Customer Reviews

Blood Beast -- 2007 publication

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought that Blood Beat was an improvement on Bec, but didn't enjoy it as much as Lord Loss, Demon Thief and Slawter.

This book returns to the character of Grubbs Grady (along with Dervish, Bill-E and Juni). Grubbs has been getting ill and feeling an odd change beginning to occur around a full moon...will he fall prey to his werewolf genes or can Dervish and Juni save him from the curse before it is too late...?

Unlike the first three books in the series, this book is quite slow paced and takes a long time for the actions to begin. However, this is because the next book in the series continues directly after the cliffhanger ending of this one, do it is only really the first half of a book. The first three quarters are quite slow but it really picks up in the last 60 or 70 pages and the last chapter is amazing, its the best chapter from any Darren Shan book ever, its BRILLIANT and totally worth reading through the less-exciting chapters during the first part of the book.

After four thrilling novels featuring Grubbs Grady and his adventures with his crazy but caring uncle, his half-brother, Bill-E, and all the demons and monsters he's had to face (especially the one who took his parents away from him), Grubbs is back.

And this time he discovers that the only monster he has to face is himself.

Grubbs begins to have nightmares, ones with him covered in blood and being attacked by his late sister. But whenever he wakes up, he shrugs them aside, not thinking twice about them, most likely because he just doesn't want to know what they mean.

Aside from his sudden attraction to the moon and the need to howl, Grubbs has other problems on his mind. Like the differences between his new best friend, Loch, and his old good friend, now turned brother, Bill-E. Once Loch entered the picture, Grubbs just doesn't seem to have time for his first true friend and it's killing him inside, ironically. And the horrifying issues that attending school brings just don't make it any better.

Grubbs needs to get his priorities straight, especially the one dealing with him turning into a vicious monster, before it takes over and makes everything much worse.

With this fifth installment of THE DEMONATA series, fans will not be disappointed in this very thrilling, freaky, and funny novel about everyone's favorite character, Grubbs. With an ending that will drive you crazy, we can all say that Darren Shan has done it again!

Reviewed by: Randstostpher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

First off, I have a line of 7 students waiting for this book. The wait will be worth it!!! We're back to Grubbs, which is awesome...and he's enrolled in school, which adds a new dynamic. There are signs that point to the end, but who cares since it's such a fun read? The end is a total cliff-hanger (like always!), but there's no preview for the next book (sadness ensues...) Read, read this book. Darren Shan is the man!

This is the first book in the Demonata series that I didn't particularly like. Darren Shan books are usually characterized by their fast moving plots, their inventive gore and lots of magical fighting.

Blood Beast doesn't have any action until the very end. Most part the story is about Grubbs going through the motions of teenage life, while worrying about not so teenage problems on top of that. He might have the family curse; he might turn into a werewolf.

I didn't like Grubbs's teenage problems. They didn't only seem trivial to me, but quite stupid too. Maybe it's just that I can't identify with them anymore, but I just couldn't stand some thoughts and actions of his. He is in that fase of life where leaving friends behind for other friends is totally acceptable, where you let your so-called "friends" hurt other people without speaking up for the victim. I think that's an ugly time. It might be consistent with how teenagers act like and think like at that age, but somehow I feel uncomfortable for seeing it justified.

Blood Beast felt like an in-between book, not a legit part of the series. There was just a lot of prepping you for the next book, setting up a bunch of plotlines, coming together in a massive cliffhanger. Worst thing was, I saw the massive "surprise" of the book coming from miles away. I know that even though I might expect it, there has to be more explanation for those who don't.

Overall this book felt empty for me. There was no character growth, no major plot points other than one I was already expecting, and no action until the very end of the book. I am hoping the next book will be more like the other books in the series.

this book is bareable to read if you are a demonata fan, but a good portion of it was very boring. The first 100 pages of it took me a week to get through, speaking from a guy that usually finishes a demonata book in 2 days. The first 100 pages is all about a stupid party that grubbs has, and a normal life. This can be humorous at times, ut other than that its downright boring and bland. pages 100 to 150 gets a little bit better, this part is all about a cave that they go into and it is described very well. That is all i'm going to say about that part, because i dont want to spoil anything for people that haven't read it yet. the last fifty pages or so is pretty good, almost as good as any other demonata book. This part is full of twists, turns and hecticy. that is all i'm going to say about this part. but believe me, after reading this book you will want to order book 6 and 7 as soon as you can.

5th book of 10 in the Demonata Series from Darren Shan - I personally have not read any of this series. My son started out with the Cirque Du Freak Books (12 total) and went on to this series. He enjoyed reading and enjoys having the entire series. He started reading them around 6th grade and continued on thru high school.

This was a gift. I know that the reader greatly appreciated getting another book in the series. Other than that, I cannot offer much in the way of a review.

Book 2 and Book 4 are different stories all together and contribute to the overall storyline. However grubbs is basically the main character of the series so far. With a more then disappointing third book he returns back in this one MUCH better.

This time we have a actual story that is interesting. We meet Grubb's friends in school and make us actually care about most of them. It goes to a lighter note on the first half but by the second half of the book it begins to get dark again. Once again the demonata series has succeed in pacing and once the big turn happens, all hell breaks lose. The ending is one of the darkest in the series and leaves you with more "What happens next!?"

Overall it's on par with the first book and keeps you interested but most of all has character you actually care for again. If only it reached the level of book 2 or 4 it would be perfect.

This was a REALLY good book! The story-line wasn't as good as the others, but it was very twisty and well-written, one of the best in the series (and that's saying a lot!)

All of Darren Shans books are amazing, and this ones just as fun as the other ones in the Demonata series!