PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Born in London in 1972, Darren O'Shaughnessy [writing as Darren Shan] moved to Limerick with his parents and younger brother. Returned to London to study Sociology and English then worked for a TV cable company. His first adult novel Ayuamarca has been published by Orion and his writing has been likened to Clive Barker and Iain Banks. He is now a full-time writer of TV scripts and novels. Cirque du Freak is his first title for children.
In this next instalment of the gripping 'Saga of Darren Shan', Darren, who is now a half-vampire, starts his life without enthusiasm. He and his vampire mentor, Mr Crepsley, return to the Cirque Du Freak where Darren makes friends with Evra Von, the snake boy and a bright but verbose local boy, Sam Guest. At the Cirque we meet the Little People, dwarfs that smell awful and keep their faces hidden beneath long blue robes. Mysterious as they are, one thing is certain - it takes more than a salad to satisfy their voracious appetites. However, cannibalism is the least of Darren's worries. A friendly eco-warrior called RV (Reggie Veggie) is concerned about the Wolfman's welfare and pits himself against the Cirque, with disastrous consequences. In the midst of such high drama, things are getting desperate for Darren. He is growing weaker and faces death, unless he can swallow his revulsion and drink human blood. The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot. Young readers also become emotionally entangled as Mr Crepsley regrets making Darren a half-vampire. No doubt shadowy figures in bedroom doorways round the world will be telling their pre-teens to put this book down and get some sleep. Be warned: they will disobey. They are creatures of the night, compelled to glide through Shan's nocturnal world by torchlight under the covers. (Kirkus UK)
