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Be proud of Life’s battle scars, it means you were stronger than whatever hurt you, and you didn’t die—and Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter and U.S. Marshal will be the first to show you hers in this sweet and sexy story of celebration and connection from #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton.
Anita attends the wedding of her close friend but finds that even on the happiest of days there are wounds that need healing. She and the wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel are asked to talk to the bride’s thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, who is struggling to recover from a recent gunshot wound. Depressed and demoralized, Tomas isn’t doing his physical therapy and could spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair…
How can Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel convince Tomas that he can heal when he’s given up? They tell him about their own scars and how they took back their own lives after they were wounded. And Anita will realize how lucky they are to have not only survived their pasts, but to now be able to make their own formal commitment to each other— and the vampire in her life…
Anita attends the wedding of her close friend but finds that even on the happiest of days there are wounds that need healing. She and the wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel are asked to talk to the bride’s thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, who is struggling to recover from a recent gunshot wound. Depressed and demoralized, Tomas isn’t doing his physical therapy and could spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair…
How can Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel convince Tomas that he can heal when he’s given up? They tell him about their own scars and how they took back their own lives after they were wounded. And Anita will realize how lucky they are to have not only survived their pasts, but to now be able to make their own formal commitment to each other— and the vampire in her life…
56 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2016
595 people are currently reading
5579 people want to read
About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
424 books25.8k followersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
June 28, 2016
Bad, just really, really bad. Did I happen to mention that it's bad?
Included in the paperback version of Dead Ice. Ebook to be released as a standalone in December 2016 and containing a *preview* of Crimson Death (scheduled for release in Oct. 2016, two months earlier.) So your choices are to buy a second copy of Dead Ice or wait another 6 months and get a preview for a book already released. In other words, just as slipshod as the rest of Hamilton's recent output.
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Anita Blake not only manages to make someone else's wedding all about her, she's insulting to Manny's wife and the most important life lesson she and her ridiculous harem decide to teach a 13 year old boy is how to ogle a women's breasts without getting caught. Yeah, that's a real useful skill for a group of adults to teach an adolescent.
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End Spoiler
This reads like a cut scene from a really bad telenovela. Like most recent Anita Blake novellas it is frankly pointless and only emphasizes how far this series has gone downhill and how utterly unlikable the protagonist has become.
Included in the paperback version of Dead Ice. Ebook to be released as a standalone in December 2016 and containing a *preview* of Crimson Death (scheduled for release in Oct. 2016, two months earlier.) So your choices are to buy a second copy of Dead Ice or wait another 6 months and get a preview for a book already released. In other words, just as slipshod as the rest of Hamilton's recent output.
Spoiler
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Anita Blake not only manages to make someone else's wedding all about her, she's insulting to Manny's wife and the most important life lesson she and her ridiculous harem decide to teach a 13 year old boy is how to ogle a women's breasts without getting caught. Yeah, that's a real useful skill for a group of adults to teach an adolescent.
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End Spoiler
This reads like a cut scene from a really bad telenovela. Like most recent Anita Blake novellas it is frankly pointless and only emphasizes how far this series has gone downhill and how utterly unlikable the protagonist has become.
March 19, 2017
I thought this was going to be a longer book. It is not. It is basically just a wedding Anita attends. I read this on a kindle which made me think I was going to get a longer book only to find the last half is chapters about another book. DOH! This is an okay read. Anita is picked on because she is wearing a gun. *rolls eyes* Women can't stand how pretty Anita is and all the men she is with so Anita has to constantly justify it. *SHOCK*
It was a little nice interlude for Anita and Nathaniel to help Edward's adopted son. Can't seem to remember the boy's name either. It was that memorable. *shrug* I keep hoping something will change in these books. I guess, my behaviour describes insanity - doing the same thing over and over and no change...
It was a little nice interlude for Anita and Nathaniel to help Edward's adopted son. Can't seem to remember the boy's name either. It was that memorable. *shrug* I keep hoping something will change in these books. I guess, my behaviour describes insanity - doing the same thing over and over and no change...
December 20, 2016
58%
That's when this short story ends. Which, frankly, ticks me off because I definitely thought it would be longer. It also adds absolutely nothing to the series, and simply regurgitated the same old, same old.
If you haven't dropped the three bucks on this already, I'd recommend a hard pass.
That's when this short story ends. Which, frankly, ticks me off because I definitely thought it would be longer. It also adds absolutely nothing to the series, and simply regurgitated the same old, same old.
If you haven't dropped the three bucks on this already, I'd recommend a hard pass.
November 22, 2021
Una historia corta donde podemos ver un poco mas de como Micah, Nathaniel y Anita intentan ayudar al hijo de su amigo Manny a superar la herida sufrida cuando los secuestraron a el y a su hermana.
Tambien podemos ver como fue la boda de la hija de Manny, y cuales son los sentimientos que tiene Anita por sus hombres, y los suenos de Nathaniel de tener una boda de ensueno.
Tambien podemos ver como fue la boda de la hija de Manny, y cuales son los sentimientos que tiene Anita por sus hombres, y los suenos de Nathaniel de tener una boda de ensueno.
February 26, 2017
I usually like the Anita Blake Series, I would even go so far and name it my favourite. I like the world LKH has created with the preternatural, how Anita and the people around her have progressed over the series, hell, I even like the sex. But what I don't like (and I don't like it in general) are all the meticulous explanations of every single thing. Why the fuck do I need to know what Rosita's brothers do for a living? Or how tall they are. Or how tall every single person on this wedding is (I'm used to the metric system, so this is an even greater pain in the arse).
But what I find even more annoying is that every single detail about every character and every past event is explained IN EVERY SINGLE BOOK. I can understand that you have to do at least a quick recap if you mention something from an earlier book but what is happening here is over the top. And this is only a short story. Half of it (at least) was wasted on things we already know if we follow the series closely and the other on something that could be told in a paragraph. Max. I would have really liked it to get an interesting story with maybe a bit of action (not necessarily the carnal kind) and the usual snarky Anita we all love. Something like Flirt or Micah with a progressing story where Anita can be something else than an annoying person who is better than anyone (first thought was condescending bitch, though) and not only get a glimpse on half an hour of an event not many are interested in (I wasn't).
But what I find even more annoying is that every single detail about every character and every past event is explained IN EVERY SINGLE BOOK. I can understand that you have to do at least a quick recap if you mention something from an earlier book but what is happening here is over the top. And this is only a short story. Half of it (at least) was wasted on things we already know if we follow the series closely and the other on something that could be told in a paragraph. Max. I would have really liked it to get an interesting story with maybe a bit of action (not necessarily the carnal kind) and the usual snarky Anita we all love. Something like Flirt or Micah with a progressing story where Anita can be something else than an annoying person who is better than anyone (first thought was condescending bitch, though) and not only get a glimpse on half an hour of an event not many are interested in (I wasn't).
March 25, 2023
I like reading all of these short stories that happen in between all the gun fights and being able to see a 'lighter' side of Anita and her crew
July 30, 2017
That was sweet, but I was thinking of a short story and it's just a scene from the previous book. There isn't much to say about it, it's really short and it's just a scene, but it was sweet and I hope to read the next book soon!
January 10, 2024
Pretty good short. You only get the wedding reception and an inside look at the main character's feelings of their past and how they coped. The ending was funny and made me LOL.
I like that this was a bonus short read attached to the end of Dead Ice. Gives you a glimpse into a piece of the story that she was not able to put in otherwise. I hope she continues to do this. There are just some things that are left unanswered or wondering how it turned out etc. So to get a small glimpse of after Dead Ice was nice.
I still wish there was some kind of conclusion to Rafael's state. Perhaps it will be included in the next book and it is just a cliff hanger - That would be understandable and acceptable!
