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Trials of Death
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Read Trials of Death
Cirque du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan: Book 5

Trials of Death (2001) (edit title/settings)

The Bloodletting Begins...

by Darren Shan (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

The trials: seventeen ways to die unless the luck of the vampire is with you. Darren Shan must pass five fearsome Trials to prove himself to the vampires clan - or face the stakes of the Hall of Death. But Vampire Mountain holds hidden threats. Sinister, potent forces are gathering in the... read more

Summary edit see section history

The main character, Darren Shan, takes part in the Trials of Initiation. The trials are a series of tasks that vampires used to have to do to prove themselves to the Princes. Now it is only used for vampires who want to become a general or that want to show their strength, but Darren Shan has... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The main character, Darren Shan, takes part in the Trials of Initiation. The trials are a series of tasks that vampires used to have to do to prove themselves to the Princes. Now it is only used for vampires who want to become a general or that want to show their strength, but Darren Shan has to endure the trials because Mr. Crepsley said so and Darren chooses to stand up for his mentor and friend.
Darren must randomly choose five numbered stones from a bag to determine the trials he must take part in. The first of his five selected trials is The Aquatic Maze, which is a maze that fills steadily with water in 17 minutes while Darren has to get through while dragging a rock half his weight. The second trial is The Path of Needles, which is a run from one end of a room to the other barefoot across stalagmites which splinter badly and are as sharp as knives. The third trial is The Hall of Flames, which is a metal room with jets that shoot out flames. Darren must remain in the room for approximatley fifteen minutes, trying not to get 'roasted'. The fourth trial is The Blooded Boars, where Darren has to kill two boars infected with vampire blood. However due to Darren's several injuries, he could not move the first dead boar he killed when it landed on him. The second boar tried to kill Darren, but Harkat, a Little Person, killed the second boar. This unfortunately was unacceptable, so Darren had to be punished by going to the Hall of Death. Harkat could not be punished because it was Darren's trial and it was not customary to kill 'interferers'. Gavner and Kurda helped Darren escape. A group of Vampaneze showed up and battled Kurda and Gavner. Kurda betrayed the clan and stabbed Gavner revealing his work with the Vampaneze in the cave. Gavner dies and Darren went near the torrent in the cave. He ends up in the torrent and ends up being dragged away to the falls.The main character, Darren Shan, takes part in the Trials of Initiation. The trials are a series of tasks that vampires used to have to do to prove themselves to the Princes. Now it is only used for vampires who want to become a general or that want to show their strength, but Darren Shan has to endure the trials because Mr. Crepsley said so and Darren chooses to stand up for his mentor and friend.
Darren must randomly choose five numbered stones from a bag to determine the trials he must take part in. The first of his five selected trials is The Aquatic Maze, which is a maze that fills steadily with water in 17 minutes while Darren has to get through while dragging a rock half his weight. The second trial is The Path of Needles, which is a run from one end of a room to the other barefoot across stalagmites which splinter badly and are as sharp as knives. The third trial is The Hall of Flames, which is a metal room with jets that shoot out flames. Darren must remain in the room for approximatley fifteen minutes, trying not to get 'roasted'. The fourth trial is The Blooded Boars, where Darren has to kill two boars infected with vampire blood. However due to Darren's several injuries, he could not move the first dead boar he killed when it landed on him. The second boar tried to kill Darren, but Harkat, a Little Person, killed the second boar. This unfortunately was unacceptable, so Darren had to be punished by going to the Hall of Death. Harkat could not be punished because it was Darren's trial and it was not customary to kill 'interferers'. Gavner and Kurda helped Darren escape. A group of Vampaneze showed up and battled Kurda and Gavner. Kurda betrayed the clan and stabbed Gavner revealing his work with the Vampaneze in the cave. Gavner dies and Darren went near the torrent in the cave. He ends up in the torrent and ends up being dragged away to the falls.

