Cirque du Freak

For the film, see Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. For the Japanese manga series, see Cirque du Freak (manga).

Cirque du Freak

Cirque du Freak 2nd ed. front cover for the UK and Ireland
Author	Darren Shan
Language	English
Series	The Saga of Darren Shan
Genre	Vampire Fiction, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Young adult novel, Horror novel
Publisher	Harper Collins
Publication date	4 January 2000

Cirque du Freak (also known as Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare) 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 its so nice to watch watch. 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. A film version was released in 2009.

Plot summary

Young Darren Shan has been fascinated by spiders from an early age. His best friend, Steve "Leopard" Leonard has grown up reading supernatural horror comics about werewolves and vampires. So naturally, when they are given an opportunity to go see a mysterious freak show called "Cirque Du Freak", they waste no time in sneaking out and enjoying the show. After viewing the "Cirque Du Freak" Darren and Steve are mesmerized by the fantastic and disturbing performance, especially by the act of the mysterious Mr. Crepsley and his giant, deadly, venomous spider, Madam Octa, which leaves Steve speechless and pale as a ghost. Darren was gleefully looking back on the night as one of fun and adventure, but Steve was caught up in a terrifying revelation: Mr. Crepsley was one of the supernatural vampires he had read about in his books.

When the show ends, Steve goes back alone to plead with Mr. Crepsley about turning him into a vampire. Mr. Crepsley rejects him, and says he has the potential for great evil, and will never become a vampire. Angered, Steve flees the theater and tells Mr. Crepsley he will get him back for this. Darren, who has been listening to the horrifying conversation, turns away and decides to tell Steve that he went straight home after the show. However, still entranced by the magnificient act, Darren steals Madam Octa while Crepsley is asleep in his coffin, and takes her home. Slowly, he learns how to make her do tricks, by playing a small flute. One day, though, Steve is playing with Darren and his new pet, when a trick goes wrong and Steve gets bitten by the spider. They send Steve to the hospital, but the doctors have no idea how to cure the paralyzing bite. Darren decides the only person with a cure is Mr. Crepsley, and he is, but the cure comes with a horrible price: Darren must give up his human life, and join Mr.Crepsley as a half-vampire.

Mr. Crepsley bloods Darren and makes him his assistant, in exchange for the antidote. Steve is saved (and doesn't know anything about what happened with Mr. Crepsley and Darren), but soon Darren tries to escape from Mr. Crespley, who doesn't object. Over the next few days, Darren goes through changes, both mental and physical. He is stronger and faster than he ever was, but he also has a new-found taste for blood. Steve has noticed these changes as well, and realizes that his friend was blooded in his place. Darren realizes that he can no longer pass as a human, and he returns to Mr.Crepsley with a heavy heart. They agree to leave town, but to make sure that no one comes looking for them, they fake Darren's death. As they are preparing to leave the cemetery, Steve finds Darren alone, and confronts him. Convinced that Darren has betrayed him, taking on his place as Crepsley's assistant, Steve vows revenge on the both of them, and leaves (after deciding that he was not yet strong enough to kill them). Darren meets back up with Mr.Crepsley, and keeping to himself about Steve, they head off into the dawn, assistant and master.

See also

• Freaks