Incubus Dreams (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 12)

Amazon.com

As Incubus Dreams opens, Anita Blake may be America's most powerful vampire hunter and necromancer. So it's no surprise that the Regional Preternatural Crime Investigation Team seeks her assistance when a St. Louis stripper is murdered and the evidence points to unusual serial killers: a group of seven vampires. It appears a master vampire has gone rogue--and may prove too powerful for Anita Blake, even if she can gain help from not only her vampire consort, Master of the City Jean-Claude, but from the wereleopard king Micah, her other lover, and the alpha werewolf Richard, her bitter ex-lover.

It would be an exaggeration to say that Laurell K. Hamilton's Incubus Dreams is just one sex scene after another. This twelth novel in her bestselling Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series presents a wedding, a murder, and a lot of relationship angst before getting down and dirty on page 89; and the sex scenes pause on page 377 to let the mystery plot resume. The series deftly blends elements of alternate history, horror, romance, erotica, and mystery, but anyone reading Incubus Dreams for the murder plot is going to be frustrated. However, Incubus Dreams is a considerably stronger and more interesting book than its talky predecessor, Cerulean Sins, and fans will enjoy the many new developments in Anita's complicated love life. --Cynthia Ward

Amazon.com Exclusive Content

Interview with the Vampire Writer
With two bestselling series featuring supernatural heroines under her belt, one has to wonder if Laurell K. Hamilton is truly in touch with a world beyond ours. Hamilton spoke with Amazon.com about her work, her characters, and her plans for the future.

Book Description

Anita is pushed to her limits-both professionally and passionately-when she is called in on what appears to be a case involving a vampire serial killer preying on strippers.

Customer Reviews:

I gave up,.......2007-09-25

I gave up on page 345 (of 722). The mystery hasn't been mentioned since page 24, and Anita has had sex with seven men so far. This from the character who wouldn't sleep with her fiance six or seven books ago. There is no plot, only poorly written, highly improbable, overly detailed sex scenes strung together with dull dialog and cliches. It's mind-numbing. The author has taken a great premise for a series and thrown it away. There are too many books in the world to give this series any more of my time -- I'm done with Anita Blake.

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

If she wants to write what someone on a forum I saw somewhere called Fangfrackers, that is fine.

Don't dress them up as monster hunting books though, and call a
spade a spade, and throw in the erotica word. Will that hurt sales that
badly? If she put out a line of books purely focused on women shagging monsters, can't imagine she wouldn't do really well with it, as she seems to have some talent in that area.

The plot here is of the thin crust variety, no doubt about it.
Personally, in a ghost busting or monster hunting book, I want some
stuff to happen.

Good Stuff.......2007-08-21

Very stimulating stuff. This and 100 Percent Erotica by Suzie Van Aartman really helped me make it through the night.Its the first of Laurell's books for me, but I shall be seeking out more. Thanks for a good read. also check out Zane's The Sex Chronicles.

Still trying to choke it down,,, but why?.......2007-07-19

Like most readers, I've been waiting for Ms. Hamilton to return to the days when there was such a thing as a plot in one of her books. Waiting oh so patiently because of how hooked I'd become despite my earlier determination to hate her poor writing style.

The only reason I looked forward to this book was because I was tricked into thinking we'd get more on Nathaniel--a character I find completely endearing. The parts that did feature Nathaniel were disappointing as hell. All this build-up, then Anita shags him and right away (literally) he's filed away with all the other guys Anita gets it on with and that leads into another mundane sex scene with two other characters. Not very appealing.

And speaking of not appealing...my guess is that most readers of this series are women. Why would LKH feel the need to go into detail during the "rain-making" session with Nathaniel as well other aspects of sex no one needs emphasized even in erotic stories. C'mon, this is fiction. Why would any good writer emphasize those gross details? I felt like my face was being shoved into her...stuff. I wasn't thinking "Wow, that's hot!". I was thinking "Wow, that's TMI...but thanks for sharing, I guess...(gag!)"

