The Vampire’s Assistant by Darren Shan is the second book in the Cirque du Freak series, a saga of 12 novels that chronicles the adventures of Darren Shan, a teenage boy who becomes a half-vampire and joins a traveling freak show. The book was first published in 2001 and has been adapted into a film in 2009.
The story picks up where the first book left off, with Darren leaving his family and friends behind to follow Mr. Crepsley, his vampire mentor, to the Cirque du Freak. There, he meets and befriends Evra Von, a boy with snake-like skin, and Sam Grest, a human boy who is fascinated by the freaks. Darren also encounters R.V., an animal rights activist who wants to free the circus animals, and Murlough, a vampaneze, a rival breed of vampires who kill their victims.
Darren struggles to adjust to his new life as a half-vampire, refusing to drink human blood and slowly dying as a result. He also faces the dangers of the vampaneze, who are hunting him down, and the consequences of R.V.’s actions, which put the Cirque du Freak in peril. Darren must decide whether he belongs to the human world or the vampire world, and what sacrifices he is willing to make for his friends.
The Vampire’s Assistant is a fast-paced and thrilling read, full of twists and turns, horror and humor, and memorable characters. Darren Shan’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, and he creates a vivid and believable world of vampires and freaks. The book explores themes such as identity, loyalty, friendship, morality, and destiny, and raises questions about what it means to be human and to be different.
The book is suitable for young adult readers who enjoy fantasy, horror, and adventure genres. It is recommended to read the first book, Cirque du Freak, before reading this one, as it provides the necessary background and context for the story. The book is also part of a larger saga, so readers who want to know the full story of Darren Shan should be prepared to read the rest of the series.
The Vampire’s Assistant is a captivating and entertaining book that will keep readers hooked until the end. It is a great example of how a sequel can be as good as or even better than the original. Fans of Darren Shan and vampire stories will not be disappointed by this book.
READ HERE
The Vampire’s Assistant (Cirque du Freak, #2) by Darren Shan | Goodreads
RELATED
Legend of the Witchtrot Road by E.J Stevens PDF Novel Review
