laurel fans were disappointed. Most likely, the film version will never be.
Since then, many vampire series and films have been released (Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries). But admittedly, Laurel Hamilton was at the forefront of popularizing this kind of series.
Perhaps the reason for the refusal to shoot the series is the fact that with each book the Anita Blake cycle is becoming more open and not a single censorship will broadcast such a film. You can’t remove provocative scenes without losing the plot. They are the central part of the story. The fact is that Anita is a succubus (a creature that feeds on the carnal desires of people).
Anita Blake: Books in Order
- "Forbidden Fruit" (original name - Guilty Pleasures).
- "Laughing Corpse" (The Laughing Corpse).
- Circus of the Damned.
- "Cafe of the Lunatic" (The Lunatic Cafe).
- "Bloody Bones" (Bloody Bones).
- "Deadly Dance" (The Killing Dance).
- "Burnt Offerings" (Burnt Offerings).
- "The Blue Moon" (Blue Moon).
- "Obsidian Butterfly" (Obsidian Butterfly).
- "Narcissus in chains" (Narcissus in Chains).
- "Azure Sin" (Cerulean sins).
- "Dreams of the Incubus" (Incubus Dreams).
- "Mika" (Micah).
- Dance of Death (Danse Macabre).
- "Harlequin" (The Harlequin).
- "Blood Noir" (Blood Noir).
- “Those Who Seek Forgiveness”.
- "The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death."
- "Selling Houses".
- "Nude" (Skin Trade).
- "Flirt" (Flirt).
- "Grit your teeth and die" (Bullet).
- "List to eliminate" (Hit List).
- "Kiss of Death" (Kiss the Dead).
- "Beauty" (Beauty).
- Affliction
- "Dance" (Dancing).
- "Jason" (Jason).
- "Dead Ice" (Dead Ice).
The Anita Blake series has gained as many fans in recent years as it has lost. Many connoisseurs of the classic action movie genre with a Gothic touch have turned their backs on this story. Unfortunately, the book has little left of the detective and amazing vampire fights. Basically, the whole action of the cycle takes place in Anita’s bedroom. It's a pity, because it all started very exciting. Some fans are still hoping for the return of "old and good" Anita. Well, wait and see.