Lord of the Shadows

The Saga of Darren Shan #11

by Darren Shan

Book 11 of The Saga Of Darren Shan. Darren's going home. Back to where everything started. The town's changed a lot in the years that he's been away -- but then, so has Darren.

Plagued by nightmares of what the future seems to hold, Darren feels uneasy revisiting the place where he was re-born as a child of the night, as though the universe (as though destiny) is plotting to throw something very nasty at him on the streets of his old home.

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

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

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

[Sara Kamjou · Rating 4 out of 5]

پیچیدگی داستان بیشتر شد و علی‌رغم روند آرومش، غافلگیری‌های خودشو داشت. اگر اتفاق آخر این جلد رو حدس نزده بودم بهش ۵ می‌دادم. نقطه قوت این جلد، خاکستری کردن شخصیتا و خروج از حالت سیاه و سفید بود.

[Shawna Finnigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with reading a twelve book series is by this far along in the series, I can understand Darren Shan’s foreshadowing really well and it’s causing me to accurately predict what the big plot twists will be in the story. I wish I had a little more of that shock factor that I experienced with the early books in this series, but regardless I did end up still enjoying Lord of the Shadows.

Shan’s writing style is wonderful for me. It flows really smoothly with no dull parts so that I’m fully invested in the story from start to finish. If I had more free time, I could easily listen to one of these fast paced books in one day.

The grittiness and violence of the characters in Lord of the Shadows really helped up the stakes and the tension just in time for the finale. I can’t wait to read the final book soon. I’m hoping that it’ll be just as good as this one and I’m looking forward to finding out who survives the brutal battle to come.

[Fatemeh Am · Rating 5 out of 5]

بالاخره یه کتاب خوب توی این مجموعه. هرچند یکی از ضربه‌های کتابو همون اول کتاب فهمیدم ولی در کل از اول مجموعه تا الان منتظر کششی اینطوری توی کتابا بودم

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS DOES NOT fall into the same pitfalls as the previous two books

Instead of a meandering from the main plot arch, this time we are in the thick of things. I really enjoyed the contrast of Darren now vs Darren could-have-been as he is confronted with his old life and all the what-ifs that could have happened if he hadn't become a vampire.

The cat-and-mouse game between Darren and Steve was both engaging and annoying. I wanted confrontation, I wanted action...and when that happened...oh boy did I not want that to happen.

Previously, I have admired Shan (author, not character) for not skimping on the gore and death just because this is for middle schoolers. Books are too PG sometimes and his were a refreshing change.

HOWEVER

What he did to Ezra and his family...unforgivable...there is a difference between including death and doing that to one of your characters.

Audiobook Comments
Read by Ralph Lister - another great read by the Lister!

YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads

[Shannara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved all the books in this series, but this one... I’m not so sure. All because of that ending, which I will not go into specifics or any spoilers. Once this series really got going the action and intrigue. And I was absolutely loving it!!!

But not this one. The action was still going one, but there were irreparable moments that are absolutely horrid and I’m super upset about it. At this point I’m wondering why that was necessary, but who knows, maybe the last book with enlighten me and I’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I seriously doubt it. That’s why I gave it 3 1/2 stars rounded down. I hope the last one is amazing!!!

I do still like most of it.. most. I also still recommend this series, but watch out for the ending. It’s emotionally trying and harsh in my opinion. Now excuse me while I download the next and last book of the series. Which, if you do decide to pick this series up, have them all ready to binge. Because those cliffhangers are intense!!!. The narrator, Ralph Lister has done a great job!!

[Neda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monsters are not born fully developed. They grow, they mature, theybecome.

[Zahra · Rating 3 out of 5]

.
اوایل این جلد یه ذره خسته‌کننده بود به نظرم، ولی اواخرش خوب شد. ولی کلا پلات‌توییست‌هاش خیلی قابل حدسن.
دوست داشتم درمورد آقای تال بیش‌تر بخونم، واقعا شخصیت جالبی داشت و یه جورایی الکی مرد؟ اینکه پسر دیسموند تینی بود رو حدس نزده بودم. جالب بود.
و واقعا فکر نمی‌کردم استیو شانکوس رو‌ بکشه. پسر ماری قشنگم ):
دو تا از شخصیت‌های واقعا دوست‌داشتنی مجموعه توی این جلد مردن ولی فقط در حد یه لحظه شکه شدن ناراحت شدم از مرگشون. دوست داشتم شخصیت‌پردازی بهتری می‌داشتن که بیش‌تر ناراحت می‌شدم.

[آزاده شریفی · Rating 4 out of 5]

نوجوانی... نوجوانی... آن روزهایی که رفتند گاهی که می آیند سر می زنند
...

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord of the Shadows
Author: Darren Shan

"Confidence has brought them out into the light, but they seem to have forgotten - light's no good for creatures of the night."

Darren returns to his former home where he grew up. Suddenly he realizes how the world around him has changed while he was mainly busy saving the future of the vampire clan.
He is reunited with his sister who had a son during his absence.

His nephew turns out to have a connection to the rival clan, making it impossible for Darren to simply defeat the Vampanese lord without consequences...

This part is incredibly nerve wracking there were so many unexpected twists that I didn't see coming. Every character that has appeared in the storyline so far turns out to play an essential role in the plot.

Trigger warnings:
Death, violence, murder, grief, blood, problematic

[Sabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of this one truly is wild

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two years later, and the War of Scars is still going on, yet Darren hasn’t been attending to his princely duties. While still travelling with the Cirque du Freak, Darren and the circus travel to Darren’s original home town where he’d still lived as a vampire. But something sinister is afoot; Darren and Harkat can feel it. There’s Steve and the vampaneze to worry about, and now Darren has to worry about this mysterious future Lord of the Shadows, who may very well be him!

Plot

The end is near with this series but you wouldn’t guess it with how dull Lord of the Shadows. It took ages for any action to start, and when it did it was very predictable. That’s the problem with a long series. Readers start to learn the author’s tricks and nuances and will be able to figure out what will happen next. Even the first time I read this book I wasn’t surprised by anything. Besides the predictable things, Lord of the Shadows was a set up book for Sons of Destiny and that’s about it. The next book is the big finale and this book was the stepping stone to it. Books like this are never really exciting so the plot wasn’t really a letdown.

Writing

By this point, the writing has become too predictable. Eleven books in the same series and you being to be able to figure out what the author has in store next. The quality is as good as ever but it’s gone down in terms of uniqueness. There was a lack of urgency in Lord of the Shadows that I think should have been there. Shan is usually good with that but it was strangely absent.

Characters

I really don’t like what Shan’s done to Darren’s character. Is the reader honestly supposed to believe that Darren would murder a child all of a sudden because of this mysterious darkness rising up inside of him? Apparently we are. It would have been better if, from the beginning of the series, Darren was shown as holding grudges and wanting vengeance, only to be stopped and reprimanded by Mr. Crepsley after he was blooded. And when Mr. Crepsley dies, the one thing that held Darren back is no more and that rage rises up inside of him again. This didn’t happen, but it’s what should have happened. Darren has always been optimistic and a good spirit, even in the worst of times; even when Steve killed Mr. Crepsley! This sudden character shift doesn’t make any sense and it’s very weak. Since Shan couldn’t have gone back and developed Darren like I said, he should have made it where Darren just snapped. To do that, something incredibly upsetting should have happened; something more upsetting than Mr. Crepsley being killed.

It’s very upsetting to see Darren’s character do a one-eighty like this.

Things I Didn't Like

Lord of the Shadows—the second to last book in the series!—was boring. I’m sorry to say but it was. Nothing even happened in first six to seven chapters. “Blah” is the word I’d use to describe this book. It was a set up book, just like books two and three were in this series. Maybe I would have liked the book if it was combined with Sons of Destiny. Who knows?

Besides that, I didn’t like what has happened to Darren’s character in the span of, what, a few chapters? He goes from moderately optimistic half-vampire to a person who’s about ready to murder a child for revenge’s purposes only. How a mighty character has fallen at the hands of the author.

Diversity

Debbie and Alice are back. They play an important role in the indirect plot more than the direct plot. It’s good, but not great. I like the way that they are described as muscular and how Shan doesn’t shy away from having physically strong women. Debbie, the only confirmed POC in the entire series, is more prominent than Alice. I also like how her dark skin is described as beautiful. Too often dark skin is demonized or just not seen as pretty.

Overall

Lord of the Shadows was a book to set up the big finale. It will probably pale in comparison to the final book. The entire book was dull and boring, even during the action scenes. There were choices that Darren made that were rather silly and foolish of him that he only did for the convenience of the plot. If Sons of Destiny makes up for Lord of the Shadows, that’d be great.

Here is a link to my notes.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just full of twists and shocking and tragic circumstances!
In this book, Darren and Harkat are traveling with the Cirque du Freak when the Cirque ends up back in Darren's hometown. Of course, he wants to see how the town has changed and how his family and friends are doing, but he is unsure of how involved with them he should be.

