In the twelfth and final book of the "Cirque du Freak" series, Darren Shan must face the final battle between himself and his childhood friend turned archenemy, Steve Leopard. In the War of the Scars only one side can be victorious, and with Darren leading the vampires and Steve leading the vampaneze, this means one must die. Yet a witch's prophecy declares the winner irrelevant. No matter who lives and who dies, the victor will become the Lord of the Shadows. And Des Tiny still has secrets up his sleeves that once revealed will change Darren's view of destiny and how to change the world. With an ending that brings many surprises, Shan brings his life and series full circle. Some readers might be left with unanswered questions, but in a series so long, this is mostly to be expected. A fantasy-horror series not to be missed, "Cirque du Freak," and especially this volume, ends in a satisfyingly cyclical way.