Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Ace Books (1996), Edition: 1st, 370 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Romance. HTML:For the first time in trade paperback: the fifth novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Laurell K. Hamilton. When Branson, Missouri, is hit with a death wave 'four unsolved murders' it doesn't take an expert to realize that all is not well. But luckily for the locals, Anita Blake is an expert in the kinds of preternatural goings-on that have everyone spooked. And she's got an 'in' with the creature that can make sense of the slayings-the sexy master vampire known as Jean-Claude.
User reviews
LibraryThing member verenka
I'm on part 5 of the Anita Blake series and I keep reading, despite not actually knowing why. I'm not overly fond of her writing style, nor do I like the main character, her double standards and ridiculously short temper. There must be something, though, because I keep reading.
LibraryThing member janersm
Oy. I've tried to be positive about the Anita Blake books, but this book has been the worst in the series, by far. I almost gave up on it a few times, but I stuck with it.
There weren't as many issues with this one & the blatant copy-paste issue that existed in The Lunatic Cafe or other books from
The plot was not as easy to follow, and the bad guys were all way too transparent. The only character that really had any decent development was Jean-Claude. (His past was nice to learn about.) Anita's past, though, became almost too annoying to constantly go over. I understand why her past had to be covered, but I almost felt like reading about her "pain" was some kind of cruel chore that an abusive parent might force a child to do.
I don't understand why Anita, as the narrator, cannot be more of sympathetic character. Sometimes, it seems like reading her thoughts is like having insight to the school bully. She's such a jaded and rude character that her snide remarks don't come off as some kind of snarky wit, but instead come off as the ideas of a character that thinks that she is truly better than anyone else in existence. That arrogance is extremely off-putting. She's also extremely fragmented in her personality when it comes to monsters. Anything or anyone who has any sort of superhuman ability seems to be labeled as a monster & all monsters must be killed, but if she has any kind of warm fuzzy feelings for you, then you're safe. This seems to be a major conflict in her mind, and (since she's the narrator) it gets brought up over and over. It makes me, and probably others, just wish that some big bad monster would off her already.
And why must we keep being reminded that she hold such a moral standard with regards to sex? It's disgusting to read about her saint-like prudence, and then turn a page and see that she will kill anyone and not have the slightest bit of grief over their death. She's practically a sociopath when it comes to violence, so it makes the quasi-virginal attitude all the more intolerable to read about.
I will continue to read the novels, but I hope the rest get better.
There weren't as many issues with this one & the blatant copy-paste issue that existed in The Lunatic Cafe or other books from
Show More
the series, but I would've almost traded anything to have those instead of the awkward prose that did exist. I wondered at times if maybe I got a version of the book that just had a choppy writing technique, but I have a feeling that there was no difference in the edition I had as compared to the original hardback version.The plot was not as easy to follow, and the bad guys were all way too transparent. The only character that really had any decent development was Jean-Claude. (His past was nice to learn about.) Anita's past, though, became almost too annoying to constantly go over. I understand why her past had to be covered, but I almost felt like reading about her "pain" was some kind of cruel chore that an abusive parent might force a child to do.
I don't understand why Anita, as the narrator, cannot be more of sympathetic character. Sometimes, it seems like reading her thoughts is like having insight to the school bully. She's such a jaded and rude character that her snide remarks don't come off as some kind of snarky wit, but instead come off as the ideas of a character that thinks that she is truly better than anyone else in existence. That arrogance is extremely off-putting. She's also extremely fragmented in her personality when it comes to monsters. Anything or anyone who has any sort of superhuman ability seems to be labeled as a monster & all monsters must be killed, but if she has any kind of warm fuzzy feelings for you, then you're safe. This seems to be a major conflict in her mind, and (since she's the narrator) it gets brought up over and over. It makes me, and probably others, just wish that some big bad monster would off her already.
And why must we keep being reminded that she hold such a moral standard with regards to sex? It's disgusting to read about her saint-like prudence, and then turn a page and see that she will kill anyone and not have the slightest bit of grief over their death. She's practically a sociopath when it comes to violence, so it makes the quasi-virginal attitude all the more intolerable to read about.
I will continue to read the novels, but I hope the rest get better.
Show Less
LibraryThing member la_librarian
Bloody Bones was just really good. Anita seems so much more human. It's funny because she's always going on and on about the other "monsters" and how Jean Claude the vampire isn't human but Anita had too much of an idealistic quality about her before this book. You could see changing starting in
It's hard for me to imagine this as a stand alone title because so much of the previous books brings meaning to this one.
All in all...continuing a great series for vamp fans.
Show More
Lunatic Cafe, the title before this on, but the changes are really happening.It's hard for me to imagine this as a stand alone title because so much of the previous books brings meaning to this one.
All in all...continuing a great series for vamp fans.
