How to describe this book? Well, it reminded me of one of those strange indie movies that you watch and have no idea what's going on, but you keep watching just to know how it's going to end. That's sorta what Procession of the Dead was like.

The book is well written and incredibly unique, but it's also so very dark and twisted. Halfway through I had absolutely no idea what was going on, it was frustrating, but at the same time interesting. I can't even describe a simple plot outline - it's like a maze and puzzle all in one.

Added note: This is NOT one of Dhan's young adult books, it's for adults only.

Overall, it was an intelligent and VERY bizarre read. If you are into darker depressing books then I suggest picking it up, otherwise stay far away - it's not a happy book.

Honestly, I would have given this 3.5 stars if I could, but I'll just give it 4.

Eh, it was ok.

3.5 Super intriguing, so much left to learn about

Surprisingly interesting, well-paced story. I will definitely read the two that follow it.

A great book!! It was interesting, with a huge twist at the end, very creative, and well written. I really, really enjoyed it! And now I can't wait to read the second and third books.

Author Darren Shan tells a pretty straight forward gangster story that then gets incredibly weird and twists in an odd direction or six. There is magic, super-powered assassins, blind monks, secrets, and more. Unfortunately it was too much more. I didn't necessarily like the big twist and its reasons for even less. Shan's prose is wonderful but this went off the rails. It was original but too odd to enjoy. Overall, colorful, violent, weird, and not for me but not bad either.

This book went in a direction I TOTALLY did not expect. I really don't know what else to say without adding serious spoilers. That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. It's well written, tho confusing at first, there's a bit of time where I wondered if I had gotten confused and this was really a detective novel, but then it starts to become apparent that it is most certainly NOT a detective novel.

There's a point where it goes a bit sideways and from that point it gets even more confusing, but it is all wrapped up nicely at the end. I didn't see it coming at all, but it did all make sense.

I liked the way that the author paralleled the main character's confusion and discoveries about what was really going on for the reader. The reader picks up clues and hints along the way that make you realize that there is something sort of "off" in the story, but until the main character picks up on it as well the reader can't glean any more than that. I think it was really quite brilliantly written, I can't wait to see what happens in the sequel.