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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- The Vampire's Assistant (Cirque du Freak #2)
The Vampire's Assistant (Cirque du Freak #2)
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Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
10+
Release Date
October 01, 2002
ISBN
0316606103
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
A Dark Life
Overall rating
3.0
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After being turned into a half vampire to save his friend, Darren Shan must cope with his new life. Now he has incredible strength and sharper senses. But one fact still bothers him—he must drink blood to survive. So far, he has been drinking animal blood, but Mr. Crepsley, the vampire who transformed Darren and who is also his vampire guardian now, informs Darren that he must soon drink human blood if he wishes to survive. Darren, sickened by this thought, refuses—after all, he still is half-human himself. With this dark, fate-determining choice looming over him and limited time, Darren will soon face the hardest choice of his life.
Darren does not hang out with kids his age because he does not want other to know what he is, and he does not want to accidentally hurt them. Lonely, Darren only has Mr. Crepsley for company, but Mr. Crepsley decides to help Darren out and bring him to the Cirque Du Freak, where there are kids his age. The Cirque Du Freak is a traveling freak show, with people like a snake boy, the wolf-man, Cormac Limbs (a man who can re-grow his limbs!), the Little People, and more! Upon arriving, the leader, Mr. Tall, allows Darren to room with Evra, the snake boy, and help with Evra’s chores. Mr. Crepsley has his own stunt in the show—his act with his pet spider, Madam Octa. Darren sees the ‘freaks’ and their gifts—from a man that can eat more than any human, to the wolf-man, who is half human, half wolf, but mainly beast. They even have to keep wolf-man in a cage!
Feeling better that he is surrounded by people like him and with a companion his age, things get better when Darren and Evra meet Sam, a human boy. The three of them hang out together, and Sam announces that he wishes to join the Cirque Du Freak. Evra and Darren try to dissuade him from this choice, and seem to succeed. They are momentarily distracted by R.V. who is a man obsessed with protecting nature and wildlife. The friendship seems to be nice until Darren invites them to see the Cirque Du Freak show. After seeing it, Sam wants to join more than ever, and R.V. is suspicious on whether or not the ‘freaks’ are treated right, especially the wolf-man.
Every day, Darren gets weaker from lack of human blood, and he is wasting away. With R.V. and Sam to deal with, Evra and Darren have to watch their step. Tragedy strikes when R.V. thinks the wolf-man is being abused, and he tries to free him. Darren is the only one who sees this, but with minimal strength left, how can he stop R.V. and the wolf-man? Who will suffer for R.V.’s bad choice? Will Darren find another way to survive without drinking human blood?
The Vampire’s Assistant, the second book in the Cirque Du Freak saga, has some violent scenes, but fans of the first book will not be disappointed with Darren’s adventure and his hopes to protect his human blood. Will he succeed? Or will he die from lack of human blood? Recommended for older readers.
Darren does not hang out with kids his age because he does not want other to know what he is, and he does not want to accidentally hurt them. Lonely, Darren only has Mr. Crepsley for company, but Mr. Crepsley decides to help Darren out and bring him to the Cirque Du Freak, where there are kids his age. The Cirque Du Freak is a traveling freak show, with people like a snake boy, the wolf-man, Cormac Limbs (a man who can re-grow his limbs!), the Little People, and more! Upon arriving, the leader, Mr. Tall, allows Darren to room with Evra, the snake boy, and help with Evra’s chores. Mr. Crepsley has his own stunt in the show—his act with his pet spider, Madam Octa. Darren sees the ‘freaks’ and their gifts—from a man that can eat more than any human, to the wolf-man, who is half human, half wolf, but mainly beast. They even have to keep wolf-man in a cage!
Feeling better that he is surrounded by people like him and with a companion his age, things get better when Darren and Evra meet Sam, a human boy. The three of them hang out together, and Sam announces that he wishes to join the Cirque Du Freak. Evra and Darren try to dissuade him from this choice, and seem to succeed. They are momentarily distracted by R.V. who is a man obsessed with protecting nature and wildlife. The friendship seems to be nice until Darren invites them to see the Cirque Du Freak show. After seeing it, Sam wants to join more than ever, and R.V. is suspicious on whether or not the ‘freaks’ are treated right, especially the wolf-man.
