Cirque Du Freak: Sons of Destiny

Darren Shan

Aug 2008 · Sold by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

About this ebook

Time seemed to collapse... There was a sharp stabbing sensation in my stomach... Steve crowed, "Now I have you! Now you're gonna die!"

Dead if he loses - damned if he wins. The time has finally come for Darren to face his archenemy, Steve Leopard. One of them will die. The other will become the Lord of the Shadows - and destroy the world.

Is the future written, or can Darren trick destiny?

Ratings and reviews

Cirque du Freak: Sons of Destiny Book Review By: Keshana Omune After all that it’s finally come to this, Cirque du Freak: Sons of Destiny, the final installation of the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan. Shan creates a whole new perspective on vampire mythology as he explores themes of fate and valor as shown in this epic finale. At the start of the book, Darren discovers he has a nephew, Darius, who is a vampaneze and son of Steven. This entices Darren to finally tell his sister Annie all about his secret existence after so many years of believing her brother had died. Along with this, Darren explains her son’s well-being and how they can work to help protect him from Steven. After this emotional reunion, Darren, Alice Burgess, and Vancha get ready to help their friends battle the vampaneze at the stadium. The chase is on as Darren and Vancha go after Gannen Harst and Steve for a very short encounter. It’s then that Darren makes the connection that he is destined to fight Steve by himself. Finally, as the two are fatally wounded, Mr. Tiny reveals the truth and explains that he is the father of both Darren and Steve who are half-brothers. Darren decides to end the prophecy then and there by allowing Steve to kill him, plunging the two into the river and saving humanity. The Lake of Souls is where Darren finds himself for a moment, but then Evanna, his half-sister, pulls him out and explains the deal she made with Mr. Tiny to turn him into a little person to allow his soul to reach Paradise at last. The condition that would allow this to happen would be that Evanna would have a child that would take the place of Darren or Steve in the prophecy; however, it is revealed that Evanna ends up having twins. Mr. Tiny reluctantly sends Darren into the past to the very moment he sees the Cirque du Freak where is given the opportunity to change the course of history. Darren gives Mr. Tall of the Cirque his diary which explains what was once reality and hopes that the entries would be used to guide future events. It is implied that Darren finally makes it to paradise as he dies peacefully on the roof of the theater. The author’s purpose for writing this book was to show that a person is capable of changing what is “set in stone” and take their fate into their own hands despite the odds. This would require sacrifice and courage which Shan shows through his characters’ struggles of the Cirque du Freak series. The author portrays destiny and fate as a major theme throughout his books. It is in this final book that the reader can see that nothing is certain. Even when something that has been predestined is forced upon someone it doesn’t necessarily mean it will come to pass, but rather people have the ability to write their own future if they are willing enough to take the first step of faith and show their valor. An example that the author uses to support his purpose is shown through the prophecy that either Darren or Steve will come out triumphant after their final duel and possess the power to rule over all of humanity. Darren was quite aware of this fate that he felt tied to for some time, however in his final moments he was able to overcome what Mr. Tiny had been forcing down on him and defied the prophecy all together when he was stabbed and plunged into the river with Steven. The importance of valor and courage are also shown as Darren continued through his struggle though many lives were lost along his journey. Even though his chances of beating Steve and ultimately opposing Mr. Tiny’s expectations were bleak, he found the courage inside of himself to give up his life to save humanity which he valued even more since becoming a vampire. The author’s use of evidence could’ve been stronger had he not ended the series with Darren being sent into the past to prevent himself from ever becoming a vampire. If he had allowed Darren to instead find a way to maybe even help Steve regain his humanity or end the feud between the two peacefully and defy Mr. Tiny that way, then maybe the

I read the whole series, in about two months. It's so amazingly cunning in so many ways I couldn't even begin to describe. I would recommend this to any vampire lover. Honestly better then twilight. Imo.

I really wish they would tell us what happens after darren dies. The best serious i have ever read! dont know what to do without darren :(

About the author

Darren Shan is the bestselling author of the young adult series Cirque Du Freak, The Demonata, and the Saga of Larten Crepsley series, as well as the stand-alone book The Thin Executioner. His books have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Shan divides his time between his homes in Ireland and London.