Vampire Blood (also called the Cirque du Freak trilogy) is the first trilogy in The Saga of Darren Shan by the author Darren Shan. It contains the books Cirque du Freak, The Vampire's Assistant and Tunnels of Blood. These starting books explore how Darren must adapt to his new life, and what that entails. The first book contains the reasons why he became a half-vampire and what he had to give up in order to save his ex-best friend, as well as introducing the character. The second and third go into more detail about how he has to change and what he will never be able to do. The main theme for the whole of the trilogy is insecurity. Darren has just been changed into something hardly anyone would accept, and this, combined with the fact that he is just a child, leads into a darker and more unusual way to grow up. The film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is loosely based on this trilogy. Universal Studios bought the rights to Darren Shan and it was directed by Paul Weitz with Chris Massoglia playing the lead role of Darren Shan. The film was released on October 23, 2009. Synopsis Darren Shan and his best friend, Steve 'Leopard' Leonard, go to see the Cirque Du Freak, of where Steve realizes one of the Cirque's talents, Mr. Crepsley is a vampire. Steve goes and asks Crepsely to blood him so he may become a vampire, but Crepsley refuses. Darren overhears and also steals Madam Octa, Mr. Crepsley's spider, who bites Steve, poisoning him. Darren asks for an antidote in turn to be blooded by Crepsley, who agrees, curing Steve, they flee. Later, Darren is unwillingly blooded by Crepsley and their adventures begin as they set out as the Vampire and the "vampire's assistant." Plot In Cirque Du Freak two best friends, Darren Shan, and Steve "Leopard" Leonard go to see the Cirque Du Freak, an illegal and mysterious freak show. They see many amazing events and "freaks", along with Larten Crepsley, who has a performing spider as well. Steve recognizes Mr. Crepsley as a vampire, and after telling Darren to go home without him, corners Mr. Crepsley and demands he be turned into a vampire in exchange for keeping Mr. Crepsley's identity a secret. Mr. Crepsley unwillingly tastes Steve's blood, but Mr. Crepsley says it's evil blood, and rejects Steve,