All these years after The Saga Of Darren Shan / Cirque Du Freak ended, Kurda Smahlt continues to be the most divisive of my characters. To some he's a misguided hero... to others a villain of the highest order. I've always leant more towards the former view than the latter, but I love that he inspires such strong feelings among readers, and I've never told people how they *should* feel about him, because it's an entirely subjective reaction.

What's not in doubt is that many artistic Shansters feel inspired to draw Kurda, to explore his complexities and present their own take on him, and here are four recent efforts that present very different interpretations of the (almost) Sire Smahlt...

First, a Tweeter with the username of Sleepcry2001 decided it was time for a technological update of the Lake Of Souls, and thus presents us with Kurda trapped in... an iPhone!!! Genius!!!!

Ameiro treats us to an extremely sensual Kurda -- perhaps THIS image will change the minds of the Kurda haters!!!! :-)

Kaz goes for a black-and-white drawing of a smiling Kurda, perhaps on the eve of his investiture??

Finally, Ptrinh Tho captures Kurda in a more combative mood -- a timely reminder that although Kurda was a pacifist at heart, he could mix it up with the roughest of the vampire clan when he had to.