Laurell K. Hamilton

Laurell Kaye Hamilton (born February 19, 1963) is an American horror and fantasy writer. She was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas, but grew up in Sims, Indiana. Her mother was killed in a car crash in 1969.

Comparison of themes in Meredith Gentry and Anita Blake novels

Appropriate expressions and uses of power are explored through themes of eroticism, violence, life, and death.

Related Topics:
Power - Eroticism - Violence

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meredith Gentry is a half-human, half-fairy fertility deity/avatar. Among her powers is to give birth and deity-like powers back to her barren fairy race, as well as the powers of calling forth blood from all wounds ever inflicted upon a target, and or turning a target's body literally inside out.

Related Topics:
Fairy - Deity - Avatar

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Anita Blake is a professional necromancer and licensed vampire executioner. At the series' beginning, her only power is to temporarily raise and control the dead (as zombies) for legal purposes; however, she soon discovers that this ability also extends to control over the undead (vampires) as well. Subsequent books depict her manifestation of other powers as well.

Related Topics:
Necromancer - Zombie

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Both are strong feminine lead characters who more than hold their own with male characters in the balance of power. Both acquire and inspire loyalty in followers from multiple competing camps, and thus have a unifying effect. They act unhesitatingly and ruthlessly to protect their followers when threatened.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Both experience unsettling growth in their powers as their series progress, and are confronted with the issues of what will they use their powers for and how far will they go to protect their own.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~