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Cirque Du Freak (The Saga of Darren Shan Book 1) [Paperback]

Darren Shan (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
RRP: £5.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 4 Jan 2009

The chilling Saga of Darren Shan, the ordinary schoolboy plunged into the vampire world.

Darren goes to a banned freak show with his best mate Steve. It’s the wonderfully gothic Cirque Du Freak where weird, frightening half human/half animals appear who interact terrifyingly with the audience. Darren – a spider freak – ‘falls in love’ with Madam Octa – an enormous tarantala owned by Mr Crepsley. Darren determines to steal the spider so that he can train it to perform amazing deeds. But his daring theft goes horribly wrong and Darren finds himself having to make a bargain with a creature of the night.

Something out of the ordinary is set against the background of children’s normal lives to chilling effect. Atmospheric, funny, realistic, moving and… terrifying.

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Cirque Du Freak (The Saga of Darren Shan Book 1) + The Vampire's Assistant (The Saga of Darren Shan, Book 2) + Tunnels of Blood (The Saga of Darren Shan, Book 3)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; First Edition edition (4 Jan 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0006754163
  • ISBN-13: 978-0006754169
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 19,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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› Visit Amazon's Darren Shan Page
Darren Shan
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Product Description

Amazon Review

Darren Shan seems like your average boy--he likes playing football with his mates, passing notes in class and loves spiders. Then, one day, his best mate Steve gets tickets for a banned freak show and Darren starts experiencing things that no average boy would dream of. At the Freak show he sees a limb-chewing wolf man, a woman who can grow a beard in front of your very eyes, a snake boy and a goat-eating tarantula called Madame Octa. But what about the mysterious people in blue-hooded robes whose faces you never see? And is Mr Crepsley really a vampire?

Don't be deceived by the facetious tone of the narrator, this book will have you screaming out in revulsion and horror. Wrap yourself up in your duvets and get prepared to be scared. This is outrageously gruesome:

Anyway, that's enough of an introduction. If you're ready, let's begin. If this was 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 the toilet.
Cirque du Freak is Darren Shan's first novel and the first in a series highlighting Darren's adventures and misadventures. You'll be baying for blood if you miss out.

And, remember, it's all true. (Age 10 and over) --Nicola Perry

Review

Cirque Du Freak
“…fast-paced and compelling book … full of satisfyingly macabre touches…which leaves the reader hungry for more.”
JK Rowling

‘Brilliant, macabre tale.’
Guardian

"I read Cirque Du Freak last week. I loved it. I love the way you manage to juggle the funny with the unpleasant, the affection with the hurt. It's
great story-telling."
Roddy Doyle

The Vampire’s Assistant
“The Vampire’s Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot.”
The Good Book Guide

Vampire Mountain
“Get your teeth into it!”
Funday Times

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Obviously better than Twilight...(for boys anyway) 18 Oct 2009
By Master L. Ryan
Format:Paperback
Take it from an 18 year old who hasn't been able to put down these books in over 7 years, this series is well worth the read. Cirque du Freak sees the start of a young Darren Shan's adventure into the world of vampires. Although not my favourite of the series, it gives an incredible introduction to a storyline that's bigger than anyone (apart from Darren himself) could have imagined. Dark, witty and increasingly gory, this book will entice all who read it, unless there's something wrong with the part of your brain that perceives AWESOMENESS.
During the time since I bought these books, they have converted a non-reader (my older brother) and entertained an avid reader (my mum), so from both perspectives you just KNOW they're good.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!! 3 Mar 2004
By Ryan
Format:Paperback
One of the best books I've read in a long time. I bought it not expecting much from it, but boy, was I wrong!!?? It had me gripped from beginning to end, and I just couldn't put it down. It is absolutely fantastic and has a cleverly constructed, witty and exciting plot, although some parts of the book are really sad. This book was so good that as soon as I finished this book I immediately ordered the other 8 books, in the series, that were published at that time (there are now 10, the 10th is even better!!). If you haven't read this yet, you really don't know what your missing!!

READ IT NOW!!!!

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Same great story, easy to read when you get the hang of it's layout 21 Jun 2009
By K. Ryan
Format:Paperback
Ok, just so you know, I'm a pretty big fan of Darren Shan's books. I've read them for years and 'The Saga of Darren Shan' are my favourite books he's written. Especially Cirque Du Freak, which this happens to be the manga version of.
If you haven't ready the original story of Cirque Du Freak, the basics of it are a boy called Darren and his friend Steve go to a freak show called 'Cirque Du Freak'. The main act that stands out is Larten Crepsley and Madame Octa the spider. I would say more, but I would start spoiling the story then.
This book is the manga version of the story and it sticks, as far as I can see, pretty much exactly the same as the original book. The drawings are brilliant and, if like many you don't like reading books for too long, this will take you very little time to read if you stick at it.
My only word of caution with this is the way it's set out. I've read manga before, so I know how it's set out. Basically, the books are backwards. So you start from the back and work your way forwards. With the pages you start from the right, go left and work your way down each page this way. The book doesn't tell you how it's read though, so those who are buying this as Darren Shan fans might be a bit confused at first. Once you've got the hang of it though, it's easy to read.
All in all, great book. If you love the story, I would REALLY reccommend it. If you haven't read manga before, though, it might be a little bit tricky to get the hand of reading it at first. But when you get used to it, it's easy to read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
We use this book in class for KS3 students. The children really like it and even reluctant readers go on to read other books in the series.
Published 3 days ago by K. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars great
bought the first 4 books for my little brother as a birthday present, they arrived quickly and he loves them!
Published 1 month ago by Lrunning
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Second time reading this series. Amazing read and written very well. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good read :)
Published 1 month ago by Zoeeoxo
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
First of the Darren Shan saga and a good lead up for the next Darren Shan book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Published 2 months ago by Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST AUTHOR
Darren Shan you write the best books in the world! If you like horror read all Darren Shan's books! Please write more books Darren Shan.
Published 3 months ago by Jack Dacre
5.0 out of 5 stars Cirque Du Freak
highly recommend this book, i thoroughly enjoyed it and am very eager to read the rest of the Saga. definitely 5 stars :)
Published 3 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
This book is very interesting and I would recommend to anyone, boy or girl , young or old. Even though I don't usually read scary book I really enjoyed this book!!
Published 3 months ago by Welsh rugby
5.0 out of 5 stars Cirque Du Freak (The Saga of Darreb Shan, Book 1)
I think this book is really good it would be brillant if they could do more films, because pearsonly i think it is a brillant film and sould do more. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Debra Joll
5.0 out of 5 stars Not for those brought up on Enid Blyton or Laura Lee Hope
I read this book because it was a set book for a year 8 English course. I found parts macabre and others quite disturbing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by P. A. Copley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
I am in year 7 and this is the book we read in English.

I would recommend this book to everyone. Read more
Published 3 months ago by BSSFC
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