I like that this was a bonus short read attached to the end of Dead Ice. Gives you a glimpse into a piece of the story that she was not able to put in otherwise. I hope she continues to do this. There are just some things that are left unanswered or wondering how it turned out etc. So to get a small glimpse of after Dead Ice was nice.
I still wish there was some kind of conclusion to Rafael's state. Perhaps it will be included in the next book and it is just a cliff hanger - That would be understandable and acceptable!
June 10, 2020
It was a good read but I felt like it ended quite abruptly. Maybe I just wanted more of Jean Claude.
December 4, 2023
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating: 🔥
Narrator Performance: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
Heat Rating: 🔥
Narrator Performance: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
February 9, 2017
Whoa, this has a high average rating considering it's just a rehash!
In the previous book, Dead Ice, Anita saved some of her friend's kids from a bad guy, but one of them, a 13 year old boy, got shot up pretty badly. He went to the hospital and lived!
Here's what happened in this story:
The kid lived, but he's in a wheelchair. Anita and her main squeezes are at the kid's sister's wedding, and talk him into doing his physical therapy, because he was slacking on it.
Here's why it's a rehash:
1: Anita recounts her various weapons, then, because she brought a gun to the wedding, she gets into an argument over why it's okay for her to bring guns everywhere.
2: Anita is beautiful, but doesn't believe it, which is fine, but goes through the exact same thought process she always goes through.
3: Anita wonders, again, why she's not aging at a normal human rate. Then she suddenly remembers that she's part lycanthrope, and they age slower. (First of all, BS, that's the first that's ever been mentioned. Second of all, she was already aging slower because of her 3rd level vampire marks. Third of all, she knows damned well that she'd be immortal if she ever got around to closing her obvious weak point of not having her fourth vampire mark.)
4: Anita recounts her various scars one by one, again, although this time she has to preface it with 'Uh, these came from before I had regeneration'.
5: Micah recounts his origin story.
6: Nathaniel recounts his origin story.
7: Jean Claude shows up and they recount vampire politics and that they're getting married.
The only new thing that happened is that Anita uses the power of her boobs to help get a kid to work out more. Really, she tells him he'll walk again, and then run again. Which is nice and all, but didn't they say the bullet hit the nerve to his leg? The kid's right, he screwed unless he get's lycanthropy like he wants, so he can regenerate.
Maybe they'll finally find some healing magic in this series? Why not? Maybe an angel will show up, they've already gotten demons, even though it's been a while.
Surprise #8! Another reader noted that Antia, though she feels like she's not beautiful herself, has some seriously bitchy issues with the looks of her own friends. She snarks on their weight, their lack of weight, how young they are, how old they are... That, added to her anger issues, her lack of any diplomacy, her bad personal choices, all show why the only people who are in love with her are either in it for the power like Jean Claude, or were mind raped into it by the ardeur like literally everyone else.
Speaking of which... Anita could literally boink the kid and heal him (she should wait until he turns 18 though). It would probably give him super powers too. This is one of those many weird idea crossovers that Laurel K Hamilton has with the magic systems between this series, "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" and her fae based "Merideth Gentry" series.
In the previous book, Dead Ice, Anita saved some of her friend's kids from a bad guy, but one of them, a 13 year old boy, got shot up pretty badly. He went to the hospital and lived!
Here's what happened in this story:
The kid lived, but he's in a wheelchair. Anita and her main squeezes are at the kid's sister's wedding, and talk him into doing his physical therapy, because he was slacking on it.
Here's why it's a rehash:
1: Anita recounts her various weapons, then, because she brought a gun to the wedding, she gets into an argument over why it's okay for her to bring guns everywhere.
2: Anita is beautiful, but doesn't believe it, which is fine, but goes through the exact same thought process she always goes through.
3: Anita wonders, again, why she's not aging at a normal human rate. Then she suddenly remembers that she's part lycanthrope, and they age slower. (First of all, BS, that's the first that's ever been mentioned. Second of all, she was already aging slower because of her 3rd level vampire marks. Third of all, she knows damned well that she'd be immortal if she ever got around to closing her obvious weak point of not having her fourth vampire mark.)
