Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description 

• Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, goes up against an ancient evil set on destroying all she holds dear in the new book in the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling series.

My name is Anita Blake and I’m no stranger to killing monsters. But this time, it’s personal…

The wedding of the century is almost here. My wedding – to Jean-Claude, the new vampire king of America. But not everyone wishes us well. Humans think I’m on the side of the monsters. And the vampires fear their king is under the spell of the most powerful necromancer in a thousand years – me.

When the St. Louis police summon me to a brutal murder scene linked a nationwide slaughter of vampires and humans, I know there is more than just a killer to catch. An ancient evil has arrived in town, hell bent on destroying everything – and everyone – I love.

Even I cannot face this alone. Jean-Claude and I must embrace our triumvirate to save both vampires and humans, and to prove that love conquers all. 

 

Review 

Smolder by Laurell K. Hamilton is the twenty-ninth book in her series with our Preternatural U.S. Marshal and vampire hunter Anita Blake. 

It’s not necessary to read them all (it’s a pretty long series) but it does help a little. But saying that I’ve not read them all, I’ve only read her recent ones, and I managed to keep abreast of who is who and what is what ? 

Anita Blake is preparing for her wedding to the vampire king of America Jean-Claude. (They’ve been an item/couple for many years, and you’ll see their relationship in most of the books) 

So the story starts with Anita’s best friend U.S. Marshall Ted Forrester. Whilst he is admiring himself in his  best man clothing, Anita gets a phone call from the local police. They think the Sunshine Murderer has hit again. 

But, that’s not the only thing going on in St. Louis. An ancient being has arrived to challenge Jean-Claude for his vampire crown. And it’s not looking good for Jean-Claude! He might be the most powerful vampire around, but he’s still no match for the newcomer! Will he lose his crown? 

Then you have both humans and vampires thinking neither one should be with the other! Humans think Anita will take the vampire’s side over theirs, and the vampires think Anita will eventually turn their king against them! 

Although I’ve not read all the books in this series, the ones I’ve read have given me the impression Anita has become a pretty powerful entity, she has many powers at her fingertips, and this book sees her utilising most of them…..

So, what with keeping her vampire partner alive and on his thrown, she’s keeping humans happy, the vampires are needing constant reassurance she’s not out for his powers, she’s also trying to work out who the Sunshine murder is and can she catch them this time? Anita did seem to be juggling quite a few emotional balls in the air as well! Did she need to be? I didn’t think so! But that’s just me ??‍♀️ 

There are a few spicy moments ? but they don’t slow us down too much (nothing as distracting when the MC’s getting carried away with page after page ?) 

I keep meaning to go to the beginning of this series, I’d love to read how far she’s come, and I’d like to know when Anita and Jean-Claude first met.

I’m also getting the feeling this was a set up for the next book! A few of the threads that could have been sorted weren’t! And I did feel the ending a little vague! 

But I did enjoy the book immensely, the author can definitely weave a tale, twenty nine books in and the character still had plenty to give. 

Will Anita and Jean-Claude get married or will the the Sunshine murderer take precedence? Will the vampires and humans get their wishes? 

I’m definitely recommending this book if your a fan of the author, and I’m suggesting if you have the time, go to the start of the series and work your way through. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher