Book Review: Cirque du Freak:Tunnels of Blood

This is the third book in the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan. I thought things couldn’t get anymore exciting. Boy, I was wrong. In this adventure, Darren leaves the Cirque with Mr. Crepsley and Evra Von, his best friend. It’s a sudden move, but Darren thinks nothing of it. Until humans wind up dead.The only possible suspect is his very own teacher, Mr. Crepsley!

While there are a few grammatical errors that are not the author’s fault, this book joins the previous two as one of my favorite fast reads.

Three books into the series, and I will tell you right now that TWELVE books is not going to be enough for me. I love these characters. Darren Shan, Evra Von (he’s my favorite), and even Crepsley has grown on me now. I can’ wait to read rest of them. They are sure to be just as great, if not better.

Book Review: Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant

Okay, so this is the second book in the Cirque Du Freak series, and the second part of the Vampire triology of the Saga. Just like with the first book, I was sucked in on page one. The only reason I didn’t read it in two days is because I got preoccupied, but again, I digress.

The bulk of the story centers on Darren’s inability to accept the fact that he must drink human blood in order to remain strong. This is perhaps a very tragic story in that sense, as he realizes that he can never go back to the life he once had. Darren’s struggle to adjust is full of good things too, like meeting the snake-boy, Evra Von, and finding a new admirer, Sam Grest.

Like the first book, the characters and emotions are concise, and pure. I still didn’t like Mr. Crepsley, but I did feel sorry for him too. That’s what makes for great character creation, and knowing your characters well enough to make it so that your readers know. It’s something I respect in all fiction writers.

I look forward to continuing on Darren’s journey with him!

Book Review: Cirque Du Freak:A Living Nightmare (Darren Shan Saga Book 1)

Okay! So, like always when there’s a movie coming out of a book series, I got myself worked up over the Vampire’s Assistant. So as mentioned, I had gotten the first four volumes on Saturday. 🙂 So good so far. The first book, I read all in one day. It has been So many years since I’ve done that, I forgot what it was like to just sit down and read all in one day. I mean, I used to read a book a day back before I had a PC.

Back to the actual review. Obviously this book is for Young Adults, I am thinking it’s more along the lines of pre-young adult, because it was a very easy read. I’ve read plenty of Young adult recently, and this felt a little too easy for that genre. But maybe it’s just his writing style. I’m not sure, but either way, I really enjoyed a break from romantic plots, and a lot of darkness. Though, in irony? This book was really dark, and chilling.

One thing that ALWAYS impresses me is the point of view of First person. When I find an author using it in the first pages, I get worried, because I know it can very easily go wrong. Not so with Shan’s work. He pulled it off without much of a flaw. The characterizations weren’t too terribly remarkable from anything I’ve read recently, but just the same, I really enjoyed Darren Shan (the character) and Steve, his best friend. I am looking forward to seeing more from the two interacting later in the series.

So to sum this up, Cirque du Freak looks like it’s going to be an enjoyable, easy read, and I can’t wait to continue the saga!!