Cirque Du Freak : A Living Nightmare

Cirque Du Freak : A Living Nightmare  by Darren Shan

Citation: Shan, Darren. Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare. Little, Brown and Company, 2001.

Plot:

Darren Shan has always had an affinity for spiders... and for just generally being afraid (probably like a lot of teenage boys. Well, maybe not the spider part). Darren's life changes forever when a friend brings a flier to school advertising the 'Cirque du Freak' (a modern freak show) coming to town. Darren and his best friend (partially crazy best friend) end up with tickets and go. The freak show is not your every day, bearded woman freak show. This freak show is super scary and supernatural. Darren's favorite act? The rare poisonous spider, named Madam Octa, controlled by Mr. Crepsley (who turns out to be a vampire). Darren becomes so obsessed with Madam Octa that he actually goes back to the Cirque du Freak to steal Madam Octa from the vampire. This is where Darren's life changes forever. Eventually Darren shares Madam Octa with his friend Steve, only to witness Steve be bit by the extremely poisonous spider. Darren ends up bargaining with the vampire for the antidote in a desperate attempt to save Steve. Steve ends up agreeing to become a partial vampire and serve as Crepsley's assistant in order to save Steve. Does Steve live? Does Darren become a vampire? Will his family and friends find out?



Review:

I actually was pretty engaged in the story, despite my preconception that I would hate it. I felt compelled to read it because so many middle-schoolers, early high schoolers are very obsessed with the series. In my teaching experience, these books (along with the Alex Rider series) really helps me get 9th grade boys to actually read their book report books. Sadly, I haven't ever read them myself. I can see where the contents of this book might be mature for younger tweens. However, like it or not, I've seen tweens as young as 6th grade really into this series. It is sort of like Twilight, but for boys. As scary as some parts might be in the book, there isn't any foul language or sex, barely keeping the book able to be aimed at older tweens. I can see why boys are interested in the series; Darren Shan will definitely intrigue and appeal to boys of a similar age. He's dealing with typical teen things, except for the vampire part.



Reading Level:

Older Tweens, 12 (depending on the tween) and up

Characters:

Darren Shan: Protagonist, half-vampire, full vampire's assistant, obsessed with spiders and the supernatural

Steve: Darren's crazy best friend, wants to be a vampire but is denied, swears to hunt vampires for the rest of his life


Madam Octa: Super poisonous spider


Mister Crepsley: Super old vampire with a poisonous spider that he controls telepathically


Annie: Darren's sister



Series Information:

The Vampire's Assistant
Tunnels of Blood
Vampire Mountain
Trials of Death
Vampire Prince
Hunters of the Dusk
Allies of the Night
Killers of the Dawn
The Lake of Souls
Lord of the Shadows
Sons of Destiny 


Similar Titles:

The Lightning Thief
Eighth Grade Bites
Maximum Ride