Cirque Du Freak

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan
Shan, D. (2001). Cirque du freak. New York: Little Brown
ISBN: 0439368766

Plot

Two boys, Darren Shan and his friend Steve, attend a strange show called "Cirque du Freak." Later, Steve sneaks back to the show and asks the vampire, Mr. Crepsley, to change him into a vampire. Mr. Crepsley refuses on the basis that Steve has "bad blood." Darren also sneaks back to the circus to steal the performing spider. The spider ends up biting Steve and putting him in a coma. The only way to save Steve, is for Darren to become Mr. Crepsley's assistant. Darren becomes a half-vampire, which Steve believes is his right. As Darren learns follow the vampire way, Steve swears revenge on his friend.

Critical Evaluation

This story is face-paced and thrilling. The writing is compelling. There is violence in this book, but it is not gratuitous. The author writes in the first person. Shan describes in believable and vivid detail what it means to become a vampire. But the central theme of the first book in this series is betrayal. This book is truly scary. It is Book 1 in a series of 12 volumes.

Readers Annotation

Darren Shan is a young boy who falls into a world of terror after he visits a freak show one night. This tale is as frightening as it is engrossing. Readers will fall into this world of terror along with Darren and be carried away on a terrifying thrill ride.

About the Author

Darren O'Shaughnessy is an Irish writer who writes under the name "Darren Shan." He was born in 1972 in London. Writing is a life-long love for him. He has been writing stories ever since he was a teenager. He worked in television before he was published. he is best known for the Cirque du Freak series of 12 books, which was originally published in The Saga of Darren Shan in the UK and Ireland. The Cirque du Freak series has become phenomally popular with young adult readers.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Would you become a vampire if it was the only way to save your best friend?

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Violence. The violence in this story moves the plot. It is not gratuitous. This book could be defended on the basis of the number of well-respected book lists it appears upon and favorable reviews from well-respected sources.

This book is included because it is a great read and very popular with tweens.