Killers of the Dawn

The Saga of Darren Shan #9

by Darren Shan

With their enemies clamoring for blood, the vampires prepare for a deadly battle--and Darren Shan is framed as public enemy number one in this ninth installment of the "New York Times" bestselling series, now in mass-market paperback.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Horror, Vampires, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural

206 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian'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..

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS IS NOT a whole book

It's like someone ripped out the middle of the story and threw a cover around it.

The beginning was pretty much non-existent (essentially, the "beginning" was book 8) and the ending was another big fat TO BE CONTINUED...

How hard would it be to make these books a bit longer so we don't continuously run into this?

And when they offed Mr. Crepsley are you kidding me??

The whole fake-out just yanked my emotional cord like a yo-yo. I haven't felt that betrayed by an author in a long time. This ending made continuing with the series nearly insurmountable.

Audiobook Comments
Read by Ralph Lister - and he did a pretty fab job of it.

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[Shawna Finnigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argh, this series kills me with all of its cliffhangers!! The series is so good but there’s a cliffhanger at the end of nearly every book.

This installment in particular was one of the fastest paced ones in the series. The audiobook format said it was over four hours long, but it felt so much shorter than that because it was so fast and I enjoyed every second of it. There was so much action packed in to each chapter and it made for an exciting read. This one got a bit gorey at times, but it was nonetheless a good sequel.

The only issue I had with this book was that I predicted the plot twist early on, but from reading the reviews, it's clear that I’m not the only one who was able to guess it. There was just a tiny bit too much foreshadowing. Luckily this didn’t hinder from my enjoyment of the story too much though.

I need to read the rest of the series soon. Hopefully it continues to be enjoyable. Here’s to hoping that my favorite character will survive the final three books!

[Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picks up right where Allies of the Night left off and I mean right where it left off. Like you could have turned the page and started a new chapter. There is a prologue to remind you where Allies of the Night ended and then you're right into the story.

This episode of Cirque du Freak, and that's how you really have to think of it, was short and exciting but predictable. There was really no more character building. After this many books, the author doesn't have much more to offer in guess. I truly believe these books would be much better if combined into longer complete novels instead of the episodes they are now. I don't see the point in sitting down for an hour to simply read the next episode. Let me choose how much I want to read instead of force feeding me little chunks of your story. I just find it annoying and at this point, I'm not sure I'm interested in continuing. The latest reveal was like "well duh who didn't see that coming" and what's the point of read books like that?

[Sara Kamjou · Rating 2 out of 5]

یکی از ضعیف‌ترین جلدهای مجموعه. بزرگ‌ترین غافلگیریش رو من از چند جلد قبل حدس زده بودم و واقعا تو ذوقم خورد که حدسم درست بود. به نظرم روند تعقیب و گریز و جنگ‌ها زیادی داره کش میاد.
----------
یادگاری از کتاب:
در جنگ، گاهی جایی برای دلسوزی و انسانیت باقی نمی‌ماند.
...
گاهی دانستن همه چیز، آزاردهنده می‌شود.

[Shannara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start with, this book is just as amazing as the rest!!!!! I am thoroughly entertained and the action is great. But... that ending just killed me. I know that in a series this long not everyone services, but did it have to be one of my favorites?!?! Like come on man!!!!

I do love this, but I’m still sad!!! The plot was great!!! I love the introduction of a few new characters. They aren’t my favorites or anything, but it brought in a new dynamic. I actually cannot believe there are only three books left!!! How on earth is everything going to be wrapped up in only three more to go!?!?!? I’ll find out soon enough!! Mainly cause I’m binging this series.

At this point, I recommend this to those who love Darren Shan or vampires!! And I also highly recommend the audio books for this series. Ralph Lister is perfect!!!

Check out this review and others on my blog: https://shannarareads.com/?p=309
Thanks!!!

[Melika Kalhor]

ازت متنفرم آقای شان
متنفر

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY LORD. This book was amazing. The last few chapters were INTENSE. Really, really excellent.

I had a hunch from the 8th book that Steve was the Vampaneze Lord, but I set that theory aside when he was said to be a friend. Even after it was found out that he was a villian, the others saw the lord themselves, so I just tosted the theory out the window. But in the ending, this theory came back to me as a full-fledged fact, and slapped me in the face.

The worst, and most epic part, was when Mr. Crepsley died. For a page or two Darren fooled me into thinking that everything was alright, that they were saved...

...and then in the next chapter he said. "That's not how it happened. But I sure wished that's how it did."

