The Saga of Darren Shan/Cirque Du Freak By Darren Shan Reading Order
- A Living Nightmare (2001)
- The Vampire’s Assistant (2001)
- Tunnels of Blood (2002)
- Vampire Mountain (2002)
- Trials of Death (2003)
- The Vampire Prince (2003)
- Hunters of the Dusk (2004)
- Allies of the Night (2004)
- Killers of the Dawn (2005)
- Lake of the Souls (2005)
- Lord of the Shadows (2006)
- Sons of Destiny (2006)
The Saga of Larten Crepsley
(The Prequel Series to The Saga of Darren Shan)
- Birth of a Killer (2010)
- Ocean of Blood (2011)
- Palace of the Damned (2011)
- Brothers to the Death (2012)
He says every story has at least some truth in it, even if most are made up.”
― Darren Shan, Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare
An Intro to The Saga of Darren Shan/Cirque Du Freak
Depending where in the world you are hailing from, you may know this book series as one of the two titles above. The Saga of Darren Shan is a series of 12 books broken down into 4 trilogies; Vampire Blood/The Vampire’s Assistant, Vampire Rites, Vampire War and lastly Vampire Destiny. The Saga follows the titular character, Darren Shan, a normal human boy who is coerced by Larten Crepsely, a vampire, into becoming his assistant and a half-vampire.
In each of the trilogies Darren Shan becomes more into his own, coming to accept the fate he is now in and learning more about what it means to be a part of a vampire clan and the role in which he has to play. Ultimately, forced to make some difficult decisions.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on your feelings on the matter of film adaptations), there as only been one film adaptation of the series; Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (2009), starring Chris Massoglia as Darren Shan and John C. Reilly as Crepsley, and directed by Paul Weitz.
Who is Darren Shan
Darren O’Shaughnessy or more commonly known as Darren Shan, is an Irish author, born in London, England in 1972, moved to Limerick, Ireland when he was 6 years old. He brought his first typewriter when he was 14, and got straight to work, writing many short stories, comic scripts and books that he never finished, many of which were never published, or never will be published according to the man himself.
His first success came when he was 15, he was a runner-up in a TV script writing competition for RTÉ in Ireland, with a dark comedy story A Day in the Morgue.
He was able to become a full-time write at the age of 23. His breakthrough came with Ayuamarca, published in 1999, with a sequel published in 2000 titled, Hell’s Horizon. In that same year he released Cirque Du Freak, the first book of The Saga of Darren Shan, which was a huge global success. As of 2021, his books were on sale in 40 countries, in 32 languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide.
The thing about real life is, when you do something stupid, it normally costs you.
― Darren Shan, Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare
The Order
Below you will find more about each of the books in the Chronological order, including the prequel series which will be at the end, known as The Saga of Larten Crepsley.
Vampire Blood/The Vampire’s Assistant
Books 1-3, 1st Trilogy
The first trilogy is all about the lead protagonist learning about and coming to accept his vampirism.
1. A Living Nightmare (2001) 
52,440 Words, 272 pages, 3hrs 30mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.08 out of 5 on Goodreads
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 the performers– Mr. Crepsley– is a vampire!
Stever remains after the show finishes to confront the vampire– but his motives are surprising! In the shadows of a crumbling theater, a horrified Darren eavesdrops on his friend and the vampire, and is witness to a monstrous, disturbing plea. As if by destiny, Darren is pulled to Mr. Crepsley and what follows is his horrifying descent into the dark and bloody world of vampires.
This is the beginning of Darren’s story.
2. The Vampire’s Assistant (2001) 
47,885 Words, 176 pages, 3hrs 15mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.13 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren Shan has been made a half-vampire by Mr Crepsley, but the Cirque Du Freak holds more unpleasant surprises for the vampire’s assistant.
