This book follows the story of Larten Crepsley, as a young boy, working in a silk factory with his cousin and best friend, Vur. After a number of unfortunate events, Larten is forced to flee from his home and ends up in the arms, and protective care of, Seba, a well respected and very old vampire, where Larten than takes the opportunity of becoming his assistant, and be potentially blooded.

We see as Larten grows from boy to man, from human to vampire, and we follow the story of the much loved man who was originally featured in Darren Shan's: Darren Shan Saga.

I had always found myself wondering about the life of Larten Crepsley, who seemed like a rather fascinating character, with a background to support my beliefs, so I jumped at the chance to read a book based on his life, before making acquaintance with Darren Shan.

The book, like all of Darren Shan's others, is short, adventurous and action-packed. The book is very fast-paced, and is spread over the time of a number of years, it is very rare that you will find a boring page within this book.

It holds the gruesome and imaginative features, which is one of the main things I love about Darren Shan, he goes to places not many other children author's will go, to the point of entertaining all ages of reader's.

He holds a clear talent, of writing for all, which is wonderfully shown in this book, with the use of simple writing and word's to pull in the children, but the use of his simple, yet effective plot lines, combined with his amazing descriptive talents, also teen's and adults will be drawn into this book.

I only have one complaint about this book, yet still I can put it to one side, to enjoy the reading experience. I only wish that we could see more time of Larten and Sera's life, once they had met, instead of skipping into the future. I believe it would of made the book, that slightest bit better.

I give this book: 4 stars.