Cirque Du Freak #1: A Living Nightmare: Book 1 In The Saga Of Darren Shan

This is a young adult/childrens book; however i feel that even adults will love it. And after reading the first three of this series i am definatley hooked and i usually prefer long big books, it's very rare that you see me reading a youth novel. This series is action packed, humorous and a thrilling adventure, i loved it!!!

Wow, I did not think that this book would turn out as great as it did! I couldn't put it down from the beginning, it was unlike anything I've ever read before. It was hair-raising, goose bumps giving, jaw droppingly awesome! The unexpected twists and turns were great, and it was defiantly one of the best first books to a series that I've read...Shan is a freaking awesome author!!

Darren Shan is the main character, he starts off explaining that it isn't real name, along with his friends, and family's names. He explains the story with false names, which makes the story all that more interesting. Darren loves spiders, soccer and hanging out with his best friend Steve. Ever since he was little he has loved spiders, but when he was young he killed his pet tarantula, and his parents haven't gotten him another since. School is the same for him, boring classes, boring teachers, but a piece of paper changes Darren's regular life. His friend, Alan, found a flyer in that belonged to his brother. It's for The Cirque Du Freak, a show that comes for only a week with acts that will leave you frightened--they are to scary to be true. It is said to be a rumor, and that the show has been around forever. People say that the acts aren't real, and simply fake. But Darren, Steve and their friends Tommy and Alan decide that they want to go, and that they are going to try and get tickets. What seemed like a simple task, turns out differently. You can only buy two tickets which leaves them stumped on who should go. In the end, Steve and Darren end up getting to go. Finally, what Darren has been waiting for is about to happen. They enter, and they are greeted by Mr. Tall, whose name basically describes himself perfectly. They take their seats and the show starts. The flyer stated that there would be a snake boy, a werewolf, the fattest man alive, a bearded lady and more. These things sounded too crazy to be true, but as the night progresses, it turned out to be no lie whatsoever. The act opens with a werewolf that rips the hand off a woman, and ends with the snake boy who's body is covered with scales. Darren and Steve are amazed and totally freaked out at the same time. Steve starts to act weird when he sees the man who controls the giant spider. He insists on staying after the show ends, and he states that he knows who the man really is, and what he really is. This night changes both of their lives forever. Their friendship is put to the test, the plot thickens and The Cirque Du Freak is one show that leaves your life in danger...

This was such an awesome book, and if the first one was this good, then there is no doubt that the next books will be even better! Let's see what happens with Darren in the next book...The Vampire's Assistant!!

5/5
2010-035

I had never heard of this book before, nor have I read it. But to me, Ive read and own all 12 Cirque Du Freak novels, and 9 out of the 10 or so 11 Demonata novels. can someone tell me if this ' A living Nightmare' is part of the Cirque Du Freak series or of something other? If as I have read by all these reviews it is a good book, then I shall order it and read it. But if it is the same as the Cirque Du Freak, just a different title than I shall not read it. But hey I am up for more Darren Shan books, I am already collecting The City Trilogy !

I was needing a book to read and when I picked up this book I wasn' t sure if I'd liked it but as soon as I finished the first chapter I couldn't put it down.