Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

Since Cirque du Freak is being turned into a movie, I thought it might be a good idea to actually read the book!  I’ve had guys telling me to read this book for at least a couple of years now, so I have to admit that it was long overdue.  I really enjoyed the story, though, and was not nearly as freaked-out/grossed-out as I expected based on some of the things people told me.  The gigantic spider was a bit much for me, but the rest of it was just a fun adventure story.  I’m having a hard time deciding what it’s safe to say without ruining the plot for someone who has not read it, so I will just tell a little bit about the very beginning…

Darren and his friends found a flier for a traveling freak show, and they decided that they had to find a way to get some tickets and go.  In the end, they were only able to get two tickets to the show, but Darren and his buddy Steve were the lucky ones who got to attend the show.  The “freaks” like snake-boy, wolf-man, and the bearded lady were pretty cool, but the performer that really caught Steve’s attention was Larten Crepsley and his giant spider, Madame Octa.  You see, Steve said he had seen that man before — in a book about vampires — and that his real name wasn’t even Crepsley.  When Steve decides to stay after the show to confront “Mr. Crepsley,” Darren ends spying on him to find out why.  And what he sees will change his life forever!

Happy Reading!