4: Anita recounts her various scars one by one, again, although this time she has to preface it with 'Uh, these came from before I had regeneration'.
5: Micah recounts his origin story.
6: Nathaniel recounts his origin story.
7: Jean Claude shows up and they recount vampire politics and that they're getting married.
The only new thing that happened is that Anita uses the power of her boobs to help get a kid to work out more. Really, she tells him he'll walk again, and then run again. Which is nice and all, but didn't they say the bullet hit the nerve to his leg? The kid's right, he screwed unless he get's lycanthropy like he wants, so he can regenerate.
Maybe they'll finally find some healing magic in this series? Why not? Maybe an angel will show up, they've already gotten demons, even though it's been a while.
Surprise #8! Another reader noted that Antia, though she feels like she's not beautiful herself, has some seriously bitchy issues with the looks of her own friends. She snarks on their weight, their lack of weight, how young they are, how old they are... That, added to her anger issues, her lack of any diplomacy, her bad personal choices, all show why the only people who are in love with her are either in it for the power like Jean Claude, or were mind raped into it by the ardeur like literally everyone else.
Speaking of which... Anita could literally boink the kid and heal him (she should wait until he turns 18 though). It would probably give him super powers too. This is one of those many weird idea crossovers that Laurel K Hamilton has with the magic systems between this series, "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" and her fae based "Merideth Gentry" series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2016
This was awful. Hamilton starts off telling this short piece was in response to readers wanting to read about the upcoming wedding for Manny's daughter Connie from the end of Dead Ice. What few pages are devoted to the reception felt like a deja vu of the wedding reception for Anita's friend earlier in the series: Anita's dance hang-ups, Nathaniel's pushy insistence for attention without reading the room, and Anita not playing well with others. Most of this is how not to be a victim, an ongoing theme in this series. Nothing new except for the person receiving self-help advice. We get a teasing gratuitous cameo of Jean-Claude, but it doesn't fulfill any emotional promise because before there is a true sense of connection and intimacy, Nathaniel pushes his way into Anita's moment with him. This isn't the place to rant but I really have had enough Nathaniel to last me a lifetime. And poor Micah always gets short shrift. If you are a regular reader of the series this adds nothing new, and for me at least, hits all the weaknesses of the series and almost none of its strengths.
January 5, 2020
An extra scene post "Dead Ice". Anita and her leopards at Manny's daughter's wedding reception. A dance with Nathaniel. An argument with the mother of the groom over Anita being armed. A talk with Manny's son Thomas (who was injured during Dead Ice). And a four way greeting when the sun sets and Jean-Claude arrives.
Just an extra scene. No real plot or character development. Although Jean-Claude and Nathaniel share their first public kiss. Nathaniel has wedding fever.
My favorite quote:
I was wearing an engagement ring on my finger big enough to signal airplanes from a deserted island. I actually didn’t like wearing it in public; it made me feel like I was asking to get mugged. In a perfect world I should have been able to cover myself in diamonds from head to foot and walk anywhere alone, but the world wasn’t perfect and it just seemed mean to wear something so tempting when I was usually armed with two guns and multiple knives, plus a badge that said U.S. Marshal on it.
Just an extra scene. No real plot or character development. Although Jean-Claude and Nathaniel share their first public kiss. Nathaniel has wedding fever.
My favorite quote:
I was wearing an engagement ring on my finger big enough to signal airplanes from a deserted island. I actually didn’t like wearing it in public; it made me feel like I was asking to get mugged. In a perfect world I should have been able to cover myself in diamonds from head to foot and walk anywhere alone, but the world wasn’t perfect and it just seemed mean to wear something so tempting when I was usually armed with two guns and multiple knives, plus a badge that said U.S. Marshal on it.
