The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #15) By: Laurell K. Hamilton (Book Review)

 ***This review will contain spoilers***

Summary:

Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.

This book has definitely been better than the last few books that I've read from this series but yet still doesn't top the first six books. I saw a glimpse of the old Hamilton writing style that we have been familiar with through the first six books. There was actually a plot and an actual villain!!! Now you wouldn't think this would be asking for much BUT lately with the last few books Hamilton seems to have lost her creativity with a bunch of senseless sex scenes. 

Anita used to be this badass, no nonsense vampire hunter and now she has been reduced to this sexual conduit for energy. Her power is being a super slut and like men are falling in love with her through her pussy, what the fuck is that? I'm normally all for female empowerment and embracing your feminine and sexual energy but this is on another level with her. Where as a writer does Hamilton think it's better to pump out trashy smutty books than the level she has set at the beginning of the series? I rather wait a couple years more between books for something really good than this sexual garbage that is the ardeur. 

We finally got introduced to a new faction by the name of The Harlequin. They are a group of vampires who were created by the mother of darkness; the first vampire, to govern and punish vampires who break the rules. However, a few members have decided to break the rules themselves and attack Jean-Claude for his territory. They are actually able to heighten emotions and were able to manipulate the situation to have Jean-Claude and Richard attack each other and their triumvirate was put in jeopardy and they all almost died. The solution to this? Anita sleeping with the Swan king and feeding on his people's energy. I'm so tired of sex being the solution. As soon as sex enters the conversation, all creativity has left the room. 

The last half of the book was actually the most interesting because it was finally picking up the pace and shit was actually happening. Edward and Otto entered the chat to kill some vampires, Anita got attacked by a weretiger who was supposed to be on their side, they confronted the members of The Harlequin behind the attacks and they also found out that the mother of darkness is waking up because of Anita and her powers growing. This shit is old school Anita Blake but all the weird sexual shit is out of left field and I can do without. 

Rating:

I am going to give The Harlequin 3.5 stars on 5. This book is an improvement from the last few we've had but yet I would wish to see a book not centered around Anita's vagina. She's such an amazing badass protagonist that it kills me seeing her being reduced to a broodmare for power.