Risingshadow
Speculative Fiction Books
  • About
    • Home
    • Articles
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Staff Members
    • Newsletter
    • Finnish (FI)
  • Books
    • New Releases
    • Coming Soon
    • Books of the Year
    • Bookshelves Activity
    • Recently Added
    • Advanced Search
    • Reviews / Comments
    • Genres and Tags
    • * Submit Book
  • Community
    • Discussions
    • - Recent Messages
    • - Recent Topics
    • - Hot Topics
    • - Popular Topics
    • - Search
    • CHALLENGES
    • - Reading Challenge
    • - Book Trivia Quiz
  • Home
  • Books
  • Laurell K. Hamilton
  • Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
  • Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasures

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1 / 31
by Laurell K. Hamilton
Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1) by Laurell K. Hamilton
★ 7.52 / 19
123141556176819410

"I DON'T DATE VAMPIRES. I KILL THEM."

My name is Anita Blake. Vampires call me The Executioner. What I call them isn't repeatable.

Ever since the Supreme Court granted the undead equal rights, most people think vampires are just ordinary folks with fangs. I know better. I've seen their victims. I carry the scars...

But now a serial killer is murdering vampires – and the most powerful bloodsucker in town wants me to find the killer...

Amazon: Check Best Offer

FantasyUrban FantasyVampires
Release date: 1993
Reviews and Comments (1)

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

Your Rating
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Standard Shelves

Readers also enjoyed

Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles #1)
★ 8.46 / 15
Written in Red (The Others #1)
★ 8.18 / 11
Rivers of London (Rivers of London #1)
★ 8.14 / 14
Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas #1)
★ 8.10 / 11
Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1)
★ 8.06 / 15
Neverwhere (Neverwhere #1)
★ 8.02 / 76
Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires #1)
★ 8.00 / 11

Join the Discussion
You can post as a guest or sign in for more features.
Have questions about this book or want to share your thoughts? Join the conversation!
Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell K. Hamilton is a name that has become synonymous with paranormal fantasy and urban fantasy, captivating readers worldwide with her bold, intricate storytelling and unforgettable characters. Born in the heart of the Midwest, Hamilton’s journey into the world of supernatural fiction started with a fascination for the darker, more complex sides of human nature, a theme that permeates her work. Her most iconic creation, Anita Blake, the sharp-witted, morally complex necromancer and vampire hunter, has become a beloved figure in urban fantasy, a genre Hamilton helped shape and redefine.

Read more ...

From a young age, Hamilton’s imagination was fueled by a love of horror, mythology, and the supernatural. What began as a quiet passion for reading soon transformed into a relentless drive to create her own stories. With a degree in English and an unyielding desire to weave together complex plots and multifaceted characters, Hamilton embarked on her writing career, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and romance in a way that was both fresh and deeply engaging.

Her Anita Blake series debuted in the early '90s and quickly became a phenomenon. The series explores a world where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings are as real as the humans who co-exist with them. The mix of action, mystery, romance, and emotional depth resonated with readers, cementing Hamilton as a key voice in paranormal fiction. The strength of Hamilton’s writing lies in her ability to create morally ambiguous characters, including Anita Blake herself, a strong, vulnerable, and conflicted protagonist who challenges traditional norms of heroism and romance.

Beyond Anita Blake, Hamilton's Meredith Gentry series also showcases her talent for blending sensuality with supernatural intrigue, introducing readers to a world of fae politics, power struggles, and intense, unforgettable relationships. These series have not only captivated fans but have also garnered critical acclaim, making Hamilton a staple in the urban fantasy genre.

Hamilton’s writing is both daring and fearless, often delving into themes of power, identity, and personal growth. Her characters, complex and multifaceted, confront the boundaries of good and evil, love and loss, with raw authenticity. The rich world-building she weaves into her novels provides readers with a universe that is both dangerous and seductive—where every twist and turn is unexpected, and no one is ever truly safe.

In a career spanning decades, Hamilton has published numerous books, short stories, and novellas, earning accolades and a devoted following of readers. With her uncanny ability to blend dark themes with deep emotional complexity, Hamilton has created a world where fantasy, horror, and romance coexist, offering readers a ride they’ll never forget.

