The Saga of Darren Shan: The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan
Ill.by
Takahiro Arai. HarperCollins, 2009. ISBN 978000
7320882.
(Ages 10+) The tales of
Darren Shan, a series of 12 books about a
boy who becomes a half vampire and must always fight to retain his
human half,
was enormously popular when first published in 2000. To be reissued in
Manga
form will reintroduce the series to a different reading group, as well
as
thrilling those who already know the series. Readers of both the book
and
graphic novel form will love the adventures of Darren as he saves the
day
against all manner of monsters. Fighting against his vampire half means
finding
another way of satiating his appetite for blood, and with all vampire
books
which show the vampire trying to be human, the way of receiving blood
is always
fascinating.
The art work
by Takahiro Arai will entice readers of this
graphic novel. Using the traditional Manga style of big eyed children,
as well
as other conventions of blank pages with one drawing at the bottom,
different
sized comic strips, a whole page devoted to an emotional climax, and so
on, the
art work is at once familiar but with different touches that kids will
love.
The monsters in this book are thrilling, the fight scenes scary and
bloody. It
will have wide appeal; and this is number 2.
Fran Knight