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The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 15) Hardcover – June 5, 2007

by Laurell K. Hamilton (Author)

4.6 2,125 ratings

Book 15 of 30: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter

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Into Anita Blake's world-a world already overflowing with power-come creatures so feared that centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names.

Book 15 of 30

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
Print length

432 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Berkley
Publication date

June 5, 2007
Dimensions

6.75 x 1.5 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0425217248
ISBN-13

978-0425217245
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of bestseller Hamilton's solid 15th adventure to star vampire hunter Anita Blake, Malcolm, the priggish head of the Church of the Eternal Life (the vampire church), is so desperate for help in dealing with the Harlequin, a troop of vampire enforcers and spies so feared vampires are forbidden to speak its name, he turns to those he considers sinful and corrupt—Anita and her sweetie, Jean-Claude, St. Louis's Master of the City. The Harlequin may have targeted Anita and the powerful triumvirate she has forged with Jean-Claude and Richard Zeeman (aka Ulfric of the werewolves). According to the rules, the Harlequin must make contact through delivery of a mask—white to indicate they are watching, red for pain, black for death. Anita receives a white mask, but the members of the Harlequin aren't playing by the rules. Shorter and more tightly structured than the previous entry in the series, Danse Macabre (2006), Hamilton's latest should prove more satisfying to longtime fans with its straightforward supernatural politics and steamy (but not extreme) sex.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Hamilton just keeps getting better and better. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Her books outsell any other current vampire fiction -- Publishers Weekly

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; First Edition first Printing (June 5, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425217248
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425217245
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1.5 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #942,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,885 in Vampire Romances
- #15,560 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
- #26,235 in Paranormal & Urban Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 2,125 ratings

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Laurell K. Hamilton

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Laurell K. Hamilton is the bestselling author of the acclaimed Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, novels. She lives near St Louis with her husband, her daughter, two dogs and an ever-fluctuating number of fish.

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4.6 out of 5

2,125 global ratings

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Leslie

A different take on a Great read.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2021

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I have read several reviews of this book and others, both before and after reading this and other earlier and later A. B. Books. Some I thought were not long enough, because I like a long robust novel, but when a tale is told it is done and adding pages doesn't change that. Ms. Hamilton's books are a continuation of Anita's story. We all grow and change with our experiences. I was amazed from the beginning that her novels, while indisputably full of sex, are not pornagraphic. If you don't believe me, find a book that is, ONLY PORNOGRAPHY, to read. The plot will be practically non existent, the characters will be cardboard flat and there will be no heft to the book at all.
Ms. H, could have been much more descriptive in the sex scenes if she was only interested in pornography and fluff. Instead she has made all of her characters real and there is always a reason for the sex as part of the narrative. They have all grown and changed with each book. I have been amazed since the first Anita Blake novel at her deep understanding of human nature both good and bad and the way it effects people. I have read each book in order of it's writing except this one. I thought that I had read it, as it was in my library, but I kept running into references to things that I should have known, but didn't, about in later books. So of course I went back and read it. It filled in a lot of the blanks that lack of knowledge caused in the few later books I have read. If you have any issues with sex and sexuality these books are probably not for you, but if you have even a small understanding of human nature and are interested in people you will enjoy them. They certainly take a different view of vampires, wereanimals of any kind and GOOD & EVIL, and they are a lot of fun to read.

8 people found this helpful

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Sn8wflake

urban

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024

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The harlequin come to town. Edward comes to protect Anita. Richard tries to fit in and totally fails, he gets on his high horse.

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Loup Noir

A solid addition to the series

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2011

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

I found "The Harlequin" to be, as noted in the review title, a solid addition to the Anita Blake series. That's not to say that I was without complaint entirely, as noted by many reviewers the plethora of grammatical and other (lack of) editing errors did grate a bit. However, this has become ever more true of most books these days. I can't remember the last time I purchased a book that was *without* such glaring editing mistakes. Proof-readers seem to be a thing of the past, sadly. As well, there were some basic character/previous history errors that stopped me in mid-read. For example, Sylvie the werewolf's declaration that she wouldn't aid with raising the "ardeur" because she, "didn't do women", when it was firmly established in "Burnt Offerings" (and other early installments) that Sylvie is a lesbian. From the same book we also learned that Willy McCoy's true love is called "Hannah", not "Candy". Yes, I realise that this series is quite long now, and the cast of characters quite extensive. Again, a good editor, familiar with the series, should have caught these inconsistencies. However, while irritating, these issues did not ruin my overall enjoyment of the book, they simply earned it a lower rating. I found the villains intriguing, the fight scenes engaging and the continuing evolution of the characters and Anita's powers compelling, especially the influence that her basic nature and beliefs have wrought upon the "ardeur", or her "flavour" of it. As well, any installment that includes Edward is a joy, he ties with Anita as favourite character for me.

I have been a fan of the series from the outset. Like any series, some installments are stronger than others and some developments are harder adjusted to. Like most other fans, I very much enjoyed the early, straight forward murder mysteries. Hamilton has written some engaging, compelling "who-dunnits" that aren't easily solved by the reader within the first few chapters and I greatly admire that. I also admire that she faced the true gruesome reality that murder leaves in it's wake. It's not simple or pretty, it's horrifying, sickening and she never lets one forget that. Especially with supernatural perpetrators added to the mix... super strength/power equals even worse carnage, a grounding in "reality" that gives even more strength to Anita's world. What I have also found to be "true to life" is how characters have changed as the series has unfolded, some for the better and some for the worse. For example, as Dolph has of late, some folk become ugly strangers when confronted with changes in friends and associates that are contrary to personal beliefs, even when those changes are unchosen, beyond control. Though pretty to think otherwise, friendship does NOT always win out.

