Greetings, everybody — and welcome to the Apocalypse!!!

I was delighted to return to Taiwan in July of 2007, and also visit Hong Kong for the first time. My trips to Taiwan have always been memorable and fun, and this one was no different. I got to go up the 101 Building this time and view Taipei from up high — it’s a spectacular sight! I’d hoped to do some more sightseeing, but I was very tired because I’d been touring in Ireland, the UK and Japan before I visited Taiwan, so I spent most of my free time resting in my hotel and watching television! Not a very vampire-like thing to do, I know, but hey, I’m only human!

My signings in Taipei all went well, although I know some of you who would have liked to come were unable because you had to sit exams around that time. That was a pity, but of course exams must take precedence — if you don’t get good results and get good jobs, you won’t be able to afford to continue buying my books for many years to come!!!

But it was great to meet all those who were able to come, to catch up with long-time fans who had come to see me on previous visits, as well as those newer fans who were coming along for the very first time. It was a genuine pleasure to sign for you all! And those of you who were not able to make it … well, don’t worry, I’ll just have to come back again soon!!

I also visited Kaoshiung and Taichung. The biggest crowd of the tour turned up in Kaoshiung and I had to write fast to make sure I got to sign for everyone who came! And in Taichung one fan turned up at the event at 10.30a.m. — even though I wasn’t due to sign until 7.00p.m.!!! That’s why I love coming to Taiwan so much — you guys are incredibly patient and welcoming. It never feels like work when I’m there, but more like a holiday in which I get to meet hundreds of warm, enthusiastic friends!

I wrapped up my tour in Taiwan with a night at the world-famous KTV! This has become something of an institution for me now — I always for to the KTV when I’m there. I like to think that my voice is improving with each visit, though I suspect that’s just wishful thinking!

After Taiwan I moved on to Hong Kong. This was my first time there and I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I didn’t know if I had a large fan base there or not. I soon found out that I had a VERY large fan base indeed! In fact, I was greeted by a couple of fans when I stepped off the airplane! That was the first time fans have ever turned up at an airport to greet me, and I was delighted. I felt a little bit like a Beatle for a while!!!

I did lots of interviews for papers and radio shows in Hong Kong, so I didn’t have much time to relax or go sightseeing, although I did get to go up to the Peak. I did one of my events in a school, which was interesting — I always like to see what schools are like in different countries. I was very impressed with its layout and feel — I would have liked to have gone to school there myself!
There were GREAT turnouts at all my public events — at one of them, I was signing for three hours! It was wonderful to meet so many polite, excited fans. This might have been my first visit to Hong Kong, but I certainly hope it isn’t my last — I want to come back, and sooner rather than later!!!

But, for the time being, I must stay at home in Ireland and write — touring is a lot of fun, but I think you’ll all agree that making sure I bring out my books on time is much more important, otherwise you’ll have nothing new by me to read!! I’m hard at work on the last few books of The Demonata at the moment (there will be ten in total) and they’re looking good. Well … “good” in a nasty, blood-stained, demonic kind of way!!!

However, before you move on to those books, you have to grapple with the Demon Apocalypse! This is a ferocious tempest of a book. It picks up where Blood Beast finished, on a plane, with demons attacking, and it roars forward from there. Where Blood Beast was very deliberately paced, this one is much faster and more frenzied — the world is being threated with destruction, so I wanted the book to be manic and chaotic, to reflect that rising sense of panic. It seems as if humanity is doomed, unless Grubbs and the other Disciples can somehow turn the tables on the demon invaders …

Will they succeed? Well, since there are four more books to go, it looks like they will! But this is a series of twists and twisting realities. It’s not as straightforward a job as it seems. Salvation might be possible, but at what price? Grubbs has been fighting his powers ever since the first book, trying to deny his destiny. But perhaps accepting them might lead to even more heartache and disaster …

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the roller-coaster ride of Demon Apocalypse, and if you survive, I’ll see you again later in the year for the launch of Book 7, the ominously titled Death’s Shadow …

Best wishes,
Darren Shan.