Birth of a Killer (The Saga of Larten Crepsley) - Softcover

Shan, Darren

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0732291100 ISBN 13: 9780732291105

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia, 2011

Synopsis

Following the massive success that began with Cirque du Freak, Darren Shan is back where it all started - telling the life story of the vampire Larten Crepsley. For every vampire, the end ...is just the beginning. When terrible events force young Larten Crepsley to flee his home he finds himself alone in the world. Then he meets the mysterious Seba Nile, who introduces him to the ways of the vampire clan. But will Larten turn his back on humanity and join a world from which there can be no return? So begins the blood-soaked tale of a vampire who starts out a nobody - but will change the world forever...'Cirque Du Freak is a thrill ride that will keep even the most reluctant readers turning pages'. Amazon (US) 'The gripping plot moves forward at a lightning pace, and Darren's fascination with the grotesque will ring true for many'. Booklist '...compelling...[T]he author mines the exploitative history of early 20th century sideshows to create an artfully macabre cirque du freak.' Publishers Weekly 'Entertaining story', writes The Examiner.

About this title

About the Author:

Darren Shan is the author of the monsterific ten book series known as 'The Demonata' and the twelve book vampire series 'The Saga of Darren Shan'. His adventures have been read by millions of people around the world in several different languages, yet much of his life remains shrouded in mystery. He lives in seclusion in the depths of Ireland. And he never drinks blood. Or so he claims.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 6-8-This adventure story traces the early life of master vampire Larten Crepsley. Sent to work in a Dickensian factory, young Larten kills the abusive foreman and flees. He takes shelter in a cemetery crypt where he meets the 500-year-old vampire General Seba Nile, who explains to the terrified youngster that vampires aren't evil. Although they drink human blood, just as the legends say, they do not harm those on whom they feed. When he invites Larten to travel with him as his assistant, the boy agrees. As the first entry in a projected series, this story includes quite a bit of exposition. The plot action covers more than 20 years, taking Larten through his first "blooding" and into full vampire status, and features his first meetings with mysterious Cirque owner Hibernius Tall; Seba's vampire ally Paris Skyle; and the vampaneze Murlough. At times, the pacing feels rather rushed with the effort to introduce many important characters, settings, and themes from Shan's "Cirque du Freak" saga (Little, Brown). Transitions are often abrupt, jumping several years between chapters. A cliff-hanger ending promises further revelations. "Cirque du Freak" aficionados will be intrigued by this glimpse into Crepsley's formative years, but the uninitiated will want to read the original books first.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0732291100
• ISBN 13: 9780732291105
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 253