SPOILERS
Of course, Steve manages to show up in this book, and it is revealed that he has a son. I was not surprised to learn who the boy's mother was (Annie), but it complicates things for Darren considerably. I am becoming rather depressed about this "Lord of the Shadows" business. It is so upsetting that Darren is destined to either die or turn into a murderous monster. They have trusted what Mr. Tiny, Evanna, and Mr. Tall have said so far but I can't help but HOPE beyond hope that they are all somehow wrong about Darren's destiny. I also cried when Steve killed Shancus. It was one of the worst deaths of the series, even worse than Mr. Crepsley's. I just want this all to be over!! I think the vampires and the vampaneze have a good chance of peace once Steve is GONE.
SPOILERS END

This book was very sad and I am hoping that the next and last book will help to tie up loose ends and I really hope all ends well for Darren and company.

[Emad · Rating 2 out of 5]

اوّلین شبح را چه کسی هم‌خون کرد؟ یا: در بابِ حکمتِ متعالیۀ اوّل مرغ بود یا تخم‌مرغ؟

خب در این قسمت به نظرم وقتِ آن فرارسیده که جایزۀ کلنگِ طلاییِ قرن برایِ ویران کردنِ شخصیّت‌هایِ داستانی را تقدیمِ آقایِ نویسنده کنیم.
یعنی اگر در کلّ این مجموعه یک نفر وجود داشت که می‌توانست شخصیّتِ درست و درمانی از آن دربیاید، بدونِ شک آقایِ تال بود که آن هم نویسندۀ محترم با آن پایان‌بندیِ مضحک زحمتش را کشید.
یک زمانی بود رولینگ در شاه‌زادۀ دورگه‌اش دامبلدور می‌کشت که نه تنها آه و فغانِ مخاطب به هوا می‌رفت، بلکه چنان داستانِ پیچیده و مبهمی در پسِ آن نهادینه کرده بود که آدم را به حیرت وامی‌داشت. یک زمانی هم هست که آقایِ شان ... بگذریم.

ولی حالا جدا از شوخی، اوّلین شبح را چه کسی هم‌خون کرد؟ حتماً یکی از توله‌جن‌هایِ دیسموند تینی :)

1.5

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 25/08/23: Audiobook version this time around. Time to finally get back to my reread of this series. Took a 2 year gap between this one and the previous book 🙈

[Tyrell ⚔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Confidence has brought them out into the light, but they seem to have forgotten - light's no good for creatures of the night.”

Despite a lot of the disagreeing reviews, this was an EXCELLENT installment in the series. Darren returns to his hometown prompting the return of some characters from the first book in the series. Through a mirage of events and deaths, Darren is confronted with an unspeakable horror and surprise at the end of the book.

Despite a lot of people's claims that the author shouldn't have ended on that note, I believe the author made the right choice. Throughout the last couple of books, we've known that Steve Leopard was crazy af but it's been tough to see the evil in his character...until now.

[Kinga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the previous book in this series 9 years ago, and the reason why I didn’t finish the last two books back then is because the last few books I read really did not amaze me in the slightest. I don’t remember much of their stories, just that they were either dragging on too long or that the twists were very predictable.

And I’m not surprised that I feel the same way about book #11 now, but I’m determined now to finish this series and not have another 9 year hiatus before I start the last part. Maybe the ending will surprise me, who knows.

[Leoni Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 11th instalment in the Darren Shan saga and sees the return of Darren and Harkat from the other world and the Lake of Souls with the knowledge of Harkat’s true identity. It was good to see the return of the Cirque du Freak, Annie Shan and Darren’s childhood friend Tommy, and the lead up to the inevitable final showdown between Darren and Steve but it’s not as good as the earlier books in the series in my opinion. 4 star read for me overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ looking forward to seeing how this series ends!

[Atefeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان انقدر طولانی شده که گاهی باید مکث کنم تا بتوانم اتفاقات قبلی را به یاد بیاورم
در این جلد برای اولین بار جمله آخر کتاب را از همان اول حدس زده بودم اما همچنان پرکشش و جذاب است

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well hot damn. I finished this book and my heart is racing. Absolute triller and horror. Honestly speechless at the end.

[Dafne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pain. That’s all I feel right now

[Narges Amooei · Rating 5 out of 5]

برای کتاب قبلی این مجموعه نوشته‌بودم که بهترین کتاب بوده تا اون موقع. با خوندن این کتاب، فهمیدم جذاب‌شدن داستان و هیجانی‌شدن قضیه و رازها و سورپرایزها، با جلو رفتن داره بیشتر می‌شه.
رازی که ته داستان برملا می‌شه رو زودتر حدس زده‌بودم ولی هیجان داستان واقعاً بالا بود. یعنی مشتاق‌ترینم برای خوندن کتاب آخر.