When I read that, my blood froze. I couldn't believe it. Mr. Crepsley - dead. I'm not even sure if I can continue the series now - that dude was one of my favorite characters, second to Darren. All the readers have known him since the beginning, and how his relationship with Darren went from hate to best friends - practically brothers. To have him die like that - when I know him so well - saddened me. Characters' deaths are terrible to get over; it's like the death of Fred Weasly all over again. (JK...Rowling!) And the fact that he died in vain, and was so close to killing so REAL Vampaneze Lord, made everything just more horrific. It makes me mad to think that Mr. Crepsley could have LIVED and he chose to DIE honorably, but for the wrong thing! God darnit...

Loved the book, though. This author has the awesome ability to make action scenes fun to read and...exciting. Not sure what the next books will be bring, but there's no doubt there will be more sorrow.

[— nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve be like: “you should’ve killed me when you had the chance”

[Daniel Svalholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
DARREN SHAN WHY MUST YOU DO THIS TO ME?
HURT ME LIKE THIS
AND MESS WITH MY FEELING
UGH

[Amin · Rating 4 out of 5]

خب باید بگم کتاب پایان ناراحت کننده ای رو داشت . مرگ استاد مو نارنجی دارن ، آقای کرپسلی ، سر هیچ و پوچ بی شک برای خواننده دردناک بود .

[Narges Amooei · Rating 4 out of 5]

با این‌که رازی که آخر این جلد برملا می‌شد رو می‌دونستم ولی با چیزی که تو جلد پیش خونده بودم، واقعاً فکر کرده بودم داستان با چیزی که تو فیلم دیدم متفاوت‌ه برای همین فصل‌های پایانی این جلد برام حسابی پرهیجان و غیرمنتظره بودن.
اوایل و اواسطش به کندی می‌گذشت این کتاب و خسته‌م کرده بود ولی آخرش، اتفاقات شیب تندی داشتن.

[mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

حدس زده بودم...

[محمد Mohammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

اشباح ابله 😐😒 وای نه نکشیدش هی فلان بیسار از اول داستان هزار بار میتونستن استیوع رو بکشن اصن ب درک ک کرپسلی مُرد حقتونه شبحی که دلسوز و دنبال اینجور چرتوپرتا باشه حقشه آدم با دشمنش که قرار نیس یه قُل دو قُل بازی کنه وقتی فهمیدین بهتون خیانت کرده باید میکشتینش درست همون موقع که آروی پررو شده بود اومده بود گرگه رو آزاد کرده بود اونم باید میکشتین

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

اینم از این:دی
بدترین فصل دنیا فصل 20 این کتابه... وای خداااا. شاید 20 بار خوندمشو هر دور میخونمش دلم میخواد گریه کنم:| لارتتتتتتتتتتتتتتن T__T

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Yosbe Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is broken but I have to admit it... it was so good.

[Mosy · Rating 3 out of 5]

چقد�� این بار که کتاب رو می‌خوندم مشابهت هایی بین شخصیت استیو و جوکر پیدا کردم، خصوصا نوع نقشه ریختن‌هاشون که فقط بازی کنن با طرف مقابل. اگر یه فیلم درست و حسابی از رو این سری می‌ساختن واقعا استیو می‌تونست یه شرور به یاد موندنی بشه.

چیزی که تو این جلد برام جذاب بود، نوع واکنش شبح‌واره‌ها با اشباح بود. تو اواخر کتاب یک حسی حاکم بود که انگار واقعا این دو گروه خیلی هم علاقه‌ای به سلاخی همدیگه ندارن و فقط از روی اجبار تو بازی "سرنوشت" دخیل شدن. هیچ کدومشون یک لحظه این سوال رو از خودش نمی‌کنه که واقعا چرا داریم می‌جنگیم؟ چون یک نفر گفته اگه این کارو نکنیم می‌میریم؟
اوج این حس هم خبر نهایی و شوکه‌کننده کتاب به مخاطبه که کاراکترها میفهمن فقط عروسک‌های خیمه شب بازی این جنگ مسخره هستن که فقط برای سرگرمی یک سری افراد دیگه طراحی شده بود.
این بخش کتاب واقعا من رو به فکر فرو برد که چه زمان‌های زیادی ما هم خودمون در یک مسیری قرار گرفتیم که بودن و پیش رفتن در این مسیر رو بدیهی می‌دونیم، و هیچگاه در طول راه تامل نمی‌کنیم تا ببینیم اصلا چرا داریم این کار رو می‌کنیم. و آیا ما هم صرفا دستمایه های زندگی بهتر برای عده‌ای دیگه هستیم؟

پ.ن. من آخر نفهمیدم الان تا اینجای کار این شد برخورد سوم اشباح با ارباب شبح‌واره‌ها یا برخورد دوم؟

[Jessica Hand · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fantastic until they killed off Larten Crepsley!!! WHY would they kill of one of the main characters???? I am pissed beyond believe, very disapointed in the entire series now, and I don't know if I can even finish reading the final book's. I'm very upset by the ending, and I can only hope that I'll get over it and read on to find out that he somehow come's back to life or something, but I doubt that's gonna happen, can't believe the author killed him...