January 6, 2017
Maybe it would have been better if 2/3 of the book were not going over the same damn info as every other book. Look, if someone doesn't know, Anita's/ Nathaniel's/ Micah's stories by now WHY can't they just pick up a previous book?! Maybe I am just over it and I need to move on, which is too bad since I have loved them for the most part, until recently. Lately I get to the repetitive parts and skip them but if they make up most of the book it seems pointless. I do not think I have read any other series that acts like the readers can not keep the basic info in their memories from one book to the next.
December 31, 2016
short story. no sex (for once). not bad but probably could have had more. but I suppose what do expect from a short story!!!
April 9, 2020
A short story, 24.5 in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter paranormal fantasy series, revolving around US Marshal Anita Blake in St Louis, Missouri. The focus is on Tomas, on not being a victim.
My Take
This was an unexpected visit with Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel at Consuela's wedding. The point of it is Micah breaking through with Tomas regarding the kidnapping and shooting in Dead Ice , 24.
Hamilton works it, using Micah's, Nathaniel's, and Anita's past injuries and traumas to make the point to Tomas that he can sit back and whine or do your physical therapy religiously. Don't be a victim, don't let the bad guy win, and beat everyone's expectations to a better life.
It's all first person protagonist point-of-view from Anita's perspective, and it is amazing how much ground Hamilton covers in these few pages, lol. I do wish Hamilton had covered a little more ground and tidied off that encounter with that twit of a mother-in-law. I do so enjoy when Anita goes up against officious people, *more laughter*.
The Story
Consuela is enjoying her wedding reception, especially that Tomas was able to be there. If only...if only Tomas would work his PT. To not give up on his life, his future...
The Characters
Manny Rodriguez had been Anita's mentor in raising the dead and works with her at Animators, Inc. Rosita is his disapproving wife. Consuela, Manny's daughter, is getting married. Mercedes, a younger daughter, is her maid of honor. Their thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, switches between the wheelchair and crutches since events in Dead Ice . Rosita has six HUGE brothers: Bambino is one of 'em.
Dr Francisco "Frankie" (he specializes in sports medicine with an emphasis on rehabilitation after injuries) is living with Mercedes who has a degree in nutrition; they also work together.
Anita Blake, US Marshal, necromancer, and official fiancé to Jean-Claude, the Master of St Louis and the king of American vampires. Nathaniel Graison, a wereleopard who strips at Guilty Pleasures, is Anita's leopard-to-call and one-third of their triumvirate. Micah Callahan is also a leopard shifter and the head of the Coalition for Better Understanding Between Human and Lycanthrope Communities. He and Nathaniel are Anita's primary sweeties.
Mrs Conroy is Consuela's new mother-in-law, and does she ever have her issues!
The Title
The title is a look at the "Wounded", from Anita to Micah, Nathaniel, and Tomas.
My Take
This was an unexpected visit with Anita, Micah, and Nathaniel at Consuela's wedding. The point of it is Micah breaking through with Tomas regarding the kidnapping and shooting in Dead Ice , 24.
Hamilton works it, using Micah's, Nathaniel's, and Anita's past injuries and traumas to make the point to Tomas that he can sit back and whine or do your physical therapy religiously. Don't be a victim, don't let the bad guy win, and beat everyone's expectations to a better life.
It's all first person protagonist point-of-view from Anita's perspective, and it is amazing how much ground Hamilton covers in these few pages, lol. I do wish Hamilton had covered a little more ground and tidied off that encounter with that twit of a mother-in-law. I do so enjoy when Anita goes up against officious people, *more laughter*.
"Sometimes you're so happy you can't hold it all in and it spills out your eyes."It does sound as if Tomas is quite the Romeo.
The Story
Consuela is enjoying her wedding reception, especially that Tomas was able to be there. If only...if only Tomas would work his PT. To not give up on his life, his future...
