Vampire Blood
Vampire Blood (also called the Cirque du Freak Trilogy) is the first trilogy in The Saga of Darren Shan by the author Darren Shan. It contains the books Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant and Tunnels of Blood. These starting books explore how Darren must adapt to his new life, and what that entails. The first book contains the reasons why he became a half-vampire and what he had to give up in order to save his ex-best friend. As well as introducing the character, while the second and third go into more detail about how he has to change and what he will never be able to do. The main theme for the whole of the trilogy is insecurity. He has just been changed into something hardly anyone would accept, and throw in the fact that he's just a child leads into a darker and more unusual way to grow up.
The film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is loosely based on this trilogy. Universal Studios bought the rights to Darren Shan and it was directed by Paul Weitz with Chris Massoglia playing the lead role of Darren Shan. The film was released on October 23, 2009.
Plot
In Cirque Du Freak two best friends, Darren Shan, and Steve "Leopard" Leonard go to see the Cirque Du Freak, where amazing events and "freaks" are performing. They see many amazing events and "freaks", along with Larten Crepsley, who has a performing spider as well. Before leaving the show, Steve makes Darren leave, and Steve goes after Mr. Crepsley and tells him he wants to be a vampire, as Steve knows Mr. Crepsley's secret: Crepsley is a vampire and his real name is Vur Horston. Mr. Crepsley unwillingly tastes Steve's blood, but Mr. Crepsley says it's evil blood, and rejects Steve, who promises when he grows up, he'll kill Mr. Crepsley and become a vampire hunter. Darren, who was watching this, unbeknownst to Steve and Mr. Crepsley, tries to avoid Steve from then on, thinking Steve is really evil. A few days later, Darren goes to the Cirque Du Freak, and steals Madam Octa, Mr. Crepsley's performing spider, because of his love for spiders, and also steals a flute that controls Madam Octa. Darren is finally able to control Madam Octa, but if he looses concentration, Madam Octa will not be under Darren's control. When Steve visits, he and Darren play with Madam Octa, who bites Steve when Darren looses concentration by his sister, Annie. Steve is poisoned and sent to the hospital (Darren told only Annie about Madam Octa and that she's poisonous) and the doctors can do nothing. Darren goes to Mr. Crepsley and asks for an antidote, and they make a deal: Darren becomes a half vampire, and Mr. Crepsley gives him the antidote. Mr. Crepsley and Darren give Steve the antidote, and later turns Darren into a half vampire. Darren then tries living with his family, but isn't capable of this, after almost killing Annie; so he goes to live with the Cirque Du Freak; Mr. Crepsley breaks Darren's neck (which does no harm) and throws Darren off Darren's own house. Later, Mr. Crepsley unburies Darren from his coffin (everyone thinks Darren's really dead) and takes him to be The Vampire's Assistant, however before this happens, Steve finds out about Darren being a vampire, and tells him he'll kill "Creepy" Crepsley and Darren, along with all other vampires.
In The Vampire's Assistant Darren Shan and his vampire mentor, Mr. Crepsley, have gone back to the Cirque Du Freak, where Darren makes friends with Evra Von, the snake boy. Later, Darren and Evra meet Sam Grest, and also later meet Reggie Veggie (R.V.) However, Reggie Veggie soon learns that the freak are feeding on animals. Darren tries to tell Mr. Tall, but is always interrupted and soon forgets. However, he finally tells Mr. Tall, and the Cirque moves the location, when Reggie threatens to call the police. A few days later, the Cirque is performing, and Darren, however, is not performing. He goes to investigate, when he hears a noise near the wolfman's cage. Reggie is there trying to free the wolfman, who bites off Reggie's hands, and kills Sam. Mr. Crepsley is able to trick Darren into drinking Sam's blood.
In Tunnels of Blood (set in the month of December), Darren, Evra, and Mr. Crepsley are gone off for the holidays, as Mr. Crepsley is "off on business", while Evra and Darren have fun while he is off; they hardly see him. Darren, later, looks for a Christmas present for Evra when he meets Debbie Hemlock, and the two soon begin dating. Darren and Evra, later, see a news report about dead bodies being found, but dry of blood; they suspect it is Mr. Crepsley and secretly follow him. However, it turns out they were following a Vampaneze (a species that is purple skinned, evil, blood-draining, and counterpart of vampires) named Murlough, who kidnapps Evra. Mr. Crepsley and Darren set off to the sewers, and make a deal with the Vampaneze, Murlough of a trade: Debbie for Evra. Later, they all go to Debbie's house, where Mr. Crepsley kills Murlough, and Darren is invited to Debbie's house for Christmas, where they kiss next to the tree, Darren previously decorated.