Quotes from Darren Shan

Better to die with pride than live in shame, Arra retorted. Kurda cursed quietly to himself. How about it, Darren? he asked. Will you face death just to prove yourself to these fools? No, I said, and saw a pained look cross Mr. Crepsley's face. But I'll face death to prove myself to me , I added. When the red-cloaked vampire heard that, he beamed proudly and raised a clenched fist in salute.

Life is a challenge," he once told me, "and only those who rise to the challenge truly know what it means to live.

This world was made to be cloaked in gray. It wouldn't feel natural if the sun shone brightly all the time.

There are some things in life we can never understand, things we are better off not understanding.

I can give you two words, I tell him. The second is off. Can you guess the first?

You don't think eating dead bodies is harmful? I gasped. We haven't had any complaints from the dead yet, Gavner chortled, but his humor was forced — he looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

Mr. Tiny nodded, then started forward. Enough of the chitchat, boys. I have work to do and I must be quick. Time is precious. A volcano's due to erupt on a small tropical island tomorrow. Everybody within a ten-mile radius will be roasted alive. I want to be there -- it sounds like great fun.

Two strong futures lie ahead, each as possible as the other. It's rare for fate to boil down to two such evenly matched eventualities. Normally the paths of the future are many. When two exist like this, chance decides which the world will take.

But what Desmond didn't tell you is -- by the end of the hunt, if you have faced the Vampaneze Lord four times and failed to kill him, only one of you will be alive to witness the fall of the vampire clan. The other two will be dead.

You think it amusing to have a death sentence imposed on us, sire?

Darren," Paris called me back. "An excessive amount of alcohol is as bad for the young as for the old. If you are wise, you will drink in moderation." "Remember what you told me about wisdom a few years ago, Paris?" I replied. "What?" "You said the only way to get wise was to get experienced." Winking, I rushed out of the Hall

I smiled thinly and pressed the middle fingers of my right hand to my fore-head and eyelids, making the death's touch sign. "Even in death, may I be triumphant!

Too easily impressed," Evanna tutted, resuming her former appearance. "You shouldn't judge by what's on the outside. Only a fool falls for a pretty face. Are you fools?

Maybe the mad don't need to sleep. Maybe their insanity is all they require to sustain them.

The dead are the best listeners in the world. The corpse takes it all in, never interrupts, doesn't criticize me, lets me waffle on for as long as I like.

Do you think that guy's sweet on her? I asked, pointing to the grey-spotted spider, momentarily forgetting my darker concerns. Most certainly. Seba grinned. I do not think spiders know love as we do. But he remained by her side throughout the fighting and did not leave when she decided to stay. I think they wish to couple. I smiled at the absurd notion of Madam Octa walking down an aisle in a tiny white dress, Mr. Crepsley waiting at the end to give her away.

Darren, Paris called me back. An excessive amount of alcohol is as bad for the young as for the old. If you are wise, you will drink in moderation. Remember what you told me about wisdom a few years ago, Paris? I replied. What? You said the only way to get wise was to get experienced. Winking, I rushed out of the Hall and was soon sharing a barrel of ale with a grumpy, orange-haired vampire.

A man should know when it is time to step aside.

Nothing's as awful as slavery...

You are a creature of the darkness, the same as myself and Mr. Dowling. Like us, I fear that you will end up destined to play a cruel, vicious part in the shaping of the future. Some of us cannot escape the damnable reach of fate.

Appearances, Darren, she said. Never let them fool you.

I don't suppose you kept anything of hers, did you? Such as? A lock of hair, a knife which was dear to her, a scrap of her clothes? Vampires do not indulge in such foolishness, he said gruffly. They should, Evanna sighed.

And please do not take offence if we appear suspicious or unwelcoming — these are troublesome, confusing times, and we bark where sometimes we should whisper.

Towards dawn, as we were making camp, Vancha suddenly burst out laughing. Look at us! he hooted, as we stared at him uncertainly. We've been moping all night like four sad souls at a funeral. What idiots we've been! You think it amusing to have a death sentence imposed on us, Sire? Mr. Crepsley asked archly. Charna's guts! Vancha cursed. The sentence has been there since the start — all that's changed is that we know about it! A little knowledge is a... dangerous thing, Harkat muttered.