A review by kristinn
Skjebnens sønner by Darren Shan

adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-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? Yes

5.0

I cry every time I read this book, because of the joyful pain of letting go of the characters, especially Darren. The whole plot, the characters - everything is so great! Who would I be, if I hadn't read about Darren, Crepsley, Vancha, Harkat, Evra - heck, even Mr Tiny (perhaps especially Mr Des Tiny)? They are part of my childhood, and are still important to me. (Yes, this might be cheesy and cliche, but it's true). I wish I could read the series for the first time again, but then, I notice new details every time I reread the books. I also recall wonderful moments, happy memories when the characters are at peace (so long that lasts). Like when Darren comes to the Vampire Mountain for the first time - and when he drinks so much that he sings the Ale song. People who haven't read this are missing some hilarious scenes. 
I LOVE DARREN. AND CREPSLEY. AND MOST OF THE OTHERS. Let me reread again. 
(My review from 2014 (?))

January 2023: My feelings about the book and the series as a whole haven’t really changed with the re-reading, but my more mature self will word things slightly differently. I quite like the ending - I do see the questionable secondary-school essay writing-ending where the protagonist just wakes up from a dream - but it comes together nicely with Darren’s diaries / the book series being the result of Darren’s lived life in one time line. 
In other words I still very much appreciate reading the books again, and I’m sure this wasn’t the last time.

"Even in death, may you be triumphant."