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Two boys who are best friends visit an illegal freak show, where an encounter with a vampire and a deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices.
Darren Shan is like any other curious schoolboy who loves to hang out with his friends and read Spawn comics. He also has a little fixation with spiders. One of those insects graces the mysterious pamphlet that his friend Alan steals from the pocket of his big brother's pants. The pamphlet is an advertisement for a strange circus of freaks that is currently playing in their town. Darren and his three buddies -- Alan, Tommy and Darren's best friend, Steve -- are instantly smitten with the idea of attending. They pool their money and send Steve to get three tickets, but they soon find out they can only buy two. They draw straws, and Darren and Steve find themselves the lucky ones.
Finally, at night, they go to a decrepit old theater to witness the circus. What they see and what they get themselves into is too scary (and entertaining) to reveal here. There's also a lot of humor sprinkled throughout. Each chapter seamlessly leads from one dark room into another, introducing us to a supernatural world populated by a really cool cast of characters. (J. Mojica)
I've always been fascinated by spiders. I used to collect them when I was younger. I'd spend hours rooting through the dusty old shed at the bottom of our garden, hunting the cobwebs for lurking eight-legged predators. When I found one, I'd bring it in and let it loose in my bedroom.
It used to drive my mom crazy!
Usually, the spider would slip away after no more than a day or two, never to be seen again, but sometimes they hung around longer. I had one who made a cobweb above my bed and stood guard for almost a month. Going to sleep, I used to imagine the spider creeping down, crawling into my mouth, sliding down my throat, and laying loads of eggs in my belly. The baby spiders would hatch after a while and eat me alive, from the inside out.
I loved being scared when I was little.
When I was nine, my mom and dad gave me a small tarantula. It wasn't poisonous or very big, but it was the greatest gift I'd ever received. I played with that spider almost every waking hour of the day. Gave it all sorts of treats: flies and cockroaches and tiny worms. Spoiled it rotten.
Then, one day, I did something stupid. I'd been watching a cartoon in which one of the characters was sucked up by a vacuum cleaner. No harm came to him. He squeezed out of the bag, dusty and dirty and mad as hell. It was very funny.
So funny, I tried it myself. With the tarantula.
Needless to say, things didn't happen quite like they did in the cartoon. The spider was ripped to pieces. I cried a lot, but it was too late for tears. My pet was dead, it was my fault, and there was nothing I could do about it.
My parents practically hollered the roof down when they found out what I'd done -- the tarantula had cost quite a lot of money. They said I was irresponsible, and from that day on they never again let me have a pet, not even an ordinary garden spider.
I started with that tale from the past for two reasons. One will become obvious as this book unfolds. The other reason is:
This is a true story.
I don't expect you to believe me -- I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't lived it -- but it is. Everything I describe in this book happened, just as I tell it.
The thing about real life is, when you do something stupid, it normally costs you. In books, the heroes can make as many mistakes as they like. It doesn't matter what they do, because everything works out in the end. They'll beat the bad guys and put things right and everything ends up cool.
In real life, vacuum cleaners kill spiders. If you cross a busy road without looking, you get whacked by a car. If you fall out of a tree, you break some bones.
Real life's nasty. It's cruel. It doesn't care about heroes and happy endings and the way things should be. In real life, bad things happen. People die. Fights are lost. Evil often wins.
I just wanted to make that clear before I began.
One more thing: my name isn't really Darren Shan. Everything's true in this book, except for names. I've had to change them because... well, by the time you get to the end, you'll understand.
I haven't used any real names, not mine, my sister's, my friends, or teachers. Nobody's. I'm not even going to tell you the name of my town or country. I don't dare.
Anyway, that's enough of an introduction. If you're ready, let's begin. If this were a made-up story, it would begin at night, with a storm blowing and owls hooting and rattling noises under the bed. But this is a real story, so I have to begin where it really started.
It started in a toilet.
Copyright © 2001 by Darren Shan
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Cirque Du Freak?
A: Well, of course it's a true story, so I simply recounted the facts! Alternatively...I always wanted to write a book about vampires, but I didn't want to do the usual old Dracula-inspired story. One day I started thinking about how a vampire might travel around, and I came up with the idea of a vampire who is part of a circus -- but a circus seemed tame, so I thought some more, and settled upon the gruesomely flamboyant Cirque Du Freak, which seemed as logical a place to find a vampire as any.
Q: The main character in the book shares the same name as you. Are you similar to the Darren in Cirque Du Freak?
A: I'm not exactly the same -- the Darren in the books is much nobler and braver than I am -- but to a large degree he's based on myself, and thinks and speaks much the same as I do. But of course I'm much better looking than my fictional counterpart!
Q: Have you ever been to a freak show?
A: I'm going to plead the 5th on this one!
Q: What is the scariest book you've ever read?
A: Possibly Salem's Lot by Stephen King, which I think is the best vampire book of the 20th century. (Dracula is the best vampire book of the 19th century, while the Darren Shan books, naturally, are the best of the 21st! Ahem, did I mention in my answer to #2 that I'm also less modest than the Darren in the books?)
Q: Madam Octa plays a big role in Cirque Du Freak. How do you feel about spiders?
A: I was always rather afraid of them, which was one of the reasons I chose to use Madam Octa in the book -- being scared of spiders, I knew how to get the creepy best out of them! Oddly enough, since writing the book I’ve handled a live tarantula, so I'm no longer afraid of the little eight-legged lovelies!
Q: How many books do you have planned for this series?
A: Steel yourself -- there's going to be about 20 or more books in total! This is a LONG series which covers a lot of ground, time, characters and stories. The first 3 books stand alone (each tells its own story), but also act as the prologue to the BIG story which begins in Book 4: Vampire Mountain.
Q: Growing up, did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
A: Yes, ever since I was 5 or 6 years old, writing was the only job I was interested in. I love telling stories. People often ask me what I'd be if I wasn't a writer, but I can't truly answer that question because I never seriously considered any other career.
Q: How did you feel when you found out that Warner Bros. wanted to make a feature film out of your story?
A: As a big film buff, I was delighted! Lots of writers worry about movies and how scriptwriters and directors will handle their characters, but I'm just thrilled at the idea of seeing what they come up with. When I write, I try not to use too many descriptive details so readers are free to imagine characters their own way. I get a real buzz when readers draw characters from my books and show them to me, so I'll probably be buzzing like a bee when the film comes out and the freaky folks from the Cirque are given big-screen life!
Q: How long does it take you to write each book?
A: This isn't as easy to answer as you might think. I do a first draft of a Darren Shan book in 3-4 weeks, but I go through that at least 4 or 5 times, editing it into final shape. Each edit usually only takes about a week, so in total I probably spend 2 months on each book. I like to leave long gaps between edits, during which I work on other books and think about the one I've just written, so in actual time each novel is spread out over 2 years or more.
Q: Any other information/anecdotes you'd like to share with your readers?
A: I'd just like to impress upon the people of America the importance of blood banks and the need to make regular donations. Give freely...give today...give to ME!
Q&A courtesy of Little, Brown and Company
This book is a nonstopping page flipping story, that keeps your eyes glued to the page. The surprises that the main character Darren Shan goes through are so thrilling that its hard not to read more and more. Young Darren Shan has been fascinated by spiders from an early age. His best friend Steve "Lepord" Lenord, his obsessed with horror tales and stories. Steve found a flyer to the "Cirque Du Freak", Steve takes Darren, and this is when the amazing story starts to take place. They watch the show and find it to be amazing, the highlight being Mr. Crepsley and his huge spider Madam Octa. Darren runs into Mr. Crepsley after the show, they have long talk in which Crpsley reveals that he is a Vampire and wants Darren to follow him. Dsrren is interested, but when Crepsley isnt looking Darren takes Madam Octa and rushes off. He shows Steve at home, where things take a turn for the worse, the deadly spider bites Steve and they need help from Mr. Crepsly to save him, whats happens next is for you to find out in Cirque du Freak, A Living Nightmare.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.page_turner11
Posted April 19, 2010
Okay so for all of you who read the comments before reading a book, you are smart. I started this series thinking it had a good plot line but it was horrible. If I could give you the ending of this series, I would! I spent like $100 on this series just to find out that I hated it!!! Don't be decieved by the exciting summaries. No matter how cool it sounds, it ended with my jaw wide open at how horrible an author can get.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 16, 2009
i love this series i have them all i recomend it to everybody who likes vampires these books are just amazing you'll just love this it has so many twists and turns your going to be like OMG like all the time its awesome
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 5, 2009
I loved the book i read the book in my class first and everyone contines with the series. I read the book in three days i recomend it to all teens. it tells the story of a normal boy when he arrive at a freak show there are definetly some unxpected twists and turns it will leave you blood thirsy for more!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 9, 2009
I read this series a long time ago, and I love it. I just wanted to say that it's being made into a MOVIE!!! Rumor is that the movie will consist of the first three books. I can't wait.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love this series to death...Darren Shan is a mastermind and knows how to frighten you, in a good way though. If you read this you are bound to finish it in less than a day. I enjoyed this book because it shows how vampires are really like...terrifying and blood thristy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 11, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I LUVED THIS BOOK AND WHOLE SERIES YES THE 1ST BOOK STARTS OUT A LITTLE SLOW BUT AS U GET DEEPER IN THE SERIES THAT ENDS QUICKLY. THE AMAZINGNESS OF THIS SERIES CANT BE EXPLAINED IN WORDS U WILL NEVER FIND A SERIES BETTER THAN THIS ONE. it has so many twists and turns u wont believe it. i usually predict the story of books but this one i couldnt. i also reccomend the demonata series by the same author.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND THE WHOLE SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 17, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I read this book when it was first released and was instantly hooked to it, buying the next ones the second they were available in my local B&N. Its been a while since I read this series and found myself just as drawn into it the second time around as I had been the first. Its a great series and I recomend it for people of all ages!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 29, 2009
This book is really good. i enjoyed it. read it in a day! awesome couldn't put it down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 22, 2009
Darren Shans¿ Cirque Du Freak is the dark fascinating diary of young Darren Shan and his best friend Steve Leopard. From an early age, Darren has loved spiders; he would catch them and keep them as pets and let them loose in his room. At the same time, his best friend Steve Leopard was growing up on horror comics and stories of Dracula and the Wolfman. So it obvious that when they got older and the Cirque Du Freak, a legendary freak show, came to town promising amazing sights, they decide they have to go.
At the freak show they witnessed incredible sights, from the ferocious Wolfman to Mr. Creepsly with his beautiful but deadly spider Madam Octa. Upon seeing the deadly spider, Darren knows that he must have her, but Steve recognizes Mr. Creepsly from a painting of an ancient vampire. Darren can¿t help himself and he steals Madam Octa. All goes well for about a week but then Madam Octa escapes and bites Steve. So what will Darren do? He must either risk his life by going to the vampire or condemn his best friend to an agonizing death.
This witty story was an excellent read It is easy enough to read for young adults but twisted and surprising enough for any adult.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 13, 2009
Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare
A Living Nightmare is the beginning to an awesome Cirque Du Freak series. For starters Cirque Du Freak means freak show. Well, A Living Nightmare is mainly about friendship. But, all friendships are tested and toward the end of this book a friendship is tested. This book is also a great cliffhanger. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fictional books or someone who likes adventurous books.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 10, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I loved this book. The whole series is just amazing. If you thought this first book was a little boring (which I did not at all!!) still read the others because there are so many plot twists and surprises you can't even imagine. My favorite series I have ever read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 9, 2008
This book was AMAZING!!!! It was a little slow at the beginning but once you hit the part about the visit to the freakshow the story becomes so compelling and mezmerizing that you cant put the book down. I was so drawn into the story that I was even a little scared to go to bed the night i had finished reading it thinking there was a vampire outside my window. It sounds ridiculus but that is how amazing the story is, it really draws you in. I cannot recommend this book, and the rest of the series, enough.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 4, 2008
Cirque Due Freak a series by Darren Shan is amazingly interesting. It has so many twists and turns. It always will keep you guessing. It is the type of book that when you pick it up you do not want to put it down. It creates lots of suspension that you do not want to look away. This is a series you do not want to live with out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 24, 2008
This series is very interesting it always has me reading the book to the end. I just cant wait till i read the rest of the series!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 24, 2007
I have read three books in this series so far and they a exellent!!!! My favorite character is Evra a snakeboy!!!Like they said Darren shan makes this book great!!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 17, 2007
Awesome! So awesome, words can't describe it. aw man. just thinking about it makes me wonder what is happening in the next book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 25, 2007
I Thought that this series was a non-stop reader. This book has so much suspense that you will literally be on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what will happen next. I've read the whole series, and to the people who have just started reading I suggest that you read more of Darren Shan's work. He is an awesome Author and he produces the best books imaginable! ^_^
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 2, 2007
This book had me reading it non-stop. I loved the books drama and excitement. I read this book in under four hours. I knew after I read the first 30 pages of the book I had to finish it. I loved the way the author makes you want to read more by leaving you with a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. This made me keep reading and reading. If you like books that make you keep reading, this is the book for you. This is an outstanding book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
In the tradition of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot, Cirque Du Freak is the frightening saga of a young boy whose visit to a mysterious freak show leads him on a journey into a dark world of vampires. Filled with grotesque creatures, murderous vampires, and a petrifying ending, Cirque Du Freak will chill, thrill, and leave readers begging for more.Two boys who are best friends visit an illegal freak show, where an encounter with a vampire and a deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices.