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hjgatsby's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
modkuraika's review against another edition
4.0
I distinctly remember checking this out from my school library, going home, reading it all in one sitting, and returning it the next day, much to the surprise of the librarian. There's nothing wrong with a little frightful storytelling, to get a kid's blood pumping, especially one like me back then.
youreadtoomuch's review against another edition
3.0
What is drawing me to this series? The subversion of common vampire lore? he fact that Darren's age is still a mystery except he's still a child? The way I devoured this book to know how it ends is astonishing given it's not a difficult book but still, it's doing something right.
Darren is refusing to drink human blood to preserve the half of him that is still human while attempting to starve his vampire half. Of course, this means death to all of him but it might be worth it to him. He realizes as a half-vampire he'll never truly have a friend again so Mr. Crepsley takes him to the Cirque du Freak where he meets Evra, the snake boy, and Sam a human that is just curious about them. Unfortunately, Darren learns the hard way that his life will always lead up to danger for those he cares about.
Darren is refusing to drink human blood to preserve the half of him that is still human while attempting to starve his vampire half. Of course, this means death to all of him but it might be worth it to him. He realizes as a half-vampire he'll never truly have a friend again so Mr. Crepsley takes him to the Cirque du Freak where he meets Evra, the snake boy, and Sam a human that is just curious about them. Unfortunately, Darren learns the hard way that his life will always lead up to danger for those he cares about.
faemorgan's review against another edition
3.0
I remember watching the movie adaption of this and it is, I think, if memory serves 100% different to said movie.
There were certain s parts were I found myself bored and not wanting to pick it up, but the ending was definitely more enjoyable. Can Mr Crepsley blame Darren for not wanting to drink blood though? He's a bloody kid!
Do want to revisit the movie now.
There were certain s parts were I found myself bored and not wanting to pick it up, but the ending was definitely more enjoyable. Can Mr Crepsley blame Darren for not wanting to drink blood though? He's a bloody kid!
Do want to revisit the movie now.
mechplaysgames's review against another edition
4.0
Great continuation of the Cirque Du Freak Saga. I love the character development in this book and there is a lot of it. Introduction to some new characters creates opportunities for new plot developments. This book leaves me wanting more, onto book 3.
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
3.0
If I had read the books and then gone to see the movie, I would have been very disappointed that Sam never made it to the big screen and that he was replaced by a monkey girl that so far, does not exist in canon (mind you, I'm only 2 books in).
What I liked about this book: The story picks up right where [Book: A Living Nightmare] left off. While I'm still a bit miffed about a few editorial misgivings in the book, these didn't keep me from reading, which is always a good thing.
As Darren struggles with his humanity and losing his childhood in the process, he's faced with more blood and gore and a tragedy that forever changes him. I like that death is not masked at all in these books and when the proverbialcrap blood hits the fan, it's done in vivid technicolor and [a:Darren Shan|5816|Darren Shan|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1192947698p2/5816.jpg] spares no one from it!
The story is definitely keeping me intrigued. Hopefully it does so for the full dozen.
Summary: 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.
What I liked about this book: The story picks up right where [Book: A Living Nightmare] left off. While I'm still a bit miffed about a few editorial misgivings in the book, these didn't keep me from reading, which is always a good thing.
As Darren struggles with his humanity and losing his childhood in the process, he's faced with more blood and gore and a tragedy that forever changes him. I like that death is not masked at all in these books and when the proverbial
The story is definitely keeping me intrigued. Hopefully it does so for the full dozen.
chemical_makeup's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Didnt have as much fun with this one as the first one but I can’t wait to continue
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, and Animal death
toriedawn1's review against another edition
4.0
this book is about 4.4 stars, I really enjoyed it, a little repetitive at times but it is aimed at a younger audience than me. I liked getting to know the people at the Cirque and seeing Darrens character develop while not altering his character too greatly