by Darren Shan
First published 2004
Darren Shan's life changed forever when he encountered the Cirque Du Freak. No longer an ordinary student, he now serves as assistant to a vampire. Each day brings fresh struggles as he adapts to this strange new existence. The hunger gnaws at him constantly. He knows what his body craves, what would sustain him, but the thought revolts him. He fights against this fundamental need even as it grows stronger. His human side wars with what he is becoming. The circus world surrounds him with its peculiar inhabitants and dark mysteries. Among them lurks the Wolf Man, whose presence suggests Darren's story is far from over. Fate seems to have plans for this reluctant vampire's assistant. He must navigate between his old identity and his new reality while resisting urges that could define what kind of creature he becomes. The choice between survival and humanity weighs heavily on a boy who never asked for this transformation.
Genres: fantasy, horror, young-adult, paranormal
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, reluctant-hero
Setting: Cirque Du Freak
Period: contemporary
256 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: violence