January 8, 2009

Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures, Volume 1 & 2

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 1

Synopsis [bn.com]
New York Times Best-Selling author Laurell K. Hamilton offers readers a brand new experience in the world of Anita Blake! Fusing mythology, werewolves and vampires with a story loaded with mystery, action and romance, the Anita Blake novels take place in a world where vampires, werewolves, and other creatures of nightmare have been declared legal citizens of the United States. Anita Blake is an "animator" - a profession that involves raising the dead for a living. Anita Blake is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she moonlights by investigating cases that are far too much for "conventional" police. But as Anita gains the attention of the vampire masters in her hometown of St. Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself - the source of her unusual strength and power. As a special treat, Anita Blake fans will also discover an original side story featuring Anita and Dolph, written specially for the hardcover edition by Laurell K. Hamilton. Collects Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures #1-6


Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Guitly Pleasures, Vol. 2
Synopsis [bn.com]
The hit adaptation of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series continues! What price will Anita pay in order to save her friend's life and solve the Vampire Murders? Will she actually kiss Phillip? How far will Edward go in order to find out where the daytime resting place of the Master Vampires truly is? Where is Jean-Claude? And most important, who is behind the Vampire Murders? What's next for Anita Blake, you ask? The answers to all of those questions are here! Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures #7-12

Review
Seeing Guilty Pleasures illustrated in these two graphic novels was fun and exciting. Seeing the characters I came to know and love (or hate) was so great that I was giddy with excitement while reading both. I quickly devoured the illustrations and pages since I already knew what had happened in the story.

For those who have never read Guilty Pleasures Anita Blake is an animator for a living. She's hired to raise the dead back to life for Animators Inc. She's also a vampire hunter, better known as the Executioner. Vol. 1 starts off with the Anita meeting with Willie, a now-vampire who she knew before his change. Willie is trying to hire Anita to find out who is killing off the master vampires in the city.

While Anita refuses to help she is quickly dragged into the vampire night life as she is forced to accept the job by the oldest vampire she has ever met, Nikolaos. A sadistic child-like vampire with an unpredictable and hot temper.

The two graphic novels follow Anita as she goes about tracking the murderer down while trying to basically stay alive and sane at the same time. The reader will meet some crazy characters that will definitely make you want more.

I really enjoyed seeing the book adapted into graphic novels. I loved the way Anita was depicted. She was just as I imagined. I recommend any Anita Blake fan to read these and anyone who hasn't to take a peek as well. Be sure to read the novel though, it goes into so much more depth.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I haven't heard of either the novels or the graphic novels for these books. I might have to check them out. I think it is so cool how authors are adapting their books into graphic form. Do you think it would be better to read the novels before these versions?

Mishel (P.S. I Love Books) said...

So do I Laza. Its really nice to see the story unfold in front of you rather than in your head. Although sometimes I prefer my images to other people's adaptations.

Personally I think if you were to start these books fresh I would read the novels first. The graphic novels leave a lot out, which is understandable. I hope you look into the series more and if you do, let me know what you think (=

Beth F said...

Oooh. I have Laurell K. Hamilton's A Kiss of Shadows somewhere in this house. I've been meaning to read her books. Now I'll have to get the books read before I sample these graphic novels. Your review has sparked my interest!