In Review: Burnt Offerings by Laurell K. Hamilton

Released: 1998                 392  pages                          

Publisher: Ace Books

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0-441-00524-1

The next book in the Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series brings Anita investigating a series of arson incidents, and dealing with the fallout of the last book.

Having killed the local wereleopard’s leader, they’re in need of protection, and Anita’s obligated to provide it. Although she and Richard are no longer together, she’s still his Lupa and there’s the issue of dominance and gaining their trust for the wolf pack. And, as if that weren’t enough to deal with, the Vampire Council is feeling a little threatened since Jean-Claude has killed a councilmember but turned down a council seat, and they send their representatives.

Anita is constantly put to the test to prove herself, and she always comes out on top, though at times the odds are impossible. As the stakes continue to rise, and the pyrokinetic’s path of destruction widens the story delivers plenty of action and devastation.

Anita delves deeper into bed with the vampires, and a new, intriguing character is introduced, Asher. He’s beautiful, horribly scared and broken, which makes him a perfect addition to the story.

The story dragged at times, bogged down with vampire one upmanship, and the plot wrapped up quickly with a sudden finding of faith, but other than that, a very good read.