[Alexis Chateau · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series has just hit a point where it went from poorly written to just ridiculously boring. All the characters bore me. They're like children playing hide and seek rather than older men and women fighting a war.

Also Darren's sudden change looked more like a last minute convenience than fate. And I knew from Darius's first appearance that he was the nephew. And that Steve was his father. And Darren got a good enough look at his nephew to describe him so how could he not have seen the resemblances from the start? Doesnt he supposedly have great vision as a half vampire?

This book wasn't the least bit thought out and I've never seen such a weak and cowardly and whining vampire as Darren. He is forever crying or standing on trembling legs. I almost want Steve to kill him at this point.

Worst book of the series. The best part was the ending.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drawing close to the ending of an amazing series, numerous questions are answered in this book.

Back in his home town Darren is faced with old friends and old enemies alike. With more twists and turns added into this book it is next to impossible to put down, leaving you to read on to the final instalment instantly. Whilst a lot of things come out in the open there are still those unanswered questions which can only be found out through finishing the series.

[Jennifer Wagemans · Rating 2 out of 5]

The last chapters of the book were thrilling, but most of the story was 'filler' and predictable. I mean, if you want to read about a vampire watching a soccer game, this is your book.

And again with the killing characters for shock factor, I hate that.

[Martha Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como puede haber tanto dolor y muerte en un libro tan pequeño.

[Saeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

اگر نمیتوانید. ۱۰ جلد. قبلی را بخوانید. ، ازین کتاب شروع کنید. ، خلاصه ی. ابتدای ان بسیار. عالی است

[mitween books · Rating 5 out of 5]

میدونستمممم میدونستممممسمثحسنثحیکخقق وایییییی

[Tasnia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ...

For the second time in this series this book has got me on a chokehold. I was just deeping how a few books ago the main problems being faced by Darren and the rest of the vampires and characters and what not are so miniature compared to right now. Like the best way I could compare it to is the last few books of Harry Potter as all hell breaks loose and everything's so much darker than it was to all the books prior. Like this book is just jaw dropping and i really have nothing else to say without spoilers so...

spoilers

... okay first of all the end got me sooo sad. Not even the end of the book, I mean like the literal end; it says how all sagas must come to an end 💔 Like I'm actually so sad. And this book just felt like a build up to the next book tbh. But oh boy is the next book gonna be a hefty one...

In this book, Darren and Harakat travel back into real time and join the circus again. The circus end up performing at Darren's hometown and Darren ends up seeing Annie (don't get much of her in this book) and Tommy, one of his old childhood school friends. Then steve and his gang come to ruin the day...

Steve... Like what is wrong with him. He's genuinely psychopathic. The finale scene was so tragic and heartbreaking. It happening in the same place Mr Crepsley had first performed sprung back memories. Also, i knew Shancus was going to die due to pinterest spoilers again whoops, so like the last book the build up to that wasn't there for me.

What makes this book so amazing is Darren's battles with himself. The whole idea of the Lord Of The Shadow is SUCH a good plot. Like the whole thing of the setting from the last book being the definite future, and it's destined that either Steve or Darren would do that is crazy.

I think Darren hitting the second purge in this book really really helped me view him as more of a man. Even so, the way he acted in this book was sooo much more older and adult like compared to the other books. I guess him being described has having a beard now definitely did help 😂

Having said this, I now no longer am a massive Debbie Darren hater. NGl i would still prefer them not to get together as i still don't like her, but eh Darren is a big man now. I guess she is here to balance Darren's "evil" side out. At first I was like why is she stopping him from killing Danius, but in the end I do get her reasoning.

This ties back to Darren's "monstrous" future. It was so distressful seeing Darren fighting his own self, and in the end he sort of almost lost himself? That was until Steve yet again spoke of another one of his evil doings.

I'm guessing him and Annie got together in the past for Darius to be Darren's nephew? And here i guess is where the plot thickens. For the final book, hmmm. I predict that the vampires do win but Darren does some sort of self sacrifice and he dies, and so the damned future is no more. I think everything i spoiled for myself ends here as I can't remember anything else that i shouldn't already know so that's good.

Oh yeah, and as for the rest of this book. For probably most of these books, the end is much more intense, and therefore better, than the beginning/middle. As for the beginning, we really just got to see Darren join the circus again. Darren's reunification with Tommy was a nice read, but it was short-lived. The stadium bit was fine, although when Steve had Darren free to kill when he was injured, i'm not sure why he didn't take that opportunity. Maybe it's just one of Mr Tiny's other rulings smh.

