However....it wasn't one of my favorites. The plot was just kind of...lacking. Wah wah. Basically, a group of vampires want to be" free." Unfortunately, their methods for doing that are to kidnap a minor and then martyr themselves (aka suicide by cop - or executioner, in this case). The have a leader, a master, but they haven't blood oathed. Somehow the master misses the part where he can influence lesser vamps without a blood oath.
So, when they're around him, he can keep them on board with his plan for peaceful dissent. Unfortunately, when he's not around, his mojo wears off and they decide being martyrs and killing cops is the better plan.
Sigh.
Antia ends up setting them straight. That's basically the entire book plot wise.
Now, relationship wise, there was much more.
Asher has finally pushed too hard and is being sent away for a month to a city that needs a master. Thank god! His bullshit was driving me batty! I mean, really, how much of a manipulative asshole do you have to be before you get called out on it?! He basically assaults Anita, injuring her to the point of stitches - if she were a full mortal human. So, apparently, that's how much. *eye roll* He also hurts one of her animals to call. And turns one guard against another. A real mess.
Anita also finds a new friend. And loses Larry. I don't think I've mentioned Larry lately, so let me recap for those uninitiated into the ways of the Executioner. Larry was Anita's trainee. First as an animator, then as a Marshall. They've always had different ethical lines, but managed to maintain a civil relationship, if not friendship. That's gone now. Larry called her a monster. The new guy, another Marshall named Brice, manages to fit in because he's gay. Ok, that's not really fair. I just mean that he's in the closet and doesn't feel like his personal life would be accepted by other law enforcement. Anita can empathize. Especially after being pulled in by Internal Affairs who basically say they're questioning her due to her secual preference.
Brice proves his desire to be friends by offering himself up to the females in the office who are ruthlessly pursuing him. Including Arnett. If you remember, Arnett is a Detective who was pissed because she Anita didn't claim Nathaniel publicly until after she had made her interest known. She's also made some rather...insane leaning toward threatening statements to Anita and about her and her lovers. So, we'll see where that leads. Could be an interesting plot development.
I feel like this is another short review, but really, I'm not half assing it! It really was a pretty basic book.
There were the typical issues of sexism - thinking Anita can't "handle" something because she's a woman. That kind of thing. I also had a moment of irritation with the acceptance of the stereotype of men having no feelings or at least not expressing them. The thing about feminism, is that's it's not just about women. It's about gender equality. Even men are victims of sexism. I love that Hamilton highlights the everyday sexism women put up with - and make no mistake, a compliment can still be sexist - but I'd love to see her work from the male angle too. Who said it's weak to show emotion? She's been great about including the L, G, and B characters, though we're missing the T, but I'd like to see her keep moving forward on that angle too. Brice may open the way to this I hope. Any male character who can be seen opening themselves up. Though I hope it's a straight character because an emotional gay may just plays to stereotype. The vamps are explained by having to hide their emotions for centuries, but they're starting to come out. Lets see some human male emotion!
OK, I realize that sounds silly, especially after calling Richard Ted Mosby...
Kiss the Dead, Laurell K. Hamilton
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