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The Saga of Larten Crepsley
Titles in This Set
Book 1: Birth of a Killer, Book 2: Ocean of Blood, Book 3: Palace of the Damned, Book 4 (Hardback): Brothers to the Death
Book 1: Birth of a Killer, Book 2: Ocean of Blood, Book 3: Palace of the Damned, Book 4 (Hardback): Brothers to the Death
260 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2014
30 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Darren Shan
229 books8,280 followersLibrarian's note: Also writes books for adults under the name Darren Dash. And in the past he has released books for adults under the names D.B. Shan and Darren O'Shaughnessy.
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 16, 2019
This was the second Saga written by Darren Shan that I read, after finding the Demonata Saga so addictive I decided to give more of Mr Shan's books a chance.
Prequal to The Saga of Darren Shan, The Saga of Larten Crepsley follows Larten, our main character. After an action of anger Larten must dissapear. Whilst looking for a good place to hide he runs into a mysterious figure (Seba Nile) which is where our four book journey begins.
Throughout the Saga I found myself becoming emotionally attached to many characters, as well as hating others. My favourite character throughout the series bounced between our two main characters Seba and Larten, I found this was because of how well the relationship between the Master and Student was portrayed. Seba was cruel but fair and only wanted the best for his student and Larten was strong willed and eager to prove his worth.
Personally I loved this Saga just as much as I loved the Demonata, I found it an easy read as well as being unable to put it down once I had started, as found with many of Darren Shans books. I especially enjoyed the following of Larten training and his encounters with new and interesting people.
As with all books there is always an opinion of improvements, for me I felt that some parts of the Saga were simply to fill an empty space, though it still fitted with the story and was brilliantly written, I felt those sceneries weren't essential to the story though very enjoyable.
I highly recommend this Saga to anyone who happens to chance across it. Though aimed at young adults I personally feel that all ages can love and enjoy The Saga of Larten Crepsley, you will laugh, cry and feel emotional bonds along the way as Darren Shan takes you to another world.
Prequal to The Saga of Darren Shan, The Saga of Larten Crepsley follows Larten, our main character. After an action of anger Larten must dissapear. Whilst looking for a good place to hide he runs into a mysterious figure (Seba Nile) which is where our four book journey begins.
Throughout the Saga I found myself becoming emotionally attached to many characters, as well as hating others. My favourite character throughout the series bounced between our two main characters Seba and Larten, I found this was because of how well the relationship between the Master and Student was portrayed. Seba was cruel but fair and only wanted the best for his student and Larten was strong willed and eager to prove his worth.
Personally I loved this Saga just as much as I loved the Demonata, I found it an easy read as well as being unable to put it down once I had started, as found with many of Darren Shans books. I especially enjoyed the following of Larten training and his encounters with new and interesting people.
As with all books there is always an opinion of improvements, for me I felt that some parts of the Saga were simply to fill an empty space, though it still fitted with the story and was brilliantly written, I felt those sceneries weren't essential to the story though very enjoyable.
I highly recommend this Saga to anyone who happens to chance across it. Though aimed at young adults I personally feel that all ages can love and enjoy The Saga of Larten Crepsley, you will laugh, cry and feel emotional bonds along the way as Darren Shan takes you to another world.
December 18, 2016
Never came across a Darren Shan book that I didn't like and this series is no exception. It's a great follow up to the Darren Shan saga and it's very interesting to read about how Lartens path unfolded.
June 4, 2024
Just as good as the saga of Darren Shan!!!
July 24, 2025
I’ll be honest, I only read this now because I’m moving house and I’d had these books for several years without reading them. Time to see if they’re worth keeping.
Well, turns out I’ve been a fool - they were brilliant and absolutely worth keeping. While younger me adored the original Darren Shan Saga, the adult me definitely resonates more with this one. The writing and themes are definitely more grown-up. Destiny played a significant role here, just as it did with the previous saga. However, rather unexpectedly, my favourite theme from this is fatherhood. The pseudo-adoptive father/son relationships between Seba, Larten, Tanish and Gavner were fascinating in their changing dynamics but also incredibly emotional at times. I’m also a sucker for the world-building and lore - it was so good and nostalgic to return to this world of supernatural clans. I also loved how the story ends just before Larten’s first encounter with Darren. Perfect excuse to fit in a reread of the original saga at some point.
Well, turns out I’ve been a fool - they were brilliant and absolutely worth keeping. While younger me adored the original Darren Shan Saga, the adult me definitely resonates more with this one. The writing and themes are definitely more grown-up. Destiny played a significant role here, just as it did with the previous saga. However, rather unexpectedly, my favourite theme from this is fatherhood. The pseudo-adoptive father/son relationships between Seba, Larten, Tanish and Gavner were fascinating in their changing dynamics but also incredibly emotional at times. I’m also a sucker for the world-building and lore - it was so good and nostalgic to return to this world of supernatural clans. I also loved how the story ends just before Larten’s first encounter with Darren. Perfect excuse to fit in a reread of the original saga at some point.
July 20, 2018
Being a fan of the Darren Shan Saga since age 12, I was delighted to find out about this series. I love how Shan managed to link all the little details about Mr. Crepsley's life together to thoroughly explain why he becomes who he is in the main series. Under Crepsley's perspective, every character was uncovered in the most unexpected ways, making them more approachable, more human. Needless to say, this is a cruel but bittersweet saga. An instant favorite!
March 24, 2018
Picked these books up a couple of years ago, must have read each one a hundred times by now. Larten is, and will always be my favorite character in the Saga of Darren Shan. I'll admit, Vancha comes a close second though :)
Currently reading
November 8, 2019The book was alright, certainly better than the other books I've read. Although I will not be pursing this series, I recommend it to anyone who is interested in medieval-esque stories. If I could rate it, I'd give it seven stars out of ten.
July 21, 2025
Read the first book at 12, found out there was a second at 13, dropped them because I was going through stuff. Picked them back up at 14, read all four books in a month. Genuinely got me back into reading, I LOVE Darren Shan.
August 1, 2025
As a fan of the The Saga of Darren Shan/Cirque du Freak books, this was a treat. Much more so for the beloved character Larten Crepsley. Having the original run of these books on my private shelf at home is some of my most prized possessions.
December 10, 2017
6/10, my interest in the original darren shan series got me through it, seems more child-oriented than the Darren Shan series although could just be i'v grown older
July 11, 2019
A great saga with lots of twists and turns
April 19, 2021
Got me into reading! I find reading books difficult due to Dyslexia but this series really got me into it!
loved this!!
loved this!!
October 27, 2021
It's the best! You can't miss it! You reaaaallly should read it
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed Larten Crepsley's character in Cirque Du Freak, so naturally I enjoyed this as well. Great series that sets up Cirque Du Freak very well.
August 28, 2023
I read these as a child after the original Darren shan saga they were a great background to the character of Larten Crepsley
August 7, 2025
Unreal.
September 15, 2014
Great prequel to Cirque Du Freak
April 10, 2016
A great price for a great series! I've always loved Darren shan as an author and have read this particular series before. I love the story of larten crepsley and so will you as you read on...
May 4, 2014
Another great saga from a great paranormal writer.
November 19, 2016
I love a lot of Darren shan's work
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews