[Loque]

Not sure that these even really qualify as Horror, but i cant think where else they really fit. What do you guys think of them? They arent great or anything, but i find they make quite good light reading and the ideas are quite interesting and pretty believable for me anyway.

[AuntiePam]

I almost hate to admit it, but I don't see the attraction of these books. But I've only read the first one, Guilty Pleasures, so maybe I'm not giving the series a chance.

I ended up skimming. The writing didn't hold my interest. The concept is great, but I felt like she rushed, like she wanted to get these books out before someone else used her ideas. The characters lacked substance, and I didn't believe in any of them for a second.

I tried to enjoy it for the humor everyone talked about, but I couldn't find any. There's some glib dialogue and snappy banter, but you can get that from reruns of Friends.

Christopher Moore does a better job mixing humor and horror. Donna Boyd -- romance. Clive Barker -- sex. F. Paul Wilson -- detective/espionage.

I don't like dissing a book, but I keep seeing LKH fans raving about these books and getting others to read them and I keep wanting to jump up and say "No, don't waste your time, there's lots of better written and funnier stuff out there!"

Sorry.

[Loque]

hey, no worries, i think you've got a good point, they are simple, lacking in depth, and nowhere near my favourites, but i find them quite good as no-brainers when i need a break from more in depth authors, basically i think they are quite simple and fun, but i will definately try those other authorsyou mentioned, thanks for the recommendation.

[AuntiePam]

Loque, I only read the first one. Any improvement in the others, do you think?

[Loque]

umm, /sheepishly same here actually /ducks to avoid thrown objects but i have a couple of mates who read them avidly and apparently they get somewhat better, but not radically so. Supposedly the second is the best, and i will probably buy it at the end of the week now i have some money so i'll let you know

[Hobbit]

Actually,I've read the first seven or so. As already said above, they are a light and enjoyable (if somewhat gory and macabre) read. I tend to read them after a 'heavy' novel and they make a nice change. They do develop in the series, but become rather obsessed with sex by book 7. Not necessarily a bad thing, but i have heard fans say that it's about here where things go a little astray.

[AuntiePam]

Hobbit, I'm curious. Are your standards for your light reading the same as for your heavier reading? Believable characters, lucid plotting, continuity, proper use of language, etc.?

I guess I'm getting off the subject of the Anita Blake books, but I just wondered if readers have a different standard for different types of reading.

Loque, if you read the second book, please let me know how it compares to the first. Maybe I'll give it a go, if you think it's worth it.

[Hobbit]

Pam - very sorry, don't know how i missed this one before! :o

I think the simple answer to this one is, no not really - I tend to accept them as 'junk' - you know that it's not that good, but it's a nice change and one that you know you will finish quickly without thinking too deeply....

If i tackled a more mainstream writer like for example Stephen King then the same applies...don't think about it too much but it was nice whilst it lasted.

I watch old black and white SF/Horror movies with the same sense of disbelief!

.....then it's back to the 'deep' stuff!

Hobbit

[Angelique]

Originally posted by Loque
Not sure that these even really qualify as Horror, but i cant think where else they really fit. What do you guys think of them? They arent great or anything, but i find they make quite good light reading and the ideas are quite interesting and pretty believable for me anyway.

Could you please list all of the books in the series? I'm thinking of reading them.:)

[Hobbit]

* Guilty Pleasures [1993; also rereleased July 1995]
* The Laughing Corpse [Sep 1994]
* Circus of the Damned [May 1995]
* The Lunatic Cafe [Jan 1996]
* Bloody Bones [Oct 1996]
* The Killing Dance [June 1997]
*Burnt Offerings [December 2000]
*Blue Moon [December 2000]
*Obsidian Butterfly [December 2001]
*Narcissus in Chains [September 2002]

Hobbit