My Book # 2 for 2009 is Cirque du Freak book 1 by Darren Shan. 
It chronicles the story of Darren Shan, a normal boy, who by a sudden twist of fate, gets an extra ticket to a freak show called Cirque du Freak. He attends the show with his best friend, Steve, not knowing that his life would change forever.
From the circus, he would cross paths with an exotic spider whose bite is so deadly it could kill people, a vampire named Mr. Creepsley and eventually, he would become a half-vampire himself.
The book is quite good, not as scary and dark as I thought it would be, but quite entertaining. I like the way the author had deviated from the vampire myths -- that they are afraid of garlic, they are immortal, and that they are afraid of crosses and holy water. Very unlike Twilight :P
The character of Darren is very strong, at a very young age, he is able to face all the things that life and his decisions throw at him.. very mature.
Since this book is part of the series, it left me wanting more. Only problem is, having 12 books in the series, looking for all the books is a wee bit difficult.
So hence, I am now on the lookout for book 2. But for the meanwhile, I shall have to make do with some of the other books from Mt TBR to be read whilst I look for it in second hand shops.
Over all, I'll give this novel a 3.5/5. It is a very entertaining and light read [well, light for those who have time to read :P ] and is worth your time.
My copy: Mass-market paperback mooched from BM.
Ruby -- it gets darker, I promise!!!
:) Darren Shan's Demonata series is even bloodier and gorier, if you want to level up some more.
hi blooey! :) I've seen the Demonata books in Powerbooks but it's quite expensive for me! :)
I'm still thinking twice of getting book 2 from Powerbooks. A little part of me is hoping I'll find it in a second hand bookstore :P
I already bought book 3 from MBC books, they ran out of book 2, boo :(