Product Description

Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant is forced to march to Vampire Mountain where he will be judged by the vampire princes. THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN BOOK 4 Darren Shan and Mr Crepsley make a long and dangerous trek to the vampire's stronghold in the mountains. The trek is a test of skill and endurance -- one which sees Darren's vampire nature develop, and a new understanding of the mysterious blue-robed servants of the sinister Mr Tiny. Gavner Purl makes a welcome return when he joins Darren and Mr Crepsley, but they face more than the cold on their way to the vampire princes -- the vampaneze have been there before them! Will Darren's meeting with the Vampire Princes restore his human nature, or turn him further towards the darkness!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1392 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Review
Cirque Du Freak "!fast-paced and compelling book which leaves the reader hungry for more." JK Rowling 'Brilliant, macabre tale.' Guardian "I read Cirque Du Freak last week. I loved it. I love the way you manage to juggle the funny with the unpleasant, the affection with the hurt. It's great story-telling." Roddy Doyle The Vampire's Assistant "The Vampire's Assistant blazes a thrilling, gruesome trail through a fascinating plot." The Good Book Guide Vampire Mountain "Get your teeth into it!" Funday Times

From the Author
The Saga Of Darren Shan continues ...

Every 12 years, the Vampire Generals and Princes gather in a faraway mountain, for the Council of Vampires. This year, Darren Shan is going -- he might not be coming back ...

The road to Vampire Mountain is long and testing, but Mr Crepsley must present Darren to the Princes for their approval, and so the two leave the safety of the Cirque Du Freak and travel into the wilds, accompanied by a pair of Mr Tiny's Little People. They are joined along the way by an old friend, and some four-legged predators. If they survive the arduous trek to the mountain, Mr Crepsley will have to face the Princes and Generals and explain his reasons for blooding a child. If they prove unacceptable, the consequences for both Mr Crepsley and Darren could be dire ...

Set six years after Tunnels Of Blood, Book 4 of the Saga introduces many new characters; explains a lot about vampires, their history and ways; and also reveals the shocking truth about the mysterious Little People!

The story which starts in Book 4 continues in Book 5 (Trials Of Death) and concludes in Book 6 -- so be prepared for cliffhangers galore!

About the Author
Born in London in 1972, Darren O'Shaughnessy [writing as Darren Shan] moved to Limerick with his parents and younger brother. Darren returned to London to study Sociology and English then worked for a TV cable company. His first adult novel Ayumarca has been published by Orion and his writing has been likened to Clive Barker and Iain Banks. He is now a full-time writer of TV scripts and novels. Vampire Mountain is his fourth title for children.

Customer Reviews

Review from an older reader!
I've recently finished 'Vampire Mountain' having already shared the exploits of Darren and Mr Crepsley in the previous three books. I'm probably not the typical target reader as I bought these for two of my sons aged 14 and 12 (at which age group the books seem to be aimed) - nevertheless, I decided to read the first book to check out the suitability and found myself...hooked!! The boys have also zoomed through all the books and we are now waiting eagerly for book 5 - Trials of Death. It's a pity these two books couldn't have been available together because they look to be two halves of the same story. Our favourite so far has been Tunnels of Blood - if only because we are impatient at having to wait for the second part of the Vampire Mountain!! Despite the subject of the books being vampires, I have found them very 'moral' - both Mr C and Darren having scruples and quite old-fashioned values- loyalty, friendship, bravery etc. I think the part in Tunnels of Blood where Darren wonders what his new girlfriend expects of him on their first date is also great for teenage boys - girls get all this kind of thing from magazines but boys don't have easy reference to the sort of soul-searching that Darren does here. The author has said he thinks books 3 and 4 are even better than 1 and 2 and I agree - he seems to have relaxed into the story. He certainly makes you care about the characters and you can see chances to meet up with old friends later on e.g.I'd take bets that the wolf cub 'Rudi', introduced in this book will turn up again. So, if any parents are reading and want to know if the books are suitable for their children - I'd say as long as they are over about 11/12 years old and not too suggestible - go ahead they're a great read and you may even enjoy them yourself!!

Fang-tastic (very corny, i know)
Vampire mountain, which is the 4th book in the bone chilling Darren Shan Series, tells of the Half vampire Darren Shan on his Terifying Jorney to the meeting place of the vampire princes 'Vampire Mountain.' I love this book but i know some potential readers might be put off thinking that they are only for young children but i can tell you that they offer a Gripping plot with many twists and turns to keep a wide range of age groups entertained.

Darren Shantastic!
The worst of the Darren Shan Saga, this book doesn't seem to really go anywhere.It lacks the gore and shocks of the rest of the series, and is slightly repetitive.
That said, you do catch a fascinating glimpse into the life of vampires, and there's a superb scene where Darren fights with a Kendo staff, or something. The consistently brilliant Darren Shan turns out another masterful tale.