Cirque Du Freak: Hunters of the Dusk: Book 7 in the Saga of Darren Shan (Cirque Du Freak, 7)

About the Book:
It has been another six years since we last saw Darren, and the war between the vampires and vampaneze is still going strong. The Vampaneze Lord has not only risen, but is now a half vampire. However, a visit from Mr. Tiny reveals several factors. One: the vampires can still win the war if the Vampaneze Lord is stopped before he is fully blooded. Two: there will only be four chances to do this. Three: this will only occur if three vampires (and only three) try to stop it, and those three are the other vampire prince, Vancha Marsh, Mr. Crepsley, and Darren himself.

Review:
Shan starts off another trilogy in the series, and much like the rest, it is slower paced. However, if you keep in mind that is basically the beginning of a novel, it makes it seem less terrible. Although it will not be my favourite of the series, it was still fairly enjoyable. I especially liked when Mr. Crepsley and Darren returned to the Cirque du Freak. The books always seemed more enjoyable when they take place at the Cirque. Plus, it is nice to see old faces and see how they have progressed through the years. Evanna was also interesting. Although the witch type lady living in the middle of the woods/swamp is overdone, I found myself easily overlooking this dislike because of Evanna's origins. Shrouded in mystery and myth, it is believed Evanna is part wolf and part vampire, something that could have been laughable or worthy of a disheartening sigh. Shan managed to write her story off quite well though.

On the other hand, the one character I really could not stand was Vancha Marsh. Like many other vampires we met, he stupidly runs into danger to defeat his enemies. He even goes so far as to fight the sun. Perhaps Shan was trying to portray him as strong willed, but I simply found him to be a crass and stubborn fool. Besides Vancha, the only other thing I strongly disliked in this book was the purge. This is where the vampire blood tries to take over the human blood in a half vampire. Now, the basic concept I have no qualms with. It was the change that transitioned. In this story, Darren partly goes through the purge, which causes his hair to grow back and an extreme growth spurt to occur so that he looks like an older teen when it's complete. . I really felt like this was just an excuse to age Darren. Although he is still a lot older than he looks after the purge, according to the years based and the rules placed in Shan's world, Darren should only look two years older than when he was initially changed, but thanks to the purge, he know looks another five years older. I'm sorry, but that feels like cheating to me.

Overall though, I still found the book enjoyable, holding familiar faces and new characters, both interesting and irksome, but I felt like it was a book worth reading.

Very good book, ,,and delivery was very fast

not for me

My daughter loved it.

was given as a gift

Grandson wanted this. he's happy, then I'm happy!

I have two kids, they loved reading and my daughter loved piano and violin. If it's "supernatural" it's my daughter, cirqu du freak is my son's

Some students really enjoy spooky stories and they love this series. I thought it would be too dark for the students at school but they love it.

Love love love this vampire-based book series. I am a 58 year old female, however, I have always enjoyed "boy" type, action based fiction books as a reader. What I found about the entire Cirque Du Freak series, however, was that it was not JUST about being a vampire, or a member of a Freak Show. It teaches about loyalty and friendship; what a real 'family' is, even without the blood-relation.

In fact, I was so smitten with this series (Mr Shan, are listening?), that I made a gift of all my books to a then 11-year-old friend, because I was confident there was little to no swearing of any consequence, no real sexual content, but a good wholesome and fun teaching story definitely well-worth my time and my young friend's.

Hours and hours of good reading fun and miles of smiles afterward. I cannot wait to read more from Darren Shan.

this is one of the best series I've read in a long time. they all connect to each other, and then they don't. all start w/darren shan. but each book brings another element/character into it. making it that much more interesting and enjoyable to read. couldn't put it down. I loved it. If you love vampires and monster lore w/a dash of humor thrown in, this is the series for you. if not, stick to your math homework! or your taxes if you're a grown up!