As she continues to evolve as an author, Laurell K. Hamilton remains one of the most influential voices in the realm of paranormal fiction, never shying away from the darker aspects of the human (and supernatural) experience, but always providing her readers with a compelling, immersive escape into the unknown.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter is not just a series—it’s a deep dive into a dark, complex world where the lines between good and evil are constantly blurred. In this gripping, action-packed series, readers are introduced to Anita Blake, a sharp-witted necromancer and vampire hunter, who lives in a world where supernatural creatures are as real and dangerous as the criminals she faces. What sets this series apart is its fearless exploration of power, morality, and human (and not-so-human) desires, making each book an unpredictable journey into the unknown.

Read more ...

Set in a version of modern-day St. Louis, where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings walk among humans, Anita Blake must navigate a chaotic world of danger and intrigue. As a zombie-raiser by day and a vampire executioner by night, Anita lives in a constant state of tension, torn between her duty to rid the world of dangerous monsters and her growing attraction to the very beings she’s sworn to destroy.

The series masterfully blends elements of mystery, romance, and horror, creating an atmosphere that’s both tense and electrifying. As Anita’s relationships with vampires, shapeshifters, and other supernatural beings evolve, so does her understanding of herself, her powers, and the world around her. What makes Anita Blake unique is the depth of its characters and the moral dilemmas they face, as Anita grapples with her own identity and the dangerous allure of the supernatural world she inhabits.

Through each new book, Anita Blake not only evolves as a character but also as a voice in the paranormal fiction genre. The series pushes boundaries, exploring themes of power, control, and love, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Hamilton’s expert world-building and evocative writing style create an immersive experience that leaves readers constantly yearning for more.

In a genre that often falls into predictable tropes, Anita Blake stands out for its uncompromising complexity and its heroine who defies easy categorization. If you’re looking for a story where passion, danger, and the supernatural collide in thrilling ways, Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter will not disappoint. With each installment, you’ll discover a new layer to Anita’s world, challenging everything you thought you knew about the creatures that lurk in the shadows.


Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter consists of thirty primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1)
★ 7.52 / 19
The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #2)
★ 7.46 / 15
Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #3)
★ 7.00 / 15
The Lunatic Cafe (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #4)
★ 7.34 / 12
Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #5)
★ 7.64 / 11
The Killing Dance (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #6)
★ 7.50 / 10
Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #7)
★ 7.66 / 6
Blue Moon (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #8)
★ 7.72 / 7
Obsidian Butterfly (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #9)
★ 8.00 / 7
Narcissus in Chains (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #10)
★ 7.00 / 7
Cerulean Sins (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #11)
★ 7.00 / 6
Incubus Dreams (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #12)
★ 7.60 / 5
Micah (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #13)
★ 7.50 / 4
Danse Macabre (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #14)
★ 8.50 / 4
The Harlequin (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #15)
★ 9.34 / 3
Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #16)
★ 9.00 / 4
Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #17)
★ 7.00 / 6
Flirt (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #18)
★ 7.34 / 3
Bullet (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #19)
★ 8.00 / 3
Hit List (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #20)
★ 9.00 / 2
Kiss the Dead (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #21)
★ 8.00 / 3
Affliction (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #22)
★ 7.50 / 2
Jason (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #23)
★ 7.00 / 1
Dead Ice (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #24)
★ 6.00 / 1
Crimson Death (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #25)
★ 7.00 / 1
Serpentine (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #26)
★ 10.00 / 2
Sucker Punch (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #27)
★ 7.00 / 1
Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #28)
★ 10.00 / 1
Smolder (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #29)
⧗ 9.00 / 2
Slay (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #30)
★ 9.50 / 2
Burial of the Dead (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #31)
⧗ 9.84 / 65
Micah and Strange Candy (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)
★ 9.34 / 3

Reviews and Comments

07/01/2009
Seregil of Rhiminee avatar
Seregil of Rhiminee
3707 books, 260 reviews, 15 posts
★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ 6 / 10

I decided to give Laurell K. Hamilton's Guilty Pleasures a try, because I read good reviews about it. I'm glad that I read it, because it turned to be an entertaining urban horror fantasy book. Guilty Pleasures wasn't a perfect book (it was far from it), but it was nice and enjoyable entertainment for warm summer days. I don't normally read this kind of fantasy books, but they're good entertainment every once in a while. The main character, Anita Blake, was interesting and the character development was okay (the character development could've been better, but it didn't bother me much). The plot was interesting and the writing style was quite good. I can recommend this book to readers who like urban fantasy.

^ Top
Follow Us: Newsletter | Facebook | X | Mastodon | RSS
Hosted by Planeetta Internet Oy
© 1996 - 2026 Risingshadow. All rights reserved.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Privacy Policy