Reviews - Birth Of A Killer

101 reviews for:

I used to love the Darren Shan Saga, so it's only natural I check out those. It's less of an exciting story, but it's interesting to read in small steps how Larten Crepsley became the vampire we all loved in the Saga. Also, I love the author's depiction of vampires.

ugh1ife's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Probably closer to a 3.5 but I love Larten Crepsley so much that I bumped it up to a 4

awritersthoughts's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Darren Shan and M.D. Spenser are the reason I fell in love with horror books written in this kind of style, they're the reason I found love in supernatural and paranormal stories as a kid. They were my Goosebumps (just better, sorry Stine.) But it had been some years since I read Darren Shan or knew he'd published more for Cirque. I eventually managed to collect all four books of the Larten Saga and it did not disappoint, though I think had I read these when they first came out, I wouldn't have enjoyed them as much as I did now.

julesfray's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cadigana's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

LETS GO LARTEN ORIGIN STORY

jennibooks's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

ohthatkimberley's review against another edition

5.0

a Larten Crepsley fanmix | earthfaye.tumblr.com

“You do not have to be alone. The world never inflicts loneliness upon us. That is something we choose or reject by ourselves.”

After reading four fantasy novels in a row, three of which were heavy on the romance, I started Darren Shan's new series as a palate-cleanser. Larten Crepsley is one of my favourite characters from the Darren Shan original series, and so far this book is typical Shan and a spin-off of his original vampire series.

Shan's Vampires are a breath of fresh air of other romantic interpretations. These are not sparkly or emo vampires living among humans and falling in love with them. They are outcasts of society with an honor code, honed for battle with other vampires, true creatures of the night. Romance is not at the forefront of the books, and the characters are true to themselves throughout.

He is also an expert at building realistic worlds with supernatural elements, and editing down stories to the bare minimum. There are no drawn-out scenes of how the characters get from one place to another, no long descriptions of scenery or people, and yet it is so easy for a reader to picture the world he has built. There is plenty of action, and in such a short book Shan manages to cover decades of Larten's life. Such a refreshing read.

If you are familiar with the original Darren Shan series then you will love this spin-off, as he has honed his writing style to perfection and the series has enough new information to make you experience his vampire-world anew. You get to find out about older characters in their youth from the original series, or get to experience characters who had died. You even get to find out why Larten's hair is orange. If you are not familiar with it, then I would highly recommend you read the original series first or this book will spoil it for you.

I look forward to reading the rest of the 3 books in the series -I have already ordered them!