Rating: 
Summary: Anita Blake is a marked Vampire Hunter/Animator/Necromancer
Review: After her great success in "The Laughing Corpse," one of the finest horror novels I have ever read, Laurell K. Hamilton tries to reach the same heights again in "Circus of the Damned," the third volume in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. For the first time the focus is primarily on the vampires, although Anita's job as an Animator has always been more accurate a description than Vampire Hunter. Once again she is the target of every character in the novel: Jean-Claude the Master Vampire of St. Louis wants to put his final two marks on Anita to make her his human servant, but so does Alejandro, an even older vampire who wants to take Jean-Claude's spot. On top of that there are two other master vampires in town this time around: Yasmeen, who simply wants to rip Anita's heart out, and Oliver, who wants to slaughter humans so that this nonsense about vampires having legal rights will come to an end. Meanwhile, over on the human side of the equation, the leaders of Humans First want to take out Anita for not helping them slay the Master, Edward is back wanting the name from Anita so he can do the same thing, Dolph wants her help in tracking down a pack of vampires that are killing humans, Bert wants her to train Larry Kinkaid the college student turned animator, and just to make things really interesting, Richard, the middle-school teacher who hangs out with Jean-Claude at the Circus of the Damned, wants to go out on a date with Anita where they spend the day spelunking. While we do find out a bit more about Anita's discovery that she is a necromancer and the issue of her being the human servant of a vampire is finally (?) resolved, the conclusion of "Circus of the Damned" is a bit too reminiscent of the climax of the previous Anita Blake novel. However, Hamilton scores points by continuing the exploring the "real world" implications of her America where vampires have legal rights and the characterization of Anita Blake continues to develop nicely. There is plenty of action and the book is not as gory as its predecessor, but is still one of those "may be too intent for younger children" type reads. Do not come here expecting Buffy.
Rating: 
Summary: Thrilling Action with just a hint of sexuality
Review: Anita Blake has a full time job animating zombies (to serve as witnesses, finalize their estates, or comfort families), but she can't escape her part-time job as paranormal advisor to the police and vampire hunter. When she gets a police call about a murder, she suspects vampires--but the scene of the crime reveals something much worse--multiple vampires attacked. It can only mean one thing--a rogue master vampire and his servants is loose in St. Louis. And a vampire pack requires frequent feedings. Anita knows that the killing will be only the first in a series--unless she can stop it. The thing is, a rogue master vampire should be impossible. Jean-Claude is master of the city and no master vampire should be able to enter his domain without his being aware of it. But the invader isn't some weak and fresh corpse--he's the oldest, most powerful, and deadliest vampire Anita has ever faced. And he's intent on ending the current rules that treat vampires as citizens--even though it means he'll have to overthrow Jean-Claude first. Anita faces a dilemma. Jean-Claude is gradually turning Anita into his human servant--something she doesn't want despite the sexual feelings she has for Jean-Claude. But does she fear him enough to turn him over to his enemies? Complicating her feelings toward Jean-Claude, Anita meets Richard--a too-good-looking science teacher with a secret and an obvious desire to date Anita. Then there's her fellow vampire killer, Edward who just might have to kill Anita to get at Jean-Claude. The poor girl isn't having much luck with her love life. CIRCUS OF THE DAMNED is an early novel in the Anita Blake series. In CIRCUS, the lines between good and evil are faded, but they still exist. Vampires are evil and must be killed. Some can become temporary allies, but they can never be trusted. And Anita dare not put herself in any vampire's power--even if the alternative is her death. Although CIRCUS is sensual, it lacks the outright sexual orientation of more recent Anita Blake stories. Author Laurell K. Hamilton always writes compelling action and CIRCUS shows the young Anita as she battles through waves of vampires, vampire-hating fundamentalists, and snake people. It's exciting and compelling stuff with just enough sexuality to entice the reader and make us wish for more.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome To The Circus!!