The Characters
Manny Rodriguez had been Anita's mentor in raising the dead and works with her at Animators, Inc. Rosita is his disapproving wife. Consuela, Manny's daughter, is getting married. Mercedes, a younger daughter, is her maid of honor. Their thirteen-year-old brother, Tomas, switches between the wheelchair and crutches since events in Dead Ice . Rosita has six HUGE brothers: Bambino is one of 'em.
Dr Francisco "Frankie" (he specializes in sports medicine with an emphasis on rehabilitation after injuries) is living with Mercedes who has a degree in nutrition; they also work together.
Anita Blake, US Marshal, necromancer, and official fiancé to Jean-Claude, the Master of St Louis and the king of American vampires. Nathaniel Graison, a wereleopard who strips at Guilty Pleasures, is Anita's leopard-to-call and one-third of their triumvirate. Micah Callahan is also a leopard shifter and the head of the Coalition for Better Understanding Between Human and Lycanthrope Communities. He and Nathaniel are Anita's primary sweeties.
Mrs Conroy is Consuela's new mother-in-law, and does she ever have her issues!
The Title
The title is a look at the "Wounded", from Anita to Micah, Nathaniel, and Tomas.
April 3, 2017
Why do I keep putting myself through this series... Anita and co are attending a wedding for Manny's daughter and disturbingly have managed to spin the events of the wedding entirely around themselves. I hate myself but I didn't even mind it.
October 3, 2018
Anita Blake
I love the Anita Blake stories. Even though there are so many in the series, they never get old. The writing is good. The nuggets of wisdom she litters through the story are great. And it’s great to read a novel with such a strong female lead.
I love the Anita Blake stories. Even though there are so many in the series, they never get old. The writing is good. The nuggets of wisdom she litters through the story are great. And it’s great to read a novel with such a strong female lead.
May 4, 2018
Waste of time.
December 2, 2024
I love the short stories!!
January 4, 2023
Cute mid way book if you don't remember some back stories. 🤌
March 22, 2017
I absolutely love how Hamilton makes these short story about one problem from real life, how she gives ways to solve this problem in her paranormal ways, but same time you can use those same advises in real life. It's just a pleasure to read about Anita's, Micha's and Nathaniel's life outside their usual crime solving and vampire/were business dealings.
April 17, 2019
I have enjoyed this series, and have bought the entire graphic novel set - BUT, as time passes, there are just too many characters involved, for my taste and understanding. I loved the concept of this story, the characters are touching, but, as I said, its becoming convoluted for me. Giving 4 stars for content.
January 2, 2017
Really glad I waited
I am so glad I waited for this novella before starting her newest book. It's been a while since I read Dead Ice anf this helped bring it back to me and all the relationship ins and outs that occur. Anita is such a special person and her men are just so perfectly fitted for her. Its like puzzle pieces that finally fit her. Really love everything about her story.
I am so glad I waited for this novella before starting her newest book. It's been a while since I read Dead Ice anf this helped bring it back to me and all the relationship ins and outs that occur. Anita is such a special person and her men are just so perfectly fitted for her. Its like puzzle pieces that finally fit her. Really love everything about her story.
December 15, 2016
On the plus side, this is one of the more tame stories. On the other side, it still has a lot of issues. Anita comes off as both happy and condescending to those not a part of her group, which seems in bad taste at a wedding. It's been well established that she never goes anywhere without her personal arsenal, but it still seems in poor taste to be flashing it at a wedding. I guess you could liken it to a cop carrying his sidearm, which I have seen, but it doesn't have the same ring to it. There's also the obvious lack of follow through. Mrs. Conroy states very clearly she's going to send her husband over and talk to Manny and Rosita about Anita carrying concealed at the wedding..... but we never see any of this. In fact, Anita and her two leopards decide not to disturb Manny and Rosita's dancing about Tomas and instead talk to the sister. Okay....
I guess the whole side conversation with Tomas helps him, or it seems to, but really it seems like an excuse to hash out everyone's bad histories again. Granted, the purpose is supposedly to highlight the benefit and possibilities of actually following doctor's orders and working to improve yourself, but that seems to be the icing on the proverbial cake.
