Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita Blake, Book 24

Synopsis: Anita Blake has the highest kill count of any vampire executioner in the country. She’s a U.S. Marshal who can raise zombies with the best of them. But ever since she and master vampire Jean-Claude went public with their engagement, all she is to anyone and everyone is Jean-Claude’s fiancée.

It’s wreaking havoc with her reputation as a hard ass—to some extent. Luckily, in professional circles, she’s still the go-to expert for zombie issues. And right now, the FBI is having one hell of a zombie issue.

Someone is producing zombie porn. Anita has seen her share of freaky undead fetishes, so this shouldn’t bother her. But the women being victimized aren’t just mindless, rotting corpses. Their souls are trapped behind their eyes, signaling voodoo of the blackest kind.

It’s the sort of case that can leave a mark on a person. And Anita’s own soul may not survive unscathed…

Review: The interest of this book is the part where we follow Anita who works with the FBI. For once, there is no pissing contest (phew), the meeting is going quite well. The FBI then confides to Anita that someone raises zombies to make some porn and is able to put the soul in the body. This person controls the zombies who can not do anything without his orders and we know that he puts the soul in the body as we see their frightened eyes. The only person able to do this is an old enemy, but Anita killed her (she will not tell that to the FBI, they would be able to arrest her); she will seek help from Manny her former mentor.

This plot is rather interesting, and kept some revelations almost until the end. We also follow Anita who raises a zombie for work and he seems almost alive; a further evolution of her powers.

BUT… yes, BUT it is only a meager part of the book (I would say 20%). Everything else is about Anita’s personal worries. She is the bride of Jean-Claude so they must choose an engagement ring (not simple). Anita, Jean-Claude, Micah, Nathaniel and Nicky are those who will commit to each other (since they can not marry) but Anita’s other lovers are not happy and suddenly she needs to add a tiger to this group. But to add a person, you have to have everyone agreeing! So discussions, discussions, and more discussions !!!

Volume 23, Jason, which was only made of sex without any history, was rather emotionless, I have not felt anything. Here it is a little better, apart from Anita’s internal reflections on the full hair removal which is nice because it avoids having hair between teeth !! Yes I know, it just spoils everything.

I do not know if I’ll read the next book, Anita’s personal life takes up too much space and there are too many people (I have trouble remembering all the characters).

Cass