Great Urban Fantasy!... at least for the first 8-10 books...
Circus of the Damned is the 3rd book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. Anita is an expert on the paranormal. As a necromancer and licensed vampire hunter, she raising the dead and kicks vampire butt for a living. Circus of the Damned combines elements of supernatural and detective fiction and continues the story down the same lines as Hamilton's first 2 novels. It is a fantastic, fast paced Urban Fantasy, procedural-crime fiction, horror thriller.
The police ask Anita to assist with a series of gruesome murders being committed by an unknown vampire pack. She has been resisting the advances of Jean-Claude and his desire to make her his human servant. Now there is a new master vampire in town, Alejandro, and he also wants Anita as his human servant.
We're introduced to another new character, Richard Zeeman. He seems the "nice guy" alternative to Jean-Claude's manipulations and the stage is set for a love triangle between Anita, Richard, and Jean-Claude.
Vampires, werewolves, zombies, a lamia, and VooDoo Queens... and Anita is smack dab in the middle of it all. Add a touch of sociopath (Edward) and you have everything needed for a action-packed explosive showdown.
The third installment of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, Circus of the Damned, was the book that got me straight hooked on this series. I liked the first two books enough to keep reading obviously, but this is the book that grabbed at me and made me want to hurl myself into the Anita Blake universe. The first time I read this book was sometime ago- rereading the series for the Anita Blake Challenge hosted by BCC.
Anita is still hard at work as an animator and preternatural assistant to the police force. Jean-Claude, Master of the City, is hounding Anita about becoming his human servant- and surprise surprise she ends up near the gorgeous vampire she is trying to avoid. That is right, a grotesque, blood-drained body looks like it could be the work of a pack of rogue vampires and it leads her right to the Circus of the Damned. This is what I love about Anita Blake and her world- there is no down time. Anita has a full plate and that gives me action, action, action. I love a good Urban Fantasy with nonstop commotion. I mean, she has a lot of silly, feisty characters to beat down in this book! Don't worry- Hamilton is brilliant so you won't get lost in the hustle and bustle.
Oh, I can't forget, although I'd like to, we are introduced to Richard. Ya know, back when he was likable. In the later novels he becomes a bane to my existence. Whiny. Temperamental. He hates who he has to be and who Anita has become. Boo hoo. He is great in this book though, haha. I like that I can dislike Richard in later novels though- I find that I don't quite love a book if there isn't at least one character I can have a strong disdain for. Wow, rambling. This definitely isn't one of my most well thought out reviews...
My only complaint about Circus of the Damned was the immensely tiring description of clothing and weaponry. This isn't a huge complaint, sometimes it works when an outfit is painted with the author's vision. However, sometimes I like dressing the character too. ;) Erm... other times I'm just being impatient, dying to know what happens next and when there is piddle paddle in my way I get frustrated. Haha.
I loved this book. Fantastic, fast paced, satisfying. If you're into vampires and urban fantasy I recommend you hop on this series.
So far, I am liking the Anita Blake series - it's a good place holder as I'm awaiting subsequent books on other similar series. I liked this book the best of the first 3.
I was very happy that this was such a step up from #2 LC. I was worried. It was much more interesting and exciting. My only complaint is Anita's toughness is almost rediculous. At least a little passion would be better than none. I hope she loosens up just a bit and seems to be woman and not she-man.
Couldn't Put it Down!
I just can't seem to get enough of Anita Blake. I have loved all of the first 3 books and can't wait to start Lunatic Cafe. Ms. Hamilton is an amazing writer who is able to create a world that is part science fiction, romance, suspense, mystery, thriller, horror, erotica and more. I love these books and would recommend to anyone.
based on 144 reviews
