Customer Reviews

Cirque Du Freak #7: Hunters of the Dusk: Book 7 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak: the Saga of Darren Shan)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All the vampires knew that this day was coming. The mysterious Desmond Tiny, who is as hated by the vampires as he is revered, made a prophecy regarding the Vampaneze Lord and a great war. The Vampaneze Lord, leader of the enemies of the vampires, is alive and traveling the world. Now, it's up to Darren Shan, his mentor Larten Crepsley and a Vampire Prince named Vancha March to find the Vampaneze Lord and kill him before he brings about the destruction of all vampires.

Mr. Tiny tells them that they have five chances to rid themselves of the Vampaneze Lord. One passed when the vampires executed one of their Princes, Kurdha Smahlt, for being a traitor. While Mr. Tiny refuses to tell Darren and Mr. Crepsley what the four remaining chances are, he does tell them to "follow their hearts." Following their hearts takes them to the Cirque du Freak by way of the dwelling of sorceress Lady Evanna, who makes a very disturbing prophecy about Darren himself!

While Shan never skimps on adventure or suspense, Darren's voice is stronger and more mature here than it has been in the past. Darren, now an experienced fighter and thinker, handles his responsibilities as a newly initiated vampire prince with thought and care. Shan leaves us in the end with many questions about Darren's future and the war between the vampires and vampaneze, promising an intriguing eighth book.

--- Reviewed by Carlie Webber

I LOVE this book! If you liked the other Cirque du Freak books then you will also love this one. This one is the start of a journey with Darren, Mr. Crepsley, and Harkat (and some others) who go out to find and kill the Vampaneze Lord. READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT MORE! :) I love all the Cirque du Freak books because it seems like Darren Shan needs to write about 20 more to actually finish the whole entire story! This one is just as good as the rest! Totally a must read!

Cirqu Du Freak has shaken my conept of a good book. Two weeks ago I started with book 1, and have read through the entire seires since. I'm a parent of teenagers, both of whom think I've gone crazy to be spending so much time reading Darren Shan. But, I like a good story wherever I find it. shan has created some characters, settings, and situations in this series that keep giving readers what they want--an interesting plot and characters you can't get enough of. I'm sorry I have to wait for September 2004 to read book 8. Man, if I could only write like this, my tame book on bicycle rippers, "Abby and the Bicycle Caper," would be making me rich. Alas, it's back to the word processor for yours truly.

I recieved this book in the mail today and finished it in an hour, this book is very addictive and is great if you've read the whole series i reccomend reading the series.
Kids love it.
Teens love it.
everyone who matters loves it.

As always as I was reading Hunters Of The Dusk I was drawn into the book. I simply couldn't put it down. I recomend this book to anybody who likes seeing the side not shown of thought to be evil creatures. I used two Shan books for book reports an hope to continue using them. Although I find it hard to wait for them to come out!

Darren Shan, once just a vampire's assistant, is now a vampire Prince. As a Prince he is even more concerned about the Vampanese and the coming of the Vampanese Lord. Mister Tiny has brought news that the Vampanese Lord has been identified and who might be able to stop him. Darren and Mr. Crepsley set out on a journey to find and stop the Vampanese Lord before he can cause the fall of all vampires.

We finally see the Cirque Du Freak again and many of its regulars as well as meeting many new and interesting characters. A witch has provided more information for the search party and there is a glimmer of hope. By the end they have fulfilled parts of the prophesies but it is not over yet. More adventures are predicted and there is still a chance of triumph.

I have to say that I am really enjoying this series. The mystery of the Vampanese Lord is intriguing and I am sure I have figured out some of what will happen in future books but I can't be completely sure. Still a good series and still going strong. If you have been reading the previous books, you will be sure to keep going until the end.

Darren Shan does it agian. Yet another awsome addition to the series. For my this tied as my top favorite book in the series. Its packed with action and suprizes. Hardly ever a dull moment. I guess the only complaint I have is having to wait for these books to come out. They are all ready up to book 11 in the UK! If you want my advice, definatly by this book. I will probably read it over and over. A must have if you are a fan of the series.

About the Book:
It has been another six years since we last saw Darren, and the war between the vampires and vampaneze is still going strong. The Vampaneze Lord has not only risen, but is now a half vampire. However, a visit from Mr. Tiny reveals several factors. One: the vampires can still win the war if the Vampaneze Lord is stopped before he is fully blooded. Two: there will only be four chances to do this. Three: this will only occur if three vampires (and only three) try to stop it, and those three are the other vampire prince, Vancha Marsh, Mr. Crepsley, and Darren himself.

Review:
Shan starts off another trilogy in the series, and much like the rest, it is slower paced. However, if you keep in mind that is basically the beginning of a novel, it makes it seem less terrible. Although it will not be my favourite of the series, it was still fairly enjoyable. I especially liked when Mr. Crepsley and Darren returned to the Cirque du Freak. The books always seemed more enjoyable when they take place at the Cirque. Plus, it is nice to see old faces and see how they have progressed through the years. Evanna was also interesting. Although the witch type lady living in the middle of the woods/swamp is overdone, I found myself easily overlooking this dislike because of Evanna's origins. Shrouded in mystery and myth, it is believed Evanna is part wolf and part vampire, something that could have been laughable or worthy of a disheartening sigh. Shan managed to write her story off quite well though.

On the other hand, the one character I really could not stand was Vancha Marsh. Like many other vampires we met, he stupidly runs into danger to defeat his enemies. He even goes so far as to fight the sun. Perhaps Shan was trying to portray him as strong willed, but I simply found him to be a crass and stubborn fool. Besides Vancha, the only other thing I strongly disliked in this book was the purge. This is where the vampire blood tries to take over the human blood in a half vampire. Now, the basic concept I have no qualms with. It was the change that transitioned. In this story, Darren partly goes through the purge, which causes his hair to grow back and an extreme growth spurt to occur so that he looks like an older teen when it's complete. . I really felt like this was just an excuse to age Darren. Although he is still a lot older than he looks after the purge, according to the years based and the rules placed in Shan's world, Darren should only look two years older than when he was initially changed, but thanks to the purge, he know looks another five years older. I'm sorry, but that feels like cheating to me.

Overall though, I still found the book enjoyable, holding familiar faces and new characters, both interesting and irksome, but I felt like it was a book worth reading.

In this book, Darren, Harkat and Mr Crepsly leave Vampire Mountain, by advice from Mr Tiny, in search of the Vampeneze Lord who they learn has been blooded.

I thought that this book was really good - I read it in one sitting - and more lighthearted than the previous book - The Vampire Prince - which I had thought was a bit too depressing. Recomended for fans of the series.

"Hunters of The Dusk" is the seventh novel in the best selling Cirque Du Freak series. Vampire Prince and still just a teenage boy, Darren and Mr.Crepsley are chosen by the frightful Mr. Tiny or so called Mr. Destiny, to trek on a life or death or mission to find and slay the Vampeneze lord before he gets his full powers. They meet strange denizens on the way who fight by there side or watch laugh. Author Darren Shan's vivid detail and original voice will keep you glued to your seats in horror, excitement, and disgustment.
Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak first caught my eye when I heard they were about vampires and "hunters". I like how Darren's writing can post a perfect picture in your mind about what's happening and what's about to happen. Darren's writing has no flaws and his storyline has no flaws as well. "Hunter of the Dusk" is a great novel and Darren Shan is a great author