Shan's attempt to escalate his series has turned it into something completely different, and sadly one that is more predictable and much less interesting. The evocative slice-of-life scenes from the first three books are all but gone, and despite stabs at moral complexity (which were admittedly successful in the previous book) Shan's grand war plot just lacks the characterization that lent the first three books their appeal. It no longer has a unique selling point, and the structuring leaves much to be desired. Each book is half of a plot, half of a character arc, which I guess makes sense in a series, but the first three books were all relatively self-contained, so we've gone from one story told in two hundred pages to one story told across six.

You know... for a saga called Cirque du Freak, there's not a lot of the circus. It's been missing from a few books now and it shows.
The series has gotten very heavy on just the vampires and vampaneze (I have never understood the point of the species separation and thought the vampaneze were terrible as a kid). They just cannot carry this series alone.

It was definitely hard to follow up the previous book, and this one was definitely a lot slower in comparison. This book is the beginning of their journey that will determine their fates as Vampires, as well as the Vampaneze.

اولش با هیجان شروع شد و آخرش هم با هیجان و برانگیختن حس کنجکاوی‌مون تموم. ولی اواسط داستان خیلی آروم و بی‌اتفاق می‌گذشت که البته به نظرم برای تعادل لازم بود.

Has a dedication. Character with a visible/physical disability. Royalty. Vampires. Mythological creatures. Book in a series you already started. A battle. Black cover. Green cover. Includes a battle. Includes a war other than WWI/WWII. Includes a map.

This book takes place six years after the sixth book in the series. Darren has been living at Vampire Mountain, embracing his new role and continuing his education. He and Mr. Crepsley, along with their friend Harkat, head out on a quest, and face down dangerous threats from vampaneze. I love that in this book, they return to the Cirque, and that we get to catch up with Evra, now older, of course, and Mr. Tall and the rest of the performers. In this book, they encounter a witch as well.

I don't know that I'd say this book ends on a cliffhanger; it does leave some loose ends and make you want to continue reading, though. There are still plenty of unresolved plot lines, like Harkat's true identity, and Darren's continuing limbo status as a half-vampire. The review blurb says this is the first in a three part adventure, although this is a series of 12 books altogether, so let's see what happens in the next book.

Hunters of the Dusk was most definitely the least interesting of the series thus far, which is upsetting since it's supposed to be drawing closer to the huge finale. Nevertheless, I did find myself enjoying the snippets of information that were littered every so often about Harkat's previous form! I believe he was maybe the brother to Evanna… I'm also pretty sure that the Vampeneze Lord is Steve Leopard/Leonard — since that would make perfect sense!

7/10
جذاب و خواندنی. مثل داستان گرگ و میش

Darren leaves behind Vampire Mountain to hunt down the vampaneze lord that Mr. Tiny prophesized about so many centuries ago. Along the way he meets new people and learns how different the world seems from the last time he was out amongst humans! Definitely full of new characters and plot building in this new twist. I felt some characters were a little unneccesary other than to have someone proceed with the storyline, but what can you do. Overall another good one!

THIS BOOK DOES NOT have any Cirque Du Freak

Unfortunately, this book has completely veered off from the original series. I remember my first time time through it that I was throwing my hands up in the air going - where's the freaks?? I really enjoyed the first few books where they are running around with the circus - meeting all the quirky characters and getting into trouble. This book definitely feels like everyone is in for the long hall.

Audiobook Comments
Read by Ralph Lister - an excellent reader!

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So many reasons as to why this book was another big letdown.
1. The first part where Darrens practices being a prince is completely useless and ridiculous. Luckily, we got rid of that rather quickly.
2. Des-Tiny coming in with his weird half-prophecy-half-command is kinda deux-ex-machina, and hosh I hate that.
3. Departure and meeting up with Vanchard is fun. Lady Evanna is a real joy. Although Darren didnt learn any useful thing from his time with Vanchard, which is a waste in my opinion.
4. Reunion with Cirque du Freak is just exactly what I need. Needless to say, that saves the whole book. And I dont really care much about the twist at the end. Still, I’m curious to see how that plays out in the future.

This was a nice change of pace as this next arc begins. Darren and Mr. Crepsley leave Vampire Mountain in the "War of Scars" to search for the Vampaneze Lord. They meet with Vancha and Lady Evanna who were delightfully weird. We get a glance at the Cirque once more and what they've been up to and it was a nice update. Also so many freaking prophecies. But it's the beginning of the end as Darren gets older (still in a teen body) and now struggles with what he's lost and what he'll never have.

5/5 ❤

Writing this review is actually making me sad because i'm realising that i'm getting closer and closer to finishing this series. To anyone who hasn't read these books, you are severely missing out.

Again, this book is absolutely perfection. EVERY dynamic and EVERY interaction in this book, and the series as a whole, is just absolutely amazing. Why is this book not more hyped???! I mentally decided that not only do I love this series, but the author too. Do I smell another favourite author after Holly jackson?!!

Everything I wanna say includes spoilers, so SPOILERS!!


In this book, Mr Tiny visits the Vampire Mountains and informs the vampires that three hunters will be given four chances to defeat the Vampaneze Lord.

MHMMMMMMM this book is delicious. I love the play with destiny (not the person, but fate itself) and I also really love the scene in the cirque du freak camp towards the end. Let's dive in.

What i loved most in this book (hard to choose) was when Darren was deeping the fact that he was no longer young. That really hit deep because I myself also think about it ALOT. ALSO OMG WHAT SHOCK... Darren has been living for 25 years?!! I mean it makes sense considering the time jumps and everything, but just actually being told the number now seems soooo crazy.

Also omg the scene with him and Evra