Danse Macabre, much anticipated by LKH fans is indeed well worth the wait. Anita is thrust into the unenviable position of an unexpected pregnancy and a command performance at Jean Claude's gala opening of the Vampire Dance Troupe complete with visiting Masters of the City and all the attendant vampire politics that accompany such events.

With Anita, Micah and Nathaniel arriving at the Circus to find both Jean-Claude and Asher wrapped up in a conflict with Meng Die, Anita finds herself greeting Jean-Claude's early arrivals by herself. Diplomacy has never been one of Anita's stronger skill sets but her reputation as the Executioner, as well as a necromancer, Jean-Claude's human servant and a member of a triumvirate of power, tends to have other Master Vamps determined to test her powers. And these early arrivals are supposed to be Jean-Claude's friends, what will they be getting into when the rest of the expected guests arrive for the gala performance.

Determined not to think about the possibility of her pregnancy, nor to have it become a concern, Anita throws herself into the currant situation, complete with trying to determine if indeed she will need to take another pomme du sang to satisfy the arduer, which in typical Anita style she is fighting every step of the way, and trying to discover discreetly how her powers are changing and increasing with the addition of the second trimverate and her own innate powers.

When her possible pregnancy is discovered, Richard immediately offers up the picket fence still unable to accept that Anita is happier in her current situation than she's ever been and is not about to change her living situation, her job or her commitments to try and fit into Richards little dream world.

Anita is trying desperately to adapt to her changing powers and the requirements necessary to protect both the triumvirates she belongs to. Danse Macabre devotes much to the discussion of Anita's situation and feelings for the men she calls hers, and the attempt she is making to come to terms with her changing situation, both personally and powerwise. The pregnancy brings up several concerns regarding the multiple strains of lycanthropy, in addition to her own necromancy and ties to the Jean-Claude as his human servant thus setting the stage for future situations. The sex is not gratuitous but rather linked intrinsically to the plot and Anita's need to come to terms with the way her life is shaking out, again, at odds with the white picket fence scenario that Richard so favours.

The Gala takes priority especially when it seems that one of the visiting Masters is intent to testing Jean-Claude's power and perhaps even taking over his city and bespelling the other Masters. Jean-Claude, Anita and Richard must show a strong, united front in the hopes of discouraging any attacks before they happen and setting up a few more divergent story lines for subsequent novels.

Danse Macabre treats the readers to substantially more depth of story than Incubus Dreams but continues Anita's struggle to come to terms with her emerging and strengthening powers and what feeding these powers actually mean in her life and the lives of the men she loves. She is after all unique even in her world, and the mixture of necromancy, lycanthropy and vampiric powers make a volatile combination not easily predicted or understood. Her rather strict upbringing has added its own baggage to her situation, but that is part of who she is and what she continues to work through in her quest to find happiness. Those who rant about the sex are missing most of the real story of Anita's continued development as well as that of the maturing and growing characters of the men around her. I am grateful that Laurell K. Hamilton continues to enthrall us in the Anita's world and even though this book is just out, I can't wait until the next one arrives.

She's fought monsters, she's changed so much she's not sure who she is always. The vampires fear only one person more than her. She's the Executioner, but what she is facing now is terrifying. Anita Blake's home pregnancy test has turned pink, and the idea of being a mommy is scarier than an army of shapeshifters and vampires.

Even more frightening, she has no idea who the father might be. Her timing on this crisis is so not good. With a ton of visiting paranormal dignitaries in town for the dual purpose of seeing the only vampire ballet and to offer her a selection of new "food"; a new lover and pomme de sang, Anita needs to be on top of her game, and she really does not need two more men in her life. The only problem is, they just kind of follow her around.

In the midst of all this, Anita's powers are growing, and no one knows how to deal with those.

There are a lot of sex scenes, but not as many as the last two long books in the series have boasted. There is also no discernable plot, though there is much character development. Asher in particular is allowed to blossom. If you are looking for a mystery to solve or a spot of violence, you will be disappointed. However, if you just want to catch up on what old friends are doing, then that is fine. There is one notable lack in this volume. Edward was promised to return, and he does not.