In Review: the Circus of the Damned by Laurell K. Hamilton

Released: 1995                

Publisher: Ace Books

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0-441-00197-1

The Circus of the Damned is the third book of the Anita Blake series, opens with Anita turning down job from the vampire hating group who wants her to reveal to her the resting place of the Master of the City, whom Anita does not even confirm knowing, and then she’s off to investigate a crime for the police. The victim has multiple bite marks, of different sizes, pointing to multiple vampires, which is highly unusual. It also means that Anita has to seek out Jean-Claude’s help, and she head to the Circus of the Damned, a supernatural circus.

There she meets Yasmeen, a master vampire ally of Jean Claude’s, and super hot human Richard Zeeman, but before she can get the information she came for the main ring’s attraction a giant Cobra, reeks havoc eating the snake charmer. Anita, as his vampire servant, is forced to allow Jean-Claude to combine their strengths to defeat the snake.

Richard emerges as a romantic interest, though she doesn’t know much about him, she is instantly attracted to him, which I have to admit I’m loving him much more than Jean-Claude. Edward is back, and issuing threats, or rather promises. He’s after the Master of the City and he’s willing to do anything, even torture Anita to get it. And Anita has to tread a fine line to keep this dangerous man as an ally. And Larry Kirkland, an inexperienced fellow animator is introduced.

As the bodies stack up, some coming back as dangerous animalistic vampires, and more people endangering her life to get to get to Jean-Claude, she discovers that some aren’t who she thought they were, and further becomes what she was avoiding.

The story has some wonderful plot twists, even if some of the villains are a little cartoonish at times. But the action is pretty nonstop, making this a hard one to put down. The further development of headstrong Anita is excellent, and the level of danger she’s in is greatly ramped up as the book progresses making this story one not be missed.