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)