Book Review: Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 28) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 28)
by Laurell K. Hamilton
Feb 9, 2021
Pages: 268
Rafael, king of the wererats, must fight to the death to defend his crown. He wants Anita Blake, one of his closest allies, with him as he faces an opponent unlike any he’s faced before. He will ask Anita to risk everything to be at his side....

But some of the wererats fear that Rafael depends too much on Anita and her ties to the vampires. They believe that there is only room in America for one supernatural king, and Rafael will turn them into nothing more than food for the bloodsuckers.

Among his enemies, a new challenger has arisen who is younger, hungrier, and has dark secrets that could destroy both the wererats and the vampires. Rafael will go into the magical heart of his people to find the power and violence that he needs to save them all, or die trying.

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Anita has always had a lot on her plate between all her lovers, her job, her upcoming wedding, not to mention all her titles that she has trouble keeping track of as it is, so when Rafael, king of the wererats, has to fight to the death to defend his crown Anita is trying everything possible to keep him alive and on their side.

The wererats culture is something that we know little about, and Rafael doesn’t share much unless it comes in direct contact with the situation. A younger wererat has decided to challenge Rafael for the crown stating that Rafael’s connection to Anita ties the whole wererat race to the vampires. Rafael states that he will do anything to defend his people, including dying if that is what it takes, and Anita will do whatever it takes to save him, the connection to her people as well as all the wererats.

This book gave a real insight into Rafael and the power behind the wererats. The book was an easy read, was intriguing and brought all kinds of insights that previously were unknown.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.

Book Review: Rafael (Anita Blake Book 28) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Novels)

by Laurell K. Hamilton

February 9, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

236 pages

Rafael, king of the wererats, must fight to the death to defend his crown. He wants Anita Blake, one of his closest allies, with him as he faces an opponent unlike any he’s faced before. He will ask Anita to risk everything to be at his side.…

 

But some of the wererats fear that Rafael depends too much on Anita and her ties to the vampires. They believe that there is only room in America for one supernatural king, and Rafael will turn them into nothing more than food for the bloodsuckers.

 

Among his enemies, a new challenger has arisen who is younger, hungrier, and has dark secrets that could destroy both the wererats and the vampires. Rafael will go into the magical heart of his people to find the power and violence that he needs to save them all, or die trying.

Amazon

Reviewer: Mary Kirkland (Dark Thoughts Blog)

I give this book 5 out of 5 sheep.

This book is all about Rafael and Anita and whether or not she is going to make him her rat to call and whether or not the wererats are going to accept her. While a lot of the wererats like her and know that she isn't evil and know that they aren't in danger from her or Jean-Claude, there are a few that are scared which causes some problems.

Asher is back and Jean-Claude has forgiven him for being such a jerk in the past. I felt for the guy because he had some stuff that he needed to work through. But Anita is being standofish with him not only because of how he acted but because his boyfriend, Kane hates her. This is going to be really interesting in upcoming books when they all start sleeping together again which I know is going to happen.

Rafael is a wererat and The Rat King, which I loved. I'm a huge rat person myself so I really liked seeing wererats in this story. Rafael was getting challenged often because the wererats were scared that if Anita made Rafael her rat to call that all of them would be servant's to the vampires because of her ties to Jean-Claude. The wererats were also scared because Anita and Jean-Claude were getting married and although she had wereanimal magic, she couldn't shift into any wereanimals. Rafael is supposed to fight Hector and if he loses, Hector will be the new leader of the wererats. Anita is scared that Rafael might not win because Rafael doesn't seem to have what it takes emotionally to kill Hector. So when Anita feeds the ardeur from Rafael she can feel all the wererats through him and knows that Hector is trying to keep her out because he has a secret that he doesn't want her to know but she knows because she is stronger than he knows.

When Anita goes to the arena to watch Hector and Rafael fight, there are those that don't want her there and they let her know it. She has to fight her way through a couple of people and when a whole bunch of rats show up, she remembers that she's kinda scared of the little furry creatures. Personally, I loved the scenes with all the rats. Anita surprises a lot of the wererats because she has magic that they didn't know about which makes a lot of them back down from confronting her. There are secrets that are revealed and some really great twists in this book.

This is the 28th book in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series and I've been reading this series since the beginning. If you've been reading this series you already know what to expect but I would definitely start at the beginning because there are a lot of characters in this series and it will make more sense if you start with the first book.

Reviewer: Pamela K. Kinney

I gave Rafael 3 ½ weresheep

Rafael, king of the wererats, must fight to the death to defend his crown. He wants Anita Blake, one of his closest allies, with him as he faces an opponent unlike any he’s faced before. He will ask Anita to risk everything to be at his side.…

But some of the wererats fear that Rafael depends too much on Anita and her ties to the vampires. They believe that there is only room in America for one supernatural king, and Rafael will turn them into nothing more than food for the bloodsuckers.

Among his enemies, a new challenger has arisen who is younger, hungrier, and has dark secrets that could destroy both the wererats and the vampires. Rafael will go into the magical heart of his people to find the power and violence that he needs to save them all or die trying.

Anita Blake’s latest book has Rafael, king of the wererats, for the title. He asks Anita to be with him when he goes to fight the wererat who challenge him for the right to lead the wererats of America. The opponent is someone he thinks may be his son. But when Anita feels the opponent may have become another vampire’s animal to call, controlling the man, Rafael, knows he must beat the other wererat to save his people or die trying to do it.

I noticed that the Anita Blake books are mainly about her sleeping with all her men or a lot of talking. But after some of that in the beginning, this one got interesting to me. As someone who misses the first books in the series and enjoyed the Obsidian Butterfly novel, which was different after the way Anita was becoming, bringing back the old Anita, I feel this book halfway changed for the better.

About the Author:
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Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.

Book Review: Dark Sentinel (Dark #28) by Christine Feehan

Dark Sentinel (Dark #28)
by Christine Feehan

September 4, 2018

400 pages

Berkley

In an explosive novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a human woman ignites the desire of her Carpathian lifemate--and of an ancient vampire with a score to settle.

After the devastating loss of her entire family, Lorraine Peters heads to the woods searching for peace of mind and anything to quell the anger in her soul. Instead, she stumbles upon a scene of horrific violence, as one man lies helpless in the face of three attackers. 

Andor Katona's existence has been a harsh one, living for centuries as a monk in the Carpathian Mountains. Unable to find his lifemate, he almost welcomes his release from a colorless and unfeeling world at the hands of the vampire hunters who have mistaken him for their prey. That is, until a whirling ball of fury bursts onto the scene, determined to save him. 

In one glimpse, in one breath, Andor recognizes Lorraine as his lifemate, but it will take more than their telepathic connection to convince her of their immortal bond. Lorraine is a lethal combination of cunning and courage. So much so that she captures the attention of a master vampire, one who has already lost what was once irreplaceable to him. One who will strike with deadly precision at Andor and his ancient Carpathian comrades in a war to end all wars.

Lorraine came upon Andor as he lay on the ground with several wounds from the vampire hunters as well as a stake sticking out of his chest. She took a pot and started hitting one of the men and startled the other two enough to keep them away from Andor. She's in the wilderness, running away from her life because something awful happened and she's trying to come to terms with it.

After being badly beaten and left for dead by vampire hunters, Andor is thinking about letting the sun come up and turn him to ash. After living for so long in a monastery and keeping himself locked away from humans for their own good, he was ready to die an honorable death. He didn't believe that his lifemate was out there. He'd looked for years for her and she was nowhere to be found. Finding her was the only thing that could save him.

As soon as Andor saw Lorraine, he knew she was his lifemate. He saw colors again for the first time in many years. He just knew. He also knew he would not be dying that day. She helps keep him alive until the other Carpathians can get to him and help him. They talk, communicate telepathically and get to know one another while they're waiting for help. Once the others show up, the danger isn't over because there are evil creatures all around them that want to get to her and to all of them to kill them.

There are may battles and Lorraine is a kick ass heroine. I loved her. She grew up in a family who all took up martial arts so she was able to kick some serious butt when she needed to. Andor is old, ancient even but he is gonna have to learn to be more modern if he wants to keep Lorraine happy because she's not about to sit back and let him boss her around. These two were so great together and I loved Andor's friends. I have a feeling that Ferro will be the hero in the next book and I can hardly wait.

This is book 32 in this series and I've been reading these books for 19 years. I've read all of them and have enjoyed them all. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes vampire books or PNR.

I give this book 5 out of 5 sheep!

Mary Kirkland
Dark Thoughts Blog

About the Author:

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I write every day and have done so since I was old enough to pick up a pen. (I spent a lot of time getting in trouble at school for writing instead of doing the things I was supposed to do.) Once I create my characters, I try very hard to have them react to situations as they really would. Sometimes I have preconceived ideas of what I would like them to do, but they don't mind me, because it would be out of character for them. They take on a life of their own. Sometimes when I throw difficult situations at them in the hopes I'll get a certain reaction and they don't do what I want, I complain bitterly to my husband and he laughs at me. Still, it is important to me to have them be real, not perfect people, so they make mistakes we lesser mortals might make.

Book Review: Dragonsworn (Dark-Hunters #28) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Dragonsworn (Dark-Hunters #28)

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Hardcover, 352 pages

August 1st 2017

by St. Martin's Press

There is nothing in the universe the cursed dragon, Falcyn, hates more than humanity . . . and in particular, Greek humans. In a war he wanted no part of, they systematically destroyed everything he’d ever cared for. Now he lies in seclusion, away from the world and waits for the day when evolution will finally rid him of the human vermin.

Medea was born the granddaughter of the Greek god Apollo, and among the first of his people that he cursed to die. But she will not let anyone rule her life. Not even her notorious grandfather. And when Apollo sends a new plague to destroy what remains of her people, she refuses to standby and watch him take everything she loves from her again.

This time, she knows of a secret weapon that can stop the ancient god and his army of demons. Once and for all. However, said device is in the hands of a dragon who wants nothing to do with politics, the gods, humanity, demons or Greek Apollites. And especially not her. He is the immovable object.

My enemy’s enemy . . .

When Apollo makes a strategic move that backfires, he forces Falcyn back into play. Now Medea either has the weapon she needs to save her people, or she’s unleashed total Armageddon. If she can’t find some way to control the dragon before it’s too late, Falcyn will be an even worse plague on the world than the one Apollo has set loose. But how can anyone control a demonic dragon whose sole birthright is total destruction?

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Falcyn hates humans and wants nothing to do with them. He really hates most people and doesn't trust many, but he has a right to feel the way he does. Most everyone is scared of him because he's a bloodthirsty dragon shifter and if you make him mad, he'll just eat you and be done with it.

Medea is the granddaughter of the Greek god Apollo, but gramps wants her, and her Apollite family, to die. He isn't a sweet old loving grandpa but more like a monster with demon minions who wants her destroyed. 

This book starts off with a twist right from the very first few pages. Something that Falcyn never saw coming and something that would change him and his life. Things he thought true would prove to be false, but I like twists like that, they make stories interesting and fun to watch how the characters will react to them. It also turns out that Falcyn has something that Medea needs to stop her grandfather from destroying everything she loves, now if only she can get Falcyn to help her. Not as easy as it seems because he wants nothing to do with any of it at first but when they get stuck in a place together and need to find a way home, they get closer even though neither of them is good at trusting anyone. 

Both Falcyn and Medea have felt the pain of loss, the sting of betrayal and it has turned their hearts cold, but they're both after something now, and they may need each other’s help to get it. These two characters were so good together. They both were a lot like each other, and the banter between them is so much fun to watch. Falcyn is surprised that she isn't scared of him or his dragon and he likes how strong, brave and bloodthirsty she is. 

If you've been reading this series from the beginning like I have, then you know that we usually get a lot of insight into the main characters as well as secondary characters. There are usually a few shocking twists or secrets that come to light, and this book is no exception. In fact, the last couple of pages pretty much let us know that big secrets are about to be revealed most likely in the next book. I can't wait to see how this plays out. If you haven't been reading this series and you like Greek mythology, Greek gods, demons, dragons, bear shifters, curses, great bloody battles ect...then you're really missing out. But I would start with the first book and work your way up otherwise these people just won't make much sense. This is a great series, and this book was a fantastic addition to it.

I give this book 5 out of 5 sheep!

Mary Kirkland
Dark Thoughts Blog

About the Author:
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger… as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she’s found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With tens of millions of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.

In the last few years, she has placed more than 75 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes, including young adult, manga, fantasy, science fiction and horror. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, Lords of Avalon and Chronicles of Nick.

Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel, her Dark-Hunter novels are a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins. and the Chronicles of Nick manga are published by Yen Press. And keep your eyes pealed, her books are soon to be hitting both the big and little screens by the same group who specializes in turning beloved literary series into major movie franchises.