Trials of Death

Shan, Darren. Trials of Death. Book 5 of the Cirque du Freak series. 2004. 207p. ISBN 0-316-60395-3. Available at FIC SHA on the library shelves.

Having been presented to the Vampire Princes in Vampire Mountain, Darren must now survive the five Trials of Initiation to atone for Mr Crepsley's sin of transforming him at such a young age and in such a wanton fashion. Drawn from a pool of seventeen out of the possible sixty, these trials are designed to prove that he deserves to become a full-fledged vampire. Should he fail and not perish in the attempt, he will be put to death as being unworthy of the title of vampire.

Most vampires, however, are cheering for Darren and hope that he succeeds. The game master himself decides to train the young apprentice and prepares him for the games. But as Darren participates in one event after another, the vampires themselves feel uneasy. The vampire princes and their generals are holding counsel, discussing Mr. Tiny’s message that a Vampaneze Lord will arise and lead the Vampaneze in a fight against the vampires.

Darren succeeds at the first three trials, though he is badly hurt each time, but as he is about to be gored to death by a boar in the fourth trial, Harkat intervenes and saves his life, much to the displeasure of the vampires. Now faced with two choices, certain death or possible escape, Darren selects the cowardly way out and flees deep in the mountain with the help of friends. But when they encounter a large group of 30 to 40 Vampaneze, Darren and his friends realize that there is a traitor on Vampire Mountain...

The story continues in The Vampire Prince.