Calling The Saga of Darren Shan a page turner is an understatement. It’s an incredibly dramatic, quick paced thriller, with more brilliant plot twists than you can count on your hands! Just reading one chapter is impossible. Each page leaves you excited for more, until soon enough you’ll realize that you’ve spent nine hours reading on your couch!

When the series starts, we learn that young Darren Shan has always loved spiders. So when he and his best friend Steve Leonard, nicknamed Steve Leopard for his wild and unpredictable nature, saw a beautiful spider at a freak show they were forbidden to go to, it piques his interest. And of course, there’s a plot twist. We find out that Larten Crepsley, the beautiful spider’s caretaker, isn’t who he seems to be. This begins the thrilling destiny that both Darren and Steve are tied to. 

Throughout the series you’ll meet good and bad vampires, a whole lot of spiders and toads, some freak show performers, a couple of dragons, a blob monster, a family of snake people, a passionate vegan, and even a pirate. There’ll be heartbreak, tragedy, mystery, suspense, and so many incredible plot twists that you’ll wish you had amnesia so you could enjoy them again!

Now, are you interested in reading The Saga of Darren Shan? Here’s what to do. First, get all twelve books. Don’t torture yourself by having to wait in between books. Second, clear a day to read. When you start, you will NOT want to stop until you’ve finished the series. Third, find a comfy space to read where you won’t be interrupted. Maybe grab a bottle of water or some snacks; you’ll be there for a while. 

-Caitlyn O.

The works of Darren Shan are available for checkout at the Mission Viejo Library. They can also be downloaded for free from Libby.