Two boys who are best friends visit an illegal freak show, where an encounter with a vampire and a deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices.

"Accompanying his master, Mr. Crepsley, on a trip to the city, half-vampire Darren Shan is ready to enjoy a pleasant holiday away from the Cirque du Freak with his friend Evra. But when he learns of a string of grisly murders whose victims have been drained of blood, Darren begins to suspect that his mentor may be involved. Has Mr. Crepsley crossed the line, or could it be that some creature more fearsome than a vampire haunts the city's streets?"...

In agreeing to undergo the Trials of Initiation in order to restore Mr. Crepsley's honor, Darren may have bitten off more than a half-vampire can chew. Each trial is more taxing than the last, and despite his resolve, Darren simply may not be up to the task! In the depths of Vampire Mountain, through, a threat even deadlier than the Trials is stirring..."--P. [4] of cover.

Darren Shan leaves Vampire Mountain as part of an elite force on a life-and-death mission to find the newly-risen Vampaneze Lord, who is set to lead the vampaneze into war against the vampires.

In a story told in graphic novel format, best friends Darren and Steve visit a mysterious freak show known as the Cirque du Freak, where an encounter with a vampire and a deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices.

When Darren Shan returns home, he is met by old enemies and scores to be settled, and with destiny certain to destroy him, the world seems doomed to fall to the Ruler of the Night.