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This is NOT a fluffy-happy-cloud middle school book

Darren Shan and his three best friends manage to score two tickets to the Cirque du Freak - a one-night-only freak circus that promises hair-raising terror and blood-curdling sights. Through a bit of luck ( or was it fate? ) both Darren and Steve are chosen to attend. The circus certainly lives up to its name - Hans Hands, Remus Two-Bellies and the Snakeboy were all absolutely magnificent.

And then...there was the trained spider. The most amazing spider in the world and there was just one, all-consuming thought to run through Darren's head, I must have her. Only the spider belongs to a vampire - but surely that couldn't be a real vampire? Right? Besides, Darren was so careful that there is no way anyone would ever found out that he was the one who took her, right?

I'm still reeling a bit that this was published and marketed to kids?? Our world feels so PG nowadays that this book stands out like a big bloody banner. Darren Shan deals issues that I would never have expected - death and dismemberment for example - to see in a children's book. Quite satisfying to read about the violence without the scene fading to black (for once!).

Be prepared - this is essentially an all-male cast of characters. So, there's no side love story with the main guy making puppy eyes and waxing poetic about his feelings. This is all glorious action and adventure. (thank goodness - I've read too many books with romance shoe-horned in to "keep the girls interested" - us girls are perfectly capable of enjoying a story sans love subplot, thankyouverymuch).

This was an excellent start to the series. A little bit of creepy, a little bit of skulking around, and a lot of fun, quirky characters are introduced in the first novel. Overall - I'm ready and raring to go for the next one - bring it on!


P.s. If you read the books, I'd recommend waiting at least 2-3 years prior to watching the movie. That way you'd forget enough so you won't say, "but that wasn't in the books," on repeat.

Audiobook Comments
Read by Ralph Lister - pretty good job!

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