Brothers to the Death Review

Title: Brothers to the Death (The Saga
            of Larten Crepsley Book 4)

Author: Darren Shan

Release Date: 26^th April 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s
                      Books

Just as Larten is finding a new place for himself in vampire society, horrifying tragedy falls on his own family, thanks to the nefarious Vampaneze.

But there are more evil things than just the Vampaneze stirring. And soon, Larten might find himself grieving again – as he faces the worst and final betrayal...

The vampire, Larten Crepsley enjoys life. While he cannot have a full relationship with the human Alicia, this does not stop his affection for her. However, as with much of the vampire’s life, his love for another can only lead to drastic consequences. While the Nazis take hold of Germany, Larten has his own trauma to deal with that will lead him on a crusade against the Vampaneze and reveal a treachery close to home that will shatter everything he believes in.

It took a while for me to really enjoy and appreciate this book. Larten’s long life and the time span of the novel meant that often the narrative jumps several years between chapters.  Unlike the style of the Darren Shan and Demonata series, I occasionally felt too much time had been missed. Although, as the story progresses, the pace captures a sense of how Larten experiences time as a vampire.

Towards the end, the novel introduces some of the cast of Cirque du Freak such as Madam Octa and Truska. It also explores the past of some of the key characters from the Saga of Darren Shan which give added depths to the Saga (which was an AWESOME series).

The treachery Larten faces leaves him devastated and rocks the foundations of the first three books in this series. It is sad and shocking when someone he is so close to betrays him and the consequences for both characters are tragic and irreversible. That’s as much as I’m willing to reveal!

Overall, I felt really disappointed this series has ended, although it wasn’t my favourite Darren Shan series. Written as a prequel leading onto Cirque du Freak it made me want to re-read all of the Saga of Darren Shan. A must read for any Shan-fan who wants to know more about the infamous Larten Crepsley.

4.5/5 Shan strikes again with an epic read.

Can I just take this opportunity to moan about the film, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant and also the new design book covers for the Saga of Darren Shan.  The film tried to collate too many details of the books into one film and also changed too much which I can only hope was also a disappointment to Shan-fans. As for the covers, the original covers were much more dark and sophisticated and made interesting use of colour against a black background.

Old and New Covers for the Saga of Darren Shan (Books 1, 2 and 3)

Darren Shan at the Grand

Darren Shan is doing a book signing at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. He will also be reading excerpts from his new book Zom-B.

Wednesday 3rd October 2012 at 1pm.


Wish I could be there.


Should be AWESOME!!!

 

 

http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/shows/performance/zom-b

Malkin Child Review

Title: Malkin Child

Author: Livi Michael

Release Date:18^th August 2012

Publisher: Foxtail Publishing

Jennet’s family all believe they are witches. Other folk think they are, too. But 1612 is a dangerous time to be a witch. When her family are imprisoned and put on trial in Lancaster Castle, Jennet’s evidence will help decide their fate.

Commissioned by Lancashire County Council to commemorate the trial of the Pendle Witches’ in 1612, this book captures the innocence of a young child. Jennet Device was a young child when her family were arrested under suspicion of witch craft. Convinced, along with the rest of the townsfolk, that her family are witches, she admitted her beliefs when questioned by Justice of the Peace, Roger Nowell. Jennet’s testimony resulted in the conviction and subsequent death of the ‘Pendle Witches’.

Steeped in the history surrounding my local area, there aren’t many Lancashire folk who don’t know the tale of the Pendle Witches. But this novel allows Jennet’s side of the story to be explored -  Jennet interrupts the narrative within the first chapter of this book to tell her version of events and how she was manipulated into contributing to the guilty sentence that was passed on those who met at Malkin Tower in 1612.

The style of the novel is deliberately simplistic, to reveal the mind of the young girl. Each of Jennet’s little tales are titled and explore her life before the trials as well as immediately afterwards. The chunking of the paragraphs together with the colloquialisms and a young girl’s vocabulary make the book easy to read and persuasively child like. Jennet’s confusion and emotional conflict are portrayed convincingly and to the point, showing her immediate reactions to the arrest of her family and how she felt as an outcast, with no magical powers. Dealing with issues of identity and family, as many teenage novels do, but in a historical setting and addressing a familiar story from a different viewpoint, the narrative is captivating and engaging.

As a crossover (aimed at both children and adults), the novel won’t be everyone’s cup of tea as it could appear unsophisticated. However, I found the style of the book unique, inspired by the real tale of Jennet and her family and utilising Jennet’s innocence to develop the style of the book. I would suggest that you don’t need to know the tale of the Pendle Witches to understand the tale, but it would aid in your interpretation of Jennet’s character and the events of her life. It was interesting for me to read about my local area 400 years ago and anyone with an interest in the Pendle Witches should find this an intriguing read.

4/5 Effectively brings to life a 400 year old character and her tale.