Rating: 
Summary: no doubt one of the best
Review: A great book that from the very beginnning gets you hooked. I read it in one night, I sat in my room, and was addicted, I think I missed dinner that night, just one of the absolute best series so far. Even if you're not into vampires, like me, I highly recommend this book, and congratulate Darren Shan on his accomplishments. WOW!!
Rating:
Summary: Totally Amazing Book!
Review: A Living Nightmare is the first book in the Cirque du Freak series, written by Darren Shan. The book tells of a spider-loving kid named Darren who, with his friend Steve, goes to see a freak show. Unfortunately Steve recognizes one of the performers: Mr. Crepsley is a vampire. After the show Steve visits Mr. Crepsley and begs him to transform Steve himself into one. Mr. Crepsley refuses, and says Steve has evil blood. Steve gets furious and leaves. Soon another unfortunate event occurs involving Mr. Crepsley. Darren steals the vampire's giant venomous spider, Madam Octa. When Steve visits Darren's house, the spider fataly bites him. The only chance to rescue his best friend is for Darren to beg Mr. Crepsley for the antidote... So Darren becomes Mr. Crepsley's assistant as a half-vampire for the antidote, and Darren's adventures begin here, continuing in the other books from the Cirque du Freak series... I HIGHLY recommend this book to any fantasy or horror fan... any age!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating Ghoul
Review: As an adult my family was shocked to see me engrossed in the Cirque Du Freak series. I read all 7 of the available series within a couple of weeks, and can now hardly wait for the next book due out in September 2004. Darren Shan does an excellent job of creating a character (himself) who is very interesting to follow. In this first book Darren visits a freak show that has come to town and ends up getting into trouble--which changes his life forever. While this first book is probably the slowest moving of the 7 I have read so far, you must read this book before proceeding into the next books in the series. Shan always leaves you hanging from one chapter to the next, and each book follows exactly where the previous one ended (or very close to it). If you like vampire stories featuring kids rather than grumpy old Counts, read this series.
Rating:
Summary: Great Start To Get HOOKED on This Series
Review: Cirque Du Freak is a very interesting, quick read. Darren Shan introduces the book by saying that he doesn't change his name because, although it sounds like it could be fictional, his life or after-life really is that strange.
By the time the Vampire stuff gets going, the book is done and, as a reader, it is hard to wait to read the second installment of this series.
The first book in this series is driven by the intrigue of a real freak show, and the characters getting in to see it and be amazed by the oddities. That story in itself is worth the read. The vampire story that picks up toward the end is just gravy.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes light, quick reads. This is definitely a high interest series. I am not that intrigued by vampires, but Darren Shan is a skilled author that can interest any reader.
Rating:
Summary: Cirque Du freak
Review: Darren has to deal with some stuff here like becoming a half-vampire and separating from his family. I felt sorry for him. Darren gave up his all just to save one friend who was not really grateful and who might be evil abd do harm in the future. I recommened this book to anyone that loves vampires.
Rating:
Summary: The best book you will ever read
Review: Darren Shane a strong,brave,young boy,makes a path with a mysterious person to save his friends life.Now his simple life is one big obstacal to stay alive.He has to work his way up the system with the new people he has meant or he can end up dead.He needs to earn there trust by proven himself to the system.
Cirque Du Freak (A Living Nightmare)is a book of mystery and imagination.It was like I was apart of Darren; everytime he was happy,I was happy,everytime he was confused,I was confused.These addicting novels are my all time favorites, and should be read by everyone.
Cirque Du Freak (A Living Nightmare) is a heart stopping book. I recommend this book to anyone who want to enjoy what there reading.This book is a neverending story that keeps getting better and better.
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Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A GOOD BOOK!!
Review: I read Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare, written by Darren Shan. The main character is a young boy named Darren Shan. He and his best friend get their hands on two tickets to see a secret freak show. They, and the rest of the audience, are amazed at what they see. Darren loves spiders, and would do anything to get the giant tarantula, Madam Octa, who is in the show. Unfortunatly, the man who owns her is a vampire, as Darren finds out in a weird turn of events. He steals the spider at night, and takes it in his room to play with it. His best friend gets bitten, and you won't believe what Darren has to do to heal him.
I really liked this book. It was easy to follow along, and it was very suspensful. The one thing I didn't like is that it didn't last long enough. I have not read another book in its class.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect for teenage boys
Review: I teach in an alternative school for teenage boys. The students love this series of books. The are literally fighting over the books to see who can get the next one. They really identify with the young boy as the main character. Some boys have read the whole series available and are impatient for the next book. I've read the first four books in the series. The boys enjoy them much more than me.
Rating:
Summary: One Awesome Book
Review: Probably one of the most compelling series of books, the Cirque du Freak series is quaranteed to capture the reader in its greatness.
The main character, a boy named Darren Shan, is just a normal kid. He has friends, goes to school, and watches TV. One day, his best friend brings to school two tickets to a so calld "freak show." After having a contest to see who goes, Darren and his friend are the winners and off to the show they go. Little does Darren know, the show will throw Sarren's world into a dark world filled with grotesque creatures, werewolves, and vampires. The show will definitely cost him more than he's willing to give. The genre of this book is both Horror and Mystery. Cirque du Freak: "A Living Nightmare", is the first in the series. The second is The Vampire's Assistant. Cirque du Freak is recommended by famous Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. So if you like her books, the you will like this book. Honestly, I COULD NOT put this book down. It is so suspenseful, you're afraid to turn the page. Once you read this, you will be compelled to read the rest of the series. It will leave you pleading, on the ground begging for more. Disappointment is not an option. I would recommend this book for any reader. No matter what age, this read is very, very cool. Filled with friendship, betrayal, and love, this novel is one to enjoy for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: He wasn't kidding...
Review: The author wasn't kidding when he told us that this was going to be a story that didn't follow typical conventions. It was a wonderfully told story, with action that pushed the story forward from chapter to chapter. He used the device of short chapters, sometimes when they weren't necessary, to fuel that action. If writers write in long chapters, especially in books meant for children, their interest is lost, because they find themselves meandering. But when the chapters break, that implies (almost without the reader being aware of it) breakneck action.
I'd love to discuss the surprise ending, as it was something I was NOT expecting whatsoever. But to do so ruins the surprise ending. I hope reviewers here haven't done that. And some of the things that made that ending possible were truly gruesome. This was a terrific story. It's the second book I've read where I've begun in bed and stayed awake until finishing it (about an hour and a half). I'm really looking forward to reading more, and was glad to see that there is much more enjoyment ahead.
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