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Book Reviews of Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3)

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3)
Circus of the Damned - Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780515134483
ISBN-10: 0515134481
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 951

4.2 stars, based on 951 ratings
Publisher: Jove
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

74 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on
Helpful Score: 5
A cross between vampire fantasy and detective mystery. Hamilton continues creating a world where vampires are real, but shady, part of human society.

Like the previous 2 books, "Circus of the Damned" refers to a building located in the vampire district where story events unfold in Hamilton's fantasy St. Louis. Anita Blake, zombie animator and vampire executioner, lives here as well. The main cast plus some new faces return to fight new ancient foes.

Jean-Claude attempts to seduce and coerce Anita in to accepting final two vampire marks thereby making her his human servant. Anita first hears she has great untapped powers that Jean-Claude covets. This book might be sub-titled "Jean-Claude Challenged."

Series is at 14 books and counting. Hamilton writes books to stand alone. She at times repeats lines near verbatim. Reading in sequence allows you to see Anita's powers and relationships emerge.

According to Wikipedia. Anita is celibate in first 5 books. After "Obsidian Romance" (Book 9), series is said to veer more heavily toward romance and strong sexual content.
daedelys avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 1218 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Great story! Did a really good job of keeping you on your toes trying to figure out who exactly is the bad guy. The characters/creatures in the story are wonderful. Hamilton is easily becoming one of my favorite authors.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I divide Circus of the Damned into 2 parts: the part that sucked and the part that didnt. Aside from one or two nasty run-ins monster/undead and a zombie rising gone awry, the first 150 pages were just filler. Do I need a detailed head-to-toe description of Anitas outfit every time she changes her clothes? No, no I don't. She likes Nike shoes and wears them all the time, I get it! Those are actually funny since the book was written in the 90s and even then Anita seems a bit behind the times, fashion-wise. Maybe she just spends too much time raising zombies and killing vampires and not enough time on her personal style.

Do I need a description of exactly what workout she did at the gym along with the layout of the place? No, definitely not. I kept hoping something would jump out from behind a weight bench and attack her just to make it all worthwhile. SPOILER ALERT: Nothing jumps out from behind a weight bench.

I was really disappointed and was almost ready to bid Anita an early farewell when things started really happening. By the end Hamilton had me hooked again.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 116 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very very good. I was shocked but pleased at the end. Can't wait for more to come!
michker avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
thjis was one of my favourite books in the series i like the action to keep moving and this one was action packed from start to finish and my ulfric comes in here love him he is so much trouble.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As promised, each book in this series just keeps getting better and better! The characters personalities are fleshing out more and more. It makes you want to read all night long to the very (exciting) end! Once I finished this book, I immediately grabbed the next book in the series (Lunatic Cafe book 4) off of my bookshelf and began reading! These books are a must read and Circus of the Damned is wonderful!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Anita continues her vamipre slaying and gets more involved with Jean-Claude. What happens when there is desire between the hunter and the hunted?
Erinyes avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I continue to be engrossed in Anita's story. So far I haven't been let down by any of these books. Imaginative, engaging, just great. I highly recommend.
pibblegrl avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 64 more book reviews
LOVED IT!!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 11 more book reviews
This was a fun entertaining book, in an imaginative series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 33 more book reviews
Awesome Reading.
ocnsangel avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 224 more book reviews
Loved the lamia,the imagination can run wild
with this author
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 82 more book reviews
Although I enjoyed the earlier Anita Blake books, the later in the series are VERY graphic and for a mature audience only.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 4 more book reviews
Awesome book, definately a page turner. Anita rocks!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 162 more book reviews
This one was GOOD. Lots of Jean-Claude. Great read. You'll be hooked!
munk avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 40 more book reviews
Love, Love, Love ALL the Anita Blake series!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 63 more book reviews
Other vampires try and take over St Loius, can Anita will this fight>?
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 30 more book reviews
Book 3 in the Anita Blake series. Another great Anita story!

SYNOPSIS:
The third novel of Hamilton's Anita Blake series has the petite necromancer fighting a giant cobra and a rogue vampire, Alejandro, who wants her for his human servant. Anita is still resisting the advances of Jean-Claude, St. Louis's master vampire, but she does need him on her side, if not in her bed. Anita's reluctant involvement in the odd goings-on at the supernatural Circus of the Damned introduces her to Richard, the werewolf of her dreams, and Larry, her powerful but nervous partner in zombie-raising.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 127 more book reviews
I love this series and am finally willing to part with some of the books that I have kept on my shelf for the last 2 years. Enjoy!
eveism avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 6 more book reviews
Love it. very addictive characters.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 11 more book reviews
I love this book. You just don't know what's coming around the corner for Anita.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 9 more book reviews
love this series!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 14 more book reviews
good books and great scene at the end with the "circus war".
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 4 more book reviews
Loved it!
ThePhoenixx avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
The Anita Blake series is sharp, witty and action packed. Hamilton adds a dash of romance, beautiful vampires and a no nonsense heroine who just plain kicks butt.
FineLQQKn avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 173 more book reviews
My favorite paranormal romance novel writer.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 12 more book reviews
I liked this book. I would recommend you start with book #1 in order to follow the story better. This book has Anita fighting not only for her life and freedom, but that of the people of St. Louis. An ancient vampire wants to be the Master of the City and Anita has to decide to either help the Current Master of the City, Jean Claude or take this opportunity to get rid of him.
Lots of action and surprises. This is the book where she meets Richard. A definate page turner. Enjoy!
Clair avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 225 more book reviews
Good books. Great Series
skrause avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on
I really enjoyed this book. I love the whole series so far :] This was definitely a good addition.
denisemarie avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 16 more book reviews
I reviewed the first two books in this series rather harshly. I flat out did not like Guilty Pleasures, but The Laughing Corpse was better, although still not up to what I expected from this author. Therefore, it took me a long time (with my overflowing TBR pile) to pull Circus of the Damned off the shelf. I am very glad I did as I loved this book! I could not put it down, the pace is perfect and the writing very engaging. I have always loved the way LKH writes Jean Claude, he is without a doubt the only literary vamp sexy enough to rival Charlaine Harris' Eric Northman. But in this outing I also fell in love with the main character, the famed Anita Blake. I am now completely, happily hooked on this series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on
Love this book and pretty much any book by Laurell K Hamilton.
LaurieS avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 504 more book reviews
I am really enjoying my rereading of this series. Going back to the beginning of the series has reminded me why I continue to read along even though it has morphed into another beast entirely. These early books were so great because the men and the sex werent the focus of the entire freaking plot.

Here Anita is still working as an animator and an assistant to preternatural police force. Anita has a full plate, as usual, after a full night of corpse raising, shes then hounded by members of the vamp hater Church or somesuch to give up the resting place of the Master of the City (Jean Claude), then a body turns up drained by what appears to be a rogue pack of vamps which leads her to The Circus of the Damned and into close proximity with vampire Jean Claude, a sexy vampire shed rather avoid. Hes been trying to make her his human servant but she stubbornly refuses, even when it means putting her own life in jeopardy. Theres a whole lot of that Ma petite I have marked you, you are mine I kill vampires, I dont serve them nonsense going on. She must train an apprentice animator, face down an angry lamia, crazed humans, out of control zombies and deal with a dangerous master vampire. It sounds exhausting but I have to hand it to Hamilton because I was never lost. Were also introduced to Richard when he was still sweet and sexy and not quite so angry and rigid as he appears in the later novels..

Once again there is way too much focus on clothing (who cares) and the gun descriptions (snore). Personally, I am still not dying to discover what color Anitas Nike swishes will be every other page and if the match her t shirt. I already know that she is not a girly-girl because its mentioned over and over. We all know Jean Claude has a preference for lacy floofy blouses and his own nipples. Do we need to be constantly reminded of this? Its a little painful to read this stuff the second time around but the quick pacing and intriguing characters carry the book for me and I enjoyed the many plotlines here, none of which focus on sex I might add.

Despite a lame-ass villain and too much arguing from Anita, I enjoyed this as much as the previous two in the series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 29 more book reviews
Great set of books. Anita Blake is way cool.
after9pmreader avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 59 more book reviews
Ok now we are getting somewhere. WE GET MORE VAMPIRES...Love it...I was so ready to see some action there. You have alot of new characters introduced (and go away).

We start to see the first love triangle...You start to really be intrigued by Jean Claude. My mind goes crazy wondering what he would look like.

Anita is really a hard A$$. But you see a change in her.

Question is : Does she doubt? Could she really?

