You’ve probably heard of Darren Shan – he’s a popular author, but two of his novels have been turned into Hollywood Blockbusters – “Cirque du Freak” and “The Vampire’s Assistant”. When his latest offering landed on my desk I was pleased to see his next trilogy take us back to before ‘The Vampire’s Assistant’, back to where it all began.

When Larsen Crepsley and his orphaned cousin Vur attend work one fateful day, little did they know it would change their lives forever …

Larsen ends up meeting Seba Nile, a vampire, though not a vampire the way we know them. Seba is a gentlemen, a night creature who drinks blood, but doesn’t kill his ‘meal’. He eats, goes out in the sun and doesn’t turn to dust, and can book a room in a inn like the next human. He offers Larsen an apprenticeship, which he accepts knowing one day he will be ‘blooded’ and become a vampire too.

They meet fantastically named characters, have adventures and that’s where the wonderful Cirque de Freak comes in, as well as Wester. The characters are loveable, the story is fast-paced and full of morals that make you feel respect for those who learn from their experiences.

I love this book! I was hooked from the beginning to the end and the next instalment isn’t out until May 2011, argh! Definitely a recommended read from the fantastic Darren Shan!