Review: Anita Blake, heroine of Laurell K. Hamilton's Vampire Hunter novels, discovers in "Circus of the Damned" that she is a full fledged necromancer, as well as an animator and vampire slayer. She is truly a woman of many talents. Anita's boss contracted her out as paranormal advisor to the police's Regional Preternatural Investigation Team. Her friend and colleague, Detective Sergeant Rudolf "Dolph" Storr, contacts her, as the novel opens, to inform her that a dead body has been found - the first of many. After she examines the gruesome corpse, her worst fears are realized. The man had been brutally murdered, by multiple vampires. Apparently a rogue Master Vampire and pack members are on the loose in St. Louis, because rogues are the only kind of vampires who kill in numbers.
It should not be possible for a rogue and pack to be operating in the city. Vampire extraordinaire, Jean-Claude, the charismatic Master of the City of St. Louis, should be aware and in charge of whatever undead creature enters his domain. Unfortunately, Jean-Claude, powerful as he is, is new to the job and is having difficulties asserting himself in his new position. Others are disputing his claims and vying for his title as city leader. Jean-Claude is a capitalist entrepreneur vampire, and owns the vampire strip club, Guilty Pleasures, the vamp comedy club, The Laughing Corpse, and also a circus called, Circus of the Damned, which features, amongst other acts: The Skinless Man, a voodoo ceremony with zombies rising from open graves, clowns from the other world, and snake charmer, Shahar, who works with the world's largest cobra - and boy (!) this baby is huge!! Perhaps if Jean-Claude didn't have his fingers in so many pies, he could better protect his primary job title.
Anyway, Alejandro, the rogue vampire, happens to be the world's oldest creature and the most powerful one Anita has ever faced. He wants Anita to be his human servant so he can use her powers to help him gain control of..., well...everything. Jean-Claude, who has the hots for Anita, has given her a bite or two - just enough to make her 'almost' his own. However, he prefers to seduce Anita, not to force her. Anita thinks Jean-Claude is pretty cool too - but wants nothing to do with him because she doesn't want anyone, or anything, to have control over her. In other words, she prefers her men to be alive. So while these two undead studs are duking it out over the lovely lady and the St. Louis turf, she gets kidnapped by a lamia and cohorts, and taken to an underground cave where she fights for her life; struggles with a radical group of right wing activists who want to murder all vampires and undead creatures - even the innocent ones; continues to raise five zombies per night for her demanding boss, while training a new employee; begins dating the oh-so-handsome, and very nice, Richard Zeeman, a science teacher with a terrible secret, etc.. The novel culminates with a fabulous gang war scene in the middle of the circus - giving new meaning to the words "Live Entertainment!!"
Laurell Hamilton just keeps getting better. Her characters are what makes this series so special. Anita is the author's secret weapon. This gal has attitude with a capital "A." Her wit is wry and she is a major cynic with a tender heart. She is a feisty, attractive and independent 21st century lady who is as good at raising the dead as she is at slaying the undead. Ms. Blake's sense of morality is unique. No matter what the perks are, she refuses to become a monster - or even the human servant of a very sexy vampire who has fairly liberal ideas where women are concerned. She will never give up a human to a vampire, no matter what the crime. She'll never leave a man, or woman, behind. And she won't date corpses. Hamilton's minor characters are fantastic also - in every sense of the word. The humor, dark as it is, never falls flat. The narrative is well written and fast paced. I highly recommend this book, but it will be more enjoyable if you begin by reading the first two episodes, "Guilty Pleasures" and "The Laughing Corpse."
JANA
Rating:
Summary: Will the real Master of the City please stand up?
Review: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Zombie Queen, Necromancer, really didn't love Jean-Claude. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. But soon Jean-Claude is not the only vampire trying to make her his servant. There seems to be a bunch of Master Vampires and they ALL want to become Master of the City. To do that they have to find and kill Jean-Claude. Which means they need Anita to tell them where he is, whether she wants to or not!
The undead battle is about to begin, with vampires, werewolves and even an immortal tossed in for the fun of it. Add Edward (and his lovely flamethrower) and you have the fight of the century. Winner take all. The only problem Anita has with all this is she seems to be First Prize.
Lets get ready to rumble!
Rating:
Summary: Will the real Master of the City please stand up?
