- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Available on NOOK devices and apps
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Hamilton has not always been under the spell of undead things that go bump-and-grind in the night. When she was a young girl, her literary tastes were a bit more on the traditional side. "I wanted to be Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women, because I had never read any science fiction, fantasy, or horror," she confessed in a podcast on Mayor Slay.com. "Then at 13 or 14 I found Robert E. Howard's short story collection [Pigeons From Hell]. It was the first horror, the first heroic fantasy, the first science fiction I'd ever read, and the moment I read that I knew that not only did I want to be a writer, but this is what I wanted to write."
Furthering Hamilton's burgeoning fascination with the fantastic, she discovered Anthony Masters's The Natural History of the Vampire at her high school library. Coupled with the ghost stories her grandmother had told her when she was a child and heavy doses of Hammer Horror movies from Great Britain, Hamilton was well on her way to creating a character that would only be rivaled by Buffy in the field of vampire slaying.
Hamilton first introduced vampire huntress Anita Blake in her third novel Guilty Pleasures. Blake is an unlikely combination of action hero, federal marshal, "necromancer," and lusty dame. Her exploits between the sheets and in the graveyard won Hamilton a rabid following hungry for something new in the well-traveled vampire genre.
Along with the kinds of scares normally associated with vampire stories, Hamilton's books are notable for their unflinching eroticism. Vampires have had a sexual lure since Stoker, but Hamilton particularly draws that aspect to the surface of her work as one of her creatures might draw blood from a victim. "I [want] a kiss to be so believable it gives the reader shivers," she says on her website. "Two things I do well are sex and violence, but I don't want gratuitous sex or violence. The sex and violence is only as graphic as need be. And never included unless it furthers the plot or character development."
Another unlikely trait of her books is humor, vampire tales classically being of the more solemn sort. However, a writer weaned on a book titled Pigeons From Hell is not likely going to shy away from wit. Consequently, her books have been consistently entertaining and fun, as well as creepy and sexy.
Hamilton has also brought her delicious combination of sex, humor, and frights to another series, this one more ingrained in dark fantasy than horror. Her faerie princess/P.I. Meredith Gentry made her debut in Kiss of Shadows in 2001 and has since sparked her own crowd-pleasing sword and sorcery meets pulp series.
Increasingly, the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry books have added more sexual content to their story lines, classifying both series in a new hybrid genre that blends romance, erotica, and paranormal fantasy. To judge from Hamilton's consistent appearance on the bestseller charts, readers find the mix spellbinding.
Before Laurell K. Hamilton made a full-time career of blood, guts, murder, and mayhem, she had more humane pursuits -- she volunteered at an animal shelter where she played with unwanted pets.
In our interview, Hamilton shared some fun and fascinating facts about herself with us:
"I am incredibly stubborn. Telling me I cannot do something, especially if you cite the fact that I am a girl, will make me want to do it more and do it better."
"I am not my characters. We have some of the same traits in common, but we are very different people."
"Everything inspires me. Getting up in the morning, walking the dogs, watching a music video. Inspiration comes from everywhere."
"I love animals. I own four dogs, two of whom are rescues. In fact, Jimmy is with us because they were going to gas him if we didn't take him with us. As an older dog his chances of finding a home were fairly slim. But he has been a wonderful addition to our home."
"I like spending time with my family and friends. Something I often feel I do not do enough of. But there are only so many hours in a day."
"I like to read other people's works. I love reading cozy or historical mysteries when I can."
"I enjoy interacting with fans at planned public events. I enjoy talking to them and have met many wonderful people."
