Cirque Du Freak #2: The Vampire's Assistant: Book 2 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan)
Average Rating: 4.5 Stars
by Darren Shan
List Price: $6.99
Store Price: from $3.15
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
ISBN: 0316905720
Amazon.com Review
What if you were an unwilling vampire? You needed to drink human blood to stay alive, but you weren't some horror-flick villain; you were you, born human--a nice person, even. Thus is the dilemma of the young narrator-protagonist, Darren Shan, in this tremendously suspenseful, oft-sickening sequel to Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan. In the first book, Darren becomes a vampire's assistant to save the life of his friend Steve. In order to do so, he has to fake his death, get buried alive, and head out--half-human, homeless, and friendless--into the world. The Vampire's Assistant chronicles his new lonely life as a half-vampire, pumped with the cursed blood of his vampire guardian, Mr. Crepsley. Darren has much to learn about his freshly supernatural state. He doesn't grow fangs, for instance, like he thought he might. And he can't change shape or fly. Garlic just gives vampires bad breath... And they eat bagels. Some of the hardest lessons of all come when he joins the traveling freak show Cirque Du Freak, the show that got him and Steve in trouble in the first place. Readers won't be disappointed by this fast-paced, gory, but strangely amiable sequel. In fact, the plot is much better paced than the first and the dialogue far more natural. Deadly pythons, a snake boy, Cormac Limbs (bite off his finger and it grows back!), and an entire cast of dreadfully creepy characters offer excitement beyond expectation. Along the way, we come to really like Darren, who will do absolutely anything for a friend. British author Darren Shan promises more adventures in 2002. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin Snelson
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Product Description
Darren Shan was just an ordinary schoolboy - until his visit to the Cirque Du Freak. Now, as he struggles with his new life as a Vampire's Assistant, he tries desperately to resist the one temptation that sickens him, the one thing that can keep him alive. But destiny is calling... the Wolf Man is waiting.
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Customer Reviews
Alright Book
3 Stars
This book was pretty good. It has a lot of weird characters in it. I think this book is geared towards teenagers and not adults since you have to have a pretty good imagination to like this book.
~ Rhonda V.,
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From J. Kaye's Book Blog
5 Stars
THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANCE is the second book of the Cirque Du Freak series. As we learned from the first book, not all the myths about vampires are true. Vampires are strong - that much is true. They also drink blood. They can travel quickly, but can't fly or turn into bats. They also don't become a complete vampire all at once. It progresses in stages. Right now, Darren Shan is a half vampire. He didn't want to become a vampire and is fighting the progress by refusing to drink human blood.
When Darren joins the Cirque Du Freak, he makes friends with Evra Von, the snake boy, and Sam a local normal kid. Darren also gets a job on Mr. Crepsley's act in the freak show. Although Darren isn't happy with his present situation, his new friends make life better. When a very inquisitive man, R.V., starts asking questions, tension builds on Cirque Du Freak. Something unspeakable happens and once again, Darren's life will again change forever.
~ J. Kaye Oldner, http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/
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Darren Shan, Vampire Assistant
5 Stars
Darren is a half vampire and assistant to Mr. Crepsley. He's faked his own death and left all those he loves behind to start his new life. However, Darren is lonely with only Mr. Crepsley as company. He'd like a friend his age. After a terrible accident Darren and Crepsley are forced to flee a city and head back to the Cirque du Freak. There Darren befriends Evra, the snake boy. In turn the two befriend a local kid who dreams of being in the cirque but he's just too normal. And they make another new friend, R.V.
Life in the Cirque du Freak is loads better than traveling constantly with Crepsley. But it's about to turn sour. Darren has met Mr. Tiny and his little people. They are strange creatures. Not sure if they are human or male or female. But they are always hungry and silent.
Enter Sam, the local kid, in a tragic turn of events caused by another "friend" Darren must make a decision. This decision will leave Darren craving pickled onions.
This book is full of more life changes and decisions for Darren. A real page turner and excellent series for young and old. Perfect teen horror. Can't wait to read the 3rd book.
~ Mercedes, Colorado, USA
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Lots of fun in the way of teen horror
3 Stars
Darren Shan's plunge into the world of vampires takes serioius and solemn hold in this second book as we get to watch how he adjusts to this serious life change. He has faked his death, and his now the rather unwilling assistant to the vampire Mr. Crepsley. This means lots of travel, but eventually the pair make it back to where it all began: Cirque du Freak.
All we saw of the traveling show in the first book is what any audience member would see. Now Shan shows us an incredible behind-the-scenes world of all the loveable freaks that perform. It's great characterization.
The meat of the story comes in with the appearance of a local green boy who believes that the show is cruel to animals. Darren makes friends with a local boy and a snake boy, a hardworking trio desperate to protect their home.
Exciting and emotional. Great sequel.
~ Emily J. Taylor, Utah
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Freakishly good book
5 Stars
This book is one of only two vampire series i enjoy reading. all the freaks are ghoulishly imaginative and bizzarely creative. i especailly have a soft spot for evra, the snake-boy, and i was especially glad that he had such a bigger role in this book. i also adore hans hands, the dude who can walk on his hands faster than most peolple can walk on their feet. this sequel is compelling and so unique that there is not a book in the world that compares. if you like strongly developed and imaginative characters, love suspense, and have a taste for blood, cirque du freak is the sieries for you.
~ Angela, earth
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