Book Review: Incubus Dreams

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

[3 stars]

Incubus Dreams Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Laurell K. Hamilton
Class/Genre: Mystery Fantasy Vampire Hard Boiled
Series: Anita Blake # 12

Hamilton's Anita Blake is a vampire executioner and raiser of the dead. The earlier books in the series described both aspects of her professional life - raising zombies and investigating crimes that appear to have been committed by non-humans. They also relate her developing and highly conflicted personal and sexual relationships with various 'monsters'; that is, non-humans.

Following a trend in her recent novels in this series, most of 'Incubus Dreams' describes, in excruciating and lengthy detail, the latest developments in Anita's personal life. The mystery element, although present, is very poorly developed. The initial crime is mentioned, then followed by such a detailed exposition of Anita's relationships with an increasing number of non-humans that the crime is almost forgotten by the reader before the next development is presented. Ultimately, the crime is left partially unresolved, and may have been intended as a cliffhanger for a future book in the series. This is a pattern I noticed in 'Cerulean Sins'; it is even more noticeable in this book.

I found this book unsatisfying because I lost interest in Anita's personal and love life, especially since it always follows the same pattern - angst about some new lover or supernatural phenomenon followed by acceptance. The mystery element seemed almost slapdash; barely there at the beginning, and then some scenes at the end which lacked resolution. I rated this book as high as average (3/5) only because some readers may want the increased emphasis on Anita's personal life, and Hamilton does describe that part of the story in the way her readers would expect. I found that aspect of the novel too predictable to outweigh the weakness in the mystery plot.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM