Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake #3) Review

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #3)   

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: January 2, 2007

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/paranormal/drama/303 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

The big question of the day—at least the one people keep asking Anita Blake—is who is the Master of the City? Anita’s not telling anyone, although she isn’t entirely sure herself why she even wishes to protect Jean-Claude. Some things just don’t bear thinking about.

A phone call from the police leads Anita to a crime scene in Arnold, south of St. Louis. It appears the victim was killed by more than one vampire, as in a mass feeding. Was this the work of one of the two master vampires in St. Louis? Or is there a newcomer they’ve been unaware of?

Anita leaves a message for Jean-Claude that she needs to see him, and he sends word for him to meet him at the Circus of the Damned that night. On arrival, she’s taken up to his office in the midst of the big top. There she meets Yasmeen and Marguerite… and Richard. What’s a nice guy like Richard doing in the middle of all this?

Anita is two marks away from being Jean-Claude’s human servant, although damned if she intends to let that happen. But there’s a new player in town who has designs on having Anita fill that role for him, and she realizes she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. What to do now?

Anita tells Bert she needs more help at Animators Inc, and she gets it in the form of fresh-faced Larry, an innocent who has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. But his innocence is about to go by the wayside when he pushes himself too far and loses control of a zombie he’s raised.

And then there’s Edward, who’s determined to learn who the Master of the City is and where is his daytime resting place… and he’s willing to kill to find out.

The action never stops in this third installment of the Anita Blake series. I admit there are times I don’t care for Anita, times when I don’t understand her. Especially when it comes to Jean-Claude. I keep thinking it’s in her best interest to become his human servant, and it’ll be good for both of them. I also happen to think Jean-Claude is damn sexy.

And now we’ve got Richard to add to the equation. Anita is undoubtedly drawn to him, but can he be everything he appears to be? And why does Jean-Claude seem to be throwing Richard her way?

I love the worldbuilding that Laurell Hamilton does to create this alternate St. Louis, populate it with vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night, and make it entirely credible. I also love reading about locations that I recognize, which is pretty cool.

The race is on to see who can finish marking Anita first. I totally loved this book and can’t wait to read more. A very worthy addition to the series, maybe even my favorite so far.

Backlist Bloghop!

A new month begins, a work week ends, and we' re having a bloghop! Yes, it's time for another backlist blog hop! First, let me say don't forget to visit the other authors on the hop and see what's up with them.

Second, let me tell you what I'm offering for my share of the blog hop. Two commenters will receive a copy of anything from my backlist, and one person will receive a $10 Amazon GC. Before you ask, I've not forgotten about my Blogiversary giveaway. That announcement is yet to come, so you have time to comment there too.

Now, let's talk about backlist. Granted, mine only goes back as far as March 26, 2010. That's when my first novel was published - To the Max - with Dreamspinner Press. So, what could be more appropriate than to bring my two boys here to talk to you about what's been going on with them, and maybe sneak a little peek into the future? They do have a sequel, For Love of Max, which was once published but is now homeless. But I intend to rectify that situation. Those of  you who own that edition, hold on to it, maybe it'll be worth something one day, as it is out of print!

Of course, the two men I'm referring to are Max Montague and Richard Burke. Come on out, guys. I beckon to them to join me in my den. I've already started a fire, 'cause it's more than cold outside and I remember how much Max hates to be cold. Just like me.

Richard, the blond, takes a seat on the couch, while I'm sitting in the arm chair. He pats his lap invitingly, but Max only blushes and takes a seat beside him instead. I can't  help but  notice they couldn't be any closer unless Max sat in his lap. Maybe later. I smile.

"I'm glad you were able to take time out of your busy days to join me."

"Well, it's not hard to do when you work at home." Max laughs. "You know I don't punch a time clock, and neither does Richard."

"Very true," I concede. "But not everyone here knows what you do, so why don't  you tell them?"

Richard speaks before Max has a chance to respond. "Quite simply, this is Max Montague, syndicated columnist, known throughout the world for his column, To the Max." Max looks a little disconcerted at such high praise. He's a rather modest man, somewhere in his mid forties. Richard's about the same age.

"And this is Richard Burke, well-known award-winning photographer."

That about covers that. "So,, have you guys been together a long time? You live together, right?"

Max nods. "Over twenty years. And we have our own little cottage in St. Charles, Missouri. That's near St. Louis, just across the Missouri River."

"We live right above the river, on a bluff," Richard adds. "In the woods, actually. We have a marvelous view and a lot of privacy."

"Oh yes, privacy. Something that's very important to me."

"Why is that so important to you, Max? Having privacy?"

He gives me a look, and then glances down. I watch Richard take his hand and squeeze it reassuringly. "It's all right, Max."

Finally, Max raises his head and looks me right in the eye. "It's because I'm a werewolf. I wanted to be sure that I wasn't a danger to any one on certain... nights."

"That's very commendable of you," I praise him. "Can I assume this is not common knowledge?"

"Not outside my family, and a few friends."

"Speaking of family, tell me a little about your mother, Juliet."

Richard laughs and Max rolls his eyes. "My mother is... something else. She finds it easier to accept my... lycanthropy... than my being gay. In fact, she likes to ambush me with blind dates of the female persuasion."

I try not to giggle as I can tell that won't sit well with Max, so I move on. "What about your father?"

That produces a scowl, as Richard shakes his head, as if warning me off the subject. I press on, anyway.

"Is it true that  your mother was..." Is there a delicate way to put this? I think not. "Raped?"

Max nods, and Richard steps in. "He has a half sister Diana who's priceless. She has a son of her own. His name is Jackson. He's a student of video games," he adds, mischief in his eyes. At least that has brought a chuckle to Max's lips anyway, and the tense moment has passed. "Max also has a cousin named Sebastian who can't stand me, and he hates to see public displays of affection." Richard's grin is downright impish.

"Let me guess. You love to give him lots of PDA's?"

"You know it."

I give  him a thumbs up and Max offers a kiss. Ah, how sweet.

"What about your mother,, Richard?" I turn to him inquisitively. The smile disappears, replaced by an affectation of nonchalance. Did I say something wrong? I look at Max.

"His mother is... different," Max supplies. "Her name is Moonsong."

Moonsong? Is that even a name? "That sounds... cultish."

Richard manages a laugh. "Out of the mouths of babes..."

I'm not quite sure how to take that, so I let it pass.

"She's not really a part of our lives," Max goes on. "She's off... doing her own thing."

"Oh, I see. One of those free spirits that refuse to be tied down?"

"Something like that," Richard remarks wryly.

The atmosphere just got a little depressing. Tiime to cheer it up. I know how!

"Hey guys, I made a cake. Chocolate, of course."  I see Max perk up at the news. "How about cake and coffee? And no more questions?"

"Sounds like a plan." They both nod.

So I guess that's it for today. Maybe I can coax them back on Sunday for a little longer. Now we're going to just relax, I suggest  you do the same.




We'll see you all later! Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie