Very interesting and very strange. Is young adult horror memoirs a genre? If so, this is it. Easy to read and get in to, its tough to say where the storyline will go in the next one, but this one was enjoyable.

A strong start to the series!

Wow, what a fun and gripping read. With plenty of gore and a fair amount of scares to keep readers hooked straight from the first chapter.

Predominantly amid at young teens, but with the story focusing on a carnival of monsters setting there's enough here for readers of any age.

There's also a great traditional horror monster who will appeal to most!

3.5 ⭐

خب، تونستم از دارِن شان هم بخونم و از این بابت خوشح��لم.
سیرک عجایب اولین جلد از مجموعه ۱۲ جلدی حماسه‌ی دارِن شان که توی ایران با عنوان "قصه‌های سرزمین اشباح" شهرت داره هستش و این مجموعه درواقع از ۴ سه گانه تشکیل می‌شه.

فانتزی دارِن شان از نوع شهریه. ترکیبی از ژانر وحشت و فانتزی.
پیش‌تر با داستان‌هایی خون آشام محور مثل گرگ و میش آشنایی داشتم اما به هیچ وجه عنصر وحشت و ترس در اون مدل آثار احساس نمی‌شه چون تمرکز اصلیشون روی رومنسه. قلم دارِن شان فرق داره و عنصر ترس یکی از ویژگی های سبکشه. اینجا با داستان‌های خون آشامی کلیشه ای طرف نیستیم. بلکه عنصر ماورایی و ارواح ارجیحت داره. مشخصه که دارِن شان برای یک مجموعه بزرگ تدارک دیده و یک جلد کامل رو فقط به این اختصاص داد که شخصیت چطور از زندگی ساده و معمولی خودش وارد زندگی تازه ای به عنوان یک نیمه شبح یا شاید بعدها یک شبح کامل شد.

شاید مهم ترین نکته‌ی مثبت سیرک عجایب همین بود. اینکه نویسنده با حوصله جلو می‌ره و نیازی ندونسته سریع خواننده رو وارد بخش های اصلی و مهم داستان بکنه. ما زندگی معمولی یک نوجوون رو دنبال می‌کنیم و داستان آروم آروم جدی تر می‌شه و به نقطه‌ای می‌رسه که شاید توی نگاه اول نمی‌شد پیش بینیش کرد. واقعیتش اول که خوندم تا ۷۰ صفحه‌ی اول و ماجراهای سیرک عجایب، خیال می‌کردم قراره یک داستان اسلشری مثل سریال اسکویید گیمز رو تجربه کنم، جایی که شخصیت‌هایی وارد یک مکان می‌شن و بعد برای زنده موندن باید تلاش کنن اما از این خبرا نبود و نویسنده خواب‌های دیگه ای برای داستانش داشت و می‌تونم بگم این جلد فقط یک شروع بود برای ورود به مجموعه.
به همین خاطر احتمالا امتیاز کمتری نسبت به جلدهای بعدی داشته از سمت خواننده‌ها اما به نظرم دارِن شان شیوه‌ی به شدت خوبی رو پیش گرفت و اینکه یک جلد زحمت کشید تا شخصیت، برنامه و جهت داستان رو معرفی کنه واقعا در نوع خودش حرکت خیلی خوبیه و کار ساده ای هم نیست.

Upon rereading in 2018, I give the first one 4 stars.
It reads as more middle grade and is slow paced at first, but after the second half, oh boy! The pace really picks up and my excitement to continue the series grew. That ending really hit hard as an "adult" now much more than it did as a kid when death meant little to me. Way to keep the reader hooked!