Show Less
LibraryThing member teharhynn
So tell me, who is the beautiful vampire Jean Claude? This book really takes you deeper than any of the others into his character. You find out a bit about his making and how his first years as a vampire were. Maybe that’s why he’s the way he is now? All in all, it was a good read, but I would
Show More
have liked to see a little more of Richards character. Oh and let me say “Anita, Why are you waiting for Marriage!?” Show Less
LibraryThing member sdtaylor555
This is one of the weaker of the series. It is still good though.
LibraryThing member Flamika
This is my absolute favorite Anita Blake book, which may be because I accidentally read it before any other book, but it has everything I like about the series: paranormal police investigations, Larry Kirkland, Jean-Claude (pre-NiC), vampires, and other preternatural nasties. It's a great,
Show More
well-rounded novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
I just don't get tired of the Anita Blake books. The dialogue here may be a bit more trite than in some of the others, but the story is there and the characters as interesting as ever.
LibraryThing member susanbevans
Another great book in the series. I can not get enough!
LibraryThing member readingrat
While not perfect, I think this has been the best of the series so far. I've always loved the plot action in these books but found the over-the-top caricaturization of the main character incredibly annoying. In this installment Anita actually makes mistakes, she experiences doubts, desire, and even
Show More
some defeat which goes a long way towards making her a character rather than just a caricature. Giving her a side-kick, and thereby a mirror in which to see herself differently, really helped add dimensions to her. Yes we still have to hear about her black Nike's and her inner-pants holster (time after time), but she comes across as much more natural in this book. That, along with a wide and varied host of new monsters, made for an excellent read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ritastradling
This was the best yet.
LibraryThing member TheSolitaryBookworm
So we have reached the fifth book of the series. Like the first four series, Bloody Bones is packed with hard core fighting, bitching and all that macho stuff that Anita seems to handle quite well. I have enjoyed reading how Anita manages to maintain a balance in her life and how she handles every
The book is good, but compared to the first four, this was quite a long read. I mean, I didn't quite enjoy this as much as the first four books. But it doesn't mean that it is not worth reading. I enjoy the love triangle but it becomes a drag throughout the story. Throughout the series, Anita is pictured to be a strong independent woman but sometimes she comes off bitchy. I don't know why. Still a good book, though not as good as the first 4.
Show More
obstacle effortlessly. The book is good, but compared to the first four, this was quite a long read. I mean, I didn't quite enjoy this as much as the first four books. But it doesn't mean that it is not worth reading. I enjoy the love triangle but it becomes a drag throughout the story. Throughout the series, Anita is pictured to be a strong independent woman but sometimes she comes off bitchy. I don't know why. Still a good book, though not as good as the first 4.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Ceysa
This takes Anita to another state, and then gets her into trouble with the FBI, her employer and some very nasty fairy characters as well as vampires.
Now these vampire encounters introduce the reader to protocol when dealing with other vampires, various kinds of vampires and the scariest vampire of
Now these vampire encounters introduce the reader to protocol when dealing with other vampires, various kinds of vampires and the scariest vampire of
Show More
all for Anita. One who promises her the most impossible thing of all..... well, you will just have to read it to find out what. (Evil grin.) Show Less
LibraryThing member Joybee
Great book, fast paced, fun read with romance,blood and guts.
Anita is out of town on animator business, she needs to raise all of the bodies of a disturbed graveyard to settle a land dispute. The problem is that the bodies are really old and all need to be raised in one night. Meanwhile there is a
Anita is out of town on animator business, she needs to raise all of the bodies of a disturbed graveyard to settle a land dispute. The problem is that the bodies are really old and all need to be raised in one night. Meanwhile there is a
Show More
possible serial killer, of supernatural powers (possibly a vampire), rampaging the small town she is visiting. Anita is called to assist he local police, but they don't seem to appreciate her help. Show Less
LibraryThing member averitasm
Love all of the series .
LibraryThing member t1bnotown
These books are popular enough that I find them around, but I'm definitely not seeking them out. There's WAY too much zombie gore and way too little vampire romance. There are suggestions that maybe she'll get somewhere with Jean Claude eventually, but so far nothing. I'm really not going for this,
Show More
"I'm so tough I shoot people and raise the dead and my only interesting characteristic is my collection of penguins." Lots of killing=boring. Even the fairies that show up in this aren't interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member vampyredhead
The 5th in a series about Anita Blake, vampire hunter.An incredible, exciting, sexy book. Full of horror and romance. Edge of your seat read. So much fun to read. This series is highly addictive.
