Darren Shan
Irish children's author, who wrote his first novel at 17 ...
Darren Shan's real name is Darren O'Shaughnessy. Although he is Irish, he was born on the 2nd July, 1972, in St. Thomas's Hospital, London. At the age of six, he moved to Limerick in Ireland, with his parents and younger brother, and has lived there ever since (but he never lost his London accent!).
Darren went to primary school in Askeaton, where his mother was a teacher, then to secondary school in Copsewood College in Pallaskenry. Later, he went back to London to study Sociology and English at Roehampton College. He then worked for a cable TV company in Limerick for a couple of years, before setting up as a full-time writer.
Darren was 17 when he finished his first novel, Mute Pursuit - a futuristic cross between The Terminator and Stephen King's The Dark Tower. Over the next several years, sandwiched between college and work, he wrote an average of one book a year, experimenting with different ideas, genres, lengths and styles. When he started writing full-time, his output shot up to 5 or 6 books per year! (But that's dropped back to 2 or 3 recently, due to all the travelling around he's been doing to promote sales of his books.)
Over the next five years, Darren wrote a total of 12 books about vampires. He quickly followed his vampiric Saga up with The Demonata, a series about demons, which will run to ten books in total. By the start of 2006, Darren's books were on sale in every continent - in 30 countries, over 20 languages and had been children's bestsellers in America, Britain, Ireland and Europe. He had also topped the adult bestsellers charts in Japan and Taiwan ... and had sold in excess of 10 million copies overall!
In March 2008 his first adult novel was published under the name of DB Shan. Procession of the Dead is the first volume in a series of noirish, gritty urban fantasy tales.
Back in May 2008 we ran a fantastic competition, offering an amazing opportunity for one creative fan to name and describe a demon for Darren Shan! He asked entrants to "dig deep through the most unpleasant corners of your imagination and come up with the most disgusting, hideous, terrifying monster you can think of!" Tom Woodhead won the competition; his horrible creation was chosen by Darren himself and appears in the story, and on the jacket of Book 9 of the Demonata series, Dark Calling.
Read more about the tenth book in the Demonata series, Hell's Heroes, and the eagerly anticipated Darren Shan movie - or watch the trailer below!
Fact file
Name: Darren Shan
Date of birth: 2.7.1972
Place of birth: London
Current Home: Ireland
Education: Roehampton College
Similar Authors: Anthony Horowitz, Garth Nix
Our choice
Hell's Heroes
Hardback
The final dramatic conclusion to Darren Shan's international phenomena, The Demonata. Expect the unexpected! "The girl gazes up at me. She's even younger than I thought, clutching a small teddy bear in one hand. 'Are you the...
Read more....
RRP £12.99
£6.49
You save: £6.50
Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak
Due to the epic amount of Darren Shan horror that was around, October was re-named Shocktober! The earth-shattering conclusion to the Demonata, Hell's Heroes, arrived as did Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant.
The film of the first three books in the Saga of Darren Shan stars Willem Defoe and Salma Hayek.
Select releases
Hell's Heroes - The Demonata Bk. 10
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Hardback |
|---|---|
| Published: | 01/10/2009 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The final dramatic conclusion to Darren Shan's international phenomena, The Demonata. Expect the unexpected! "The girl gazes up at me.... Read more
RRP £12.99
£6.49
You save: £6.50
Dark Calling - The Demonata Bk. 9
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Hardback |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/04/2009 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Events take an unexpected turn in this ninth awesome foray into the worlds of the Demonata! "I know it's ridiculous. Lights can't... Read more
RRP £12.99
£9.09
You save: £3.90
Wolf Island - The Demonata Bk. 8
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 224 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/04/2009 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Grubbs Grady treads new ground in this, the eighth dramatic title in the Demonata. But beware - Trespassers will be eaten! "We spot the... Read more
RRP £6.99
£4.19
You save: £2.80
Death's Shadow - The Demonata v. 7
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 240 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 01/10/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Fresh hell from the Demonata - you can't cheat death..."I'm a human sponge -- I soak up memories. I feel like a thief, stealing secrets... Read more
RRP £6.99
£4.19
You save: £2.80
Demon Apocalypse - The Demonata Bk. 6
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 240 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 05/05/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
5+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Hell is revealed in the sixth nail-biting, hair-rending, creepy cool episode of the Demonata! Fire! It's all around me, fierce, intense, out of... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Blood Beast - The Demonata Bk. 5
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 272 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 02/01/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The master of horror returns with a new spine-tingling adventure in the fifth title of the Demonata!. "Locked inside Dervish's study.... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Bec: Screams in the Dark... - The Demonata Bk. 4
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 272 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/06/2007 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
5+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Darren Shan's Demonata series continues with more shocks, demons and thrilling twists in the chilling, Bec. "I'm almost through the... Read more
RRP £6.99
£5.59
You save: £1.40
Slawter - The Demonata No. 3
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 272 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/01/2007 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
More chills and thrills in Darren Shan's latest Demonata title, now in paperback. Let the Slawter commence! "Never trust fairy tales.... Read more
