Wow. I am loving this series and so I was excited to start this book. It started out in a very mild (almost slow) way; five trials, none of which would be particularly easy for Darren even though the ones which would be impossible for him were taken out of the running. The first bit of this book was a little slow for me actually. I kept thinking, "Well, there is only two ways that this could turn out, either he succeeds or he dies." Boy, was I wrong!
SPOILERS
Leave it to this amazing author to completely change the game! I expected there to be complications of some sort during the trials. When Harkat saved Darren in the fourth one, I knew it was a big deal but was hoping that the princes would make an exception. The funny thing is, they never actually announced an actual decision. They all just kind of knew Darren was doomed. When he made the decision to run away, at first I was SO disappointed in him. I actually put the book down for a couple of hours and I am glad I did. It gave me a bit of perspective. Darren was a CHILD! I had gotten so caught up with the vampire culture that I was like "rah, rah, die for honor's sake...etc." But that is actually ridiculous! I really do respect their customs but SERIOUSLY? Also, no one seemed to mention the fact that he is only a HALF vampire, so I don't really understand why there were no special rules for him. They really expected him to compete like a full vampire! They seemed to only want to act on precedent and they never made room for new situations! I found myself really understanding where Kurda Smahlt was coming from. And HIS "betrayal" at the end was shocking, I tell you!
SPOILERS END
The end of this book was probably one of the most thrilling episodes thus far. I continue to be amazed at the twists and turns of this story. I am really excited to read the next seven books.
SPOILERS
Leave it to this amazing author to completely change the game! I expected there to be complications of some sort during the trials. When Harkat saved Darren in the fourth one, I knew it was a big deal but was hoping that the princes would make an exception. The funny thing is, they never actually announced an actual decision. They all just kind of knew Darren was doomed. When he made the decision to run away, at first I was SO disappointed in him. I actually put the book down for a couple of hours and I am glad I did. It gave me a bit of perspective. Darren was a CHILD! I had gotten so caught up with the vampire culture that I was like "rah, rah, die for honor's sake...etc." But that is actually ridiculous! I really do respect their customs but SERIOUSLY? Also, no one seemed to mention the fact that he is only a HALF vampire, so I don't really understand why there were no special rules for him. They really expected him to compete like a full vampire! They seemed to only want to act on precedent and they never made room for new situations! I found myself really understanding where Kurda Smahlt was coming from. And HIS "betrayal" at the end was shocking, I tell you!
SPOILERS END
The end of this book was probably one of the most thrilling episodes thus far. I continue to be amazed at the twists and turns of this story. I am really excited to read the next seven books.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Trials of Death (Cirque du Freak, Bk 5) on + 724 more book reviews
Find out about Vampires and Vampanese,was really good.
