Guilty Pleasures

by Laurell K. Hamilton
Guilty Pleasures cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Urban Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 6504
  • Added: 2025-11-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780755370740
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2009-09-17
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Anita Blake, known as the Executioner, has a reputation for killing vampires, not dating them. In a world where the undead have been granted equal rights, most people see vampires as ordinary folks with fangs, but Anita knows the truth. She has seen their victims and carries the scars. When a serial killer begins targeting vampires, the most powerful bloodsucker in town hires Anita to find the murderer. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of deceit and danger that will test her skills and resolve. Guilty Pleasures is the first book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, blending elements of urban fantasy, horror, and mystery. The novel is known for its strong protagonist, intricate plot, and a unique take on the supernatural world. Laurell K. Hamilton's vivid storytelling and detailed world-building make this a must-read for fans of the genres.

Reviews
Summon Fantasy · Anca Antoci · 2023-09-27
excellent 4.50

The book is described as a riveting journey into the paranormal, despite initial expectations of a cheesy vampire romance. The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging.

Anca Antoci was initially skeptical about Guilty Pleasures, expecting a cheesy vampire romance. However, they were pleasantly surprised by the depth and engagement of the story. They praise the well-developed characters and the engaging plot, which makes the book a riveting journey into the paranormal. The world-building is immersive and the pacing is consistent, making it a compelling read. They also appreciate the strong female protagonist, which adds a refreshing dynamic to the story. Overall, they highly recommend the book to fans of the paranormal genre, despite its initial hype and rave reviews.

Quick quotes

    Despite the hype and the rave reviews it got, I expected it to be a cheesy vampire romance.

    The characters are well-developed and the story is engaging, making it a riveting journey into the paranormal.

    The world-building is immersive and the pacing is consistent, making it a compelling read.

Elitist Book Reviews · Writer Dan · 2019-09-27
good 3.00

The book is described as a decent vampire novel with a strong voice and consistent pacing. The story is approachable but simple.

Writer Dan finds Guilty Pleasures to be a decent addition to the vampire genre. They praise the strong voice and consistent pacing, which make the book an enjoyable read. The story is approachable and easy to follow, but it's also simple and lacks the depth that might appeal to more discerning readers. The characters are well-developed, particularly the strong female protagonist, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. However, they also note that the plot is somewhat predictable and the world-building is not particularly original. Overall, it's a good read for fans of the genre, but not a standout piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    An approachable, if simple, story, GUILTY PLEASURES is a decent vampire novel, with a strong voice, consistent pacing, and distinctive characters.

    The strong female protagonist adds a refreshing dynamic to the story.

    The plot is somewhat predictable and the world-building is not particularly original.

Hope and Whispers · 2018-08-05
mixed 2.50

The book inverts the traditional vampire hunter narrative but is described as a trashy vampire novel. The writing style is engaging but the story is criticized for its simplicity.

This reviewer sees the book as a fun, if somewhat shallow, read. They appreciate the fresh take on the vampire hunter genre, but feel the story lacks depth and complexity. The writing is engaging and the pacing is consistent, making it an easy and entertaining read. However, they also note that the plot is simple and the characters are not particularly well-developed, which might disappoint readers looking for a more substantial story. Overall, it's a quick and enjoyable read, but not one that will leave a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    The first in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series, Guilty Pleasures presents itself as an inversion of the traditional vampire hunter narrative.

    It's a trashy vampire novel, but it's a fun one.

    The writing is engaging, but the story is simple and predictable.

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