» About
» Contact
» Hundred
» Songlist
» Wishlist
» Quotes
» Rants
» Books
» Writings
» Dreams
» Mishaps
» Collective
» Links
» Site, graphics, & coding © to Nozomi.
» Banner © Gunslinger Girl.
Cirque Du Freak
Author: Darren ShanSeries: The Saga of Darren Shan
Pages: 266
Rating: 4/5
Read: 4
Ooh, I love this series. This is the first book in the series: Cirque Du Freak. Beware, this has many spoilers! Its so fun to read many times. I highly recommend this book, even though it is at the fifth grade reading level.
Darren Shan is just a normal boy, playing soccer with his friends, hanging out with his best friend Steve Leopard. He loves spiders. He and his friends obtain a ticket to go to the "Cirque Du Freak" a freak circus. Despite warnings by his teacher not to go, Steve Leopard manages to buy two tickets. Divided between four friends, Darren Shan was lucky enough to catch one of the tickets and go.
At the circus, they saw many amazing people and creatures. They saw Truska the bearded lady, Hans Hands who could walk on his hands, and Madame Octa, a beautiful but deadly spider. As Mr. Crepsly, who owned the spider, played a flute to having Madame Octa spin webs, Steve Leopard was shocked and afraid, as if he saw a ghost. Automatically after the act, Darren wished and wanted the spider, though he knew his parents wouldn't let him keep it nor that he would be able to buy it. After a few acts, and seeing the snake boy, Darren asked Steve why he was so shocked at Mr. Crepsly, but Steve never told. Instead, he stayed after the show, telling Darren to leave without him. Disobeying, Darren watched as Steve confronted Mr. Crepsly about who he was...a vampire. Steve begged Mr. Crepsly to turn him into one, but he refused, telling Steve that he had bad evil blood.
After a few nights, Darren Shan snuck into the circus and stole Madame Octa, leaving a note. Avoiding Steve, Darren learned to play the flute, and played with Madame Octa, hiding her in his closet. After a while, Darren showed Steve the spider, and he confronted Darren about what he had seen after the freak show. Using the flute, Darren controlled Madame Octa, having her walk around on Steve. But suddenly, Darren's little sister Annie walked in. She screamed, and Darren lost his concentration, and Madame Octa sunk her fangs into Steve's neck.
To save Steve, Darren went to Mr. Crepsly, who already knew Darren had the spider. Mr. Crepsly said that he would save Darren, only if Darren became his vampire assistant. Darren agrees, and Mr. Crepsly bloods him into a half vampire. Faking his death, this would mean he would never be able to see his friends or family again. And then they start their journey.
Date: September 10, 2005