Characters edit see section history

  • Larten Crepsley: an old vampire, the one that blooded Darren.
  • Darren Shan: the main character, a half-vampire.
  • Paris Skyle: the oldest vampire and a Vampire Prince.
  • Mika Ver Leth: a Vampire Prince.
  • Harkat Mulds: a Little Person, he is Darren's friend and Mr. Tiny's messenger.
  • Vanez: Darren's tutor for the Trials.
  • Kurda Smahlt: a soon-to-be Prince, he is a good vampire that doesn't like fights.
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “He looks terrible," Mika Ver Leth noted. "Are you sure he's fit to continue with the Trials?" "He is merely resting, sire," Kurda said lightly. "He likes to pretend to be injured, so that he can be carried around like a lord.”
    Mika Ver Leth and Kurda
  • “Why are you so sure I'll fail?" "It's not that I think poorly of you. You're just too young and inexperienced. Apart from the fact that you're physically unprepared, you haven't had time to assess the different tasks and practice for them. You're being thrown in at the deep end, and it isn't fair.”
    Darren – Kurda
  • “I don't think I'll be able to sleep." "You must. Rest is vital if you are going to complete the Trials. You will need to be fully alert, with all your wits about you..”
    Darren – Mr. Crepsley
  • “That's the sort of thing the dry old buzzard would say." "But I … heard him talking … to Seba Nile. He said … that if you … failed, he would… eat his cape.”
    Darren – Harkat
  • “You made me take the Trials. You don't think I'm good enough to be a vampire. You'll be happy if I fail, because it'll prove you were right.”
    Darren to Mika
  • “You performed excellently. Brains, strength, and luck — no vampire lasts long without a healthy measure of each.”
    Vanez
  • “You need lots of luck to make it out of the Aquatic Maze. On the Path ofNeedles, you can exert more control over your fate — your life's in your own hands.”
    Vanez
  • “Still think it isn't much of a Trial?" "If I ever say such a stupid thing again, cut out my tongue and sew my lips closed!”
    Vanez – Darren
  • “It is more difficult than it looks. Darren is naturally gifted with spiders. Very few people have the ability to bond with spiders. You are a fortunate young man, Darren.”
    Seba
  • “Return to your cell while I and the others consult with our colleagues. You'll be informed of our decision as soon as we reach one. My advice would be to make your peace with the gods, for I fear you will face them shortly.”
    Mika
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • the death’s touch sign. It means, ‘Even in death, may you be triumphant.’”
    Highlighted by 29 Kindle customers
  • If you know in your heart that you’re true and brave, that should be enough.
    Highlighted by 14 Kindle customers
  • “Mr. Crepsley? Kurda? Vanez? What are you doing on a beach in the middle of the day?” I asked. “You’ll sizzle in the sunlight if you don’t watch out.” “He’s delirious!” Someone laughed. “Who would not be?” Mr. Crepsley replied, hugging me proudly.
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
  • Cirque Du Freak The Saga of Darren Shan Vampire Mountain
    Highlighted by 4 Kindle customers
  • the tip of their right-hand middle finger to their forehead, placed the tips of the fingers on either side of it on their eyelids, and spread their thumb and little finger out wide to the sides.
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
  • I told him where he could stick his torch stub — and the rest of the torch as well!
    Highlighted by 3 Kindle customers
Show all 16 quotes from this book

Setting & Locations edit see section history

Organizations edit see section history

  • Vampaneze: A group of vampires broken off to form their own race. They have purplish skin and red eyes and believe in killing when they feed.

First Sentence edit see section history

The huge cavern known as the Hall of Khledon Lurt was almost deserted.

Table of Contents edit see section history

Prologue
Chapters 1 - 21

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 5 of 12 in Cirque du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan. (standard series)

Preceded by Vampire Mountain, and followed by The Vampire Prince.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Darren Shan (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: HarperCollins
Country: UK
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 0007114400
Page Count: 176

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • Cirque du Freak
  • Vampire Mountain
  • The Vampire's Assistant
  • Tunnels of Blood

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