Laurell K Hamilton: Fan Dissension Over Erotic Additions to the Anita Blake Series

I have been a fan of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K Hamilton ever since I borrowed the first book in the series from my cousin a few years ago. I immediately fell in love with the world Mrs. Hamilton has created. I now own and have since read every book in the set at least three times. I absolutely love the storyline. The 15th book in the series is due out in May (2007) and I cannot wait. If you enjoy stories with vampires, werewolves, magic, and anything supernatural, I highly recommend The Anita Blake series.

Since the tenth Anita Blake book was released, Laurell K Hamilton has taken a lot of dissension and flak for her change in writing style. Where previously the Anita series had been mostly a combination of horror, sci-fi, and drama, Laurell has since added an erotic side to the storyline. For reasons I don't quite understand, this has upset many a fan.

Oh, I understand to a point. Being an avid reader, I can relate to being furious with a storyline. I have mentally berated many an author because a book did not end the way I expected. Then, I realize it was not my choice. I did not write the story.

If the author has done his or her job, you feel like you are part of the story, or at least an observer. Once you get to know a character well enough, it almost feels like they are an old friend. You feel you should have some say in the choices they make. In reality, you have no say at all. You are along for the ride, wherever the author may take you.

What I do not understand in this case, is how some once devoted fans of Laurell K. Hamilton's have publicly turned on her as they have. Some have sent angry emails berating her for her choices. I have visited many forums where supposed fans are belittling the storyline they once loved. Laurell has even had to defend her series in public interviews.

These so called fans should realize that, no matter how much they have come to love the Anita Blake books or the characters involved, they have no right to try to tell Mrs. Hamilton how the series should unfold. The idea for the story, the world in which the story is set, and the characters involved were born inside her head. Laurell, as the author, has complete control over how the storyline progresses. She should not have to defend that right.

In my opinion, these readers should remember why they enjoyed the Anita Blake series in the first place. The world Laurell K Hamilton has created is fantastic. The story is so detailed and defined; you can almost see it playing out in your mind. The characters are so real; you feel that you know them personally. Mrs. Hamilton writes in such a way that you feel you are there watching the story unfold. That is why I started reading and fell in love with the series, and I am willing to bet that many other readers became fans for the same reasons.

That being said, my final point is this. Laurell K Hamilton has never shied from the graphic descriptions in her battle scenes. Every physical confrontation is described in vivid detail. So why would we expect her to shy away from describing the more erotic scenes in her story?

To find out more about the Anita Blake series, visit http://www.squidoo.com/abvh or http://anitaverse.blogspot.com