Anita Blake is an *evolving* character. The changes that she goes through are explained in the universe that Hamilton has created. Blake starts out in this series as an individual whose morality is largely black and white. As the series goes on, she sees herself turning into the "monsters" that she originally started executing. As such, her black and white morality is forced to go through changes. If your worldview was turned upside down by you becoming that which you had feared and loathed, you would have display significant angst as well. Add to this that her sexual mores are turned upside down by the onset of the ardeur, and you have an evolving character who will go through significant changes. 
 This book has interesting secondary characters. This novel introduces the character of Micah. He is an interesting romantic liason for Anita. He doesn't display the cardboard cut-out traits of Richard. As such, he may be more well-suited for Anita over the long-term. Other characters undergo significant changes as well. One of my favorite secondary characters, Dolph, undergoes an anguished transition which makes for good reading. 
 Anita's interactions with the secondary characters make the storyline. For me, the "plot" of the book is not the reason to read this series. This series has had interesting plots. However, this series is more of a soap opera. If you enjoy the characters and the universe Hamilton has created, you will enjoy this book. If you want well-developed, intricate plots, then Hamilton has written other novels which were better in that department (see Obsidian Butterfly). If you want an interesting, fun read that further develops the character of Anita Blake in unusual ways, then purchase the book.