When the "ardeur" was introduced, I admit to feeling some trepidation regarding how this would impact one of my favourite literary characters. It required an adjustment period to be sure. I've no problem with graphic sex scenes, I just prefer that they serve a purpose to the narrative. Initially, I felt that these did not but I've changed my opinion on that. It's easy to forget that this series does not run in "real time". In Anita's world, the "ardeur" is still a relatively new development and the character HAS been reacting in a manner true to her nature as it was previously established. She fights it, she over-processes, she lashes out... all things that most folk would do when faced with a "life change" that is so utterly contrary to one's previous beliefs. In some ways, the "ardeur" is to Anita, what lycanthropy is to Richard, a resented, hated "reality of life" that cannot be ignored or changed. Ultimately, though, she's been established as the better "survivor" than he's proved to be thus far. In order to continue forward, she has *evolved*, adapted much as anyone who wishes to survive life's curve balls must do, for good or ill. In "The Harlequin" we see that, though Anita has HAD to let go of most of her previous sexual inhibitions, she has *not* changed her basic feeling that intimacy is firmly entwined with emotion, for her, preferably affection. When necessity demands intimacy with a stranger, her responses *have* been true to character, she's embarrassed and angry. However,she does what is required for the greater "good" but, unlike Richard, she doesn't allow those necessary concessions to "eat her alive". Frankly, I've never been a big fan of Richard's, he always struck me as a bit sexist and self-involved, even before he inherited some of Anita's rage, which has amplified all of his negative character traits. His clinging to untenable idealism is wearying and I wish he'd develop some of Anita and Jean-Claude's practicality: change what you can, accept what you can't and move forward, perhaps even finding a way to make those changes some sort of an advantage. Don't even get me started on his ignorance that relationships are all about compromise!

The "Anita Blake" series has indeed changed greatly as it has gone on. I for one am still enjoying it. It has provided some interesting points to ponder upon, for me at least. For instance, if Anita had become a diabetic and required twice daily injections to live, none would blink an eye. However, since the "treatment" for *her* condition is sexual, there is little acceptance of it, despite the fact that said condition is, also, life threatening if left untreated. As well, the exploration of the human capacity to love more than one person at a time. I personally believe the heart is infinitely capable of doing that. Perhaps not for all people, but definitely for some. Love is something that there shouldn't be a limit upon. I'm enjoying that Anita has become more than a detective and animator, as well, I look forward to her continuing evolution.

4 people found this helpful

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Terrell T. Gibbs

Best one in years

Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2007

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I'm not one of those who complains about the sexual content in Hamilton's books. The erotic scenes are very much female sexual fantasy, and they don't do a whole lot for me as a male, but I've never found them gratuitous. Every sexual encounter in Hamilton's books makes a meaningful contribution to plot or character development. But that being said, when all of the character or plot development in a book occurs in the course of sex, it begins to seem a bit unbalanced. Similarly, I like to see the character development leavened with a bit of action. So while I've enjoyed the recent books in the Anita Blake series, I've had some reservations. Happily, none of these reservations apply at all to the latest entry, "The Harlequin."

I really felt like Hamilton hit the perfect balance for this one. A perfect mix of action, plot development, and character development, along with the return of Edward and Olaf, two strong characters from earlier in the series who have been notably absent from recent books. And while some of the recent books have seemed to sort of be "marking time," in this one it really begin to feel like things are moving along again. Anita's powers and her feelings about them are continuing to develop in interesting ways, there is the appearance of a new and interesting threat, and more intriguing hints about Hamilton's version of the Queen of the Vampires and her relationship to Anita.

Congratulations to Ms. Hamilton on a strong, entertaining read.

14 people found this helpful

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Client d'Amazon

A

Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2020

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A

mellicoonn

I love this a lot!!

Reviewed in Brazil on October 20, 2018

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This is my favorite series of books and i don't have enough words to describe how much i like these books.

One person found this helpful

Leonie Mulcahy

Excellent read

Reviewed in Australia on June 12, 2023

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Very intense, with lots of additions to the overall story line while being a fantastic stand alone book. Love the emotions brought to the forefront for all characters

Masson

Bonne surprise

Reviewed in France on October 8, 2011

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Ca y est, on retrouve enfin l'esprit des premier tomes des aventures d'Anita, avant qu'elle est besoin de nourrir l'ardeur toutes les 10 pages. La première scène de sexe arrive page 130, incroyable quand on compare avec les tomes précédents. Il y a de l'action, Edouard fait son retour, malheureusement, il n'est pas seul... Encore une fois, Anita va devoir affronter de méchants vampires. Cette fois-ci, elle n'est pas passée loin de la mort, comme Richard et Jean Claude. Un roman très intense en émotions !

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normngrey

At Last A Return To Form

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2007

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First off it's about time the obsession with sex was toned down a bit and at last this has happened. There's still a bit of nookie in the plot but nothing that will completely overwhelm the plot. And what a plot, clearly the last few years criticism has been taken on board and a tight, well paced plot put together.

We experience a sense of Quo Vadis when the secret police of the vampires decide not to follow the rules. This causes Anita to call for help from Edward who not only brings only his almost stepson, Peter, but also Olaf. The dynamics of the vampire marks in Jean-Claude's triumvirate are well highlighted during a sneak attack and its consequences. We also learn one of the key reasons why the Mother of All Darkness made the rule about all necromancers must be killed when the vampires discover them. I can't say too much without spoilng what was, for me, an unputdownable book.

14 people found this helpful

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