Customer Reviews
The first masterpiece in the saga - By: Woodlandweasel, 30 Oct 2008 
An excellent book where Darren nearly kills himself, encounters a crazed eco-warrior, & ends up with a taste for pickled onions. Although the pace is more relaxed than the later books this turns out to be a good thingin places, & this is definitely one of the highlightsin Darren Shan's compelling reportoire.
a good dramatic sequel about becoming a vampire - By: Stampy, 25 Aug 2008 
In the sequel to Cirque Du Freak, Darren Shan is struggling to adjust to life as a vampire's assistant. Not only is he alone, but he faces death if he doesn't drink human blood. But hope comes along when Darren goes to work at the freak show.
Shan set down the marker with an impressive opening book to the saga. The writing wasn't brilliant but the ideology of the freak show & the people involved with it has made the saga intriguing & exciting & the use of this ideology is enough to bring the central protagonist & the plot to lifein this good sequel.
Toldin the first person, we get a glimpse into the thoughts of a typical teenager, only that he's a vampire, which adds a delicious twist to the conventional mind set, a more horrific yet exciting prospect for a saga.
Though the central character can be really annoying at times, the first person is necessary to get a true perspective of his story & to follow his thoughts & feelings at the transformation part of the saga.
The author has again used an annoying descriptive style, where the character's thoughts interrupt the vital part of the action sequence, & this prevents the action & the plot from flowing. Nevertheless the concept is laid down & the intensity of the situation is always there to make it a fast paced story.
Having the chill factorin the first book regarding the freak show was added here with Shan getting more close & personal with the show's stars, which added to the chilling feeling of the plot. The humour is still there, but so is the scare factor which includes a dramatic twist involving the wolf man.
Shan has included numerous new characters, none more interesting than R.V, a local protestor who brings up interesting points about society & the food chain, as an interesting side point.
The likeable factor of the freak show & the ideology of being a vampire & the unknown is enough to keep this novel going with twists & turnsin a dramatic fantasy adventure.
8/10
Thrilling sequal - By: livierox4lyf, 05 Oct 2006 I enjoyed this book because its different to many vampire books, this is because it reflects real lifein a way. Darren adventures into the world of vampireism from humanity.
A thrilling sequal following cirque du freak
Thrillig Sequal - By: Livrox4lyf, 05 Oct 2006 After his life turning upside down, Darren Shan lifes changes forever. Follow Darren as he encounters numerous hurdles that life throws at him has he journeys from humanity to half vampirism. Meet new faces, new situations & shocking consquences.
I throughly enjoyed this book as its story enravled. With the chill constantly creeping down your spine. An exciting sequal to the breathtaking Cirque du freak.
great follow up - By: lil slick, 07 Sep 2006 
The first book finished on such a cliff hanger there was no way that I couldn't get the next book. This book is a brilliant follow up to the first it introduces you to some interesting & brilliant characters as well as help you to learn more about Larten & Darren.
In the first book I thought Larten was just a sad, cruel & self centred vampire but after reading this book I relies that there is a lot more to him than that. He on some level cares about Darren & what happens to him you can see thisin the way he keeps trying to make Darren drink bloodin order to save his life.
As well as introducing some great characters & developing the relationship between Darren & Larten. It also has a great story line & follows on from the first book perfectly. I find with some books that the authors forget to explain things & lunch from one event to another but Darren Shan takes time to explain things & lets the story flow.
