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sisyphista's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A densely-packed emotional rollercoaster to conclude this ride of a prequel series. So many unexpected origin stories - Shan pulls every thread together effortlessly.
spiritedaway_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dreaming_book_witch's review against another edition
4.0
Well, this one ended with a dark twist. I saw it coming, but it still was dark. This was overall an interesting series of books. I’m glad I got to read them without really waiting between books. The story was stitched together better with all of the books out. It still jumped around a lot, but I like how it all came back together to match the events of the first Cirque du Freak book.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
3.0
Larten has finally found his place in society-being friends with and looking after Alicia and helping to save humans and vampires from the Nazis during WW2. However tragedy, betrayal and Desmond Tiny are lurking to push Larten into starting the war against the Vampaneze.
I really enjoyed this book as it used the backdrop of WW2, which I have studied myself in great detail. I enjoyed seeing how both vampire clans actually have standards and believe the Nazis to be the true monsters. With the addition of Holly's story, you can see the vampaneze aren't just the bad guys we saw them as in the SODS. These books have given you a bit more depth and understanding of their motives and beliefs, which I found interesting.
Larten goes from peaceful to bloodthirsty in this book, determined to take his revenge even if it means starting a war that will kill lots of vampires on both sides. His relationship with Gavner has changed for the better but the disaster pulls them apart, while shared loss and politics brings him closer to Wester. Kurda disapproves of the war and tries to promote peace, which shows why he did those terrible things in SODS. It was great to see his back story, having him helping Holocaust victims, and you wish he was going to make better choices in his future! And don't you just want to kill Desmond Tiny? The horrid cretinous toad of a 'man' creeps me out and I really hate him and his meddling. Of course we are meant to hate the evil bamstick which shows how well written his character is.
The humour was good, especially from Arra, when she was asked to use her saliva to help heal Kurda's humans. 'Show us where to gob!'
But I HATE the title, which when combined with the blurb, leaves it pretty damn obvious who is going to betray Larten and it is then obvious what the betrayer has done. This did spoil the book a bit for me as I didn't want to know from the beginning how this was going to end. You know the fate of most characters because there is a prequel series and that is ok but I didn't want this book's main story spoiled before I even started! Boo, hiss!
Overall I did enjoy reading this series about Larten Crepsley and his vampire friends.
I really enjoyed this book as it used the backdrop of WW2, which I have studied myself in great detail. I enjoyed seeing how both vampire clans actually have standards and believe the Nazis to be the true monsters. With the addition of Holly's story, you can see the vampaneze aren't just the bad guys we saw them as in the SODS. These books have given you a bit more depth and understanding of their motives and beliefs, which I found interesting.
Larten goes from peaceful to bloodthirsty in this book, determined to take his revenge even if it means starting a war that will kill lots of vampires on both sides. His relationship with Gavner has changed for the better but the disaster pulls them apart, while shared loss and politics brings him closer to Wester. Kurda disapproves of the war and tries to promote peace, which shows why he did those terrible things in SODS. It was great to see his back story, having him helping Holocaust victims, and you wish he was going to make better choices in his future! And don't you just want to kill Desmond Tiny? The horrid cretinous toad of a 'man' creeps me out and I really hate him and his meddling. Of course we are meant to hate the evil bamstick which shows how well written his character is.
The humour was good, especially from Arra, when she was asked to use her saliva to help heal Kurda's humans. 'Show us where to gob!'
But I HATE the title, which when combined with the blurb, leaves it pretty damn obvious who is going to betray Larten and it is then obvious what the betrayer has done. This did spoil the book a bit for me as I didn't want to know from the beginning how this was going to end. You know the fate of most characters because there is a prequel series and that is ok but I didn't want this book's main story spoiled before I even started! Boo, hiss!
Overall I did enjoy reading this series about Larten Crepsley and his vampire friends.
jade_courtney's review against another edition
4.0
This was with out a doubt my favourite in the series/saga! I found the others dry in parts but I couldn't stop reading this and sped through it surprisingly quick.
The only bone there is to pick is that it wasn't the best ending in the world. It was just... OK. What I mean by this is that it was the last we would read of Larten and the world of Darren Shan. We didn't want a big bang because by this stage we are far too sentimental but something that sticks with us. But the last page made me excited enough so OK.
If you have read the saga of Darren Shan/ The cirque du freak series then you must read this one!
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Looking back I have discoverd issues with it! I still really like it but the way Darren set out an promoted it annoyed me!
Probably not my favourite looking back but not terrible.
The only bone there is to pick is that it wasn't the best ending in the world. It was just... OK. What I mean by this is that it was the last we would read of Larten and the world of Darren Shan. We didn't want a big bang because by this stage we are far too sentimental but something that sticks with us. But the last page made me excited enough so OK.
If you have read the saga of Darren Shan/ The cirque du freak series then you must read this one!
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Looking back I have discoverd issues with it! I still really like it but the way Darren set out an promoted it annoyed me!
Probably not my favourite looking back but not terrible.
sleeping_dead's review against another edition
1.0
Nearly bored me out of my wits, but at least it had Kurda in it. So glad this mess of a series is over already.
brechtjebooks's review against another edition
5.0
I did not see that betrayal coming like I had high expectations for this book but it lived up to it was wayyy better than I was prepared for. Absolutly a good end to the series and I'm going to read this again sometime LOVED IT
amy_reading_23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
3.75
I enjoyed these books a lot more than I thought I would. I would have given them higher ratings but sadly we only get snapshots into Crepsley's life and I would have preffered it be more fleshed out. But I enjoyed the themes that came up in them - depression, figuring out your path, making mistakes, redemption. There were a few moments that really spoke to me, and overall I had fun reading them.
kevinweitzel44's review against another edition
5.0
i cant even think of what to say. the ending was phenomenal. i bawled my eyes out at that terrifying surprise at the end. but it was so beautiful...it cleared up alot of CDF. wow is all k can say. i love the amazing transition ending. darren shan is a genius.
marla_arguelles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0