Darren Shan is just an ordinary schoolboy who loves to ride bikes and hang out with his three best friends. Then one day Darren and his friends stu...
read full description
reviews
Jul 03, 2011
Ronda
rated it: 
As I read the first of these three volumes, my initial two thoughts were (1) Snakes are not slimy and (2) I don't really like Darren's character very much--and this bugged me. Now that I've finished these three stories, I have to admit that I ended up liking Darren's character after all and enjoyed the story--and, book 3 left me wanting more. Is Evra safe? Will Darren see his family again? Steve? Debbie? Does Mr. Crepsley rejoin the Generals? What about the Little People? Is Lefty a frie
More...
7 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 07, 2010
Vera
rated it:
This book by Darren Shan, is about a boy named Darren who is half human and half vampire. He abandoned his old life as a full human because the only way he could save his friend was by becoming a vampire. Darren now lives in the cirque with a bunch of half-human freakish creatures. Mr. Crepsley and one of the freaks Ezra, tell Darren that they need to leave the cirque. They go to the city where Ezra and Darren find Mr.Crespley. He is always out and never around, but they soon come to find a whol
More...
May 12, 2010
Darlyn
rated it: 
Superb!! I totally love the first three series of The Darren Shan Saga a.k.a. Vampire Blood. What I like the most is that the author is Darren Shan himself. Well, maybe it is the twist of his own life journal but I found it rather amusing and a bit neat.
There are few interesting facts about vampires in the series.
1) Vampires are immortals. But they don't live forever as they will die eventually. Vampire's aging 1 year in 10 years of human world. So I guess if I'm 100, the More...
There are few interesting facts about vampires in the series.
1) Vampires are immortals. But they don't live forever as they will die eventually. Vampire's aging 1 year in 10 years of human world. So I guess if I'm 100, the More...
Nov 19, 2011
Laila
rated it:
The Vampire's Assistant-
The ending of this book upset me. I didn't think Sam deserved to die, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book a bit more than the first. I really started to like Mr. Crepsley and the fact that Evra has yellow-green hair and scales just fascinated me. R.V.'s just a mad vegetarian. Mr Tiny creeped the living hell out of me. Although the end upset me, it was the most exciting part of the whole book. The fact that Darren risked his life to go after the Wolf-Man a More...
The ending of this book upset me. I didn't think Sam deserved to die, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book a bit more than the first. I really started to like Mr. Crepsley and the fact that Evra has yellow-green hair and scales just fascinated me. R.V.'s just a mad vegetarian. Mr Tiny creeped the living hell out of me. Although the end upset me, it was the most exciting part of the whole book. The fact that Darren risked his life to go after the Wolf-Man a More...
Mar 28, 2011
Megan
rated it: 
3¾
These three books reminded me of that child-like fear of monsters, a time when the fear is more innocent and almost realistic. I’m not sure what it was about the books, but they just took me back to my first horror novel, that scared me far more than it should have, and haunted my nightmares a little. Of course, these books didn’t scare me witless, but the writing and the story brought the memories back to me.
This is definitely a book for younger readers – young teens or pre-tee More...
These three books reminded me of that child-like fear of monsters, a time when the fear is more innocent and almost realistic. I’m not sure what it was about the books, but they just took me back to my first horror novel, that scared me far more than it should have, and haunted my nightmares a little. Of course, these books didn’t scare me witless, but the writing and the story brought the memories back to me.
This is definitely a book for younger readers – young teens or pre-tee More...
Jul 28, 2011
Too Many Thoughts
rated it:
This was a great book. I want to read the next in the series! It took me a while (and when I say a while I mean it, it took me a MONTH to finally start consistently reading it) to get through the first book in this 3 in 1 because I found the main character (Darren) a bit too childish for my liking.
What with the picture of the 17-old guy on the front cover I asumed that Darren's character voice in the story would be more mature and I wasn't thrilled by his juvenile thinking. But as I got to More...
What with the picture of the 17-old guy on the front cover I asumed that Darren's character voice in the story would be more mature and I wasn't thrilled by his juvenile thinking. But as I got to More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 11, 2010
Alicia
rated it:
On the good side: the author created his world well and fleshed out a fairly believable mythos. This book is the pseudo-autobiographical tale of Darren Shan - half-vampire and assistant to a vampire who travels with a freak show, the Cirque du Freak. The character, especially the freak were fun to read about. The story was easy to follow and there are enough hanging plot threads by the end of book 3 that I would seek out the next book.
On the not-so-good side: It's definitely written More...
On the not-so-good side: It's definitely written More...
Jul 22, 2011
Caitlin
rated it:
When I was younger, I devoured these novels as quickly as I could get my hands on them! Looking back at the books with a more critical eye, they don't hold up as well. I loved Darren Shan's flair for the dramatic, he really can tell a story, but his writing style is not very sophisticated. Of course, these are meant for a younger audience. I encourage kids with a interest in the morbid and for adventure to read the Cirque du Freak Saga. If your child doesn't like to read, this series (along with
More...
