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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very interesting read.
At the star I was wary of this story. For the first chapters I didn't liked it, but later it pulled me in. Hardly could stop myself from reading it, but work couldn't wait.
At the star I was wary of this story. For the first chapters I didn't liked it, but later it pulled me in. Hardly could stop myself from reading it, but work couldn't wait.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Blood, Murder
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
This was a brilliant prequel to The Saga of Darren Shan. Set in a different time period but with familiar characters such as Seba and Mr Tall, and a great mix of new characters. The vampaneze are introduced already and the novel brilliantly complements our previous knowledge of the Darren Shan universe.
These used to be one of mt favorite books when I was a child. I reread this book, barely remembering a thing about it, and I still loved. It still shocked me at times. It's so easy to read and very addictive.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Having finished reading this series, I assure you that if I could go back in time and unread it, I would.
While Mr. Crepsley is a character full of strength, courage and will in the “Cirque du Freak” series, here he is portrayed as nothing more than Destiny’s puppet, nothing more than a simple tool in somebody else’s plan. Someone who choosed the wrong thing when he had the power to change his future and who now has a future that no longer belongs to him.
In short, the incredible character he once was is completely destroyed.
I believe this series was unnecessary and I wouldn’t recommend it even if you’re a fan of “Cirque du Freak”.
In fact, especially if you’re a fan of “Cirque du Freak”.
While Mr. Crepsley is a character full of strength, courage and will in the “Cirque du Freak” series, here he is portrayed as nothing more than Destiny’s puppet, nothing more than a simple tool in somebody else’s plan. Someone who choosed the wrong thing when he had the power to change his future and who now has a future that no longer belongs to him.
In short, the incredible character he once was is completely destroyed.
I believe this series was unnecessary and I wouldn’t recommend it even if you’re a fan of “Cirque du Freak”.
In fact, especially if you’re a fan of “Cirque du Freak”.
Recensione su BookLover
Larten lives with his family and spends his days earning his keep in a workhouse. His only joy is spending his time with his cousin, Vur, and he doesn't expect to do much in his life but grow up and start a family of his own.
This all changes when Larten has to escape his town (and old life) forever. Sad, hungry, and desperate, he finds refuge in a crypt, and his life takes a turn for the best (or worse) when he meets Seba Nile.
I have to admit I like this first book in the Saga of Larten Crepsley much more than I liked andy of the Cirque du Freak books (apart from Vampire Mountain, that is still at the top!). The reason is very simple: I like the style and mood much better! As the SoLC is written for an older audience, the whole story is more serious and has a harsher description of the things that go on. I do wonder how scarier the life of Darren would've seemed to me if Darren Shan had used such a tone. Probably, I would love it even more than I do currently (and I'm kind of obsessed, so...). As for this book, the early life of Mister Crepsley, the old grumpy vampire we all must admit to having a crush on, it does not disappoint.
Apart from the writing, which I obviously loved so much I had to mention it first when I usually mention it at the bottom of my reviews, the story is REALLY interesting. Not only we see Larten's life as an apprentice and an early Vampire, but we see how different he was in his youth and how his life shaped him to become a Vampire of good standing. His life as a human was not easy, of course... I shudder at the only thought! But his life as a future member of the clan is way more difficult: his mixed blood and his headstrong personality surely don't help.
As the other fans keep talking of Vur and "uncle" Wester (an inside joke which is kind of a spoiler but not really), I was very pleased to meet them.
Vur, we met sparingly, and yet I could see why he made such an impression on the fandom, especially because of his role in Larten's story. Wester, I'm sure I'll get more accustomed to in the following books. As of now, I'm not that impressed.
And then, the star of the show! Seba Nile himself! Oh, how I wanted to see what kind of a master he was and how he taught his apprentices how to be vampires. In the books about Darren, we have some talk, and I admit I was disappointed to not see any nose hair pulling. Okay, yes, I am cruel. But I would've laughed my ass off.
Seba is so patient and nice, I am so sorry to know what future (or DesTiny?) has in store for him...
These prequel books seem like they're gonna give us a lot of background for Larten and the (then young) Vampires that we saw in Cirque du Freak, and honestly, I can't wait to read more!
What did you think of Larten's story? Did you like the difference in tone between the Larten books and the Darren books? Let me know down below!
Larten lives with his family and spends his days earning his keep in a workhouse. His only joy is spending his time with his cousin, Vur, and he doesn't expect to do much in his life but grow up and start a family of his own.
This all changes when Larten has to escape his town (and old life) forever. Sad, hungry, and desperate, he finds refuge in a crypt, and his life takes a turn for the best (or worse) when he meets Seba Nile.
I have to admit I like this first book in the Saga of Larten Crepsley much more than I liked andy of the Cirque du Freak books (apart from Vampire Mountain, that is still at the top!). The reason is very simple: I like the style and mood much better! As the SoLC is written for an older audience, the whole story is more serious and has a harsher description of the things that go on. I do wonder how scarier the life of Darren would've seemed to me if Darren Shan had used such a tone. Probably, I would love it even more than I do currently (and I'm kind of obsessed, so...). As for this book, the early life of Mister Crepsley, the old grumpy vampire we all must admit to having a crush on, it does not disappoint.
Apart from the writing, which I obviously loved so much I had to mention it first when I usually mention it at the bottom of my reviews, the story is REALLY interesting. Not only we see Larten's life as an apprentice and an early Vampire, but we see how different he was in his youth and how his life shaped him to become a Vampire of good standing. His life as a human was not easy, of course... I shudder at the only thought! But his life as a future member of the clan is way more difficult: his mixed blood and his headstrong personality surely don't help.
As the other fans keep talking of Vur and "uncle" Wester (an inside joke which is kind of a spoiler but not really), I was very pleased to meet them.
Vur, we met sparingly, and yet I could see why he made such an impression on the fandom, especially because of his role in Larten's story. Wester, I'm sure I'll get more accustomed to in the following books. As of now, I'm not that impressed.
And then, the star of the show! Seba Nile himself! Oh, how I wanted to see what kind of a master he was and how he taught his apprentices how to be vampires. In the books about Darren, we have some talk, and I admit I was disappointed to not see any nose hair pulling. Okay, yes, I am cruel. But I would've laughed my ass off.
Seba is so patient and nice, I am so sorry to know what future (or DesTiny?) has in store for him...
These prequel books seem like they're gonna give us a lot of background for Larten and the (then young) Vampires that we saw in Cirque du Freak, and honestly, I can't wait to read more!
What did you think of Larten's story? Did you like the difference in tone between the Larten books and the Darren books? Let me know down below!