Promotional Information

Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant, must clear his name and avenge the death of Gavner Purl. Can a half-vampire outwit a Vampire Prince? THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN BOOK 6 Betrayed by Kurda and reeling from the brutal slaying of Gavner, the vampire's assistant, Darren Shan, finds himself branded a traitor and hunted by the vampire clan. Will Darren's failure to complete the Trials mean banishment for Mr Crepsley and execution for himself? Or can Darren return to the home of the damned and exact revenge? But Darren comes to realise that there is more than revenge at stake -- the vampire clan must combat the rise of the Vampaneze Lord, or see his ascension mark the end of thousands of years of vampire rule! 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. The Vampire Prince is his sixth title for children.

Reviews

Cirque Du Freak "!Full of satisfyingly macabre touches which make for a plot full of twists leav[ing] the reader hungry for more." J.K. Rowling 'Brilliant, macabre tale.' Guardian "The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot." The Good Book Guide "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 Vampire Mountain "Get your teeth into it!" Funday Times The Vampire Prince 'A thrilling end to this outstanding trilogy' Waterstone's Books Quarterly

Cirque Du Freak "!Full of satisfyingly macabre touches which make for a plot full of twists leav[ing] the reader hungry for more." J.K. Rowling 'Brilliant, macabre tale.' Guardian "The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot." The Good Book Guide "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 Vampire Mountain "Get your teeth into it!" Funday Times The Vampire Prince 'A thrilling end to this outstanding trilogy' Waterstone's Books Quarterly

Gr 5-8-As this sixth volume in the series opens, Darren Shan is surviving a near drowning and struggling to return to Vampire Mountain in order to warn the others of the secret plan to invite the vampaneze into Vampire Mountain, where they are certain to gain control. The story has numerous plot twists and decent characterization. There is plenty of blood, gore, and suspense. However, this novel doesn't stand on its own. The fantasy setting is consistent throughout the series, but readers have to know what the protagonist has already been through to see why he is motivated to take the risks he does. Strictly for fans of the previous books.-Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.