Then of course Jean-Claude has to show up. Of course it's this big deal because he's the American king now and Anita's public fiance out of the whole group, but does he really belong in this scene otherwise? His past is tied in neatly to the whole bad past/having to survive bit with reference to his scars, but again, it's add on. Not to mention the whole hash about the gossip/media circuit and how careful they all have to be.... as they take over the center spotlight at someone else's wedding. Classy. Of course everything has to revolve around Anita and her men or it wouldn't be an ABVH story, right?
I guess the whole side conversation with Tomas helps him, or it seems to, but really it seems like an excuse to hash out everyone's bad histories again. Granted, the purpose is supposedly to highlight the benefit and possibilities of actually following doctor's orders and working to improve yourself, but that seems to be the icing on the proverbial cake.
Then of course Jean-Claude has to show up. Of course it's this big deal because he's the American king now and Anita's public fiance out of the whole group, but does he really belong in this scene otherwise? His past is tied in neatly to the whole bad past/having to survive bit with reference to his scars, but again, it's add on. Not to mention the whole hash about the gossip/media circuit and how careful they all have to be.... as they take over the center spotlight at someone else's wedding. Classy. Of course everything has to revolve around Anita and her men or it wouldn't be an ABVH story, right?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2018
I liked this as an outtake but really would like a book with half a dozen or more outtakes/short stories covering all the missing information from the series. In Dead Ice we finally see in print that Narcissus lost the baby. I wonder what happened to the vampires in Colin's city in Tennessee after he died, what does happen to an entire city of vampires if their master dies...did all of them that were blood oathed die with him and why hasn't Anita angst about murdering an entire town of 'people'. I wonder if Sampson came back and whether or not he became a siren or if his brothers got their turn at Anita. I would like to know if the naga survived and how. Does London find a new home and how does he go back on the ardeur wagon? Is Requiem okay and happy? A day in the life of the Wicked Truth. Oh so many loose ends to be tied up. One of the things that negative reviewers complain about is Anita not changing or growing. This does not take into account that only six years have passed since she met JC and only three since she started collecting all the lycanthropes and upping the sexual antics and its inherent wangst. No one changes a lifetime of childhood's rules and Catholicism that fast. The outer trappings of one's life may change 180 degrees overnight but the person's internalizing and adjusting does not. Readers have been reading for 20 years and they have all grown older and changed perspectives and attitudes during that period and Anita is not keeping up with them. You have to treat the books like a Peanuts cartoon. He never gets older, he never changes, twenty years down the road and he is still mooning over the little red headed girl and Snoopy is still alive...we all know dogs don't live that long. Of course, i thought all the public kissing was overdone but I loved the talk with Tomas.
November 19, 2018
This was another lovely glimpse into Anita's life. I was happy to read another of Laurell's books after a short break.
I love how comfortable Anita is with Micah, Nathaniel and Jean Claude. I'm also happy how everyone in her life is starting to be more comfortable with her being in a relationship with several people.
I was also impressed that they were able to help Thomas. Before Anita would have been too negative and wouldn't have been able to help him because of her own issues. :)
I love how comfortable Anita is with Micah, Nathaniel and Jean Claude. I'm also happy how everyone in her life is starting to be more comfortable with her being in a relationship with several people.
I was also impressed that they were able to help Thomas. Before Anita would have been too negative and wouldn't have been able to help him because of her own issues. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2021
I can hardly think of anything constructive to say about this. Anita and company attend a friend's wedding. Of course, she somehow manages to take the focus off the actual wedding and turn it onto her and her sexual partners. Everything always has to revolve around her and her harem. I am just...over this. Stuff like this makes it hard for me to be a die hard reader.
December 6, 2020
Short and sweet; introduction explains this is like an "outtake from Dead Ice" - it is one thing that happened at the wedding. Some good aspects and some not so good. Overall, I enjoyed Nathaniel's approach to Tomas.
January 2, 2017
I give this a 3 1/2.
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