You don’t have to hate on authors, no matter how much you dislike their work.  Case-in-point, the new Laurell K. Hamilton novel, Skin Trade.  I couldn’t believe all of the negative press it got on sites like Amazon.com prior to its release date June, 2 2009.  And the people bitching about it were clearly just griping to draw attention to themselves.  Most of the posts I read were authored by people who hadn’t even read the book.  How are you going to say that this book put you off of the Anita Blake series for good when you haven’t even read the thing?? 

The only thing more asinine than tearing down the work of a talented author is to tear down the work of a talented other without even reading it.  How can you expect to have you opinions taken seriously if you base them solely on the inane ramblings of a barely literate reviewer?  I don’t know about anyone else, but I prefer to base my opinions of something a little more credible than a message board post with a disclaimer in the title: *~~SpOiLeR aLeRt~~*  Gag.

Everyone’s likes and dislikes are subjective.  I liked Skin Trade; and I knew I was going to like it before I ever read it.  I really enjoy the Anita Blake books, I am familiar with the characters, and (in spite of myself, because I never intended to get into a series overrun by necromancers and freaking were-things) I totally enjoy the reality that Laurell K. Hamilton has so painstaking created in her books.  I look forward to each new release with relish, and while not each installment can be my favorite, I know that they are all going to add to the story that I have been following for years.  Personally, I am guaranteed a good read with each new book.

However, the people who insisted on bashing Skin Trade (and Laurell in general) knew they were going to hate the damn book before they ever even knew it existed.  “Too much sex.  Too much violence.  Why can’t they go back to the way they used to be??  You know, the first six books?  They were great.  Too bad Anita turned into a whore and is screwing every guy in the series now!  You know, she screws around with guys a lot younger than her.  Maybe Laurell K. Hamilton likes little boys, too??”  And on it goes.  If the message boards on Amazon were equipped with sound, all you would hear would be junior high girls snickering.

If you don’t like the books, and you know you don’t like the books, quit reading the books.  It’s really very simple. 

Of course, some (ignorant) people are not happy unless they are tearing down someone else.  Methinks they are all jealous that Laurell has become such an unmitigated success.  And she’s done it by writing about graphic sex and violence.  Boo hoo, haters.  Boo effing hoo.