Darren joins the vampire, Mr Crepsley, as his assistant and they return to the Cirque Du Freak. There, Darren makes friends with the snake-boy, Evra Von (who knows what Darren is) and a local boy, Sam, and RV, an eco-warrior and animal lover (who do not). Darren begins to enjoy his life among the Cirque performers as the youngest half-vampire in existence, but he defiantly refuses to drink human blood – the whole idea sickens him – and he tries desperately to cling on to the part of him which is human.
Darren comes face to face with pure evil in the form of Mr Tiny, the leader of the Little People who join the Cirque Du Freak, and who eat anything – including human flesh. When he discovers animal bones, RV frees the wolf-man from his cage – and no-one could possibly guess how truly terrible the whole effect would be.
3. Tunnels of Blood (2002)
44,745 Words, 178 pages, 3hrs to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.14 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren Shan and Evra Von follow a trail of corpses and confront a foul creature of the night. A new enemy or Mr Crepsley?
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. Whilst there, Darren meets Debbie and his life as a Vampire’s Assistant fades into the background – until corpes are found. Corpses drained of blood… Suspicious of Mr Crepsley’s secretive bahaviour, Darren and Evra shadow him across the city and confront a creature of the night who may be the end of them all…
Vampire Rites
Books 3-6, 2nd Trilogy
The second trilogy is about how Darren learns about the vampire clan, and ultimately seeking their acceptance.
1. Vampire Mountain (2002) 
39,720 Words, 178 pages, 2hrs 40mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.16 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren Shan, the vampire’s assistant, is forced to march to Vampire Mountain where he will be judged by the vampire princes.
Darren Shan and Mr Crepsley make a long and dangerous trek to the vampire’s stronghold in the mountains. The trek is a test of skill and endurance – one which sees Darren’s vampire nature develop, and a new understanding of the mysterious blue-robed servants of the sinister Mr Tiny.
Gavner Purl makes a welcome return when he joins Darren and Mr Crepsley, but they face more than the cold on their way to the vampire princes – the vampaneze have been there before them…
Will Darren’s meeting with the Vampire Princes restore his human nature, or turn him further towards the darkness…
2. Trials of Death (2003) 
41,290 Words, 176 pages, 2hrs 45mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.25 out of 5 on Goodreads
Compelled by his loyalty to Mr Crepsley, Darren Shan, the vampire’s assistant, agrees to prove his worthiness to the vampire clan by undertaking a series of trials. Each Trial is set by the Vampire Princes to test agility, cunning and intelligence. Failure means death.
Whilst their attention is focused on Darren, the vampire clan fail to notice that the vampaneze have infiltrated their mountain stronghold. Who is the traitor helping the vampaneze, and will Darren survive the trials to oust the vampire’s greatest foes?
Another atmospheric and terrifying tale from the author of Cirque Du Freak.
3. The Vampire Prince (2003) 
42,860 Words, 176 pages, 2hrs 50mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.23 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren Shan, the vampire’s assistant, must clear his name and avenge the death of Gavner Purl. Can a half-vampire outwit a Vampire Prince?
Betrayed by Kurda and reeling from the brutal slaying of Gavner, the vampire’s assistant, Darren Shan, finds himself branded a traitor and hunted by the vampire clan.
Will Darren’s failure to complete the Trials mean banishment for Mr Crepsley and execution for himself? Or can Darren return to the home of the damned and exact revenge?
But Darren comes to realise that there is more than revenge at stake – the vampire clan must combat the rise of the Vampaneze Lord, or see his ascension mark the end of thousands of years of vampire rule…
Vampire War
Books 7-9, 3rd Trilogy
The third trilogy, you follow Darren as he learns that he may have a larger role to play in the fate of the vampires (and of the world) than he had ever thought.
1. Hunters of the Dusk (2004) 
47,720 Words, 192 pages, 3hrs 15mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.17 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren Shan, Mr Crepsley and Vancha Marsch, are the hunters of the dusk. Their quarry – the Vampaneze Lord. But friends old and new may stand in their way…
It is six years after Darren was made a Vampire Prince and following a grim prophesy made by Mr Tiny, the vampires know the ascension of the Vampaneze Lord is at hand. Mr Tiny warns the vampires that there will be only three opportunities for the Vampaneze Lord to be vanquished and only three vampires who may succeed: Vancha Marsch, Larten Crepsley… and Darren Shan.