Every day, Darren gets weaker from lack of human blood, and he is wasting away. With R.V. and Sam to deal with, Evra and Darren have to watch their step. Tragedy strikes when R.V. thinks the wolf-man is being abused, and he tries to free him. Darren is the only one who sees this, but with minimal strength left, how can he stop R.V. and the wolf-man? Who will suffer for R.V.’s bad choice? Will Darren find another way to survive without drinking human blood?
The Vampire’s Assistant, the second book in the Cirque Du Freak saga, has some violent scenes, but fans of the first book will not be disappointed with Darren’s adventure and his hopes to protect his human blood. Will he succeed? Or will he die from lack of human blood? Recommended for older readers.
User reviews
14 reviews
Overall rating
3.9
Plot
3.9(14)
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Vampires!
Overall rating
5.0
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This installment is a lot more graphic than the first. There was a lot of foreshadowing, but I think it was necessary. This is one of the goriest children's books I've ever read.
Mr. Crepsley decides to return to the Cirque Du Freak. Darren helps out his new friend Evra with his chores and gets to assist Crepsley with his act. Darren meets a young boy named Sam and they become friends. Though in the end, he loses a dear friend because of R.V. and has to drink from him to survive. The main point is Darren trying to come to terms with being a half vampire. Should he not drink human blood and die? Should he live on as a half vampire with Mr. Crepsley?
Mr. Crepsley decides to return to the Cirque Du Freak. Darren helps out his new friend Evra with his chores and gets to assist Crepsley with his act. Darren meets a young boy named Sam and they become friends. Though in the end, he loses a dear friend because of R.V. and has to drink from him to survive. The main point is Darren trying to come to terms with being a half vampire. Should he not drink human blood and die? Should he live on as a half vampire with Mr. Crepsley?
Great!
Overall rating
5.0
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My favorite character is Mr. Tiny. He's extremely demented and always gets his way, no matter what it takes.
My favorite part was the wolfman attacking Darren's friend.
* reviewed by Chance, because he's to lazy to make his own profile.
My favorite part was the wolfman attacking Darren's friend.
* reviewed by Chance, because he's to lazy to make his own profile.
Vampires! yay!
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Sammi
Cirque Du Freak: Great book, vampires, blood, action, AND A CIRCUS OF FREAKS! What more can you ask for?! I love vampires, and i like it that he kept the stories alive that vampires can't go out in sunlight, I also like that he put his own twist on it, half vampires, how cool! If i had to pick being a vampire or half vampire, i would totally choose half vampire they can go out in sunlight and age a little bit faster than normal vampires.
But the reason why i can only give it a four, is because, I don't like the way Darren Shan writes, no offence but he writes like a THIRD GRADER! He ignores most of the rules of writing! And again, not to be mean but I think my sis and I write better than that! but I like the concept of his books. So overall, it is a good book!
The Vampire's Assistant
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by K
I loooooovvvvveeee this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Darren and Mr. Crepsley and snake boy. I am on book eight.
In this book Darren and Mr. Crepsley go meet back up with the Cirque Du Freak. Darren meets some new people and makes new freinds, even some that are not in the circus. For more information read the series. The Vampire Assistant is book 2 out of 12.
I loooooovvvvveeee this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Darren and Mr. Crepsley and snake boy. I am on book eight.
In this book Darren and Mr. Crepsley go meet back up with the Cirque Du Freak. Darren meets some new people and makes new freinds, even some that are not in the circus. For more information read the series. The Vampire Assistant is book 2 out of 12.
i touch u......?
