Promotional Information

Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant is forced to march to Vampire Mountain where he will be judged by the vampire princes. THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN BOOK 4 Darren Shan and Mr Crepsley make a long and dangerous trek to the vampire's stronghold in the mountains. The trek is a test of skill and endurance -- one which sees Darren's vampire nature develop, and a new understanding of the mysterious blue-robed servants of the sinister Mr Tiny. Gavner Purl makes a welcome return when he joins Darren and Mr Crepsley, but they face more than the cold on their way to the vampire princes -- the vampaneze have been there before them! Will Darren's meeting with the Vampire Princes restore is human nature, or turn him further towards the darkness! Key title / The worldwide bestselling series relaunched and ready to be loved by a whole new generation of Shansters! / Cirque Du Freak - the movie from Universal Pictures is due in cinemas in February 2009!! Directed by Paul Weitz (About a Boy, American Pie, In Good Company), starring Salma Heyek and John C Reilly - it's guaranteed to attract new readers to Darren's books / The Saga of Darren Shan 12 book series has sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone and is published all over the world / Supported by a large scale marketing & PR campaign to include bespoke Darren Shan dumpbin in all high street retailers and massive online PR/viral campaign to recruit new readers / Competition: Paul Stewart

About the Author

Born in London in 1972, Darren O'Shaughnessy [writing as Darren Shan] moved to Limerick with his parents and younger brother. Darren returned to London to study Sociology and English then worked for a TV cable company. His first adult novel Ayumarca has been published by Orion and his writing has been likened to Clive Barker and Iain Banks. He is now a full-time writer of TV scripts and novels. Vampire Mountain is his fourth title for children.

Reviews

Cirque Du Freak "!fast-paced and compelling book which leaves the reader hungry for more." JK Rowling 'Brilliant, macabre tale.' Guardian "I read Cirque Du Freak last week. I loved it. I love the way you manage to juggle the funny with the unpleasant, the affection with the hurt. It's great story-telling." Roddy Doyle The Vampire's Assistant "The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot." The Good Book Guide Vampire Mountain "Get your teeth into it!" Funday Times

Cirque Du Freak "!fast-paced and compelling book which leaves the reader hungry for more." JK Rowling 'Brilliant, macabre tale.' Guardian "I read Cirque Du Freak last week. I loved it. I love the way you manage to juggle the funny with the unpleasant, the affection with the hurt. It's great story-telling." Roddy Doyle The Vampire's Assistant "The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot." The Good Book Guide Vampire Mountain "Get your teeth into it!" Funday Times

Gr 4-7-This is the fifth novel in the continuing saga of the youthful half-vampire assistant to Larten Crepsley, a full vampire. Crepsley has brought Darren to Vampire Mountain to undergo the Trials of Death, an elective ritual periodically undergone by vampires in order to bond with the clan and prove their worth. As a half-vampire, Darren is in more danger of failing the trials than the others who usually participate, but he is determined to go ahead. The penalty for failing without dying is execution. In the background a new conflict looms, involving the vampaneze, purple-skinned killers who resemble vampires but who are nothing like the beings whom Darren has come to respect and admire. When it appears that he will not survive the trials, his vampire friends urge him to escape. Escorting him out through the mountain's underground tunnels, they run smack into an incoming vampaneze invasion. In the final pages, the plot and action finally pick up to fever pace as Darren is caught between invaders, defenders, and possibly a traitor in the ranks of the faithful. Characters are mostly one-dimensional, and the plot plods along until the final conflict heats up the action. Although the story stands on its own, there isn't much reason to read this one aside from following the series.-Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.