Circus of the Damned review

I recently finished the novel Circus of the Damned, during my break from posting. Circus of the Damned is written by Laurell K. Hamilton. It is the third novel in the Anita Blake, vampire hunter series. The novel was published in 1995.  The novels get better and better as the series progresses.

This novel was composed of mystery, violence, darkness, and death. All of these qualities are used to make the Circus of the Damned a compelling third novel. These elements are found in every corner of the Anita Blake series. The novel begins with introducing the work of the new monsters in town. This “work” is the death of a man. Anita is compelled to find this pack of vampires before they kill again. This vampire pack hunts together to kill one victim, and because of that they will have to kill often. Anita is unaware that she won’t need to look for them, because they will come looking for her. I really like this part of the plot because of the mystery. She deals with situations almost blindly and without any amazing amounts of power and manages to kill things that are hundreds of times stronger than her. Anita has a lot of luck and courage that is needed to deal with big bad monsters.

Violence is very common is this series. In the beginning, Anita, Jean- Claude, and his people fight a giant snake. Then throughout the novel, Anita is placed in dangerous situations that get out of hand. I never can figure out how she is going to come out alive, but she always manages to come up with something to save the day.

Anita is no longer bound to Jean- Claude at the end, which is good for her. Jean- Claude also has competition for Anita. His competition is non-other than Richard, a werewolf. Richard was introduced by Jean- Claude, so it is his own fault.  Jean- Claude is a very conflicting character. He is harsh, demanding, and violent, but also has a more sensitive side that appears throughout the novel.

Anita is a strong leading character. Her loyalty has no bounds. She is tough, independent, and an unmovable force. Her moral compass may not always point due north, but she follows a strict code of honor.

The Circus of the Damned is an amazing and gripping third novel.  It is has violence, mystery, murder, mayhem, and a bit of romance. It makes the perfect action novel.