Review: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Zombie Queen, Necromancer, really didn't love Jean-Claude. At least, that's what she kept telling herself. But soon Jean-Claude is not the only vampire trying to make her his servant. There seems to be a bunch of Master Vampires and they ALL want to become Master of the City. To do that they have to find and kill Jean-Claude. Which means they need Anita to tell them where he is, whether she wants to or not!
The undead battle is about to begin, with vampires, werewolves and even an immortal tossed in for the fun of it. Add Edward (and his lovely flamethrower) and you have the fight of the century. Winner take all. The only problem Anita has with all this is she seems to be First Prize.
Lets get ready to rumble!
Rating:
Summary: You Can't Read Just One
Review: As I compulsively read one more Anita Blake story, I tried to analyze what makes them so fascinating? Is it having a heroine who's not afraid to talk back (even when it's to a master vampire)? Is it her ability to think and act quickly to survive the most frightening circumstances? Imagine yourself floundering though a totally dark cave with an ancient lamia (snake/woman combo) and three vampires after you.
The gore in the second book repelled me, but this time the descriptions of mayhem seemed more focused on the action and didn't wallow quite as much in blood (or maybe I'm just getting used to it).
Whatever... Laurell Hamilton sure has fashioned a world that grabs the reader. Each book adds another layer of monsters and their powers to keep the reader (and heroine) jumping.
Rating:
Summary: Circus of The Damned
Review: Circus of The Damned, a book by Laurell K. Hamilton, and it rocks. This book is book #3 of the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series, telling the story about Ms. Blake, a legal Vampire Executioner, called by the Vampires: the Executioner. She is dancing with death, in between a Vampire War, due to her being the prenatural expert for the police. On one side of this war for St. Louis, is Jean Claude, the Master of the City, with a real bad thing for Anita. On the other is Alejandro, a Vampire from the Aztec era. Somewhere in between is Mr. Oliver, the Oldest living Vampire in the World, who looks and acts human, but is actually so old as to be from the Stone Age. Then enter Edward, aka Death, looking for the Master of the City. Edward is an assassin, who kills the 'monsters'. Anita is the only person that Edward knows, who knows who the Master of the City is, and Edward will do anything to get the information. The four meet on Halloween night, in the Circus of the Damned, to fight for the fate of St. Louis. Throw in a Lamia, a creature long since believed extinct, an animalistic Vampire, that feels no pain, crosses can't stop, and is going on a killing spree, a rogue group of Humans, trying to kill all, and any Vampires. We shouldn't forget to mention the rogue group of Vampires, who are going on a killing spree, and Richard, a mild mannered teacher, with some very strange friends. And you get a prelude to the disasterous meeting that is going to happen Halloween night. This book is a must read, for anyone who wants too know anything about Vampires. You don't need to read any of the others, but I strongly urge you too anyway. The Series is one of the Best in the Business, and this one is the best of the them all. I wouldn't suggest reading it, unless you have a couple of Hours to spare, because I couldn't put the book down.
Rating:
Summary: sucked in.
Review: I found this book to be one of the best in the Anita Blake series. For me, it started off a bit slow but quickly sucked me in. I don't want to give up any details, but the wonderful detail of the 'fight' scenes, the tension between Anita and Jean-Claude, and everything in between makes this out to be a very good read.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the first three in the series
Review: I just recently (July 2004) 'discovered' the Anita Blake series, and I love these books !! I have ZOOMED through reading the first three of the eleven books, and this one, Circus of the Damned, is the best of the first three in my opinion. Lots of action, plot twists and surprises, Anita very nearly dying more than once, a new 'boyfriend' for Anita. I HIGHLY recommend this book, even as a stand-alone read, without having read the first two. Five Stars !!!
Rating:
Summary: Just Like That
Review: I really think I am beyond obsessed when it comes to the Anita Blake series. At first, I felt the book was going at a fast paced. Towards the end I was kind of glad that it was, because i wanted to know what happenes right away. I am upset that Laurell K. Hamilton gave Anita a new beau but I could almost see why she did it. In every romantic plot, you need to give a huge surprise to keep readers interested. At least that is what i think. Everyone expected Anita to give in to Jean-Claude, but she didn't. It makes me want to see what happens in the next book.
|