It's like she keeps trying to "up" the erotica facter by becoming more and more graphic each time, making each encounter supposedly bigger than the last. Really the only thing bigger than the last is the size of her lovers' genitals. Each guy seems to wow her with his size until the next guy comes along with a bigger toy. Get real, lady... There's fantasy and then there's just plain ridiculous.

There are so many new characters randomly thrown in the mix that the interesting ones get pushed to the sidelines too often. I'm not the only one who's tired of all the talking where there should be action. They converse WAY too much. I feel that the author keeps starting things that she's either unable or too unmotivated to finish in the last couple of books before this.

Y'know, just because you have a big fan base doesn't mean that you don't have to try as hard. It also doesn't mean you'll always have all of those fans. There's always going to be another writer who's better.

I'm just glad I borrowed all of her books from a friend. I didn't waste a cent and from now on, I won't be wasting any of my time either.

Not terrible, but not excellent.......2007-07-13

First and foremost, let me say this: I think it is extremely dishonest and inappropriate of Amazon to cull reviews that speak negatively of items they sell. This is the second time I have written this review, and I know from browsing the site that others have had their negative (or at least not-so-glowing) reviews erased.

This book wasn't terrible, but it sure as hell wasn't very good. Ms Hamilton needs a proofreader and a better editor. There are words misspelled in this book that should not be. There are grammatical errors and spelling mistakes that even Spell Check would catch. To let these errors make it to the finished product is uncalled for. And there are phrases and expressions that Hamilton uses that do not have the shelf life she imagines they do. For instance, please find proper substitutes for the phrases "flat out does it for me" and "take one for the team."

I loved the first 8 or 9 AB books. I couldn't read them fast enough. Even characters I wasn't too fond of, like Richard, grew on me. But with the ardeur comes what so many writers dread, because they aren't easy to write: sex scenes. A properly written sex scene is a glorious thing to behold - if the writer is adept at creating them. Anita's first encounter with J-C was great: it was sweet and hot and the same time. Those of us who wanted them to just do it already pumped our fists in the air and reread that passage several times.

Incubus Dreams was just an awkward book, like a pubescent boy that hasn't quite grown into his height or voice. You can see where Hamilton wants to go, but at the same time, you can see that she doesn't quite have any idea how she will get there. Anita gets new powers willy-nilly and seemingly out of nowhere. She no longer comes across as a consummate professional, be it as an animator or as a Federal Marshal. Hamilton is going to have to figure out some way for Anita to further control the ardeur, because having her walk into a place and screw people that she has barely laid eyes on does nothing for her respectability and likeability.

Lastly, the Nathaniel situation is not my favorite. Such a damaged boy, and for Anita to decide that to keep him on as a pet/houseboy (because that is what he is, despite anyone's objections) would help him more than hinder him just makes me sad. You would think that as a woman and as a member of the fairer sex, Hamilton would have a little more insight on such enabling behavior.

I will finish this series, because I started it, and I will always give it a chance. I don't want to dislike these books, I want nothing more than for them to get better, as they used to be. I will not be purchasing books to come until I have read them first, and until Hamilton has redeemed Anita a little. It's very hard to enjoy a character that you no longer respect.

From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss (Volume 2)

Average customer rating:

***important***
Can you hear it? A deafening, quiet noise

From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss (Volume 2)
Brandon Boyd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 097451201X

Product Description

The second book from Brandon Boyd which follows up the successful White Fluffy Clouds, From the Murks of the Sultry Abyss comes in a special outer box, a limited edition #d sheet of stickers of artwork from Boyd, and the book itself comes sealed.

Customer Reviews:

***important***.......2007-07-14

This book is awesome but I don't understand why it is so expensive on amazon. It's half the price that's listed here if you buy it from Brandon's website:

www.brandonboydbooks.com

Can you hear it? A deafening, quiet noise.......2007-07-14

From The Murks Of The Sultry Abyss, Brandon Boyd's sophomore book effort, follows exactly in the same vein as his freshmen effort. He's got a few poems. He's got a lot of stories and point of view essays. A lot of pictures. And a lot of drawings. If you've read White Fluffy Clouds you know what to expect.