Leaving the enclave of Vampire Mountain, Harkat, Darren and Mr Crepsley are shadowed by a creature of the night, do battle with the vampaneze, meet the mysterious Evanna and pay a visit to some old friends at the Cirque Du Freak. But no friend can prevent the bloody trail of bodies – the Vampaneze Lord may be more than a match for the hunters of the dusk.
2. Allies of the Night (2004) 
47,680 Words, 192 pages,3hrs 15mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.19 out of 5 on Goodreads
The quest for the Vampaneze Lord continues for the hunters of the dusk. Darren gets an unwelcome taste of reality when he is forced to go back to school and his past catches up with him.
Maturing at one fifth the rate of a normal human, Darren has the looks of a fifteen year old, even though he is very much older. Vampire Prince and vampaneze killer he may be, but someone has shopped him to the authorities and it’s time for Darren to go back to school.
But school is not the only thing Darren has to come to terms with: faces from the past, the death of a clan member, a clash with a vampire hunter and blood-thirsty vampaneze mean Darren’s past is catching up with him – fast. It’s time for the allies of the night to join forces. The hunt is on…
3. Killers of the Dawn (2005) 
47,650 Words, 192 pages, 3hrs 10mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.22 out of 5 on Goodreads
The allies of the night prepare for the final, deadly confrontation. Darren and Mr Crepsley will get more than they bargained for when they come face to face with the Vampaneze Lord.
The allies of the night prepare for the final, deadly confrontation. Darren and Mr Crepsley will get more than they bargained for when they come face to face with the Vampaneze Lord.
Outnumbered, outsmarted and desperate, the hunters are on the run. Pursued by the vampaneze, vigilante mobs and the police, Darren Shan, the Vampire Prince, is public enemy Number One! With their enemies baying for blood, the vampires prepare for deadly confrontation. Is this the end for Darren and his allies?
Vampire Destiny
Books 10-12, 4th Trilogy
The fourth trilogy Darren is forced to make some difficult decisions, finally taking his destiny into his own hands and dealing with the consequences.
1. The Lake of the Souls (2005) 
58,875 Words, 224 pages, 3hrs 55mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.18 out of 5 on Goodreads
One boy’s terrifying journey from human to half-vampire to Vampire Prince.
“If you step through after Harkat, you might never come back. Is your friend worth such an enormous risk?”
A terrifying new world, a deadly new challenge for Darren Shan, the Vampire Prince.
Darren and Harkat face monstrous obstacles on their desperate quest to the Lake of Souls. Will they survive their savage journey? And what awaits them in the murky waters of the dead? Be careful what you fish for…
2. Lord of the Shadows (2006) 
46,785 Words, 192 pages, 3hrs 10mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.22 out of 5 on Goodreads
Darren’s going home. Back to where everything started. The town’s changed a lot in the years that he’s been away – but then, so has Darren.
Plagued by nightmares of what the future seems to hold, Darren feels uneasy revisiting the place where he was re-born as a child of the night, as though the universe (as though destiny) is plotting to throw something very nasty at him on the streets of his old home.
3. Sons of Destiny (2006) 
49,770 Words, 208 pages, 3hrs 20mins to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.21 out of 5 on Goodreads
Showdown! The Hunters must face Steve Leopard, to fight for control of the night. Will Steve emerge victorious and wipe out the vampire clan? Or will the Hunters prevail? An added problem for Darren is that if the vampire triumphs, he is destined to become the Lord of the Shadows and destroy humanity!!! Is he cursed by fate, or is there some way to trick Destiny?
We all have to do things we don’t like in life.
― Darren Shan, Tunnels of Blood
The Saga of Larten Crepsley
What is Mr. Crepsley’s story before Darren became his assistant?
