Cirque Du Freak #5: Trials of Death: Book 5 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak: the Saga of Darren Shan) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE HUGE CAVERN known as the Hall of Khledon Lurt was almost deserted..." (more)
Key Phrases: most vampires, many vampires, touch sign, Hall of Princes, Vampire Mountain, Aquatic Maze (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

The trials: seventeen ways to die unless the luck of the vampire is with you. Darren Shan must pass five fearsome Trials to prove himself to the vampires clan - or face the stakes of the Hall of Death. But Vampire Mountain holds hidden threats. Sinister, potent forces are gathering in the darkness. In this nightmarish world of bloodshed and betrayal, death may be a blessing...

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316603953
• ISBN-13: 978-0316603959
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,392 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 5 in The Cirque Du Freak Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly good, April 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Trials of Death (Cirque Du Freak: Saga of Darren Shan, #5) (Hardcover)

This book was so far the best of the series. The trials are extremely cool and there is even a traitor at the end of the book. Which leaves a cliffhanger that will make you think for months. If you are to impationt go order the 6th book off of amazon's united kingdom site they have nine cirque du freak books!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harrowing trials - I'm not sure I'd want any part of them, March 17, 2005

By	Jonathan Appleseed - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In my review of Trials of Death, I said that I was concerned with the way things were heading, and hoped that the trials Darren would be faced with would be not of the garden variety. I need to retract that statement.

The tests that Darren undertook were challenging and very well written. And the author did not spare Darren an ounce of respite. Authors *need* to hurt their characters, and this author put Darren through the wringer. These challenges slayed Darren to the bone - burned him, scarred him, and at one point nearly killed him if not for an intervention from an unlikely source.

Because of this, Darren is shamed, and the entire Vampire community is up in arms over what to do. Anyone who does not complete the Trials of Death, or has someone intervene on their behalf is dishonered, and the fate is death. As usual, the book is full of twists and turns, was delightful to read, and had a terrific, terrific cliffhanger.

Also, there was a stunning turn of events that I'm sure left most readers of the book with their jaw on the floor.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this series is one of the best I have ever read., November 15, 2003

By	"rhian5050aka" (central coast, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trials of Death (Cirque Du Freak: Saga of Darren Shan, #5) (Hardcover)

if you want to read the "Cirque Du Freak" books, please start with number 1. if you don't, it is unlikely that you will understand much. these books have a devoted fan base, and you can visit the authors website, (www.darrenshan.com) and look at the beautiful fan art that some kids have drawn. I have read every book in this series up to Trials of Death, and I am trying to get my hands on "the vampire prince". these books really make you want to keep reading, and most of the books end with you wondering what will happen next. and don't let reading level fool you- I am in the eigth grade, 13 years old, and I love these books. these books are written WONDERFULLY, they are full of emotion, action, violence, and gore. some parts are also very very sad, and I almost cried a few times, which is something I am not at all likely to do. but be warned, these books aren't for kids who are scared easily. there is an awful lot of death and graphic violence, which I think is great, but might upset the faint of heart. if you like books about vampires, fantasy, or just want something great to read, buy the first book in this series today! and these books aren't about dracula-style vampires- the creatures in these books are VERY believable. don't expect them to grow fangs or change into bats. from this series, my favorite characters were Evra Von, Darren Shan, and Kurda Smahlt (although he did something... well, read and find out). overall, this entire series is GREAT. please please please read them! each book seems better than the last one! and on a sad note, the author has sold the movie rights. you might think that is great, but I have a horrible feeling that the movie will be rated PG and the characters will be messed up. oh well. READ THESE BOOKS!