Cirque du Freak volume 5
Story: Darren Shan
Art: Takahiro Arai
Rating: Teen
From its origins as a series of novels to its meteoric rise as a burgeoning, Cirque du Freak once again looks to be transitioning into another form of media, primarily manga.
Released in Japan with artwork by Takahiro Arai, follows the trials of Darren Shan, interestingly sharing the name of the book’s author. After finding himself blackmailed into becoming a half-vampire, he leaves behind his normal life to instead focus on becoming accepted by his new found brethren.
Volume 5 gives us a look into the trials Darren must take in order to prove his worth as a vampire. If successful, he will have attained admiration and honor amongst his peers. However, if he should fail, it would likely mean death.
The series of trials he must face are arduous ones, as he must find his way through a maze while blind folded as well as tied to a boulder, to having to crawl along a cavern of filled to the brim with spike like rocks, to risking being set on fire in a room that spits flame from all directions. The fourth trial is a bit more difficult as he must then contend with two giant boars looking for blood. Unfortunately, in the middle of combat he finally succumbs to his wound, forcing a surprise rescue and the audience screaming for his blood.
The story transitions quite well into graphic fiction and is tailor made for the shonen genre of manga. The artwork is energetic and the characters themselves are charmingly designed and developed.
Cirque du Freak is an enjoyable read and sure to attract a new audience to the world of manga. Fans and newcomers alike are sure to find themselves entertained as this is yet another successful jaunt for the franchise.
Cirque du Freak volume 5 - B
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