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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fourteenth in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, erotic urban-fantasy series set in an alternate St. Louis, Missouri revolving around the increasingly embedded Anita Blake.
My Take
Busy, busy, busy…again with lots of ups and downs and a huge opening night. Anita makes some new acquaintances (!), Asher has a revelation, and St. Louis gets a new lion. While Marmee Noir is a busier little bee...
Anita has a very complicated life being involved with vampires and the triumvirates. And she is such a pain in the ass. She insists she wants honesty, and then she punishes anyone who delivers. The woman can't get out of her own way! There are so many times that I just want to smack her around!
And life is certainly complicated in Danse Macabre what with Anita needing better "food" for the ardeur, having to keep from draining the life from Damian or Nathaniel, preventing Marmee Noir from taking her over, and coping with Richard and Ronnie's issues. Of course, Anita brings all her own issues to the table. Lord, she's stubborn and obtuse.
News Flash!! Not. Richard behaves like an ass. Again. Joseph has a surprising theory about the vampire marks on Anita and her ability to call animals.
The Story
As part of the positive public relations for which the Vampire Council is eager and Jean-Claude's desire to promote a vampire business, JC has underwritten a vampire ballet company, which seems to be celebrating a successful tour with a performance in St. Louis. Jean-Claude has arranged for a gala benefit with a dinner to follow for a number of vampire Masters of various cities including Chicago and Cape Cod.
As a sort of rehearsal for the dinner, Jean-Claude has arranged a pre-benefit gathering of the Masters whom he considers "friends". Friends who have brought pommes de sang candidates for Anita. A gathering which goes horribly wrong and right for everyone.
The Characters
Anita Blake has so many roles and with each book, she seems to add to them. Born a necromancer, she had the skills to be a vampire hunter—vampires refer to her as The Executioner. She eventually became a part of Jean-Claude's triumvirate along with Richard and accidentally created her own, secondary triumvirate with Nathaniel and Damian.
Jean-Claude is a 600-year-old vampire…the further into the series we get, the older JC seems to get…??! Master of the City of St. Louis, JC has become his own bloodline; one of only three vampires in centuries to achieve this. He is also in love with Anita and very carefully does nothing that will anger her. Asher has been JC's companion, friend, and lover…with some time off for revenge when JC was unable to rescue Juliana.
Ronnie is finally moving in with Louis and it terrifies her so much, that, along with the envy she has for Anita's lifestyle, she rips into Anita, displaying very inappropriate anger and desire.
Micah Callahan is Anita's Nimir Raj or leopard king to her Nimir Ra. Faithful, steady, and oh, so very reliable and flexible while Nathaniel Graison is her animal-to-call in her triumvirate with Damian, a vampire who is hundreds of years old but will never be a master. Nathaniel behaves a bit out of character in this story as he displays possessiveness and a dangerous flirting to ensure Anita's safety.
Richard Zeeman is a werewolf and Ulfric for the Thronnos Rokke Clan with Anita as his lupa. In hiding to keep his junior high science teacher job, Richard both hates and loves Anita and his supernatural self. He is also JC's animal-to-call and part of a triumvirate with JC and Anita. Richard is also the reason their triumvirate is in trouble so often. Not that Anita is so very helpful at making things work.
Of the werewolves: Jason's here and as necessary as ever as a friend to Anita and Nathaniel and Jean-Claude's animal-to-call; Graham is still a pain in the ass; and, Clay demonstrates an empathic nature which Anita so greatly appreciates.
Of the vampires: Requiem is still here and still in love with Anita although she does learn through the ardeur of his true desire and his honesty creates problems for everyone with Meng Die while London, christened the "Dark Knight" by his fellow vamps, turns out to have some very valuable abilities.
Of the wererats, Claudia is as strong as ever with Fredo and Lisandro helping with bodyguard duties. Joseph is the local Rex and doesn't seem to be taking Anita's problems very seriously since he provides her with weak "food" alternatives, Travis and Noel. Remus is one of the werehyena bodyguards and has some issues with Anita's ardeur until he realizes it truly is a life-and-death issue.
The Cape Cod contingent consists of Samuel, the Master of the City, married to a siren, Thea, who have brought their three sons — Sampson, Thomas, and Cristos — as possible candidates for Anita.