Anonymous
Posted September 28, 2008
Wow. I expected anything Laurell K. Hamilton wrote to be a hit, or at least an enjoyable read. But this... this was pure garbage! It started out rather well, but towards the middle you start to realize that something's missing, and by the end, you're reading to burn the thing. The main character has magic, but she barely uses it, even in life or death situations, it makes no sense. Not to mention the ending which lacked EVERYTHING a good ending should have. It was like she started out with a good idea, but 20 pages in decided she just didn't care, and just worked towards ending the thing. Please, save yourself some heartache, do NOT buy this book. Especially fans of LKH and The Forgotten Realms.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 7, 2008
Very spare plot, disappointing ending. This is the only book of hers that I wished I tried from the library before buying it.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.avidrdrAZ
Posted August 31, 2009
I wasn't even aware that LKH had written this book until I found it at a local used book store. Maybe I am just just a helpless romantic but I found the book ended badly. I was so wishing for a different ending, as I'm sure most people who read it were too. I thought the overall writing style and plot was good but the ending was just so crushing. Is it just me or do you read a book to get the happy endings?? This one definitely did not provide that.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 24, 2009
Ever since I picked up hamilton's guilty pleasures I have loved her writing. The characters and setting is entirely different and more intriguing than her Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series. Lately I gave up on her Anita Blake books so when I saw this book in the store I was iffy about buying it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 27, 2007
Like a few others, I read this because it had Hamilton's name on it. I couldn't put the book down. I'm not really into realms and elves and weird names and all that USUALLY I do have exceptions though. I guess what I'm trying to say is that. I am a Hamilton fan and to me she will all ways be the Queen B of the Sci Fi authors, but I dont know if I would read another installment in this book...This book is soooooo depressing, the ending is sad, and it's really kinda freaky, lol.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ReaderBee14
Posted June 21, 2011
I Also Recommend:
I don't understand people and how they expect every book from an author to be the same genre. This book is actually very good. It's a total turn around from Anita Blake and merry gentry but it's interesting. It is part of another type of series where all the books are sad and have upsetting endings. Romantics should NOT read this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 14, 2007
I love Laurell K. Hamilton and was really excited to see a book by her that I hadn't read...this book was terrible! The plot was alright but she tended to lose her way throughout the book. The ending was not a happy one for any of the characters whether they were good or evil. Everyone had a severely depressing conclusion and I found myself incredibly angry that LKH would publish this. My reccomendation is NOT to buy it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2007
Hamilton has truly disapointed fans everywhere with this work. Forget that it isn't one of her regular storylines This book doesn't have any of Hamilton's usual flavor. This book is depressing and horrifying and is missing the underlying hope that fills the rest of her books. I finished this book in two days and was left feeling unsatisfied. It has one main plot with too many subplots that are not explained, characters that go nowhere, and an ending that left me throwing the book at the wall because it doesn't explain the reason behind ANYTHING. It just ends. I would say this book rates right up with her first book published 'Nightseer' both well written, but ultimately giving you a book that leaves major gaps in the time 'before the book' and leaves you with an ending that is incomplete. My recommendation is to NOT BUY THE BOOK.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
Completely chaotic and full of nonsenical twists and turns. Unfufilling to say the least. No substance.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.nurdrms
Posted October 9, 2011
This was something different from MS. Hamilton. It could work into a new series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 22, 2007
This book provided the quick read I needed around a 20 hour a day schedule, but that's the only thing worthwhile it did provide. The story was severely lacking and Hamilton spends so much time trying to delve into the depths of her main character, that she forgets she has a plot, too (not to mention fails at the former anyway). Several bits of information seem to get lost, and the ending is nothing beyond dissappointing. Too much is left to the imagination of Hamilton's readers, but not in a good way. It's like she forgets what she is writing...multiple times.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 9, 2006
While not the A typical Hamilton book, it is a good quick read. It's a pretty straight forward book, lacking a lot of twists and turns that her Antia Blake and Merry Gentry series have. I don't feel the book took the time to properly develop key character's personalities, making it difficult to share their pain, fear and loss. The book also ended with a lot of unanswered questions, with no promise of a second novel. These 'disappointments' are what keep me from giving it a higher star rating.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 2, 2006
I have to say this is a Forgotten Relms book not an erotic/horror/mystery that she usually writes. So if you like your elves, drows, and cererlics this book is for you.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 4, 2006
This book through me for a loop. I have read and Love all the Anita Blake Series and Meredith Gentry Series, but this book was totally different, it was very dark and disturbing. Though it was well worded written, the characters lacked the vitality of her other books, it was just to mortifying to be enjoyed. If you love Anita Blake and Meredith Gentry I wouldn¿t suggest reading this book, it takes away from the spirit and Vitality of her other books, and characters. It has neither happy endings nor any happiness in between, it¿s depressing and sad. It also ended with finality, leaving far too many loss ends and questions about other characters and surroundings. It is almost as if she got tired of writing it and ended it halfway through the process.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 28, 2006
I found this book to be a disappointing read. I expected Ms. Hamilton's usual intriguing, well thought-out characters and plot. The characters were somewhat shallow and the story line just didn't 'gel'. I was left at the end of the book wondering what was going on. If there is a sequel to this one, I won't be buying it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 29, 2006
I was so surprised to find this title on the shelves of my bookstore!! Seeing another Laurel K. Hamilton book out on the market was a thrill. I love this book along with all of Hamilton's others. Elaine is a young girl coming into her own while living in a land that is hostile to those who reside there. Her adopted family are the most successful branch of the Brotherhood, a secret society formed to fight and destroy dark magic and dark creatures. Imagine her shock when Elaine finds that she is harboring the same magic that her family has fought in the past. Now she must learn to control her gifts on the run because they have been called away to fight the dark again. It is a wild adventure with action, a hint of romance, and tradegy. All together an amazing read. Another one of Laurel K Hamilton's wonderful books!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 28, 2006
I read this book because it was written by Hamilton. This was not like her other work. Twists and turns. A quick read. You may find yourself rooting for the main characters, but don't look for a happy ending.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 5, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 1, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 10, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Death of a Darklord focuses on a young woman who finds that she has a talent for magic in a land and a family unforgiving of such abilities, and her tragic attempts to redeem herself in the eyes of her family by aiding them on their quest to end the dark magic that has destroyed a neighboring town.From the Trade Paperback edition.