The fact that this book concludes the Vampire Rites trilogy (the second of four trilogies in this 12-book series), should not discourage those of us who are captivated by Darren Shan’s (or rather O’Shaughnessy’s) unique twist on vampire lore. He proves himself worthy of being spared the death sentence that hangs over him, yet must face a system of vampire laws which are slow to change and which recognize only one way to cheat a death sentence… a solution that may surprise you as much as it surprises Darren. He experiences the agonizing dilemma between two options in which good and evil seem equally mixed. He sees death, grief, and disabling injury come to people he cares about and respects.

He learns more about how vampire society works, and thinks about how it should change. He faces the fury of battle, an assassination attempt, and a trial for his life. In this dark, violent, dangerous adventure, Darren shows courage, resourcefulness, and the ability to feel compassion toward his enemies. And Darren knows that Kurda already has Vampaneze allies hidden in the mountain, ready to begin carrying out the prophecy that says they will wipe out the vampires. If Darren does not act soon, Kurda will have access to a wonderful stone that enables the Vampire Princes to locate any vampire in the world. Choices like going back to face the music for his disgrace, only to warn the vampires of the danger that lurks within their halls-and doing it before Kurda Smahlt is invested as a Prince, with the power to command absolute obedience. And a vampire he counted on to help him, turns out to be a murderer and a traitor working with those enemy bloodsuckers, the Vampaneze.Īs Darren slowly recovers from his injuries, naked in a winter wilderness and surviving only by the help of a pack of wolves, he faces some tough choices. He has run away from a death sentence, which also carries a death sentence. He has failed the trials that were to decide whether he is to be accepted by the vampire clan or executed. Even after he (barely) survives his tumble out of the mountain, Darren faces odds stacked mightily against him. Purchase hereīook 6 of “The Saga of Darren Shan,” also known in some markets as the Cirque du Freak series, begins where the previous book left young half-vampire Darren-in a damp, dark place deep within Vampire Mountain, hurtling down a subterranean river toward all but certain death.

The vampire prince by darren shan