Customer Reviews

Vampire Mountain (Cirque Du Freak: the Saga of Darren Shan)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book may not live up to some people expectations after the first three instalments of "the saga of Darren shan", Being from England i have read this book (and all the saga up to book 8...) and, although most people would admit that this ks not exactly a high point for the serise, it is still a good book in its own right, and set up the next two books in the "vimpire mountain" trilogy very well, introduseing new idea and people who will become vital to how the saga pans out. If you read this book over I'm sure you will be surprised that it is not half as bad as you remember! A word of warning however... if you feel this book ends on a cliffhanger, you will not BELIVE the ending to book 5 (trials of death)! it will be a long hard wait between that and book 6 9The vampire prince.) belive me!

The four entry in the Darren Shan series proves to be the most interesting yet the least-action packed of any of the previous novels. Upon reading the first four books in the series it is easy to see why Universal Pictures* has decided to adapt the 12 books into 4 separate movies (each movie chronologically focuses on a book trilogy). The books are interesting, easy to read, and not too childish (as one might perceive from the large font and short page count) - but at the same time they do take a lot of time for things to really start going. It wasn't until the fourth book that any of the mythology has started to come into the play.

The first three novels can easily be summarized as Darren Shan's introduction into the world of Vampire's and later a particular ensemble of creaturesFun. They can easily been seen as a collective story (as they deal with Darren's destruction of his human-life to his naïve acceptance of his vampire life) but they also each have their own distinct manner.

The fourth book is a bit of a departure for that. It seems that the author, now confident with his series and armed with an established world, has finally set out to tell the story he has been itching to get to. The book takes place approximately 8 years after the events of the third book and equally works as a sequel, while keeping a distinct distance from the series epilogue. In this novel the author has confidence in his story and his characters enough to finally delve into his vampire mythology and lore - something he seemed unwilling to do in previous novels.

But this becomes a double edged sword for the novel: it brings the reader to a whole new level within the `Cirque du Freak' world - but so much time is spent in the novel telling the back story that the book suffers from a lack of a plot. There is a beginning and a middle but no real end. There is no climax. There is character growth (a lot of it), but this particular installment finished unfulfilled because the reader is left with more confusion than anything else.

If the reader can get beyond the books lack in plot (this book seems to set the tone that the remainder of the series will stray from self-contained stories into overlapping arc-like structures) they are rewarded with a very rich history, some particularly interesting (both psychologically, biologically and even in view of popular culture) liberties with the vampire. The character's of "Harkart" and the various vampire supporting-cast as well as the mysterious Mr. Tiny are all developed well beyond anything seen in the previous novels. For the first time as a reader I looked beyond the obvious peril and emotion in the book and starting to really care for the characters. Because I have spent more time with them, because they are more fleshed-out, and because his book easily hints at some pretty amazing storytelling in future books.

About the Book:
Six years later (eight years since the initial change), we return to Darren Shan's adventure. This time Crepsley plans on bringing Darren before the Council to see what verdict will be placed due to a child being blooded. Before that though, they have to worry about making their way up the snowy mountain with no help but their own skin (and barefoot). Along the way will prove dangerous, of course, as they run into rabid bears, wolves, and even vampenze!

Review:
Research! As a writer, you need to do research! Shan has been notorious for having flaws in this series so far (for example, in The Vampire's Assistant, Shan describes Evra's snake as slimy). Although this bothered me before, it was always simply a sentence here or there. Yes, it was jarring and brought me out of the story. It caused my suspension of disbelief to snap, and I found it so much worse in this book because it was staring me in the face for a good quarter of it. It was because of this that I actually rated this book three stars instead of four. The issue I have with Shan's lack of research was that a simple Google search could have provided the answer. So what bugged me so much in this book? While trekking to Vampire Mountain, Darren a pack of wolves. First off, they tended to act more like dogs than wolves, such as the male rolling on his back to get his belly rubbed. Granted, wolves and vampires are supposed to get along extremely well in this world. Even though this bugged me, if it was the only issue, I might have been able to ignore it. However, Shan was also constantly calling the wolf pup a cub, and at one point the pup actually manages to climb a tree, but the attacking bear cannot. I'm sorry, but even children know it's a wolf pup and that wolves don't climb trees. I can understand not getting everything right, but these are facts that even kids know.

Other than the obvious lack of research, I found myself enjoying the book. Even though some of the things seemed odd to me (like bat broth), I really appreciated that Shan's vampires are not your typical vampires. We learned early in the series that Shan's vampires actually age, but in Vampire Mountain, we learn more about them as a group. Instead of your typical aristocratic type, Shan's vampires are more "masculine." They are constantly having physical challenges, and their highest leaders are apt to be quite brawny. Shan's vampires actually reminds me of barbarians of sorts, and even though their ways had a familiar feel about them, it was interesting to view their traditions (even if I didn't always agree with them).

Shan also managed to hit me with a good amount of surprises throughout this tale, such as when one of the Little People started talking or when you learn what they are. Shan also continues to let Darren make mistakes and be flawed, which I always appreciate, and Shan's fast paced writing and story telling keeps me more (especially with the cliff hanger he leaves us on). Cirque du Freak is definitely getting more interesting as the story unfolds. It really is a tale of its own caliber, an original piece. I just hope that the rest of the series isn't so poor in its facts so that it can be even more enjoyable and more believable.

"Vampire Mountain" is the fourth book Darren Shan's great series, "Cirque Du Freak." This book startes six years after book four and chronicles the journey of Darren and Mr. Crepsley to Vampire Mountain. The most excitment happens near the end of the book. Since this book is the first of a three part storyline, the TO BE CONTINUED... at the end is the most cliff-hanging ending I've ever read in this series. I can not wait till April of 2003 when the next book will come out.

Vampire Mountain is book #4 in Darren Shan's thrilling, suspenseful and horrifying saga about a half vampire by the name of Darren. In this book, Darren and his master, Mr. Crepsley, make a dangerous trek to the Vampire Mountain. Along the way he encounters new friends, thrilling secrets, and a blood thirsty bear looking to rip him to pieces. Darren Shan is an excellent author, keeping you glued to your seat by throwing in creepy macabre touches. I recommend this book (along with numbers 1 through 3), to anybody looking for an irrisistable read.

Really good book after "Tunnels Of Blood". In this book, Darren, Larten and Harkat make the journey to Vampire Mountain with some obstacles in the way. I think this book is quite a bit more intersting than the first three, just for the fact that you are introduced to a lot more characters in this book, and Darren gets involved in quite a bit of conflicts that makes him prove himself.

Even though this is the shortest book out of the first four, it still has a great evolving storyline, and keeps you entertained throughout the whole thing. The end is also good, because it makes you wan't to pick up book 5 as soon as possible. Great book, recommend this after you've read the first four.

In this book Darren goes to be put in front of the vampire princes. When he has to make the journy to the moutain he comes face to face with a bear and wolves. He has to prove to the princes and his mentor that he can be a vampire and most imporant he has to prove to himself that he can belive in himself.
I personaly love the series. I recomand that u read them in oder startin with "Cirque Du Freak; A living nightmare". It keep me readin till late at night this isn't as action packed as some of them but it has some good parts in it.
The worst part is it leaves u just waitin for the next book.

This book was great! I thought it was wonderful and sets up nicely for the next book in the series!I strongly reccomend that you read the 3 books before this one though!

Cirque Du Freak #4: Vampire Mountain is the fourth in the eagerly anticipated Saga of Darren Shan.
Darren travels with his Vampire mentor, Mr. Crepsley, to Vampire Mountain, where Darren must be proven worthy of being one of the group.
The book doesn't have much action, I feel it is more of a set-up for Book 5. It's still intergal to the plot, so you must read it!

In this book Darren goes to be put in front of the vampire princes. When he has to make the journy to the moutain he comes face to face with a bear and wolves. He has to prove to the princes and his mentor that he can be a vampire and most imporant he has to prove to himself that he can belive in himself.
I personaly love the series. I recomand that u read them in oder startin with "Cirque Du Freak; A living nightmare". It keep me readin till late at night this isn't as action packed as some of them but it has some good parts in it.
The worst part is it leaves u just waitin for the next book so i haven't got the 5th one yet but i would oder it with the 4th one if u have read the first 3!!!!!!God Bless America!<3!!!=D