While it isn't always possible, I generally like to include a nice little unifying theme when I feature fan art by different artists, and this Fan Art Friday I've decided to go for the theme of... COUPLES. But before you all go "awwwww!!!" you should note that, with one exception, these are NOT romantic couples!

First up we have a heartbreaking drawing of Darren and his Dad, dating to the first Cirque Du Freak book, by LIV. It's the scene where his Dad discovers Darren in the garden, apparently dead from a fall. This tends to resonate more strongly with older readers -- I've heard from lots of fans over the years who read the scene (and those following) when they were kids and just thought it was really cool that Darren was faking his death -- then they re-read it as adults and where in floods of tears thinking about his poor parents and sister Annie. :-(

Next we have Seba Nile and his young assistant, Larten Crepsley, drawn by AMITY LEE. Hmm... I have a vague recollection of coming across that name in my Archibald Lox series -- I wonder if they're in any way related... :-)

The third drawings features the estranged Harst Brothers, Gannen and Vancha, and is drawn by HATSUNE. While it wasn't one of the bigger twists of the series, that scene in book 7 where we find out that Vancha has a brother was a very pleasing moment for me.

Finally, the romantic joker in the pack, by NOEL -- Gavner Purl and Liz Carr, on the night she first discovers him wounded in her garden. If you've read all my books but are struggling to recall the character of Liz... that's because she isn't in them! Instead she features in a short story on my website, written to explain why Gavner is wearing those crazy boxer shorts in the Vampire Mountain trilogy. It's maybe the most touching short story I've ever written, and you can read it on my web site here: https://darrenshan.com/extras/feature/short-stories-an-affair-of-the-night-book-5-tie-in-story