Jan 17, 2010
Moni
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 16, 2010
Trisha
rated it:
While the cover has The Vampire's Assistant as the title, this book is actually a collection of the first three installments in the Cirque du Freak series: A Living Nightmare, The Vampire's Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood. These three stories take us through young Darren's initiation into a world he didn't believe existed.
You should read this. All three of these books kept my attention, and not just for short spurts of reading. I read all 692 pages during the readathon and honestly, More...
You should read this. All three of these books kept my attention, and not just for short spurts of reading. I read all 692 pages during the readathon and honestly, More...
May 30, 2010
Vani
rated it:
Another Vampire story out in the book shelf! My sister and I got this book that has 3 novels in one. To be honest, I don’t think one book could stand alone. The good thing about this book however is that it is not about some forbidden love between a Vampire and mortal (thank goodness!). it is about family and friendship and how one boy (Darren Shan) can sacrifice his life to save a life of a friend and also his happiness to save his family and every one he loves. This book is light, funny and wi
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 19, 2009
Kadiatou
rated it:
another vampire book, woot woot, lol, i absolutely LOVE this series,(even thouqh im not done), it starts off about a boy, livinq a normal live, until this circus come in time and it chanqe his life completely. he becomes a vampire assistant in exchanqe to save his friend life. he travels around the world with the circus meetinq the most extraordinary people you can thinq off. this first three books takes him to a journey unlike any othet, this is a fun and cute readinq, but its very enjoyable wi
More...
May 04, 2010
Stray
rated it:
I really liked this first part of the series.I think Ill get the next.I cant wait!!
this book has the first 3 books of the cirque du freak series (i think in the uk is the saga of darren shan)
in tunnels of blood, darren's friend gets them tickets to go to a mysterious new show in town - cirque du freak, which is a freak show.there, he meets mr crepsley who is not what he seems
in the vampire's assitant, darren resists to the urge to drink human blood - wi More...
this book has the first 3 books of the cirque du freak series (i think in the uk is the saga of darren shan)
in tunnels of blood, darren's friend gets them tickets to go to a mysterious new show in town - cirque du freak, which is a freak show.there, he meets mr crepsley who is not what he seems
in the vampire's assitant, darren resists to the urge to drink human blood - wi More...
Aug 23, 2010
Bella (Bella's Wonderworld)
rated it:
Rezension zu Buch 1 "Der Mitternachtszirkus"
In Darren Shan’s erstem Band der Reihe "Mitternachtszirkus" begegnen wir dem gleichnamigen Jugen Darren Shan. Auf den ersten Blick sieht alles ziemlich normal aus, Darren besucht die Schule, spielt gerne Fußball und hat mehrere Freunde, wobei Steve Leonard sein bester Freund ist. Darren fühlt sich in seiner Umgebung wohl, er mag seine kleinere Schwester und auch seine Eltern und unser Hauptprotagonist hat eine Schwäche f More...
In Darren Shan’s erstem Band der Reihe "Mitternachtszirkus" begegnen wir dem gleichnamigen Jugen Darren Shan. Auf den ersten Blick sieht alles ziemlich normal aus, Darren besucht die Schule, spielt gerne Fußball und hat mehrere Freunde, wobei Steve Leonard sein bester Freund ist. Darren fühlt sich in seiner Umgebung wohl, er mag seine kleinere Schwester und auch seine Eltern und unser Hauptprotagonist hat eine Schwäche f More...
Jun 06, 2010
Artemisa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 13, 2010
Nerone
rated it:
This book is series about a young boy you who always wanted to go to the circus and see some freaks that had a good talent.
A character that i identified is Darren Shan he is the the main character, who get himself into a little trouble with on of the freaks and there spider. The spider bits him and turns him into a half vampire. He has to live his life as a human and as a half vampire.
I would recommend this book to anybody who loves action, suspense, and romance.
A character that i identified is Darren Shan he is the the main character, who get himself into a little trouble with on of the freaks and there spider. The spider bits him and turns him into a half vampire. He has to live his life as a human and as a half vampire.
I would recommend this book to anybody who loves action, suspense, and romance.
Jul 11, 2010
Deviki
rated it:
When the movie came out i didn't bother watching after i heard bad reviews about it ...not because i don't like his movie but i heard comments and bad rating for the movie so i decided to read......it turns about a VERY GOOD STORY !! and i realized why the movie had bad rating/......its a complete different story !! And I think they added a few characters ....i think if i watched the movie i would have the same impression....THIS BOOK SERIES STORY WAS BETTER !! I wish they sticked to the storybo
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 06, 2011
Quintin
rated it:
I started this book off knowing it was a kiddies book and regardless of the 'teen' vibe I finished the book before I could even stop to criticize it any further.
Reflecting back though, the worst part of this book is the condescending approach the author takes, especially with repetition and some useless explanations.
I would not walk around telling my friends that they have to read it but should I find them with the book I won't tell them not to either.
Reflecting back though, the worst part of this book is the condescending approach the author takes, especially with repetition and some useless explanations.
I would not walk around telling my friends that they have to read it but should I find them with the book I won't tell them not to either.
Dec 20, 2011
Sasy
rated it:
Que queréis que os diga, pasó por mi vida sin pena ni gloria, atrapando mi mente un par de días y ya. No es que sea malo, es que me parece no estar en el rango de edad de las personas a las que les pueda gustar ese libro. He encontrado cosas muy infantiles, sobre todo ciertas actitudes de la gran mayoría de los personajes, y luego cosas sumamente gore, con sangre y descripciones desagradables. Para leer y olvidar.
Dec 27, 2009
Bluesky
rated it: 
I picked this up at the airport yesterday to read on the way home! It's YA fiction but, unlike other YA I have read, it has nothing to offer the older reader! It has so many holes, discrepancies and contradictions in the plot (I suspect "Darren Shan" has not read his own words!) that I can't see it exciting anyone over the age of nine years! And be warned; the author LOVES exclamation marks!!!
Apr 25, 2011
Misha
rated it:
3 books in one - they were all pretty good! I saw the preview of the movie and it seemed really cool, so i thought i would check out the book while i wait for it to be released in NZ and the book was really good. again, a nice quick and easy read but nonetheless interesting. More vampires and fantasy stuff, but im into that kinda thing :)
Jul 21, 2011
Jianne
rated it:
Individual book rating:
Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare - a stars.
` It was good. But it just lacks dept.
Vampire's Assistant - 4 stars.
` Good. But too depressing to read.
Tunnels of Blood - 4 stars.
` Good. But in the previous book, I guess the sadness already started. :/
Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare - a stars.
` It was good. But it just lacks dept.
Vampire's Assistant - 4 stars.
` Good. But too depressing to read.
Tunnels of Blood - 4 stars.
` Good. But in the previous book, I guess the sadness already started. :/
Nov 05, 2009
Kim ~*Nina*~
rated it:
this book i could not put down . It kept me reading past midnight .This book I really liked cause of how it shows that even if you wish to be a vampire sometimes its not the wisest decision . I like how it describes darrens grief so detailed and how it shows the friendship of Darren and steve . It really gets you thinking about what reall friendship is like?
Sep 09, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Life was quite difficult for the half vampire, he looks at things in different ways, aspects different from the full vampires. He was unsure sometimes. The end was the best part that he tries to help his friend and when he met the girl and I like the way he treated her.
Oct 14, 2009
Summer
rated it:
wow this book is amazing!!! its not at all what i expected. i was expecting lots of gore and guts for this is darren shan we're talking about!!!!! but instead i found my self smiling and cheering the character on. and surprisingly enough i cried. i did i did i did. it hit me hard haha. i didnt even laugh at the gory part when.......................something happened. tehe
Jun 27, 2010
Danae
rated it:
i really liked these boooks they were llike quirky awesome. i also like reading about the diffrent takes on vampires that diffrent writers have. This series was definetly an orginal.
The vampanese was also an incredible touch to the vampire world.
The vampanese was also an incredible touch to the vampire world.
May 08, 2011
Viridiana
rated it:
Una historia que te atrapa. Te adentrarás en un mundo oscuro y lleno de criaturas grotescas pero no por ello dejan de ser hermosas. Cargado de humor negro. Vampiros, hombres lobo y demás abominaciones encierra este mundo.Me encanta!!! definitivo quiero ser aprendiz de vampiro.
Aug 23, 2010
Jamie
rated it: 
I wasn't even going to rate this, but I tried and tried to read this book on and off, and I just finally said forget it. I don't normally give up on books, even if they are horrible, I still like to follow it through just to say I did indeed read it, but this one just couldn't cut it for me. I didn't even make it a quarter of the way through. Maybe one day I'll pick it up again, but not anytime soon. This book goes back to my sister who recommended it to me in the first place. *Note to self, don
More...
Nov 19, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
Started reading this because I saw the movie and I am on a 3 day road trip from MN to CA. It is ok light and definitely for young adults but I was disappointed in that the characters of Steve and Darren are portrayed as much younger in the books than the movie so it has been a hard transition for me. I hope they make more movies though!
Jun 10, 2010
Sylvia
rated it:
I rate this book a 4 star for YA readers. My 10 year old daughter read this compilation of the 1st 3 cirque de freak books in 4 days. But, for adults...it kept my attention, but is only a 3 star in my rating.
