This book was a favorite of mine as a young girl and now as an adult I still love it. It's so fast paced and a very easy read If left alone I could easily finish in only a couple of hours. It has some gore but to me it's not scary. Even when I was younger, nothing made me jump out of my skin.

It has a very simple, easy to understand plot, but it is a children's book. Nevertheless, it's still fun and interesting to see it play out. Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to a freak show. Once they arrive, Darren finds himself enthralled by the spider. He later steals her and she bites his best friend Steve. In order to save his life, Darren must become a half-vampire! He'll have to leave his whole family and travel the world at Mr Crepsley's beck and call.

I do love Darren. He's such a good kid. Giving up everything for his friend's life. Knowing he'll have to leave his family. He's an amazing friend to have.

Crepsley is also an amazing character, there's something behind the surface of this vampire that drawls you in and makes you want to know more.

Cirque Du Freak A Living Nightmare is a great book that was wrote by Darren Shan. In this Book The character Darren is a normal kid in a normal town, but things seemed a little to boring for him an his friend steve. Until There lives change forever, But it was all because of one little piece of paper. Steve found a flyer for a freak show called the Cirque Du Freak. They snuck out and went to the freak show. Freak shows are Illegal so they have to keep a very low cover until they get there. At first it was fun until Steve noticed that one of the people that worked there was a real vampire that he read about in one of his books. When he found this out both Darren and Steve’s lives changed forever. I recommend this book to people who like a little bit of suspense in the books that they read even to the people that don't because you could be surprised on how much you love this book.

I really like this book because of the horror and disturbing elements. Some of my favorite characters are Mr. Crepsley, Darren, Steve, and Madam Octaca. It's a really great start to an awesome series.

* reviewed by Chance, because he's to lazy to make his own profile.

Reader reviewed by Billy Burgess

After seeing the movie trailer, I checked out the first three books at my local library. I have never heard of the series before now, and was surprised to learn that there are twelve books. I read the first book in one night.

Two teenagers, Darren & his best friend, Steve, sneak out and go to the mysterious Cirque Du Freak, a freak show. Mr. Tall, Snake boy, a wolfman, Alexander Ribs and Mr. Crepsley.

Mr. Crepsley is pale faced, redheaded man. He is a real vampire and the owner of Madam Octa, a spider. Darren loves spiders and steals Madam Octa. This causes a chain of events that will forever change Darrens life.

Reader reviewed by Sage

 In this book Darren becomes a vampire in order to save his friend steve from dying from a posionous spider bite but when his powers kick into hight gear he must make a decision, to leave his family forever or put the family he loves in danger.

I love this book. Darren Shan is a tallented writer. It was a terriffic book and the rest of the series is amazing too!

Reader reviewed by Allyssa

Cirque Du Freak: A living Nightmare, is the first book of an excellent series. This book does an amazing job at introducing Darren Shan and his best friend Steve. The story starts out with a circus of freaks, an underground, exclusive circus, from there it takes off.


I love the author, Darren Shan, just because he wrote this series. This series puts most other vampire books to shame. It's unique and not at all boring. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. It seems like every person who reads the series, ends up falling in love with it. I read the first book in fifth grade, and I still consider it one of my favorite books.

Reader reviewed by Alyssa

i loved reading this book when i first got it i couldn't put it down it was so good i'm addicted to the series so far i've gotten 1-8 and i'm eagerly awaiting for book number 9 Killers of the Dawn.

i even got my grandmother to read the series she likes it too.

Reader reviewed by Molly

A edge of your seat thriller. I couldn't put it down. I could see the freak show as if it were in my own house, while I was reading the book. However, I think the movie will wreck the style the book has going. Darren Shan's writing is one like I've never seen, and probably will never see again. I can't wait until the next one comes out! Read this book. It is WELL worth your time!