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A review of Narcissus in Chains

by Laurell K. Hamilton

The tenth novel in the brutal battles of Anita Blake, vampire hunter.

Reviewed by: April Dawn Duncan

Narcissus in Chains It was about time for one of those near and dear to Anita to be kidnapped, brutalized, and held for ransom. It had been almost too quiet for the last little while, and that only ever meant trouble. She knew it was coming eventually because she had made numerous enemies over the past few years. It was only a matter of time. It just didn't pay to be one of her loved ones. So how come she had so many of them?

No one got away with harming her wereleopards, no one. Not even leather toting S&M Bondage gangs (definitely not her cup of tea). The same went for the werewolves. How she had become the local wereleopards Nimir-Ra and the werewolves' Lupa was a complicated and long story. And it's about to get longer and even more complicated. Anita's relationship with Richard, the werewolf's Alpha, is sinking fast. Too much personal baggage was getting in the way. And it didn't help matters that there is a new wereleopard pack in town led by a mysterious Nimir-Raj who's charms are hard to ignore. Then again, those might be the least of her concerns. Let's not forget the tumultuous relationship she has with the Master of the City. His desire for her never wanes; his expectations growing ever higher. And as always, he is trying to secure his power base. But he may have gone too far this time.

As usual, Anita's left to pick up the pieces. Only problem is, she's the one who's falling apart. Just when she thought she had come to accept what she was, new developments and potentials have reared their scary heads. For the first time, Anita is losing control of herself. And that is her worst fear ever. In the past, she has always met her fears head on. This one just might run her over.

In 'Narcissus in Chains', by Laurell K. Hamilton, our heroine battles to hold on to her humanity more fiercely than ever before. Hamilton presents us with cold, brutal reality, and that's one of the many things I love about her writing. She doesn't coddle her favorite characters. They have to face reality just like everyone else. And Anita's not going to like what reality is bringing her next. Relationships are rarely easy; the complicated ones can become terribly hurtful and messy. But Hamilton is unafraid to explore them and bring them to resolution. Sometimes they work themselves out, sometimes they don't. In her stories, there are no easy fixes. And as for difficult situations, wouldn't life just be boring without them? As with anyone, Anita needs to look into the hearts of her loved ones and see her own reflection. What is it in them that draws her to them? What is it in her that draws them to her? What parts of her must she kill and what parts must she keep?

Anita has had to do a lot of bending lately, but how much can she take before she breaks?

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Narcissus in Chains

Copyright © by April Dawn Duncan, 2003










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