Lord of the Shadows (Cirque Du Freak Series #11) by Darren Shan

From the Publisher

"All must fall to the Lord of the Shadows," Steve said softly. "This is my world now, Darren."

Darren Shan is going home - and his world is going to hell. Old enemies await. Scores must be settled. Destiny looks certain to destroy him, and the world is doomed to fall to the Ruler of the Night...

The stage is set for the terrifying final installment in the Cirque Du Freak series, book 12, coming September 2006.

Carlisle Kraft Webber - VOYA

For months, Vampire Prince Darren Shan has been on a mission to kill Steve Leopard, the Vampaneze Lord and Darren's greatest enemy. Unable to shake the knowledge that either he or Steve must rise to become the deadly Lord of the Shadows and lead the world into possible devastation, Darren suffers from nightmares and frets about his humanity. He is now living back in his hometown, where his adventure began at the Cirque du Freak. During Darren's travels, Steve has amassed an army of humans and vampaneze and is now sending them to harm Darren's friends and family, including a nephew Darren never knew he had. No one but Steve can kill Darren, but Steve is determined to make winning the war as difficult as possible for Darren and his comrades. Even after eleven books (of twelve planned), this series still has great momentum. The gory, heart-pounding action sequences-a staple of this series-do not deflect from Darren's personal growth. Darren falls in love and experiences some very painful losses, but readers who pick up the books for the blood and guts will not feel dragged down by the human or vampire relationships. There is one very disturbing murder near the end of the book, but it is a necessary plot point to fully determine that there is no hope of redemption for Steve. Fans of the series will anxiously await the final volume. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Little Brown, 220p., Ages 11 to 15.

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-Part-vampire Darren Shan is traveling again with Mr. Tall and his Cirque du Freak in the 11th and penultimate book in the series. When he returns to his hometown, Darren would love to see his family and friends, but he knows it is too dangerous, especially at this point in his battle with the Vampaneze. Steve Leopard and his evil minions manipulate events to bring about a fight to the death between Steve, the Lord of the Vampaneze, and Darren. The winner will determine the fate of vampires everywhere. The story, fast-paced, violent, and gory, is filled with anger, revenge, and death, with a touch of redemption and a cliff-hanger ending. Readers of the series will anticipate the conclusion, whether they catch the foreshadowing or not. This book is not for the young or faint of heart, but others will eagerly devour it.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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