Mr Tall... He was another character that just felt like he was always there when needed. Honestly, after the fall of Mr Crepsley, this world just seemed like it was on a steady decline. Like one by one, everyone we know is just dropping dead. Mr Tall being Evanna's brother and Tiny's son was nice. It's cool how they all share the same future-seeing abilities. I'm not even really sad about Mr Tall's death because i know it's the next moment that someone else amazing is gonna fall too. I mean, we basically already got predictions that Vancha dies too soo...


Lol i felt like i literally just talked through the whole book. This book was defo shorter; I think it was 100 pages less than the previous one. Immediately after finishing this i actually was heartbroken for what's to come and I didn't know what to rate this book. Me talking through it though has made me land on 4.5 stars, and well deserved.

Can't believe this is my penultimate review of this series 😭😢☹😞 I'm not okay

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione su Book Lover

Darren ora è di nuovo al Cirque du Freak, perché così gli dice il cuore. Le sue giornate e quelle di Harkat passano ad aiutare i membri del circo e ad aspettare il momento in cui i due amici si troveranno faccia a faccia con il Signore dei Vampaneze. Purtroppo, però, il passato richiama Darren inesorabilmente, e il giovane Principe si troverà di nuovo tra le strade della sua vecchia città. Cosa accadrà, è solo destino...

In questo undicesimo volume ne accadono di tutti i colori, tant'è che una mia amica mi ha detto che è il più triste di tutti prima che mi mettessi a leggerlo. In effetti, ha ragione.
Arrivati a questo punto non so neanche cosa scrivere, se non che Darren Shan (l'autore) è... un genio? Una persona orribile? Entrambi? Non lo so.
Comunque, ho trovato questo libro un po' lento all'inizio, o forse è solo il fatto che è l'undicesimo di una serie. Nella seconda parte, invece, tutto diventa più interessante e complesso, con qualche colpo di scena piuttosto triste (non nel senso che è fatto male, eh, ma che è da lacrime).
È stato bello rivedere qualche personaggio, altri molto meno (*tossisce* Steve *tossisce*), e ci sono stati dei punti che davvero non mi sarei aspettata.

Quello su cui mi sono concentrata di più, in questo libro, è Darren. O meglio, mi ha attratta il suo comportamento, l'immensa paura di diventare un mostro come Steve. E il fatto che a volte si intravede in lui quella crudeltà immensa che lui nega di avere. Praticamente sputando sulle ultime parole di Larten, Darren si lascia trascinare dalla rabbia e dalla vendetta e chi gli sta attorno deve fargli capire che sta sbagliando. La lotta esistenziale di Darren contro il proprio destino è una delle cose che mi attrae di più, e ho paura di scoprire cosa accadrà nell'ultimo volume.
Steve, la nemesi di Darren. dimostra sempre di più la sua inutile crudeltà, il suo odio infondato. Personalmente, non penso che se le cose fossero andate diversamente Steve sarebbe una buona persona. Non è nella sua natura.
A questo punto l'unico che può fare qualcosa, che può forse evitare una strage, è Vancha. Non per niente è il mio secondo personaggio preferito (al primo posto c'è ovviamente Gavner). L'unica sua pecca è che ha un ego smisurato!
Suo fratello Gannen... In effetti mi dispiace parecchio per lui, perché si ritrova Steve come una palla al piede, un Vampaneze che disonora l'intero clan col suo comportamento. Poveraccio, fate andare Gannen in vacanza, non so come non sia impazzito a stare così vicino a Steve.
Rivediamo, per poco, anche personaggi del primo volume, e ho intravisto un collegamento con la storia breve natalizia scritta dall'autore e che ho letto qualche mese fa. Non dico cosa, però.
Forse quello che non mi è piaciuto molto è il comportamento di Debbie, che non mi è mai stata molto simpatica. È debole, a tratti patetica. Non ha la stoffa per diventare un vampiro, e sinceramente rimpiango molto Arra.

Lo stile è sempre abbastanza semplice, adatto per i ragazzi per cui è stato scritto, e anche chi ha difficoltà con l'inglese penso possa leggerlo tranquillamente. Forse le cose cambieranno con la quadrilogia su Larten...

Intanto, io ho paura di prendere in mano l'ultimo volume.

[Julianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now this book is exactly what this series has been leading up to. There's a lot of great action. Darren and Steve are finally facing each other. And there is a looming dark prophecy about the Lord of the Shadows.

All of the ultra powerful who meddle with the future make appearances. You have to love Evanna the witch of the wilds.

As always, it ends on a cliffhanger which is so beyond annoying at this point. I'm ready to finally see the end of the War of Scars, I just worry there won't be a full wrap up of the Lord of Shadows/future craziness.