Killers of the Dawn
Killers of the Dawn is the ninth book in The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan (his real name, Darren O'Shaughnessy). It is also the third book in the Vampire War trilogy. It also continues the events of Allies of the Night which leaves Darren meeting his ex-girlfriend, Debbie and his ex-bestfriend, Steve Leonard, who is later revealed to be a half vampaneze.
 First edition | |
| Author | Darren Shan |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Saga of Darren Shan |
| Genre | Young adult, Horror novel |
| Publisher |
Collins (UK) Little, Brown (US) |
Publication date |
2003 (UK) 10 May 2005 (US) |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 185 |
| ISBN | 0007137818 |
| Preceded by | Allies of the Night |
| Followed by | The Lake of Souls |
Plot
Mr. Crepsley, Darren, and Harkat go into the tunnels, where they find Vancha. They arm themselves with weapons carelessly discarded by the Vampaneze and seek out Steve. Steve calls the rest of the Vampaneze. There is a battle between the Vampaneze and the vampires, and soon they face the Vampaneze Lord. The Vampaneze Lord says that he and Mr. Crepsley must fight one another alone with no help from anyone. The Vampaneze and Vampires stop their fighting. At last Mr. Crepsley kills the Vampaneze Lord, but Steve jumps onto his back and causes him to fall over the cliff, where he is hanging over the pit of flaming stakes with Steve. Since he believes the Vampaneze Lord is dead, he agrees to kill himself and stop holding on to Steve in exchange for rest. Mr. Crepsley lets go of Steve and falls into the pit below, giving Darren a smile as they've succeeded in ending the war.
After he is dead and everyone has safely departed, Steve reveals himself to Darren as the Vampaneze Lord: the one whom Darren or Vancha must destroy for the sake of the world. Mr. Crepsley's death had been in vain, which leaves Darren devastated and feeling empty.