I enjoyed this book better the first 2. It made me gobble this one and get ready for book #4 in 1 day time.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 8 more book reviews
This is a good book to read but the cover is the older one but has the same story. I did not rea full through due to the fact i relized that i have already read it os it is in the condition it was sent to me. Thank You.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on
After reading the first book in this series, I thought it wasn't really up my alley but am so glad and decided to try the second. From the second book on I have found the content more engrossing and entertaining and find my self plowing through each book in a day. Although some of the content can be graphic and very disturbing at times, there is enough humor and relationship interaction to balance it out. I will be disappointed to read the last book for thankfully have a ways to go since I am only on Book 7!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 12 more book reviews
I enjoy this series. This author manages to wrap romance, horror,and a strong female character into a series that just keeps getting better with each new novel.
lyajoy avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
Vintage Anita at her best! I read this book with non-stop gusto, and loved every minute of it. I was sad when I reached the end...luckily there was another in the series right after. :) A great re-read for any AB fan who has missed the "old" Anita. A terrific read for any newcomers open to, or looking for, a kick-ass female who means business, takes crap from no one, and is funny (sarcastic) to boot. Plus, the added supernatural bonus of vampires, wereanimals, and other preternatural creatures. I would recommend reading the first of the series, "Guilty Pleasures," to began.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 458 more book reviews
This is one of the Anita Blake books that is good.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 130 more book reviews
The third novel of Hamilton's Anita Blake series has the petite necromancer fighting a giant cobra and a rogue vampire, Alejandro, who wants her for his human servant. Anita is still resisting the advances of Jean-Claude, St. Louis's master vampire, but she does need him on her side, if not in her bed. Anita's reluctant involvement in the odd goings-on at the supernatural Circus of the Damned introduces her to Richard, the werewolf of her dreams, and Larry, her powerful but nervous partner in zombie-raising.
Mystery fans will love the tightly plotted, Paretsky-esque action, and horror fans will love just about everything in this unusual series.
daylily77 avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 236 more book reviews
I adore the entire Anita Blake series!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 15 more book reviews
The third book in the Anita Blake vampire killer series. Great wit, intereesting additional characters introduced.
GemGirl avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 37 more book reviews
This is one of my favorites in the series because the focus is more on the vamps in Anita's life. Jean Claude is more central to the story, and you start to get attached to characters like Jason. One of my favorites.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 9 more book reviews
I just want to rate this so that I can add it to my BIR list
m00nangel32 avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
This book is excellent,I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys anything about vampires.It has it all, vampires, zombies, and werewolves.I couldn't put it down.Full of action from beginning to end.You'll love it!I just wish Anita had chosen Jon-Claude....wow.
sixteendays avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 130 more book reviews
I honestly cannot tell if these books are getting better and better or worse and worse. It's like a black hole of sugary goodness - you know it's rotting you from the inside out, but you just keep falling anyway.

Has the writing gotten any better? Absolutely not. This third book in the series had more typos than you could shake a stick at (not that I'm sure that shaking a stick could really prove much of anything). Has Anita's annoying inner dialogue been improved? Yeah...riiiiiiight. (Did you get that joke?)

But yet there is something almost intangible that makes me want to keep reading these damn books. Will it bring me through the dozens of volumes left? Who knows?
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 79 more book reviews
received for my son and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
vwbernie avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 157 more book reviews
Amazing story!! They just keep getting better!
imnellen avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 246 more book reviews
Another good one. There is a sense of "sameness" to the stories, but there is enough new to keep me interested. I would recommend them for fun reading!
teagenie avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 22 more book reviews
This was a good book. I think this is the point in the series where I became hooked and had to read the rest. Definitely a good read. Book 3 in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 17 more book reviews
Book #3 in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 330 more book reviews
Very hard to put down.
nrezac avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 160 more book reviews
Great series!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 81 more book reviews
3rd in the series
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 50 more book reviews
Part of the Anita Blake Series
1. Guilty Pleasures
2. The Laughing Corpse
3. Circus Of The Damned
4. Lunatic Cafe
5. Bloody Bones
6. The Killing Dance
7. Burnt Offerings
8. Blue Moon
9. Obsidian Butterfly
10. Narcissus In Chains
11. Cerulean Sins
12. Incubus Dreams
13. Micah
14. Danse Macabre
15. The Harlequin (2007)
LibKid avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 36 more book reviews
Loved it
daylily77 avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 236 more book reviews
Extremely fascinating! Must read!
SuDongpo avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 37 more book reviews
but thankfully not one of her later sadistic works of animal pornography and sheer solipsistic degradation.

In short, readable if not a great book. Avoid the later books unless you're into the nastiest sort of porn imaginable, stuff that if photographed would get you arrested anywhere in the country. I still cannot believe that WalMart will sell this crap!
gummy13 avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on
enjoyed the story
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 178 more book reviews
3rd book in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series...originally this was the first one I found and it got me hooked on the series.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 10 more book reviews
another sexy book about Anita!
nymphadora avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 95 more book reviews
The first time we meet Richard. Now she has two men to complicate her life... goody!
rolltide1al avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 223 more book reviews
This was an O.K. vampire book.
karoni avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 29 more book reviews
Another great read. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
carlamo avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 269 more book reviews
This series delivers all it promises. You'll love the characters.
timetravelgirl avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 153 more book reviews
Very Good!
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 34 more book reviews
Book 3 in the Anita Blake series.
CAJUN avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 339 more book reviews
AGAIN, L K. HAMILTON'S BOOKS HAVE EVERY THING FROM BLOOD, VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, SHAPE SHIFTERS OF ALL KINDS. AND OK, FOLKS, EROTICA. I LOVED THIS ONE.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 10 more book reviews
loved it! great author
kahanachameleon avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 33 more book reviews
I love all the Anita Blake novels.
reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 138 more book reviews
ANOTHER GOOD BOOK BY LAURELL HAMILTON. I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH OF ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE HUNTER.
greendragon avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 71 more book reviews
excellent series
VJay avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 49 more book reviews
The saga continues. Another great Anita Blake story. This book has the same ISBN #, but the cover is diffrent.
chrysanthemum avatar reviewed Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3) on + 65 more book reviews
cover doesn't match this cover but the same isbn...it's the older version