Lord of the Shadows (Cirque Du Freak Series #11) » (Reprint)

"I was born in London in 1972 and moved to Ireland when I was 6 years old, where I've lived ever since. I always wanted to be a writer - I've loved telling stories since I was a child. I started out writing books for adults, and managed to get a couple published. One day, on a whim, I decided to try a book for children. The result was Cirque Du Freak. Much to my surprise, it took off, and I became a de facto children's author! Since then I've used my ill-gotten gains to buy lots of comic-strip art and travel the world. When I'm not working or traveling, I like watching movies.

"All must fall to the Lord of the Shadows," Steve said softly. "This is my world now, Darren."

Darren Shan is going home - and his world is going to hell. Old enemies await. Scores must be settled. Destiny looks certain to destroy him, and the world is doomed to fall to the Ruler of the Night...

The stage is set for the terrifying final installment in the Cirque Du Freak series, book 12, coming September 2006.

Carlisle Kraft Webber - VOYA

For months, Vampire Prince Darren Shan has been on a mission to kill Steve Leopard, the Vampaneze Lord and Darren's greatest enemy. Unable to shake the knowledge that either he or Steve must rise to become the deadly Lord of the Shadows and lead the world into possible devastation, Darren suffers from nightmares and frets about his humanity. He is now living back in his hometown, where his adventure began at the Cirque du Freak. During Darren's travels, Steve has amassed an army of humans and vampaneze and is now sending them to harm Darren's friends and family, including a nephew Darren never knew he had. No one but Steve can kill Darren, but Steve is determined to make winning the war as difficult as possible for Darren and his comrades. Even after eleven books (of twelve planned), this series still has great momentum. The gory, heart-pounding action sequences-a staple of this series-do not deflect from Darren's personal growth. Darren falls in love and experiences some very painful losses, but readers who pick up the books for the blood and guts will not feel dragged down by the human or vampire relationships. There is one very disturbing murder near the end of the book, but it is a necessary plot point to fully determine that there is no hope of redemption for Steve. Fans of the series will anxiously await the final volume. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Little Brown, 220p., Ages 11 to 15.