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

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Bk 3)
reviewed 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.