More evidence that Anita and Merry are the same character:
LKH has run out of metaphors. Do y'all remember way back in Danse Macabre that Jean Claude, after Anita complained, said she was Prince(ss) Charming? Well, for those of you who haven't delved into the crapfest that is Divine Misdemeanors LKH uses the exact same metaphor for Merry. Doyle refers to Merry as the guards' Princess Charming. She rescued the guards from their cruel fates. Apparently it's the only scenario LKH can come up with. Using the exact same metaphor from Danse Macabre really interfered with staying immersed in Merry's world. It can be trying to make sure I'm thinking about Merry and her background instead of Anita when I'm reading the Merry Gentry series, so this repetition really bugged me.
On a more general note, Divine Misdemeanors wasn't that bad for a last minute, rushed project. That qualification is important. There were numerous typos and YAMGIs in this installment that really affected the suspension of disbelief, but we all know that's par for the course with LKH, so I guess I won't dwell on them here. Here's my rundown of the decent parts of the book. For starters, the book had a plot! The mystery actually felt like part of the book instead of a peripheral consideration. Because there was an actual plot, the book has a clear beginning middle and end unlike some of the more awful entries in the Merry Gentry series (I'm looking at you Stroke of Midnight through Lick of Frost) The sex wasn't overwhelming, though it was still poorly written. The characterizations, particularly that of Barinthus, felt a bit off, but I could deal with it. Additionally, Merry is letting the male and female guards sleep with whomever they wish. Now, maybe Anita will allow her harem to sleep with others*.
*I know it's never going to happen, but a lady can dream.
On a more general note, Divine Misdemeanors wasn't that bad for a last minute, rushed project. That qualification is important. There were numerous typos and YAMGIs in this installment that really affected the suspension of disbelief, but we all know that's par for the course with LKH, so I guess I won't dwell on them here. Here's my rundown of the decent parts of the book. For starters, the book had a plot! The mystery actually felt like part of the book instead of a peripheral consideration. Because there was an actual plot, the book has a clear beginning middle and end unlike some of the more awful entries in the Merry Gentry series (I'm looking at you Stroke of Midnight through Lick of Frost) The sex wasn't overwhelming, though it was still poorly written. The characterizations, particularly that of Barinthus, felt a bit off, but I could deal with it. Additionally, Merry is letting the male and female guards sleep with whomever they wish. Now, maybe Anita will allow her harem to sleep with others*.
*I know it's never going to happen, but a lady can dream.