Guilty Pleasures is a 1993 horror and mystery novel by American writer Laurell K. Hamilton. It is the first book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. Guilty Pleasures introduces the character of Anita Blake, a vampire hunter and necromancer, who works in an alternate universe where magic, vampires, werewolves and other supernatural elements exist. The novel blends elements of supernatural and hardboiled detective fiction.
 | |
| Author | Laurell K. Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Steve Gardner (Ace edition) |
| Language | English |
| Series | Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter |
| Genre | Horror, Mystery, Urban fantasy |
| Publisher | Ace Books (US) New English Library (UK) |
Publication date | 1993 (Ace edition) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 266 (Ace edition) |
| ISBN | 0-441-30483-4 (Ace edition) |
| OCLC | 28834618 |
| Followed by | The Laughing Corpse |
Plot
editThe story opens with the gruesome discovery of a vampire's body, drained of blood and left with a chilling inscription for Jean-Claude. Rumors of a new vampire hunter, more ruthless and skilled than any seen before, begin to spread throughout the supernatural community. Anita, already burdened by the aftermath of the recent vampire war, is drawn into the investigation.
Meanwhile, Dolph Storr, having recently become a vampire, struggles with his new abilities and his growing feelings for Anita. Their relationship is further complicated by Dolph's loyalty to Jean-Claude and the looming threat of the new hunter. Zerbrowski, the preternaturally skilled vampire hunter, finds himself outmatched by the new enemy’s tactics and seeks Anita’s help.
Anita, working with Zerbrowski, discovers a pattern in the killings: each victim was a prominent figure within St. Louis's vampire society, and each was connected to Jean-Claude in some way. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a hidden history of an ancient vampire lineage, rumored to be even more powerful than Jean-Claude's own. This lineage, the bloodline was believed to have been eradicated centuries ago, but now, it seems, it has resurfaced, bent on revenge against Jean-Claude and his kind.
The new hunter, a charismatic and manipulative figure named Edward "Ted" Forrester, is revealed to be a descendant of the Bloodline. He seeks to use the power of the ancient line to establish dominance over the vampires of St. Louis and ultimately, the world. Ted, a master manipulator, becomes a constant threat, using his skills to manipulate people and events, making it difficult for Anita to discern friend from foe.
Further complicating matters, Jean-Claude, facing his own demons and the potential threat to his power, becomes more distant and withdrawn. He is unwilling to trust Anita with the full extent of the Bloodline's history, fearing it will only further her distrust of him.
Malcolm, Anita's loyal but ever-skeptical partner, becomes a key ally, using his skills in research and investigation to uncover the secrets of the Bloodline. Bert Vaughn, the ever-reliable, if slightly eccentric, preternatural investigator, also joins the fray, adding his unique skills and humor to the tense atmosphere.
As the body count rises and the threat to the supernatural community grows, Anita must navigate a maze of power struggles, ancient secrets, and conflicting emotions. She must find a way to stop Ted and the Bloodline before they can achieve their goal of complete dominance. In the process, she must also confront her own feelings for Dolph and Jean-Claude, making a choice that will determine the fate of all the supernatural beings in St. Louis.
Anita, with the help of Dolph and Jean-Claude, finally confronts Ted at a pivotal location the ancient site of the Bloodline’s power, where the key to their strength lies. Anita must use all her skills, both as a necromancer and a fighter, to defeat Ted and prevent the Bloodline from achieving its objective. The battle with Ted ends with a dramatic twist, forcing Anita to make a difficult decision with far-reaching consequences. The Bloodline is defeated, but the scars of the conflict remain, leaving the supernatural community of St. Louis forever changed. Anita's personal relationships are also forever altered, the choices she made leading to new challenges and opportunities. The story ends with a hint of a new threat on the horizon, leaving the audience eager for the next chapter in Anita's journey.
Characters
editAdaptations
editOn October 20, 2006 a twelve issue comic book adaptation of Guilty Pleasures began, published by Marvel Comics and Dabel Brothers Productions.[1][2] The set was collected into two volumes starting in 2007,[3] with a complete edition releasing in 2009.
Reception
editThe Celebrity Cafe gave the book a positive review, calling it "engaging".[4]
References
edit- ^ Furey, Emmett. "BUMP IN THE NIGHT: HAMILTON TALKS "ANITA BLAKE"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ Weiland, Jonah. "PUBLISHER DAN BUCKLEY TALKS MARVEL/DABEL BROTHERS DEAL". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ GUSTINES, GEORGE (5 July 2007). "A 'Vampire Hunter' Fix". New York Times. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ DeLuca, Stephanie. "Guilty Pleasures". Celebrity Cafe. Archived from the original on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
External links
edit- Guilty Pleasures title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database