I love White Fluffy Clouds which is the reason why I held out from buying this for so long. As much as I enjoy all things Incubus (especially Brandon), I didn't know if he'd be able to top White Fluffy Clouds. I'm still not sure if he did, but he did amp up the writing this time around, which is a pleasant treat. One thing that isn't as impressive (albeit mildly) is his art. I could stare at his drawings in WFC for hours wondering how exactly he did it. With FTMOTSA I haven't really found myself doing that. The pictures are excellent, but the drawings are more tame than before. However! Give and take.

All in all, From The Murks Of The Sultry Abyss is a worthy follow-up. Full of engaging reading material, curious photography, and some very good art, I'm sure it'll prove to be a book you can go back to time after time and still enjoy every glossy page.

The special edition (as pictured in the current display picture) is nice but don't feel the need to drive yourself crazy trying to find it. The box it comes in is pretty cool with a nice drawing on the cover, and the stickers are equally cool but unless you're a diehard collector there's no need. If you can find it easily though, definitely go for it.

"Car Crashes And Cow Corpses"...a must read for everyone.

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From Book 1- Will he live?

Incubus volume 2
Yayoi Neko
Manufacturer: Media Blasters
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598830708

Book Description

Demonic beings longing to be human put Judas' life at stake to possess the unique soul within him. The incubus Lenniel, has sworn to protect and defeat all who threaten the man he loves: the shy puritan Judas. But outside dangers are not all that threaten his human beloved. A painful past haunts Judas, preventing him from trusting anyone, especially Lenniel. This is an enemy the incubus is not sure how to defeat. How does one fight a crippling force that exists within another's heart?

Customer Reviews:

From Book 1- Will he live?.......2007-03-22

I'm not telling you. Read Book 1, then Book 2 to find out. Both are very good books.

Fair warning, this book is not appropriate for children. If you don't know what yaoi is, then leave this book (and Book 1) alone. You have been warned.

Average customer rating:

A definate read!
Not your typical autobiography
It will draw you in
Rear View Mirror - Love lost at such a cost.
Bland

Rear View Mirror
Cindy Callinsky
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Anxiety Disorders | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 141169595X

Book Description

Rear View Mirror touches the soul of anyone who has ever loved and lost. This remarkable book deals with the complex issues of family ties and losing people that we care about. It will make you laugh, cry, and it will remind you to cherish those in your life who mean the world you. It's a gal's kind of read on the beach book. It's phenomenal. *Angie Gendreau* _________________________________________________ You can view pictures and watch videos relating to the book @ www.myspace.com/rearviewmirrorbook

Customer Reviews:

A definate read!.......2007-05-29

This is an autobiography of a very strong young woman learning the lessons of life and love. Cindy goes through many trials and tribulations in her life. The loss of her mother makes her family drift apart but it is Cindy and John who ultimately bring them back together. She finally finds her true love only to have been seperated by the war. When Jimmy comes home things are just not the same and both eventually move on in their lives. Cindy marries the man she does not really love and has a baby boy. The marriage is always on the rocks and ends in divorce. Cindy has loved and lost and has found many friends along the way in her life. This autobiography is very well written the author pours her heart and soul into her story. You feel as though you are living life along with her. I laughed as well as cried along with Cindy in this story, it truly is heart felt and is a must read for anyone feeling lonely in thier life.

Not your typical autobiography.......2007-04-30

Rear View Mirror is an autobiography by Cindy Callinsky and is a moving and great inspirational account of her life. The story is told in the first person and the author has a way of drawing you into the accounts of her life. The story tells one of love lost, the loss of her mother, and of heartbreak. You will travel cross country and abroad with Cindy. She describes the story contained within the pages as her perception and her reality. In the very beginning she states the following: "This is based on a true story; however, "my" perception is "my" reality. How I have portrayed my story is how I perceived it after having absorbed things with my senses and then processed them through my way of thinking. Other parties involved may have perceived things differently due to a different thought process".

