SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Chapters Read: 16-20

I think I first read these books for the first time years ago during the summer. Now that it's becoming warmer out again, reading these books feels extra memorable and trippy. It's a strange but overall, pretty enjoyable feeling.

These books are short, and I appreciate that aspect of the series. That being said, finishing each book is relatively bittersweet. They're so enjoyable, but over before you know it. These books feel elegantly swift, not rushed at all. It's so impressive.

Vampire Mountain is over now, and it was so fun. It's like a mini re-start, re-establishment of the series. That's what struck me about the series in the first place, and still strikes me about Cirque Du Freak. It's really versatile and bold. The first three books were an entertaining slow build after a life turned upside down. Now, Darren's life only becomes more changed. All of a sudden he's learning new things, new rules, new politics, new risks, the list goes on. After the first three books this is a brisk, fascinating pivot.

Darren is seemingly a standout type of half-vampire and I don't know if he knows it. He competed with Arra Sails, a full vampire woman, in an interesting training fight which took place on raised planks. He held his own despite being half as strong and much younger. It was a fun contest to read about. Perhaps Arra wasn't going at full pace but, it's hard to say really based on the context itself and the reaction of those around him. It seems vampires aren't typically overly merciful or whatnot. Regardless, despite the loss, he earned a good bit of respect from others including Arra herself.

Then Darren and Mr. Crepsley met with the Vampire Princes and that was interesting to say the least. Mr. Crepsley had to try and explain his reasoning for turning Darren and it was shocking to learn that he simply had no valid reason which was bonkers. He did say that he observed Darren to make sure he was of solid character but that's it.

It's intriguing to hear Mr. Crepsley say he was going to turn Steve until he learned of Steve's 'evil' blood. Maybe I can't remember but I had thought he was mildly considering it at that time, now he's saying publicly he was pretty much certainly going to do so until he learned about Steve's blood.

Maybe I was just totally dumb, but again, Steve's reintroduction into this series was rather shocking to me. This relatively minor possibility that Mr. Crepsley almost took Steve as his assistant makes me think about destiny and fate etc. If Mr. Tiny was really going to have Steve be the Lord of the Vampaneze, I am intrigued that Mr. Crepsley and Steve ever had this encounter all those years ago. But actually maybe it does make sense. Mr. Crepsley's rejection is significant fuel to Steve's rage at Darren and Mr. Crepsley.

I guess it's just interesting to consider how close Steve got to his wish of becoming a vampire. Also, fascinating that not a single person considered Steve's 'evil' blood at all in regards to the Lord of the Vampaneze. I mean is it actually common for a vampire to encounter 'evil' blood? With Darren's random existence being abnormal enough, and then Harkat's message about the Lord of the Vampaneze approaching, it's slightly curious that nobody else wondered about Steve. Maybe too much time passed, I guess in that moment nobody could simply assume that Steve would keep that angry energy all that time.

Anyway. Darren is semi-forced/highly encouraged to undergo dangerous Trials of Initiation to prove to the vampires that Mr. Crepsley at least made a fair enough decision when choosing to make Darren his assistant. It's a rather odd bit of circumstances here for sure. But they know Mr. Crepsley should be punished in some way shape or form. He knows he has standards, dignity and whatnot. By testing Darren instead of Mr. Crepsley, whose already established and respected, it kills two birds with one stone pretty much. If Darren refuses to accept the trials, Darren would be shamed and banished. Mr. Crepsley wouldn't be shamed at a societal level, but his own pride and shame would destroy him and he'd challenge himself to dangerous task after dangerous challenge until he met death, as vampires are just hardcore like that. Similarly if Darren fails the trials of course he dies and I imagine Mr. Crepsley would react in the same fashion were Darren to refuse the trials straight up.

Interesting. It's a bit unfair for Darren but life's not fair as the book points out, also Mr. Crepsley is very much tied to Darren's fate here as well so.... Yeah. It's actually a smart way to handle this situation from the Princes and Generals perspective.

Pretty complicated, yet hardcore stuff. Their lifestyle is so gritty and unique I swear.

Also I must mention that, Harkat and Kurda being in the same room is insanely fascinating. Up until this point I don't believe that they've spoken to each other. At least not from Darren's perspective. If they have its hasn't been much but they have been very very much in close proximity to one another. Their impact on this story is just nutty. The aura of them two being separate yet sorta the same character is powerful and infinitely fascinating.

Books 4-6 go nuts, book five here I come! This has just been too fun. Book six is an all-time favorite if I remember correctly. Book five is action packed too though and I think a mega plot twist approaches in this next one....