FromtheMasterofHorrorcomesthefirstgrippingbookinthetwelvebookNewYorkTimesbestsellingSagaofDarrenShan.StartthetalefromthebeginninginthebookthatinspiredthefeaturefilmTheVampire’sAssistantandpetrifieddevotedfansworldwide.AyoungboynamedDarrenShanandhisbestfriend,Steve,getticketstotheCirqueDuFreak,awonderfullygothicfreakshowfeaturingweird,frighteninghalfhuman/halfanimalswhointeractterrifyinglywiththeaudience.Inthemidstoftheexcitement,trueterrorraisesitsheadwhenSteverecognizesthatoneoftheperformers--Mr.Crepsley--isavampire!Steverremainsaftertheshowfinishestoconfrontthevampire--buthismotivesaresurprising!Intheshadowsofacrumblingtheater,ahorrifiedDarreneavesdropsonhisfriendandthevampire,andiswitnesstoamonstrous,disturbingplea.Asifbydestiny,DarrenispulledtoMr.Crepsleyandwhatfollowsishishorrifyingdescentintothedarkandbloodyworldofvampires.ThisisthebeginningofDarren’sstory.
