Reading order · 12 books · 2000 to 2004 · Set in the Cirque du Freak
Cirque du Freak Books in Order
The Saga of Darren Shan, also published as Cirque du Freak, is a twelve-book horror series for young readers about a boy who becomes a half-vampire after a visit to a travelling freak show, and his part in a war between the vampires and their enemies.
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Series facts
- Books
- 12
- Published
- 2000 to 2004
- First book
- Cirque du Freak
- Latest
- Sons of Destiny (2004)
- Setting
- Set in the Cirque du Freak
The reading order
Every Cirque du Freak book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
12 books · Set in the Cirque du Freak
- 1Cirque du Freak2000With Darren ShanDarren Shan, a boy who loves spiders, sneaks with his best friend Steve into a travelling freak show, the Cirque du Freak.Buy on Amazon
- 2The Vampire's Assistant2000With Darren ShanDarren, now a half-vampire, travels with the Cirque du Freak as Mr Crepsley’s assistant, but refuses to drink human blood.Buy on Amazon
- 3Tunnels of Blood2000With Darren ShanDarren and his friend Evra follow Mr Crepsley to a city where bodies drained of blood are turning up, and suspect him.Buy on Amazon
- 4Vampire Mountain2001With Darren ShanDarren and Mr Crepsley make the long journey to Vampire Mountain, where Darren must be presented to the vampire princes.Buy on Amazon
- 5Trials of Death2001With Darren ShanTo prove himself at Vampire Mountain, Darren must face a series of deadly trials.Buy on Amazon
- 6The Vampire Prince2002With Darren ShanHaving failed the Trials of Death, Darren flees Vampire Mountain, and stumbles on a plot that threatens the whole vampire clan.Buy on Amazon
- 7Hunters of the Dusk2002With Darren ShanNow a Vampire Prince, Darren joins Mr Crepsley and Harkat on a quest across the world to find the Vampaneze Lord.Buy on Amazon
- 8Allies of the Night2002With Darren ShanDarren is forced to go back to school, while bodies pile up in the city and his past catches up with the hunters.Buy on Amazon
- 9Killers of the Dawn2003With Darren ShanThe vampires prepare for a deadly battle with the vampaneze, and Darren finds himself branded public enemy number one.Buy on Amazon
- 10The Lake of Souls2003With Darren ShanDarren and Harkat set out for the Lake of Souls to discover who Harkat was in his former life, facing monstrous dangers on the way.Buy on Amazon
- 11Lord of the Shadows2004With Darren ShanDarren returns to his hometown, haunted by nightmares and the human past he left behind.Buy on Amazon
- 12Sons of Destiny2004With Darren ShanIn the final book of the saga, Darren faces his oldest enemy, Steve Leopard, and his own destiny.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read the twelve books in order, starting with Cirque du Freak. The story runs continuously.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Darren Shan | Larten Crepsley | Mr Tiny | Evra Von | Harkat Mulds | Steve Leopard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cirque du Freak | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | MMajor | ||
| 2 The Vampire's Assistant | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ||
| 3 Tunnels of Blood | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor | |
| 4 Vampire Mountain | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | |
| 5 Trials of Death | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | |
| 6 The Vampire Prince | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | |
| 7 Hunters of the Dusk | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | |
| 8 Allies of the Night | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 9 Killers of the Dawn | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 10 The Lake of Souls | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 11 Lord of the Shadows | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 12 Sons of Destiny | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | MMajor | MMajor |
Characters in the Cirque du Freak books
6 characters from Darren Shan’s chart, with the number of Cirque du Freak books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Darren ShanBoy who becomes a half-vampire | 12 | Cirque du Freak 2000 |
| Larten CrepsleyVampire who blooded Darren | 12 | Cirque du Freak 2000 |
| Mr TinySinister meddler | 12 | Cirque du Freak 2000 |
| Evra VonSnake-boy of the Cirque | 11 | The Vampire's Assistant 2000 |
| Harkat MuldsLittle Person | 9 | Vampire Mountain 2001 |
| Steve LeopardDarren's best friend | 7 | Cirque du Freak 2000 |