A review by dr_dr_olshakes
The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton

challenging dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I continue to just have a good time with these! I really liked the moral contrast between Anita and Richard. Her comfort with killing, her ease with revenge, and her personal sense of justice has been one of the through lines of her character development. We've come a long way from "never kill a human if you don't have to" in the first book to "I'm going to kill this racist piece of shit cop who killed my friend." Her sense of morality bouncing off of werewolf-with-a-heart-of-gold Richard made for some actually good character work! This is also the first book where I can see Anita actually interested in Jeane Claude (her ease with what he does to Gretchen especially stands out here). Overall, it's still comphet af, the celibacy thing was weird, but I stay entertained and I like the gore!