CIRCUS OF THE DARNED by Katie Maxwell
    Category:  Paranormal
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  1/1/06
    Publisher:  Smooch
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    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!

    Fran is back, still traveling with her mother and newfound 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 story lines, 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!
Circus of the Darned
by Katie Maxwell