RRP £6.99
£5.59
You save: £1.40
Demon Thief - The Demonata No. 2
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 288 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 05/06/2006 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
This is a hellish nightmare for only the bravest of readers...Darren Shan's horrifying new series, "The Demonata", continues with... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Lord Loss - The Demonata No. 1
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 272 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/01/2006 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
Usually despatched in 7-10 days
From the international multi-million selling author DARREN SHAN comes a new character, a new scenario, a new set of horrors now in paperback. LORD... Read more
RRP £6.99
£5.59
You save: £1.40
Hell's Horizon - The City Trilogy Bk. 2
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/03/2010 |
| Publisher: | HarperVoyager |
Available for pre-order
The second volume in a noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling Children's author. In the City, The Cardinal rules, and Al... Read more
RRP £7.99
£3.99
You save: £4.00
Procession of the Dead - The City Trilogy Bk. 1
by D. B. Shan
| Format: | Paperback 320 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/03/2008 |
| Publisher: | HarperVoyager |
In stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The first volume in a noirish, gritty urban fantasy for adults from the bestselling Children's author. Quick-witted and cocksure, young upstart... Read more
RRP £10.00
£8.00
You save: £2.00
The Saga of Darren Shan Box Set - The Saga of Darren Shan Bks. 1-6
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback |
|---|---|
| Published: | 01/10/2007 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
Out of stock, publisher may reprint
Stunning box set of the first six novels in The Saga of Darren Shan -- the perfect gift for budding horror fans! Darren Shan is just an ordinary... Read more
RRP £29.94
£23.99
You save: £5.95
Lord of the Shadows - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 11
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 07/06/2004 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The eleventh part of the Saga of Darren Shan -- one boy's terrifying journey from human to half-vampire to Vampire Prince. He will rule the... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
The Lake of Souls - The Saga of Darren Shan No.10
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 224 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 06/10/2003 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The tenth part of the Saga of Darren Shan -- one boy's terrifying journey from human to half-vampire to Vampire Prince. The Saga of Darren Shan... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Killers of the Dawn - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 9
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 03/02/2003 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The allies of the night prepare for the final, deadly confrontation. Darren and Mr Crepsley will get more than they bargained for when they come... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Allies of the Night - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 8
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/11/2002 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The quest for the Vampaneze Lord continues for the hunters of the dusk. Darren gets an unwelcome taste of reality when he is forced to go back to... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Hunters of the Dusk - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 7
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 01/07/2002 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Darren Shan, Mr Crepsley and Vancha Marsch, are the hunters of the dusk. Their quarry -- the Vampaneze Lord. But friends old and new may stand in... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
The Vampire Prince - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 6
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/02/2002 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
Usually despatched in 7-10 days
Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant, must clear his name and avenge the death of Gavner Purl. Can a half-vampire outwit a Vampire Prince? THE... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
The Trials of Death - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 5
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 01/07/2002 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
TRIALS OF DEATH -- the fifth title in the compelling and chilling saga of Darren Shan -- but the second part in a new TRILOGY, following... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Vampire Mountain - The Saga of Darren Shan Bk. 4
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/06/2001 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
Usually despatched in 7-10 days
Darren Shan, the vampire's assistant is forced to march to Vampire Mountain where he will be judged by the vampire princes. THE SAGA OF DARREN... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Tunnels of Blood - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 3
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 06/11/2000 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Darren Shan and Evra Von follow a trail of corpses and confront a foul creature of the night. A new enemy or Mr Crepsley? THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
The Vampire's Assistant - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 2
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 176 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 30/05/2000 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
Darren Shan has been made a half-vampire by Mr Crepsley, but the Cirque Du Freak holds more unpleasant surprises for the vampire's assistant. ... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.79
You save: £1.20
Cirque du Freak - The Saga of Darren Shan No. 1
by Darren Shan
| Format: | Paperback 192 pages |
|---|---|
| Published: | 04/01/2000 |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books |
10+ in stock
Usually despatched within 24 hours
The chilling Saga of Darren Shan, the ordinary schoolboy plunged into the vampire world. THE SAGA OF DARREN SHAN BOOK 1 Darren goes to a banned... Read more
RRP £5.99
£4.18
You save: £1.81
