Review - Cirque Du Freak : The Manga #2 by Darren Shan

Title: Cirque du Freak : The Manga #2
Series: Cirque Du Freak
Author: Darren Shan
Genre: Manga, Fantasy
Publisher: Yen Press
Received: Borrowed from library
Release Date: August 2009
Pages: 192
Rating:


What is it About?
Young Darren Shan deals with being different then other teenagers, he is a vampire and lives with the people of Cirque Du Freak

My Thoughts:

I do not know if the original books have the campiness that the movie and the manga have. This makes it more enjoyable and the images fun. Characters are likable and relate-able. The fact that Darren Shan named the character that is a vampire after himself is just awesome. I knew what was going to happen as I saw the movie and I believe this second book end is where the movie does. Although some parts are left out of the movie. I love the friendship with the fellow Cirque Du Freak characters that Darren has immediately.

I do want to read the original books to see the difference from the mangas. I always got the feeling there was a different feel to them compared. The manga is fun, exciting, and creative.

Website:

Darren Shan Official Site
http://www.darrenshan.com/

Cirque de Freak : Manga #1

Title: Cirque du Freak: The Manga, #1
Series: Cirque du Freak
Author(s): Darren Shan
Genre: Teen, Manga
Publisher: Yen Press
Received:  Borrowed from library
Release Date: June 16, 2009
Finished: March 2010
Pages: 192
Challenges: None
Rating:

 

My Thoughts: Darren Shan and his friend Steve are kids with no fear. Well, at least Steve is, and Darren tries hard to emulate Steve's toughness. Through a twist of fate, they are introduced to a traveling freak show and see things they never thought they would see in their wildest dreams. Suddenly they are thrown into a world of myth and fantasy that breaks even the toughest friendships.

One thing I love about this series is that the author wrote under the name Darren Shan (real name Darren O’Shaughnessy). Using his name as the main character drew me into the story more.  I have not read the books, but I saw the movie based on the first couple books, The Vampire's Assistant, and that was good.  Plus, I've read other book series transformed into manga, and this was the best I have read. The art was well done and the story was not made confusing by the manga-fication. In fact, there was nothing confusing ... well, except for not being used to reading from right to left and back to front.

About the Author: Darren Shan (or, as I mentioned above, Darren O’Shaughnessy) is Irish, but was born in England. He always wanted to be a writer, and has written stories since his teen years. He's written series such as Cirque de Freak and The Demonata, as well as two adult books published in the UK and due in US this year. Check out his website, http://www.darrenshan.com/index.html.