[Ashley W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve is the Lord of the Vampaneze?! What? I should have guessed because it makes so much sense. What better way to get his revenge? But to take it that far is crazy. Unless Mr. Tiny planned it all? Sounds like something he would do.

[Emad · Rating 2 out of 5]

صحنۀ مرگِ کرپسلی چه مضحکه‌ای شد :)

[Ace✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

I don't think I ever got this far into the series when I was younger. I am actually shocked at how this book ended, except for that little surprise there. Man, I really enjoy this series all over again as an adult.

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5/5. Not the best one of the series for sure. It has a good cliff hanger, like always so of course I want to push on reading the series which is very good, but this book as a standalone, felt a bit long, even if it,s really short, a bit repetitive and not much character development. It felt like the book is overstretch and by the way overstretching the series. The main problem I have was that for most of the book a character, a vampire, is very concern and bother by a sprained ankle... I mean he is a vampire, and old one, how could that bother him so much for so long... When we could have been trough a very intense confrontation, we failed a bit short, avoiding it, running from it and it let me own a bit. I know this might sound really bad, but the book is still fun, but the series was such a hit with almost every books so far that my expectation are really high and this one didn't reach them totally.

[Swankivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel so let down. I've been pretty much enjoying this series even though the first one wasn't so good. The writing in this one reminded me of the first one. First of all I thought they were being all original when they didn't do the predictable thing and make Darren's sworn enemy show up as the leader of the bad guys. His sworn enemy was only a protector of the leader of the bad guys. I thought it was cool they were breaking the mold and that the author had tricked me. Too bad it turned out they did the little "ooh look, a revelation!" and did the predictable thing after all, and on top of that they ended the book happily and then you turn the page and it starts a new chapter with "I wish that had been what had happened," leading you into a horrific reversal of what you'd just read and ending with a very important character dying. Oh wonderful. That's just bad form, man. Bad form.

[Kaydence · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew it, and I can’t even feel sad about it. And I’m pretty sure you saw it too. This is bullshit. Absolutely bullshit.

5/18/21
Since I've had plenty of time to cool down, and finish the rest of the series, I thought I would come back to my quote on quote favorite book of them all and die inside all over again. I have completely forgotten I had given this novel a one star, but I think I'm going to keep it. It's just his death, ultimate betrayal right there. All while the thing we could have taken down with him was in his grasp, literally. In all honestly, though, this novel was very good. Don't be fooled by the one star!!!

[Leoni Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from the very first book, I suspected that Steve was going to be blooded and would come back as a sinister and evil character with some significance in the future. Lo and behold - this book sees him announced as the Vampaneze Lord which was slightly predictable and which I had suspected all along. That being said, this book was action packed and full of suspense. The death of Mr Crepsley was a very sad moment and marked a pivotal point in the book! Looking forward to reading the final three in the series to see how this saga concludes! 😁

[Hayli · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending!!! I had guessed it could have been him but the reveal was shocking all the same!

[Z Bell]

They need to make more of the series they could have made this more scary.

[Radynka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nenávidím tenhle díl! :(

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spänningen trappas upp allt mer. Känns som arbetet inför slutklämmen blir klarare för varje bok. Slutet av denna bok! Var!!!

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this was really quite exciting and action packed, although I still think that these books would be better combining at least two books into one so that they aren't these really short snippets, ultimately always ending on a cliffhanger. Either way, we start right where we left off in the previous book - always a key tell that they should really be a single entity -with Darren still reeling from a betrayal. Things are only going to get worse for our ragtag group of heroes as before long the police turn up, suspecting them of being the killers who have been plaguing the city.

I enjoyed this refreshing bout of the real world coming face to face with things beyond their ability to understand or control. Their guilt is all but assured when the police find the body of a dead Vampet in the house, tortured for information. The pace really picks up here and I liked how various characters are played with. The ending took a bit of a dismal turn and I particularly did not enjoy the make believe scene where you are assured that all's well that end's well, only to have Darren say, 'I wish that's what happened'. That was a cheap tactic and more than a little annoying.

Either way, this is an action packed adventure. There is definite violence and brutality here even if it isn't described in vivid detail. I'd say it's a children's book, but one that I'd likely recommend to those twelve and above.

[Matti · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun fact about me is that Larten Crepsley is one of my favourite characters of all time and I also have very *very* vivid memories of reading the last few chapters of this book for the first time :)