Horror Story Review Darren Shan The Darren Shan Saga 6 The Vampire Prince

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Harper Collins. 2002 – Spoiler alerts The thrilling conclusion to the Vampire Mountain story trilogy arc, and the half way point of the twelve book saga. Half-vampire Darren Shan has survived his fall down the waterfall, (the cliff-hanger from the previous book. He wakes up, battered and bruised in a valley. Initially, he plans to take exile, but he cannot bring himself to desert his friends in their hour of need. He decides to return to The Vampire Mountain, even though he is as likely to be executed by his own people for desertion, as he is to be killed by the Vampaneze and their vampire allies who are trying to take over the vampire capital. Aided by his wolf friends, Darren makes the arduous journey back to the Vampire Mountain, and goes in. His impending trial is postponed by evidence of the Vampaneze attacks in the very entranceways to the city. Darren’s loyalty to the cause is not disputed so he helps lead the defence. He even gets his spider friends, led by Madam Otta, the giant Tarantula, to poison the attackers. The wolves also assist in the war. With the vampires victorious, Darren is finally put on trial. Everyone is unhappy about using the letter of the law on someone who saved them all from certain death, but needs must. However, there’s a final reprieve when someone thinks of an escape clause for Daren. The vampire princes are immune to such a law, so Darren is immediately heralded in as a new vampire prince. His life is saved and he has become a member of the royal family to boot. His troubles seem over for now, but danger is still not far away. The battle scenes are genuinely well staged and timed. The outcome for Daren and his allies is never certain. The note of cheery celebration on the conclusion still hints at dark deeds ahead. Arthur Chappell