2008-05-22 Another amazing chapter in Darren Shan's epic Demonata series

Barcode: 9780007260379

So, with Death's Shadow we see the return of Bec as narrator. Still coming to terms with the modern world and her own abilities, she isn't given much time to settle down before our heroes are already thrust back into danger. The pace, as always with Shan's books is slick, the countless Lost-esque mysteries playing through your mind again and again as you try and decipher what's going on. It's fascinating and you just love the series all the more for it.

Bec is a great character and there's a delightful scene between her and Meera near the beginning as she offloads her issues with Dervish neglecting her. It's testament to Shan's skill as a writer that he is able to do these touching, personal scenes as well as he does the action that forms the core of this book.

Featuring showdowns at Dervish's house and the rooftop of a hospital, Death's Shadow is all about sacrfice. I won't give away any spoilers but what i will say is that as ever with Shan's books, victory is never easy or assured and the cost of fighting is always high. I whipped through this book in a matter of days, a rollercoaster ride of thrilling action and emotions. In a word 'fantastic'!.

The dramatic conclusion of this book takes place on cruise liner out in the open ocean and as with previous book Demon Apocalypse there are some interesting parallels with Doctor Who. With Demon Apocalypse it was the episode 'Last of The Time Lords' what with its rolling back of time/negated timeline plot after the world was cast into oppresion.

In the case of Death's Shadow it's the Christmas Special Voyage of the Damned with the events taking place on a sinking ship and featuring a selfish only-really-out-for-himself character, in Shan's case taking the form of Disciple Kirilli. Two nice little touching points for fans of science-fiction and fantasy who like references between series like this.

On the whole though, what Shan once again proves is that he is a master at conveying just how epic the scale of the war with the Demonata is - it spans the globe as well as reaching back into the past for thousands of years. Which reminds me... we get some fascinating looks back into Beranabus's past in this book which only serves to make you admire his character all the more, he truly is the star of this book.

I can't wait for the next installment in the series - i've been a fan of Darren Shan right from the the beginnings of Cirque Du Freak and he's taken us fans through a twisted, frightening world of ideas. It's been fun, scary, magical, intense, but above all - completely and utterly amazing!