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Book Review of Circus of the Darned

Circus of the Darned
Circus of the Darned
Author: Katie Maxwell
Genre: Children's Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews


Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

If you like vampires, Vikings, Goth Faires, Valkyries, and people who believe that a young girl just might be the reincarnation of Cleopatra, then CIRCUS OF THE DARNED is definitely the book for you (but read GOT FANGS? first!)!

Fran is back, still traveling with her mother and new-found friends throughout Europe with the GothFaire. She's got a kind-of, sort-of boyfriend, Benedikt, who just happens to be a vampire. Oh, he also claims she's his beloved, but since they haven't even been out on one actual date yet, Fran is withholding judgment. Now she's waiting for Ben to show back up at the Faire, since he took off without a word to anyone to who only knows where.

Tibolt, one of the men involved with Circus of the Darned, whose traveling with the Faire, is driving all the ladies on the fairgrounds crazy--maybe due to his charming good looks, but quite possibly with help from a little magic. When he asks Fran to hold on to his valknut pendant, she's happy to oblige. Turns out Tibolt doesn't want to get the pendant's power near the old Viking burial ground during his ritual sacrifice to the gods. The only problem is, he doesn't quite explain this plainly to Fran, who ends up running through said burial ground while wearing the pendant and chasing after a huldra. And all this after a strange man came to the Faire wanting to buy Tesla, Fran's old horse.

Needless to say, the raising from the dead of an army of Viking warrior ghosts doesn't sit well with anyone, since their main form of entertainment is still, well, pillaging. Fran has no idea how to send the Vikings on their way to Valhalla, so she's stuck babysitting corporeal ghosts until someone can get them gone. As Fran recruits help in finding out the best way to do this, all manner of gods and goddesses come into play--not the least of which is a pretty bad one, who has an unhealthy obsession with the horse Tesla.

CIRCUS OF THE DARNED is another laugh-out-loud paranormal delight. Katie Maxwell always does a great job of drawing on myths and legend for her storylines, and this book is no different. I can't wait to read the next installment, which hopefully with have Fran and Ben finally being able to go on that first date!

Pick up a copy of the book today...you won't be disappointed!