From the Master of Horror comes the first gripping book in the twelve book New York Times bestselling Saga of Darren Shan. Start the tale from the beginning in the book that inspired the feature film The Vampire's Assistant and petrified devoted fans worldwide.
A young boy named Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a wonderfully gothic freak show featuring weird, frightening half human/half animals who interact terrifyingly with the audience. In the midst of the excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognizes that one of...

Darren was just an ordinary schoolboy until his visit to the Cirque du Freak. Now, as he comes to terms with his new life as a vampire's assistant, he tries desperately to resist the one temptation that sickens him.

When Mr Crepsley is called upon by the Vampire Generals, Darren and the snake-boy, Evra Von, leave the Cirque Du Freak and travel with him to the city. Darren's life as a Vampire's assistant fades into the background - until corpses are found.

Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant, agrees to prove his worthiness to the vampire clan by undertaking a series of trials. Failure means death.

Darren Shan and Mr Crepsley make a long and dangerous trek to the vampires' stronghold in the mountains. It's a test of skill and endurance. Will meeting the Vampire Princes restore Darren's human nature, or turn him further towards the darkness?

Darren Shan, the Vampire Prince, leaves Vampire Mountain on a life or death mission. The road ahead is long and dangerous and lined with the bodies of the damned.

Darren Shan, vampire prince and vampaneze killer, faces his worst nightmare yet - school But homework is the least of Darren's problems. Bodies are piling up, time is running out and the past is catching up with the hunters fast.

Evolution according to Darren Shan: human to half-vampire to Vampire Prince. The war with the vampaneze was just the beginning. Now, Darren Shan's destiny takes an unexpected turn. What shocking discoveries will the Vampire Prince make at the Lake of Souls?

Darren Shan is going home - and his world is going to hell. Old enemies await. Scores must be settled. Destiny looks certain to destroy him, and the world is set to fall to the Ruler of the Night.

Darren has finally got to face his arch enemy, Steve Leopard. But Des Tiny has some surprises in store for them. It seems Darren can't win. If Steve kills him, Steve will become the Lord of the Shadows and wreak havoc on the world. But if Darren is victorious, he will become the evil Lord, and it will be he who destroys the world.