Es war jetzt echt nicht so meins..

so everyone’s on board with the “Darren is gay for Steve but Steve is a homophobic gay and that’s why he swore to become a vampire slayer” subtext right

Cirque Du Freak #1: A Living Nightmare
Darren Shan
183 Pages
HaperCollins Publishers
UK £4.99
ISBN: 0-00-675416-3
tA Living Nightmare will bring a chilling sensation right after you read the book told by the gruesome-styled author Darren Shan who is also the protagonist of the story. This book one of the series does not only demonstrate the ordinary school boy with a normal life but extended beyond to vampirism and his break of friendship by misunderstandings. The protagonists and the antagonists of this book really stoned the moments that reveals the bonds and connections in a certain degree. As simple as an invitation ticket can lead to the extraordinary problems in which the characters must sustain and cope upon. It may deal with blood but its well worth it. As Darren stated, “If I ever get the chance to betray you, I will. If the opportunity arises to pay you back, I’ll take it. You’ll never be able to trust me.” The addictive and tingling page-turner will take fear to the next level for readers.
tDarren Shan, known as the protagonist of the story, started off having a normal life with friends, family, and school. As the story goes on the Cirque Du Freak, known as Circus of Freaks, came to town. They were not ordinary people, matter of fact they may not even be humane. When Darren and his friends discovered the ticket to enter, with a price, they must figure out who will go. At night you are greeted by freaks who will entice you to enter but also scare your brains out. A vampire by the name of Mr. Crepsley will impact both Darren and Steve’s lives. Just know that in the vampire hood you are no longer ordinary…and BLOOD is what you must deal with.
tThe horror forged within this book will tell you a story long to remember and fear. I enjoy how this book displays the smooth approach into the story which is very addictive yet scary. I always luxuriate the author’s writing style with revolving themes and the format because it always tells the reader that “you got to read on or you will miss the adventure!” You may think that horror may not be your type of genre but there’s always this sweet yet deadly flavor that will enhance the thoughts you’ve stirred when reading. I truly recommend this momentum book for horror freaks and whoever that feels curious. And remember to enjoy the fascinating front cover illustration!
tThe author Darren Shan does not only write a book. He does not only create a story that reveals a story behind it. There’s always this connection between the title, story, and illustration. In his amazing and compelling story he brings the show ALIVE! Darren will face the unimaginable. Blood, vampire, freaks, and even a taste of death!
t
t

“Real life's nasty. It’s cruel. It doesn’t care about heroes and happy endings and the way things should be. In real life, bad things happen. People die. Fights are lost. Evil often wins. I just wanted to make that clear before I began.”

The above quote is part of the introduction to this book, and no matter how many times I read it, the introduction always grips me.

The saga of Darren Shan is a series I will always come back to. My books are worn from love and rereads.

If you like thriller, fantasy and horror but don’t want to be kept up all night from fear then I recommend this saga. Despite the fact that they’re horror I don’t find the story frightening, (book 1 at least) perhaps it’s because I read them young and have grown up loving them. I’m not sure, but they are written beautifully. Darren has a way of making me feel like I’m there experiencing the story alongside him.

I’m so glad to be back in this story. I cannot wait to continue my rereads and to experience once again Darren’s transition from being a regular kid to becoming something so much more.

Fate sure does have a lot in store for Darren Shan, and it all started with a Freak Show.

“I’d always rather the truth – however unpleasant it might be – than a lie. You know where you stand with the truth.”

The Gist

Darren Shan and his best friend Steve get tickets to see the Cirque Du Freak (a freak show). After the show Steve recognizes one of the performers as a vampire and when Steve confronts the vampire at the end of the show Darren learns some interesting information about his friend. Later when Darren and Steve get into some trouble and Steve’s life is on the line Mr. Crepsley offers to help but only if Darren will become his assistant. Darren has to then choose between saving his best friends life and leaving his family and friends forever to become a creature of the night.

What We Think

Reviewed by The North Star

I actually found out about the cirque du freak series when I went to the movies and saw a trailer for the movie. The movie looked interesting so I went and got the book (I always read the book before seeing the movie). I couldn’t put this book down and luckily i had bought the first three books because I read the first two books in a day. These books were really really interesting and a whole lot better than the twilight books (which I do like so…). The writing in this book in phenomenal. Darren Shan really makes you think because I have never read a book where the name of the main character is the name of the author(besides in non-fiction books). I thought that was really cool. This book is not like the other vampire books because although some of the main characters are vampires it is not at all anything like Stephenie Meyer’s vampires. These vampires are way more awesome and just a hot. The other thing I really liked about this book/series was all the twists and turns it takes. When my friend and I were reading it at the same time she even fell for some of the tricks that he planted in there and she never falls for those things. Even when your expecting something to happen something else happens it’s crazy you always have to expect the unexpected. The other great thing about this book is that it’s not just a girl book anybody can read it. Darren Shan has such fantastic writing any gender can read it because it is not leaning towards one or the other.

