SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Chapters Read: 6-10

Well, for whatever reason it never dawned on me that Vancha March is in fact the dude on the cover of Hunters of the Dusk. I have no clue why this never crossed my mind. I honestly simply never thought about who it was for some reason. But yeah more on Vancha later!

These chapters are undoubtedly some of the more memorable chapters of the series. I wasn't sure if it was revealed in this book or the eighth book that Darren and Mr. Crepsley were destined to hunt the Vampaneze Lord. Or Lord of the Vampaneze, he's referred to in both ways. Also a third hunter is mentioned but Mr. Tiny said he'll not reveal him quite yet.

I mean I don't even know where to begin with these chapters!

Mr. Tiny's arrival is seriously intense. The way he drops information bombs is just nuts. Also, I am surprised that we haven't seen more of him in the series so far. I believe we see more of him in the second half of the series. I do think it's good though to sparingly, slowly bring the main 'villain' around.

But yeah he says that the Lord of the Vampaneze is blooded, but just a half-vampaneze at the moment. Apparently the vampires must kill him before he becomes a full vampaneze.

He then says there's four chances to kill the Vampaneze Lord. Well there was five. The first chance was indeed Kurda Smahlt. Interestingly, and considering Kurda's ultimate fate as he exists still as Harkat, Mr. Tiny says that Kurda was probably their best hope at survival. Like seriously Kurda might genuinely be the main character. It's kinda crazy. Every time I move on from that theory, I keep getting new reasons to keep it alive!

Mr. Tiny goes on to say that there will be four other chances overall to kill the Vampaneze Lord. Three of which will happen in the next 12 months, but the quest can only be done with the three hunters themselves and other non vampire assistance. So they can have help, but it can't come from other vampires.

The fourth way is kept initially, intentionally vague. Mr. Tiny says it might not come for a longer time if at all so he basically doesn't even mention it in detail other than that it exists. Is this when Darren sacrifices himself later in his fight with Steve? Hmmm. Or is this the Kurda/Harkat situation? Ugh!

Also, oddly enough when it comes to the third hunter of the Vampaneze Lord, who ends up being Vancha March, I'm fascinated by how Mr. Tiny says that unless Darren and Mr. Crepsley search for Lady Evanna they won't run into him and his role in this hunt will not exist.

I'm curious to analyze the chances the hunters have in getting the Vampaneze Lord, maybe there's opportunities that I hadn't noticed in previous reads!

So this prophecy by Mr. Tiny is mostly rock solid but between the fourth vague way of preventing the Vampaneze Lord from taking over, and the third hunter being potentially not involved, it's oddly interesting how there's like what if's or loose ends etc to all of this.

Also, Mr. Tiny mentions how it's the hunters choice to hunt the Vampaneze Lord, but if they don't hunt him the vampires are doomed. It seems mildly redundant to even mention that, just a bit strange.

Mr. Tiny then gives Harkat the chance to know who he was as a human now, or help Darren and Mr. Crepsley. Mr. Tiny says that he'll have another chance to learn who he was, if he doesn't die in the meantime. Also, if he helps Darren and Mr. Crepsley then they'll have a stronger chance at succeeding in destroying the Vampaneze Lord. Harkat decides to stay as he thinks that his former self would want him to help, which is interesting. Also, Mr. Tiny observes that Harkat cares for the vampires... My gosh, Kurda only gets more fascinating, and his existence as Harkat just makes it all more cool. Like the true Kurda shines through, but also a Kurda probably subconsciously seeking redemption...crazy.

Dude. This whole Harkat involvement is wild. I totally underestimated his significance the first read. I thought Harkat was just a cool side character. Like, knowing that Mr. Tiny knows that Harkat is Kurda makes me rethink kinda this whole entire series. All these supposed 'chances.'... meanwhile Kurda is still kinda sorta alive, directly assisting the whole journey. It's on the tip of my tongue but it's hard to wrap my head around how much of a loophole this feels like. But Mr. Tiny is basically allowing the loophole too? Huh?

Also, considering Mr. Tiny's dramatic flair in general, I'm still surprised that Darren or Mr. Crepsley hadn't considered that the Vampaneze Lord could be someone they know? But then again it's obvious for me now. I had, for whatever reason, no clue that it could have been Steve when I first read it.

So Darren, Mr. Crepsley, and Harkat set off for Lady Evanna. During their journey Mr. Crepsley entertains the idea that there is vampire blood in Harkat. Harkat seems to agree and even points out how he loved Vampire Mountain and fit in well there and wants to return. So many hints that he's Kurda! Overall the journey is peaceful though. It's cool how Darren is slowly becoming a full vampire!

They run into vampets and are saved by Vancha March, well he helps significantly at least.

Vancha is pretty awesome. I thought he was pretty cool when I first read this, but I think I'm going to like him a lot more this time for some reason. Vancha is like super wild and extreme. Green hair, barefoot, chews his own toenails... Vancha mentions how he doesn't trust Mr. Tiny or his Little People, regarding Harkat. Harkat actually retorts back saying he doesn't trust vampires who chew their toenails....

Funny moment but I feel this is ANOTHER sign that Harkat is Kurda. Vancha and Kurda are pretty much opposites in personality and I imagine that they wouldn't get along super smoothly had they interacted. Well, I imagine they may have interacted in the past but of course as the reader I have no clue. Vancha does respond nicely after Harkat pokes him back, seemingly appreciating the jab.

Ugh man, this is such a good book already. I think I forgot how much I liked the seventh book! Once again this newest trilogy has a whole new vibe.

I will admit I'll miss Darren hanging out in Vampire Mountain though. I don't think he ever makes it back there... I'm not even sure if Madam Octa is seen again! We'll have to find out!

Gahhhh! Can't wait to proceed!