LibraryThing member jbemrose
Book #5 Anita and larry went to Brandson to raises a whloe graveyard to see if it was a family plot. Also Anits as for Jean Claude help to with master of Brandson so the can get the boy Jeff back from a rouge vampire. But Anita,Larry,Jean Claude, and Jason barely escape from Seraphina, the master
Show More
of Brandson and Bloody Bones the faery. Show Less
LibraryThing member betheamichael
Follow Anita Blake as she travels to Branson, Missouri, to put an end to a series of supernatural murders and disappearances in Bloody Bones, fifth in the #1 New York Times--bestselling series
LibraryThing member Jennifer-Hettenbach
I have read this book and the ones that come before and after it many times. Each time I start the series again I managed to come up a little shorter then I did the perivious time. I found that each time I would read it I liked it less and less, or at least I like the Anita less and less. I liked
Show More
the theme and the world and most of the supporting cast just fine, but Anita not as much. I started to notice that Anita doesn't have any flaws. Everything she does she is the best at, everyone wants to be with her, and she never seems to make any mistakes. She is always destined to be queen of whatever comes along. It gets old fast. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
My and Anita Blake came to a parting of the ways after Flirt, Book 18. Although really I lost the love after Narcissus in Chains, Book 10. That I lasted as long as I did is a tribute to how much I did enjoy the earlier books and hoped they might get back on track. It's been several years since I
Show More
read the Anita Blake books. About five years, I think, since I remember Harlequin had already come out and I gobbled them up one after another. Yet I still remember the vividly that scene in the graveyard. Truly, made of awesomeness, for this was when Anita really was a Vampire Hunter--and an Animator--an employee of a firm that will raise the dead for you for a last talk--for a price. It was a time in which Anita was still torn between the smexy Jean Claude, Vampire Master of the City, and Richard the (still) decent and good man--and werewolf. And oh, yeah, she still cared about people she didn't have a sexual or romantic hankering for--witness the prominence of her co-worker Larry Kirkland in this book who often provides the comic relief. In other words, this was when Anita and her universe were still fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member JEB5
“Bloody Bones” continues the Anita Blake series. In this novel, Blake is given the job of resurrecting a cemetery of 200 year old corpses to figure out what family owns the land on which a developer would like to build. While out on assignment, Blake is called in by the local police to
Blake has grown and developed as a character and while she remains as stubborn as ever she is gradually coming to terms with her “human” side. The drama of dating both Jean-Claude and Richard has also taken its course and added an element of emotional stress that hadn’t existed in the previous novels (minus “The Lunatic Café” that is).
Hamilton’s writing remains an easy read with her vivid descriptions and the enlightening explanations. With her shorter chapters the pace for her books remains steady and before you know it, the end is here and you are reaching for the next in the series.
Show More
investigate a murder scene. Much to the local authority’s dismay, Blake believes that there is a serial killing vampire on the loose. Blake must utilize all of her vampire hunting techniques and sources to figure out this preternatural who-done-it. Blake has grown and developed as a character and while she remains as stubborn as ever she is gradually coming to terms with her “human” side. The drama of dating both Jean-Claude and Richard has also taken its course and added an element of emotional stress that hadn’t existed in the previous novels (minus “The Lunatic Café” that is).
Hamilton’s writing remains an easy read with her vivid descriptions and the enlightening explanations. With her shorter chapters the pace for her books remains steady and before you know it, the end is here and you are reaching for the next in the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
Old book. I really liked all of the earlier books of this series, of which this is one. But I really don't feel like rereading them so I'm going to let this one go.
LibraryThing member heidilove
The Anita Blake series starts out well, but really begins to turn toward the victim-as-passion pretty soon. If you're into that, then these deliver, but it's really not my thing. By the time we get well into the series, Hamilton's Blake is pathetically power hungry and driven by a sense of
Show More
acceptance from men that would have any truly independent person retching in the aisle. Eventually it devolves into farcical S&M exploration, delivering light porn, but not truly erotica. If you don't want to admit what your hungers are to yourself, then these are books made for you, as I Blake (and possibly by extension Hamilton herself) suffers from the same plight. My favorite character of all is Edward, and we really never do get to see enough of him. Show Less
LibraryThing member LiteraryFeline
Naming her books after place names seems to be a pattern for Ms. Hamilton. Bloody Bones takes the reader outside of St. Louis as Anita Blake, the Vampire Hunter, takes on a job of raising a cemetery of zombies whose graves have been disturbed. Meanwhile, she finds herself a part of the
Show More
investigation for a series of child murders that may involve a vampire. The goat sacrifice was too graphic for my tastes, but I did enjoy this novel. With each new installment in the series, Ms. Hamilton gives the reader a deeper view into the hearts and minds of her characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member melydia
When she is called upon to raise an entire cemetery to settle a land dispute, Anita Blake must call on her aspiring paramour vampire, Jean-Claude, for help. I liked this one, though the love triangle continues to feel forced. Mostly I liked learning more about the fantasy elements, like the
Show More
mechanics involved in raising the dead, the various species of supernatural critters, etc. I'm not impatient to read the next one, but I'll probably continue reading the series. It's entertaining enough. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Sapphire Award (Novel — 1997)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1996
Physical description
370 p.; 4.26 inches
ISBN
0441003745 / 9780441003747