| Book Review | Jennifer Hairfield |
Cirque
du Freak:
A Living Nightmare
By: Darren Shan
Welcome to a world where the creatures that go bump in
the night are real. Darren Shan has created a series that
has caught on like wildfire for young adults and teenagers.
There are not that many authors out there that write horror
stories for this age bracket. Shan can be found in the same
conversation with names like Clive Barker, Caroline Cooney,
Stephanie Meyer, and R.L. Stine.
The first book in a twelve book series, A Living Nightmare,
sets the story up for the upcoming installments. This story
is told like a memoir of the main character, Darren Shan,
but that is not his real name. According to the main
character the only things that aren't true are the people's
names.
Darren Shan is a friend with three other boys: Steve
Leonard, Alan Morris, and Tommy Jones. Steve is the main
supporting character and school hellion. Together, Darren
and Steve get tickets to see a traveling show called Cirque
du Freak. At the show they see all sorts of freaks including
a werewolf, giant, contortionist, a snake boy, vampire and
performing spider, and of course a bearded lady.
Throughout the show Steve is awe struck, especially when the
vampire, Mr. Crepsley, and his performing spider, Madam Octa
come on stage. Darren decides that he must have Madam Octa
to satisfy his spider fascination. But, unbeknownst to
Darren, Steve wants to be a vampire like Mr. Crepsley. From
this point on in the story the, relationship between these
best friends become strained.
But this is also when the men are separated from the boys.
What would happen if your best friend was dying because of
something you did? How far would you go to save him? Would
you take their place? Would you kill for him? Lie for him?
Sell your soul for him? These are all questions that Darren
has to think and decide upon before time runs out. The only
hitch is that there is no turning back once the decision is
made. To find out Darren's decision read book two in the
Cirque du Freak series.
Reading this book was interesting in parts. The beginning is
slow up until the main characters make it to the show. After
that happens it makes the reader want to know what will
happen next. This is definitely a good beginning to such a
long series. Even though it is a teen series, adults will
also love the adventure as well.