Vampire Mountain
Cirque Du Freak Series, No. 4
By Darren Shan
Little, Brown - 2002
ISBN 0-316-60806-8 Hardbound
Children / Fiction / Horror
Ages 9 - 12 (up to 15 enjoy this series)

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.Com
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Darren Shan's new adventure is just in time to add to your Halloween chills as Darren and Mr. Crepsley go to Vampire Mountain to attend a council of the Vampire Generals and Princes. They are accompanied on their trek by two of the "little people," sent by their master, Mr. Tiny, with a warning for the Princes. Mr. Tiny seems to be all-powerful and older that the oldest vampire.

They confront many dangers, including a grizzly bear that is crazed by vampire blood, freezing weather and the threat of the "vampaneze."

The vampire council of the princes is incensed by the fact that Larten Crepsley has "blooded" Darren, who is a child, going against strict vampire rules. The half-vampire boy will be required to undergo tests of courage and ability in a series of challenges. To fail is death.

This story, like the preceding three books of the series, is gruesome, scary, and very exciting. The plot is full of twists and turns that will leave you breathless, and the characters are compelling and likable...even the bad-guy characters! This one ends on a cliffhanger...I can't wait for number 5.

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