| Cirque du Freak | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Darren Shan |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Saga of Darren Shan |
| Genre(s) | Young adult novel, Horror novel |
| Publisher | Harper Collins |
| Publication date | 4 January 2000 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback & Hardback) |
| Pages | 257 pages |
| Followed by | The Vampire's Assistant |
Cirque du Freak is the first novel in The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan (his real name, Darren O'Shaughnessy). It is part of the Vampire Blood Trilogy, which comprises the first three of the 12 book saga. Cirque du Freak was first published in Great Britain by HarperCollins in 2000, and was later published in the Vampire Blood Series in 2003 and 2004. Cirque du Freak is now a major motion picture.
Contents |
Young Darren Shan has been fascinated by spiders from an early age. His best friend, Steve "Leopard" Leonard has grown up reading horror comics and stories of the werewolves and vampires. Steve, Darren, and their friends find out about a freak show called Cirque du Freak and plan on buying tickets. Their teacher finds out about the freak show and tries to shut it down. Steve is there, and is about to leave when Mr. Tall, the ring master, hands him two tickets. Darren gets the other ticket. After viewing the "Cirque du Freak" Darren and Steve are mesmerized by the fantastic and disturbing show, especially by the act of the mysterious Mr. Crepsley and his giant, deathly poisonous spider, Madam Octa.
When the show ends, Steve goes back to talk to Mr. Crepsley about turning him into a vampire. He takes a taste of his blood and says that Steve's blood is evil, and that he cannot be a vampire. He declines the offer from Steve, who then declares revenge on Mr. Crepsley and storms out of the theater. Darren, who was watching this conversation, was confused why Steve wanted to be a vampire. But, at the same time he had his eyes on a bigger prize, Madam Octa, a blue/purple/black poisonous spider that was able to do tricks that was owned by Mr. Crepsley. So very early in the morning he sneaks back to the Cirque and steals Madam Octa. He brings the spider back to his house and feeds it and takes care of it, until one day Steve comes to his house and plays with the spider with Darren. Annie comes into his room and screams so Darren has lost control of her. She bites Steve's neck, paralyzing him and sending him to the hospital. Darren visits Mr. Crepsley hoping he will have an antidote, which he does but he wants Darren to be a half-vampire and his assistant in return. He takes the offer, and rushes to the hospital with Mr. Crepsley.
Steve does live, but is angered by the sight of Mr. Crepsley, and the news from Darren. He vows revenge on the Vampires, and leaves his hospital bed. Darren tries to live amongst his family, but later lives with the Cirque instead upon almost killing his sister Annie. So Mr. Crepsley brings Darren to his roof, and gives him a concoction that will knock him unconscious, and throws Darren off his roof. After his funeral, Darren is dug up by Mr. Crepsley, and is then taken to live as the Vampire's Assistant.