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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
fast-paced
It was interesting to see some familiar characters again and to see how Larten Crepsley became who he later was in the Cirque Du Freak series. However, none of the characters developed much and there wasn't much action involved. There felt like there was a lot missing to the plot and characters in this book.
After the incident in the factory, Larten Crepsley is a lost, scared kid when Seba finds him. He is given the choice of joining the vampire in his travels, and possibly in his lifestyle, and Larten accepts. He cannot return to his home and family and finds a purpose as a vampire's assistant. What follows is the story of how Larten Crepsley the boy becomes Larten Crepsley the vampire in Cirque Du Freak.
I devoured this book. It's well-written, fast-paced, and engaging. In this first installment, Larten doesn't seem nearly as nasty as he does in the first Cirque du Freak novel, but he has quite a story to tell. Fans of the series will enjoy learning of Larten's beginnings. I think the series will also find new fans through this book. As someone who has only read the first of the original series, you can start in either place. In fact, reading Cirque Du Freak after Saga of Larten Crepsley will give you something to do while you wait for book two.
I devoured this book. It's well-written, fast-paced, and engaging. In this first installment, Larten doesn't seem nearly as nasty as he does in the first Cirque du Freak novel, but he has quite a story to tell. Fans of the series will enjoy learning of Larten's beginnings. I think the series will also find new fans through this book. As someone who has only read the first of the original series, you can start in either place. In fact, reading Cirque Du Freak after Saga of Larten Crepsley will give you something to do while you wait for book two.
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”.
I feel like this a great prequel-series to the Saga of Darren Shan. Or at least this first book is. It is really interesting to read about Larten Crepsley and what his life was like before he was introduced as the vampire who would become Darren's mentor.
I really like Seba Nile as a character and for some reason the name Vur Horston sounds strangely familiar - I feel like he might be mentioned in the Darren Shan books perhaps? I can't remember.
The reason I'm not giving it 5 stars though is that I'm personally still more attached to the Saga of Darren Shan probably :P
I really like Seba Nile as a character and for some reason the name Vur Horston sounds strangely familiar - I feel like he might be mentioned in the Darren Shan books perhaps? I can't remember.
The reason I'm not giving it 5 stars though is that I'm personally still more attached to the Saga of Darren Shan probably :P
This book came out in my sophomore year of college; as an avid reader of the Cirque du Freak series from end of elementary school to the beginning of high school, I felt I owed it to my 13 year old self to read Mr. Crepsley's origin story. As an older reader, I disliked the writing style immensely. That aside, the younger fans of Darren Shan will probably enjoy The Saga of Larten Crepsley. I will not, however, continue reading.
A prequel series to his Cirque du Freak books, The Sage of Larten Crepsley follows the life of vampire Larten, who will play such an important part in the later books featuring young Darren. Set three hundred years ago, we meet Larten as a human. We see the world through his eyes, and learn how he has become the person he is.
The thing that stands out first is the writing style in Birth of a Killer. It is so different from how Mr Shan has written his Demonata series, which I've read before this one. The language in Birth of a Killer is slightly more formal, richer, more detailed. Especially the more formal part worked really well with the historical feel. It was nice to see that he has such a diversity of writing.
Another thing that is remarkable in comparison with his other work is how little action there is in this book. Usually you can count on some kind of big fights at least three times throughout his books, but it felt like Birth of a Killer was way more mellow than his other books.
Even though there might not be that much action, this book can still classify as horror. Not because there are demons or vampires in it, but because it describes the horrors of what some human beings can do to each other. You know, the true evil in the world. There was quite some heavy stuff going on in the first part of the book, so I was glad there were also some lighter parts to give some relief.
Birth of a Killer is a very quick read, even though it doesn't rely on action to keep it moving. You should see it more like some kind of diary of Larten's childhood and the beginning of his vampire life. Not everything is told; just some key elements that have formed the way he is.
For lovers of the Cirque du Freak series, I would definitely recommend Birth of a Killer. Larten is one of the most interesting characters in the series, and he deserves some books of his own. If you haven't read any Darren Shan yet, I wouldn't recommend this book to start with. Especially the mechanics of the vampire society will probably go completely past you if you aren't familiar with the world.
Birth of a Killer is different, but not a bad different.
The thing that stands out first is the writing style in Birth of a Killer. It is so different from how Mr Shan has written his Demonata series, which I've read before this one. The language in Birth of a Killer is slightly more formal, richer, more detailed. Especially the more formal part worked really well with the historical feel. It was nice to see that he has such a diversity of writing.
Another thing that is remarkable in comparison with his other work is how little action there is in this book. Usually you can count on some kind of big fights at least three times throughout his books, but it felt like Birth of a Killer was way more mellow than his other books.
Even though there might not be that much action, this book can still classify as horror. Not because there are demons or vampires in it, but because it describes the horrors of what some human beings can do to each other. You know, the true evil in the world. There was quite some heavy stuff going on in the first part of the book, so I was glad there were also some lighter parts to give some relief.
Birth of a Killer is a very quick read, even though it doesn't rely on action to keep it moving. You should see it more like some kind of diary of Larten's childhood and the beginning of his vampire life. Not everything is told; just some key elements that have formed the way he is.
For lovers of the Cirque du Freak series, I would definitely recommend Birth of a Killer. Larten is one of the most interesting characters in the series, and he deserves some books of his own. If you haven't read any Darren Shan yet, I wouldn't recommend this book to start with. Especially the mechanics of the vampire society will probably go completely past you if you aren't familiar with the world.
Birth of a Killer is different, but not a bad different.
Well I was really looking forward to reading this, and I wasn't dissappointed! A great book!
It was a little slow compared to Shan's other series, like the saga of darren shan and the demonata, which were quite intense from the outset, this one is a little more mellow, but at the same time, it takes you straight into the main story, of Larten Crepsley murdering someone and soon becoming assisstant to the vampire, Seba Nile.
This book hasn't lost any of the charm of the original books, and shows the character of mr crepsley as a young boy excellently! I think Shan has made a great choice of character to write a new series about, and knowing more about the previously rather private character of Larten Crepsley is great!
Lots of things that long time fans of Darren Shan will recognise, such as the Cirque du freak returning (or perhaps, appearing for the first time would be more accurate), along with other characters from the darren shan saga, like mr tiny, the vampire princes and so on. This makes you feel right at home in a strange way!
Highly recommended for those who are fans and aren't sure whether or not they want to read this book!
for those who haven't read any of Shan's previous works, i still recommend this! it was great! But I also recommend you go back and read the saga of darren shan (and the demonata, although it's not connected to this book) as they are excellent series!
It was a little slow compared to Shan's other series, like the saga of darren shan and the demonata, which were quite intense from the outset, this one is a little more mellow, but at the same time, it takes you straight into the main story, of Larten Crepsley murdering someone and soon becoming assisstant to the vampire, Seba Nile.
This book hasn't lost any of the charm of the original books, and shows the character of mr crepsley as a young boy excellently! I think Shan has made a great choice of character to write a new series about, and knowing more about the previously rather private character of Larten Crepsley is great!
Lots of things that long time fans of Darren Shan will recognise, such as the Cirque du freak returning (or perhaps, appearing for the first time would be more accurate), along with other characters from the darren shan saga, like mr tiny, the vampire princes and so on. This makes you feel right at home in a strange way!
Highly recommended for those who are fans and aren't sure whether or not they want to read this book!
for those who haven't read any of Shan's previous works, i still recommend this! it was great! But I also recommend you go back and read the saga of darren shan (and the demonata, although it's not connected to this book) as they are excellent series!
Really good story. It begins quite dark & may prove hard for some young readers.