The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews is another great option. Kate is a strong female character in a post - apocalyptic Atlanta filled with magic and various supernatural threats. Just like Anita Blake, she has to use her wits and powers to survive in a world full of danger and intrigue, and she has her own share of complex relationships with different supernatural characters.
The Cassie Palmer series by Karen Chance. Cassie is a clairvoyant who gets caught up in the dangerous world of vampires and other supernatural creatures. The series has a lot of the elements that Anita Blake novels do, like a strong female lead, a complex supernatural world, and lots of action - packed adventures.
Sure. 'Guilty Pleasures' is a well - known one. It sets the stage for the Anita Blake series, introducing her world and her character as a necromancer and vampire hunter.
Anita Blake herself is a very important character. She is an animator, a vampire executioner, etc. Jean - Claude, a powerful vampire, is also important. Richard, a werewolf, plays a significant role in the series as well.
The Anita Blake novels have themes that revolve around the coexistence of humans and the supernatural. One of the main ones is the exploration of the moral gray areas. Anita has to make difficult decisions that are not always clearly right or wrong, especially when dealing with the vampires and werewolves. Identity is another theme. She has to constantly define and redefine herself in a world that doesn't always accept what she is. And the theme of the fight against evil is there, but in a more nuanced way as the line between good and evil is often blurred in this series.
Well, to enjoy the Anita Blake novels in the right way, it's advisable to follow the publication sequence. This way, you can witness the development of Anita's character, her relationships, and the overall world - building. For example, in the early books like 'Guilty Pleasures', we are introduced to the basic elements of the universe, and as the series progresses, more complex themes and characters are added. So, begin with the first one and keep going in the order they came out.
As of July 2023, the latest Anita Blake novel is 'Rafael'. It continues the complex and supernatural adventures of Anita in her world filled with vampires, werewolves, and other preternatural beings.