The Chicago contingent consists of Auggie, the Master of the City, with a deep desire to re-experience the ardeur; Octavius, his extremely paranoid human servant; and, Pierce and Haven, lionshifters Auggie has brought as possible candidates. Both lionshifters are thugs. Obvious enforcers for Auggie.
Marmee Noir is the Mother of All Darkness. Many think she is the mother of the vampire race and a shapeshifter herself. Cats are her animal-to-call. Imprisoned centuries ago, Marmee Noir is waking up and looking for a vessel to hold her. Ideally a necromancer…
The Cover and Title
The cover is very appropriate with its black corset-clad Anita dangling a pair of red toe shoes down her back, the ties "tying" her wrists together. The title is also appropriate as the ballet company brings a Danse Macabre to St. Louis, Jean-Claude, and his people.
My Take
Busy, busy, busy…again with lots of ups and downs and a huge opening night. Anita makes some new acquaintances (!), Asher has a revelation, and St. Louis gets a new lion. While Marmee Noir is a busier little bee...
Anita has a very complicated life being involved with vampires and the triumvirates. And she is such a pain in the ass. She insists she wants honesty, and then she punishes anyone who delivers. The woman can't get out of her own way! There are so many times that I just want to smack her around!
And life is certainly complicated in Danse Macabre what with Anita needing better "food" for the ardeur, having to keep from draining the life from Damian or Nathaniel, preventing Marmee Noir from taking her over, and coping with Richard and Ronnie's issues. Of course, Anita brings all her own issues to the table. Lord, she's stubborn and obtuse.
News Flash!! Not. Richard behaves like an ass. Again. Joseph has a surprising theory about the vampire marks on Anita and her ability to call animals.
The Story
As part of the positive public relations for which the Vampire Council is eager and Jean-Claude's desire to promote a vampire business, JC has underwritten a vampire ballet company, which seems to be celebrating a successful tour with a performance in St. Louis. Jean-Claude has arranged for a gala benefit with a dinner to follow for a number of vampire Masters of various cities including Chicago and Cape Cod.
As a sort of rehearsal for the dinner, Jean-Claude has arranged a pre-benefit gathering of the Masters whom he considers "friends". Friends who have brought pommes de sang candidates for Anita. A gathering which goes horribly wrong and right for everyone.
The Characters
Anita Blake has so many roles and with each book, she seems to add to them. Born a necromancer, she had the skills to be a vampire hunter—vampires refer to her as The Executioner. She eventually became a part of Jean-Claude's triumvirate along with Richard and accidentally created her own, secondary triumvirate with Nathaniel and Damian.
Jean-Claude is a 600-year-old vampire…the further into the series we get, the older JC seems to get…??! Master of the City of St. Louis, JC has become his own bloodline; one of only three vampires in centuries to achieve this. He is also in love with Anita and very carefully does nothing that will anger her. Asher has been JC's companion, friend, and lover…with some time off for revenge when JC was unable to rescue Juliana.
Ronnie is finally moving in with Louis and it terrifies her so much, that, along with the envy she has for Anita's lifestyle, she rips into Anita, displaying very inappropriate anger and desire.
Micah Callahan is Anita's Nimir Raj or leopard king to her Nimir Ra. Faithful, steady, and oh, so very reliable and flexible while Nathaniel Graison is her animal-to-call in her triumvirate with Damian, a vampire who is hundreds of years old but will never be a master. Nathaniel behaves a bit out of character in this story as he displays possessiveness and a dangerous flirting to ensure Anita's safety.
Richard Zeeman is a werewolf and Ulfric for the Thronnos Rokke Clan with Anita as his lupa. In hiding to keep his junior high science teacher job, Richard both hates and loves Anita and his supernatural self. He is also JC's animal-to-call and part of a triumvirate with JC and Anita. Richard is also the reason their triumvirate is in trouble so often. Not that Anita is so very helpful at making things work.
Of the werewolves: Jason's here and as necessary as ever as a friend to Anita and Nathaniel and Jean-Claude's animal-to-call; Graham is still a pain in the ass; and, Clay demonstrates an empathic nature which Anita so greatly appreciates.
Of the vampires: Requiem is still here and still in love with Anita although she does learn through the ardeur of his true desire and his honesty creates problems for everyone with Meng Die while London, christened the "Dark Knight" by his fellow vamps, turns out to have some very valuable abilities.