I will have to commend and applaud Cindy on not only her ability to tell her story but in being able to share her life experiences and emotional roller coaster type life. Of course we all experience a roller coaster type life full of ups and downs, loss of love, loss of family and friends, but Cindy has chose to share hers with us. I found myself teary eyed in one moment and smiling the next. Thank you Cindy for sharing your story with me it was a pleasure to read and provide a review.

The book contains some off colored language that may not be suitable for all readers.

It will draw you in.......2007-04-22

I was a skeptic when I started reading this book written by Cindy Callinsky, a Tacoma native, in her first novel,an autobiography of her entrance into young adulthood.
Cindy is someone with whom you can instantly relate. You are happy and hopeful when she finds her true love. Your heart sinks when things don't pan out the way it should. You travel across the country and abroad as she follows her military husband and the new friends she meets.
Many references to the Northwest Rock and Roll music, and the area club scene. Many characters who will find a place in your heart.
This is definitely a great summer beach read. I would recommend that you buy and read this book and tell your friends about it too!

Rear View Mirror - Love lost at such a cost........2007-04-05

Rear View Mirror is a true vision of lives left behind, a true love lost and of haunting memories. It reads like you are the one telling the story. You become the story teller and become the emotions that are so honestly laid before us. Cindy Callinsky does not hide behind veils or regrets and she lets her true soul shine throughout the book. Do not make the mistake of thinking that Rear View Mirror is "chick lit". Every page shows honesty and emotions that any soul can understand and appreciate.

Bland.......2006-12-07

All of the "glowing" reviews I have read for this book have been written either here or on other web pages by folks directly involved with the book or are close friends of the author. I've read enough of it on the author's MySpace page for the book to know that it is bland and rather uninspired. I'm no connoisseur of "chick lit" books, but I am an avid reader and raconteur, and this is nothing exceptional. Don't waste your money.

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Incubus - Make Yourself
Incubus
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0634023306

Product Description

Matching folio to the breakout release from these free-form alt-metal funksters. Includes notes & tab transcriptions for 13 tunes: Battlestar Scralatchtica Clean Consequence Drive I Miss You Make Yourself Nowhere Fast Out from Under Pardon Me Privilege Stellar The Warmth When It Comes. Also includes photos.

Average customer rating:

THREE THINGS YOU WILL LEARN FROM READING THIS BOOK

Bloodstone and Fire
Calvin H. Campany
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1413790666
Release Date: 2007-01-08

Book Description

Shocking cases of spontaneous human combustion and a series of demonic possessions has rocked the city of Providence, Rhode Island. Evil walks through the dark streets and alleyways. No one is more in the dark than Lester, a young waiter who takes a job as a phone psychic, reading tarot cards in order to make some extra cash. What he doesn't realize is that he has somehow become the principal pawn of the dark forces that are gathering around him—or that the calls he takes will lead a demon that has recently escaped from hell right into his apartment.…

Customer Reviews:

THREE THINGS YOU WILL LEARN FROM READING THIS BOOK.......2007-03-21

All criminal lawyers in Providence are in grave danger of demonic possession.

Find and make friends with someone proficient in Voodoo - their talents can come in handy.

You never know what you will find in an antique shop in Rhode Island

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Incubus
Charlotte, Dobson
Manufacturer: Hard Shell Word Factory
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Anthropologist Martine Murdoch theorizes the existence of an ancient cult of heart-eaters to explain the condition of human remains found hidden within a long-abandoned Mayan city. When the theory is published, her life changes forever. Shunned by the scientific community, Marty sets out to discover the meaning behind a series of recent murders committed using the very techniques she wrote about. But instead of unearthing a psychotic human, Marty stumbles into the final act of an ancient struggle that has gone unresolved for more than twenty-thousand years. The ancient cult is alive and functioning in the modern world. And now they are after her...

