A Pretty Unique Take On The Vampire

Vampires in The Saga of Darren Shan

Funny, you think you have an original idea for a post and then there’s a big fuck-off Wikipedia page about it!

Regardless, I just wanna say, these books are great teen fiction, and the vampires are fascinating. The article I’ve linked (ugh) lists off just what it is that makes them so interesting, so let’s get into it - I’ve cherry picked the most fascinating stuff here.

The facts:

• Vampires are largely unbothered by the usual suspects, even daylight isn’t an instant killer.

• There’s a level of telepathy amongst the children of the night - which isn’t entirely uncommon in vampire lore, but is interesting.

• Dead ones can be resurrected by necromancers, just like humans can.

• They generally don’t use ranged weapons. Big on sticks and knives and the like.

• Much like Dracula, they really fuck with wolves. Like, it’s a whole thing.

• They execute their own by dropping them from on high into a pit of stakes. Heavy shit.

The main thing I wanted to focus on (and have again been foiled by Wikipedia) is the other kind of vampires in this series, the “Vampaneze”. They kill when they feed, and drink so much blood they’re literally purple. They also never lie, which is wild. I feel that this adds a dynamic to the story that is far more interesting than werewolves (though these also turn up) and the like. Vampire v.s vampire is solid on its own, but when you bring in systems of morality and physiological differences it becomes fascinating. You have to wonder how this turns the classic vampire on its head. If it isn’t turning you, is it less scary? Think of the horror of dear sweet Lucy Westenra becoming a crazed child-drainer. I feel like this is the scariest shit.

Anyway, rant over,

Also, the film adaptation of these books is trash.

As ever, thanks for reading,

Until next time,

H.E.

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