Overall rating
1.0
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Reader reviewed by poo
u smell like poo, and so does Darren he aint kno vampire he a trampenieze
u read me foo, i got u 3 oclock at the play ground be there i will bring snake boy and u can have the bearded lady....ok......she smell like pubes....madem octa has a deadly butthole one sniff and u will die. the olny cure is to eat mister tiny's ballz....good luck.......
u smell like poo, and so does Darren he aint kno vampire he a trampenieze
u read me foo, i got u 3 oclock at the play ground be there i will bring snake boy and u can have the bearded lady....ok......she smell like pubes....madem octa has a deadly butthole one sniff and u will die. the olny cure is to eat mister tiny's ballz....good luck.......
i touch u......?
Overall rating
1.0
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Reader reviewed by poo
u smell like poo, and so does Darren he aint kno vampire he a trampenieze
u read me foo, i got u 3 oclock at the play ground be there i will bring snake boy and u can have the bearded lady....ok......she smell like pubes....madem octa has a deadly butthole one sniff and u will die. the olny cure is to eat mister tiny's ballz....good luck.......
u smell like poo, and so does Darren he aint kno vampire he a trampenieze
u read me foo, i got u 3 oclock at the play ground be there i will bring snake boy and u can have the bearded lady....ok......she smell like pubes....madem octa has a deadly butthole one sniff and u will die. the olny cure is to eat mister tiny's ballz....good luck.......
A Letdown!
Overall rating
2.0
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Reader reviewed by Billy Burgess
In this sequel, Darren is adjusting to his new life as Mr. Crepsleys assistant. They return to the Cirque Du Freak. Darren becomes good friends with Evra, the snake boy.
While traveling with the freak show Darren meets another friend, Sam. Sam wants to leave home and join the Cirque Du Freak. Darren, now a half-vampire, must learn the hard way that he can never have a normal life.
I thought this the 2nd book in the series was boring and a major letdown.
#2
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Sage
In this book Darren becomes Mr. Creepsley's assistant and he travels with the cirque du freak. But on one of their stops he befirends a human and he fears that he could put him in danger. When things go sour in their friendship will the truth come out that he is a vampire?
This was a great book it certanly lived up to the expectations of the first one. It was so good that i finished it in one night. I love this series. It is fast paced and action packed.
In this book Darren becomes Mr. Creepsley's assistant and he travels with the cirque du freak. But on one of their stops he befirends a human and he fears that he could put him in danger. When things go sour in their friendship will the truth come out that he is a vampire?
This was a great book it certanly lived up to the expectations of the first one. It was so good that i finished it in one night. I love this series. It is fast paced and action packed.
Awesome Book
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Greatest Book In The World
This book is the best out there. I want to read the rest of the collection to see if it gets interesting. There is no doubt this book is bad! This is the BEST vampire book. This collection of Cirque Du Freak is the awesome and i recommend this book to vampire lovers.
This book is the best out there. I want to read the rest of the collection to see if it gets interesting. There is no doubt this book is bad! This is the BEST vampire book. This collection of Cirque Du Freak is the awesome and i recommend this book to vampire lovers.
Wonderfully grusome
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Selina
Have you ever wondered what horrors adorned the life of a vampire? This book answers it. Take a trip to the horror life of Darren Shan, a boy whose life was swept up into a world of vampires.
In this book, Darren is traveling with Mr. Cresply and the Cirque Du Freak, for he next show when Darren makes a friend- a bad idea for a boy with an unaverage amount of strength. It had already happend once- he was playinghockey when ... well, it's pretty grusome. Read the book, you horror lovers and see what happens to Darren's unacountable fear.
Have you ever wondered what horrors adorned the life of a vampire? This book answers it. Take a trip to the horror life of Darren Shan, a boy whose life was swept up into a world of vampires.
In this book, Darren is traveling with Mr. Cresply and the Cirque Du Freak, for he next show when Darren makes a friend- a bad idea for a boy with an unaverage amount of strength. It had already happend once- he was playinghockey when ... well, it's pretty grusome. Read the book, you horror lovers and see what happens to Darren's unacountable fear.
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