1. Birth of a Killer (2010)
60,160 Words, 256 pages, 4hrs to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.25 out of 5 on Goodreads
Following the massive success of the Demonata series, Darren Shan is back where it all started telling the life story of the vampire Larten Crepsley. Spanning centuries and continents, taking in sea voyages, murder, war and love, this is the epic, bloodsoaked tale of a vampire who started out a nobody… and ended up changing the world forever.
For every vampire, the end… is just the beginning.
When terrible events force young Larten Crespley to flee his home he finds himself alone in the world. Then he meets the mysterious Seba Nile, who introduces him to the ways of the vampire clan. But will Larten turn his back on humanity and join a world from which there can be no return…?
So begins the blood-soaked tale of a vampire who starts out a nobody … but will change the world forever.
2. Ocean of Blood (2011) 
60,100 Words, 256 pages, 4hrs to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.26 out of 5 on Goodreads
The epic tale of the vampire Larten Crepsley continues. The question is – how far can Larten go… alone?
Free from their mentor Seba Nile, Larten Crepsley and Wester Flack join the Cubs – wild young vampires with little respect for human life, and a taste for mindless enjoyment.
For the Cubs, everything is easy. But nothing has ever been easy for Larten, and soon fate throws his life into another spin. With dark paths to travel, Larten finds himself far from the Vampire Mountain and its rules. A long way from home, sick and alone, he must decide what kind of vampire he will be. Whether he will stand firm, be true to his master and his principles – or whether he will lose himself in blood…
3. Palace of the Damned (2011) 
60,180 Words, 256 pages, 4hrs to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.33 out of 5 on Goodreads
In the third installment in the creepy, captivating Larten Crepsley series, Larten finds out what it means to love… but is he also damned to find out what it means to lose?
Lost in the arctic waste, carrying a baby whose love he could never deserve, Larten faces the darkest time he has ever known.
But hope has a way of shining through even the smallest of cracks, and just as Larten reaches the end, a new beginning presents itself. The trouble is, for Larten, the violence of his youth is never far from the surface… and those he loves are the ones he hurts the most. As Larten experiences heaven and hell, and tries to save the soul of a child, the question is: can he save his own?
4. Brothers to the Death (2012) 
60,220 Words, 256 pages, 4hrs to read
Published by HarperCollins
4.44 out of 5 on Goodreads
The fourth and final installment in the epic saga of Larten Crepsley – vampire, hero and victim of fate…
Just as Larten is finding a new place for himself in vampire society, and helping vampires escape the Nazi menace, horrifying tragedy falls on his own family thanks to the nefarious Vampaneze.
With his old friend Wester calling for war against the ancient enemies of vampires, Larten finds himself a figurehead of the campaign.
But there are more evil things than just the Vampaneze stirring. And soon, Larten might find himself grieving again – as he faces the worst and final betrayal…
Overall
The Saga of Darren Shan, and the prequel book series, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, are fun and enjoyable books that meddle in the world of Vampires. If you are a fan of Vampires and have yet to pick up this series, then… What are you waiting for?
If you have enjoyed any of Darren Shan’s work, or are interested to learn of anymore that he has written, or even any upcoming projects that he has upcoming, then feel free to check out his website.
Which one is your favorite or most looking forward to picking up next?
Let us know!
Happy reading!
Tally Count:
The Saga of Darren Shan:-
- Total words: 567,420 words
- Total pages: 2,356 pages
- Total reading time: 37hrs 50mins
The Saga of Laren Crepsley:-
- Total words: 240,660 words
- Total pages: 1,024 pages
- Total reading time: 16hrs 5mins
Altogether:-
- Total word count: 808,080 words
- Total pages: 3,380 pages
- Total reading time: 53hrs 55mins
Other series in order:
For More of Anything:
Things to Note:
- Word count is an approximation.
- Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
- Time spent reading is generally an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
- This is the original publisher of the books.
- The current Goodreads score at the time of writing.
- For more information on word lengths and what they mean, check out our handy guide here.
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