Shutdown (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #22.75)

by Laurell K. Hamilton

[Melanie]

Richard has been taking a ton of therapy. He finds someone he thinks he can spend the rest of his life with, but he wants to Anita and the gang on the side. His finance wants to meet Anita. This is that coffee meeting.

I think story is to address many of questions Ms. Hamilton has had since she came out as being poly. This story goes into how difficult it can be for this group of people. Many are wanting to add them to the LGBT groups and many go to pride parades.

I've been a huge fan of the Anita Blake series and even stayed on when many became haters over the amount of sex in the books, which didn't bother me. I read erotica too, so it wasn't much different. My biggest issue with the series was always the over abundance of clothing and bodily descriptions. Sometimes, it seemed like it would take half a chapter just to get through everyone's clothing. This story is no different. This was something I was willing to overlook because I really enjoyed the overall story and characters (or at least most of the characters).

I've been falling off in the last few books. The therapy speak in the books between the characters is driving me crazy. I mean, it is good that all the characters are learning to be happy with who they are, but when a character like Edward, who is hardcore merc and is known in the vampire community as Death for using a flamethrower on vamps, is talking in therapy speak, it becomes a little too much for me. I believe that Anita might decide to have therapy because she would require it to keep it together with as many relationships as she has, but Edward, I just don't think so. That is not who Edward is.

I hope the next book is better. I love this series, but I don't want therapy while reading fiction. I hope this doesn't happen to Merry too.