Real Teen Rating~ A+: Why are you still reading this go buy the book NOW!

Reviewed by Dream Catcher

I love this book. It’s really good. But, I have to disagree with the North Star. Darren Shan’s writing isn’t phenomenal. It’s average. There’s nothing wrong with average writing of course, especially if it’s backed up with a good plot line and unique ideas. Personally, I don’t think it was the best book I’ve ever read, or the best writing I’ve ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, I love this book, and it’s series, but it’s just not my favorite. I’m not a fan of a lot of exclamation points when it comes to writing. Put too many in and the story begins to sound childish. Unfortunately, this book had a few too many exclamation points for my taste, but that’s just my opinion. On a happier note, I love the characters in this story. You get attached to them and feel what their going through with them. They made you interested in reading the second in the series, and then the third, and then the fourth. All in all, a very good series, definitely worth reading.

Real Teen Rating~ A: Go Buy Now.

This is NOT a fluffy-happy-cloud middle school book

Darren Shan and his three best friends manage to score two tickets to the Cirque du Freak - a one-night-only freak circus that promises hair-raising terror and blood-curdling sights. Through a bit of luck (n  or was it fate?n) both Darren and Steve are chosen to attend. The circus certainly lives up to its name - Hans Hands, Remus Two-Bellies and the Snakeboy were all absolutely magnificent.

And then...there was the trained spider. The most amazing spider in the world and there was just one, all-consuming thought to run through Darren's head, I must have her. Only the spider belongs to a vampire - but surely that couldn't be a real vampire? Right? Besides, Darren was so careful that there is no way anyone would ever found out that he was the one who took her, right?

I'm still reeling a bit that n  thisn was published and marketed to kids?? Our world feels so PG nowadays that this book stands out like a big bloody banner. Darren Shan deals issues that I would never have expected - death and dismemberment for example - to see in a children's book. Quite satisfying to read about the violence without the scene fading to black (for once!).

Be prepared - this is essentially an all-male cast of characters. So, there's no side love story with the main guy making puppy eyes and waxing poetic about his feelings. This is all glorious action and adventure. (thank goodness - I've read too many books with romance shoe-horned in to "keep the girls interested" - us girls are perfectly capable of enjoying a story sans love subplot, thankyouverymuch).

This was an excellent start to the series. A little bit of creepy, a little bit of skulking around, and a lot of fun, quirky characters are introduced in the first novel. Overall - I'm ready and raring to go for the next one - bring it on!


P.s. If you read the books, I'd recommend waiting at least 2-3 years prior to watching the movie. That way you'd forget enough so you won't say, "but that wasn't in the books," on repeat.

Audiobook Comments
Read by Ralph Lister - pretty good job!

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I recommend the audio of this series. The narrator does an excellent job of milking the gothic aspects.

Finished it in one sitting. It had a shallow plot, something obviously meant for children or teens younger than 18.

I have to press the issue again regarding books that really not scary but they are considered as horror. This book didn't scare me at all, but like I said, it was meant for children- young adult, although I have to say anyone who is over 13 wouldn't consider this horror. Not even the part where the "freaks" were described could be considered scary. It had a very predictable plot but I don't know why I finished it in one sitting. Regardless of the shallow plot it still made me wonder what could happen next now that  Darren has been turned into a vampire  

I would recommend this to the younger audience, or someone who really wants a fast read that would neither leave you with satisfaction nor hate. I decided to give it 2 stars. The book was just okay for me, but maybe I should've read this years ago, because my genre preference has obviously changed.