Of the wererats, Claudia is as strong as ever with Fredo and Lisandro helping with bodyguard duties. Joseph is the local Rex and doesn't seem to be taking Anita's problems very seriously since he provides her with weak "food" alternatives, Travis and Noel. Remus is one of the werehyena bodyguards and has some issues with Anita's ardeur until he realizes it truly is a life-and-death issue.
The Cape Cod contingent consists of Samuel, the Master of the City, married to a siren, Thea, who have brought their three sons — Sampson, Thomas, and Cristos — as possible candidates for Anita.
The Chicago contingent consists of Auggie, the Master of the City, with a deep desire to re-experience the ardeur; Octavius, his extremely paranoid human servant; and, Pierce and Haven, lionshifters Auggie has brought as possible candidates. Both lionshifters are thugs. Obvious enforcers for Auggie.
Marmee Noir is the Mother of All Darkness. Many think she is the mother of the vampire race and a shapeshifter herself. Cats are her animal-to-call. Imprisoned centuries ago, Marmee Noir is waking up and looking for a vessel to hold her. Ideally a necromancer…
The Cover and Title
The cover is very appropriate with its black corset-clad Anita dangling a pair of red toe shoes down her back, the ties "tying" her wrists together. The title is also appropriate as the ballet company brings a Danse Macabre to St. Louis, Jean-Claude, and his people.
knod78's review against another edition
5.0
Best threesome scene written out that I have ever read. The power they fed off of others in the room, while doing it...well, it made me want to smoke a ciggerate when I was done.
theadjectiveone's review against another edition
1.0
The ass-deep alligators have returned in force. This book just flat does it for no one.
afelder's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
carebear11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookiepanda's review against another edition
1.0
"Micah" was so nice. I had expectations, hopes that the next books won't be so bad and this book crushed them. "Danse Macabre" was a mess. No plot. Just sex. How many people Anita will bed + pregnancy scare and all the men with sensitive emotions and egos around her. I expected more of the plot but it was just 5% at the end and it made no sense.
ronninanney's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
When I first started this series, I was absolutely in love. Anita was a favorite in how she looked at life, kept her word no matter what, and her morals. When she gained the Ardor, I found myself enjoying the series less and less.
In this book, it seemed the whole story was just on Anita having sex and finding another sex partner. Because 6 just isn't enough. At one point, it felt like I was halfway through the book and they had never left the bedroom. Then, to top it off, the sex scenes were layered with discussion. So even those weren't "hot" as they had to discuss why they were doing this and/or if they needed to.
Anita herself seems to have gone from a super badass to a needy emotional "girl" that everybody is trying to cater to so that she doesn't get mad at them. I'm just saying, if I was those guys, I'd drop her for all the emotional drama if nothing else.
This has been my least favorite book in a series of declining plots.
In this book, it seemed the whole story was just on Anita having sex and finding another sex partner. Because 6 just isn't enough. At one point, it felt like I was halfway through the book and they had never left the bedroom. Then, to top it off, the sex scenes were layered with discussion. So even those weren't "hot" as they had to discuss why they were doing this and/or if they needed to.
Anita herself seems to have gone from a super badass to a needy emotional "girl" that everybody is trying to cater to so that she doesn't get mad at them. I'm just saying, if I was those guys, I'd drop her for all the emotional drama if nothing else.
This has been my least favorite book in a series of declining plots.
courttanydillon's review against another edition
3.0
Anita pregnant? No
Richard super upset not preg, wants white picket fence. Anita looking for new addition, super master Vamp clouds other master vamps. Anita adds lion, and Requiem from Meng Die. Mother of Darkness mentioned.
Asher almost kills Anita, and now can call were-hyenas.
Anita is a pan-were that hasn’t shifted.
Richard super upset not preg, wants white picket fence. Anita looking for new addition, super master Vamp clouds other master vamps. Anita adds lion, and Requiem from Meng Die. Mother of Darkness mentioned.
Asher almost kills Anita, and now can call were-hyenas.
Anita is a pan-were that hasn’t shifted.
mousegrey's review against another edition
3.75
Some Richard drama, a tiny bit of Asher drama Asher takes too much blood after Anita already donated 4 times, healed herself and Requiem, and dealt with Merlin and Mommie dearest , Haven (Cookie Monster) is met and sent home , Mommie Dearest messes with Anita some more, Auggie (MoChicago), Samuel (MoCapeCod) with his wife Thea the siren and their kids, pregnancy scare , Merlin and Adonis with the dance troupe, Requiem and London