Katie Maxwell Circus of the Darned

Circus of the Darned

Katie Maxwell

Smooch, Jan 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0843954000

Teenage psychic Francesca Ghetti has plenty of angst, and just being six feet should be enough, but in her case even adults agree it is genuinely earned, though she has somewhat adapted to her abilities and abnormal lifestyle. How many students can summon the dead or travel around Europe as a member of Gothefaire? Of course few can claim a witch for a mother who actually has conjuring skills.

Even for Francesca, used to the absurd being the norm, things are much more out of control than usual. One can start with the twelve dead Vikings she brought back to life. Or perhaps her stolen horse. However, mom chooses her unacceptable boyfriend. No one in their right mind would date a motorcycle riding vampire who is almost three centuries her senior. While mom objects that he is too old for her, and has a bad overbite that she fears he will use on her daughter (dental costs are high); Benedikt Czerny insists she is his life mate, which means he needs to insure that his beloved GOT FANGS too. However the biggest problem in Francesca's mind is he is a night person and she has a curfew.

This is a terrific sequel that readers will appreciate, as Katie Maxwell's Oregonian teenage amazon has plenty of woes, but her biggest issue is quality time with her boyfriend. The storyline is filled with humor, and the paranormal, that in both cases enhances a deep look at teenagers believing they are ready to fly from the nest, though parents are hesitant to send them forth. Young adults, and us long-toothed readers will appreciate the stand alone CIRCUS OF THE DARNED, but also get GOT FANGS, as that is a delight too.