Average customer rating:

Outstanding in all respects
Dredd is back.
DROKK!ACID BLOOD!

Judge Dredd vs. Aliens: Incubus
John Wagner , Andy Diggle , and Henry Flint
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569719837

Book Description

The tenacious Judge Dredd, upholding the law in a deadly, radioactive future, has faced everything from mutants to supernatural possessions... but can he, a group of judges, and the elite team called the Verminators fend off an infestation of the deadly, acid-drooling Aliens? Facing their most dangerous enemies yet, it's lawmen versus nature's best killing machines in a bloody battle to keep the vast metropolis of the future from becoming a hideous breeding ground!

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding in all respects.......2004-03-17

As a long-time fan of the Alien Versus lines, I was rather intrigued to see that the Aliens have branched out of their normal battles with DC superheroes and have made the jump to 2000AD's famous Judge Dredd. Having read the entertaining but mediocre Predator vs. Judge Dredd last year, I had minimal expectations for this comic, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of this comic is the fact that the Aliens get the respect that they so damn well deserve. Most of the "Aliens Versus" comics end up having the Aliens as mere cannon fodder for the hero. Not so in this comic...the Aliens are a horrifying, unrelenting menace...exactly the way they're supposed to be. The story is very well written too...I didn't think they'd be able to come up with a decent explanation as to why Aliens have sudden infested Mega-City One, but it was neatly and clearly explained. Unfortunately I am not a Dredd reader, so alot of the Dredd lingo and references went over my head. Don't be taken back by that though...even if you are not familiar with Judge Dredd, the story is an easy read, and the general principle of Judge Dredd is easy to grasp. You don't really need to be an avid fan to understand the workings of it.

The artwork is very well done. The Aliens look excellent, and the rest of the characters all look gritty and worn. This is definitely one of the gorier Alien/Dredd comics, and rather tastefully done. The action is also nicely depicted. Following a similar trait that our beloved classic "Aliens" had, this comic focuses on story, and then explodes with great action scenes, then goes back to story, and then back to action, rather nicely. It never gets boring, and its paced enough to keep you interested. I found myself pushed to finish the story and read through the entire book in one sitting, which isn't something I usually do. I was overall very satisfied with the story and I definitely feel its one of the best "Aliens Versus" titles that I've read in a long, long time.

For most of my 21 years, I've been a comic book fan. In the last 5 years or so, I can say with confidence that Dark Horse has put out some of the absolute worst comics ever written, particularly with their Alien and Predator stories, Versus or otherwise. But Dredd vs Aliens was definitely a fine example of Dark Horse crossover writing. There was no Resurrection inspired monstrosities, no ridiculous mutations, and no new gimmicks...the Aliens were the same mechanisms of death and destruction that the first 3 Alien movies painted them as. I wouldn't have it any other way. Kudos to Dark Horse and 2000AD for an absolutely thrilling and fun crossover. This is well worth your money!

Dredd is back........2004-02-23

Dredd vs. Aliens. Predictable, but if your a fan of either, plenty of action for you. Art is fantastic.

DROKK!ACID BLOOD!.......2004-02-03

This comic is better than most Aliens and Aliens Versus comics,but is not one of the best Dredd ones.
Some Perps have gotten hold of Aliens eggs.After busting up a protest by illegal ecologists,Dredd is called to an incident at a hospital,just in time to find a baby Alien burst out of a chest.The Verminators are called in to flush the creature out of the hospital ventilation system.
But is the Alien alone,that is the question...
I did half enjoy this.It might be that the story deserves 3 and a half stars,but Wagner can do better than this.It seems abriviated,with just indications of character development,and a rushed plotline.Zero classic Dredd black humour,and not enough Dredd-menace either.The art is oldstyle punkish simplicity.The artist can only draw about one facial expression,but has improved a bit on the backgrounds and general design.And the Aliens look good.And also,the colours are really well done,and does a lot to bring out a stark ambient.