A Soul Full of Shadows: The latest epic adventure in the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series

Skulduggery Pleasant #18

by Derek Landy

The bone-shaking new trilogy concludes – the latest adventure in the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series

Magical society is about to be torn in two.

With an island of sorcerers ready to cut themselves off from the rest of the world, a terrorist group enjoying unprecedented public support, and a looming showdown between her sister and the Child of the Ancients, Valkyrie Cain only has time to focus on her most immediate the daily fight to stay alive in a place where everyone wants to kill her.

This, once again, is the end.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade

480 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2026

About the author

Derek Landy is an Irish writer and screenwriter. In addition to the bestselling children's/YA series of Skulduggery Pleasant books, a supernatural mystery series starring Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, and Valkyrie Cain, a young female magician, he has written two screenplays that have been made into films: the IFTA award winning "Dead Bodies" and the IFTA nominated "Boy Eats Girl". Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script.

He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, but would like to extend an invitation to Oprah to pop around one day for tea, in thanks for selecting his book for the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List.

Derek plays too many video games, reads too many comics, and watches too many movies. He lives in Ireland with too many cats. Occasionally he talks to real people, but only when he absolutely has to.

Reviews

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

hey, derek. why did it not say “Skulduggery Pleasant will return”, derek. i know i keep saying you should let this die but i actually need this, derek. you don’t understand,
i NEED this.


worst one yet (i say this with every instalment since phase 2). but apart from the ruse that we kept up for way too long that even i, the biggest skeptic, got worried for a second there, this was just an average book. some boring parts interspersed with some funny parts (i did particularly enjoy the transformers joke). if this is actually, really, in all honesty where he wants to end this series.. i could not think of a more disappointing book to end it on. we could have gone out with a bang (book 9 or even 15) instead we are just quietly fizzling out and that’s the saddest thing.

[Kenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

keeping in mind there have been nights i couldnt sleep the past 2 years because i love this series so much, the writing in this one was offensively bad. the first third is just people explaining what happened the last 20 years, the second third is just people describing valkyrie (which is my job on tumblr so im feeling territorial ngl), and the last third is explaining everything that just happened. not a single interesting implication brought up since phase 2 has been explored!! god!!

[Bethany Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very much felt like an ending, lots of recaps and reminiscing about the great adventures we have had, the actual ending was hopeful and sweet and nice closure. But Landy definitely left room to continue the story if he chooses so who knows. Part of me wants it to be over, I do think the story is beating a dead horse at this point, but part of me hates to let go. I started these books when I was 10/11 and Valkyrie was 12 and now I am 30 and Val is 34 so I have grown with her and with these stories and as such it is hard to think it may be over. But all good things must come to an end and I think it is time.

The story is just as fun and action packed as it always has been. There is just as much sass and shenanigans as we have come to expect. Reading this was a great time and I am glad to have gone on this adventure.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me cry and I will not be shamed for it

[Moonie · Rating 1 out of 5]

fuuuuck this book.

huge waste of my time. convoluted bullshit with absolutely stupid bait and no consequences. god damn. I feel so stupid for reading it and even more stupid for being willing to read on. I thought phase 3 was pulling back on the huge scale pantheon shit and then this book is the worst example of it yet.

god. just infuriating and made me feel dumber and smaller for having even a crumb of hope after enjoying AMFOM & AHFOH.

[Chappy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ill preface this review by saying as a stand alone skulduggery book i would've been happy with this one and been excited to start the next, it was full of laughs, adventure and heart stopping moments like all Skulduggery books.

As the last in the trilogy and potentially the end of skulduggery pleasant as we know it i must ask .. .. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME ??

BEYOND HERE THERE BE SPOILRERS!!!

knowing what we know now about Valkyrie by the end of the novel it turns out there was no danger for her......none, I thought the deletion aspect of Until the end was a cop out but OMG.... rewriting timelines, immortal characters and Cosmic entities just stinks of lazy writing and to use all these to end ANOTHER series is just awful.
3 stars, a good attempt but ultimately disappointed

[Laura Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derek, you had me going there. I cried, laughed, I cried again. The final wrap-up felt a little contrived but it’s gotta be hard to end two decades of work, so I forgive you. I’ve grown up with Valkyrie and I just don’t know what I’ll do with myself now.

[Jack Leahy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hope this is the final book.

I am glad I read it, but it feels a really sorry end to what was once a good series.

This book felt extremely slow, convoluted with both plot and characters, to the point where people where showing up and I couldn't remember who they were. Their personalities also felt all too similar. I felt, a lot of the time, that characters were telling jokes for the sake of telling jokes, and it made them all feel a bit the same as skul and val.

Also, some of the newly introduced character names just felt silly. As though they were thought up in about two seconds.

I would have loved the middle aspect of this book, hadn't it been made completely redundant later, with a few words, by simply saying: Darquesse made Valkyrie immortal.

But, it was also predictable that Valkyrie wasn't dead. So I'm sat there reading the middle part of the book knowing that she will return, meaning what I'm reading is pointless, really. Especially when the logic behind it is that she's been made immortal.

Not only this, it was followed up with a really weak end passage that just felt like a bit dump of information, trying to tie things together. I felt myself skimming the last few pages, the scene where they were talking to Ghastly and Cadaver, because, quite frankly, I was bored.


I have loved these books for years. But this was quite a painful read. The ending really just fizzled out. Ending at book 9 would have been perfection. Ending at book 15 wouldn't have even been a terrible end.

But this ending we've potentially been given, had kind of thrown everything back in our faces for these past 3 books. It's basically, thanks for reading, but Valkyrie is immortal, so all that danger was redundant. Especially as a huge chunk of this book, in particular, focused on her being targeted whilst in prison.

I feel like Valkyrie being killed just to come back because she's now immortal, was just weak. It was like Derek got that far through the book and couldnt figure out how to bring her back. So, rather than a rewrite, thought, let's says she's immortal.

If another came out, I doubt I'd bother with it. It's a shame. I love this series.

Side note: Did the Witch Mother question get answered? When Winter questioned why she was never allowed to go to the outside because of what might be there? I remember this catching my interest but can't recall getting an answer

[BRS · Rating 1 out of 5]

TL;DR: the most pointless trilogy ever. It's like a bad random Marvel tv show. Wasted potential from start to finish. Derek's best days are far behind him.

This is by far the biggest disappointment in Derek Landy's career. For all intents and purposes: the book title is the worst case of clickbait I've ever seen. There's so much background material that is far more interesting than anything we actually saw in the last 3 books. So much untapped potential completely sacrificed in favor of the worst character in the SP universe: Winter Grieving fka Alice Edgley.

There's so much he could've done in the last 3 books, and so much that SHOULD'VE been done in this book. All that teasing, all that hype, only to fizzle out in the worst possible way. If you expected anything phase 1-like "good" you'll be sorely disappointed. This is Skulduggery Pleasant at his most insufferably hypocritical, and plain boring.

Every time Derek gave himself the opening to do something awesome, he went the complete opposite way.

- the Viddu De are there to be explored fully, but they are mentioned just once and have nothing to do with the plot.
- instead of revealing the "Child of the Ancients" as someone impactful, we get some random dude noone's ever heard of before and nobody cares about.
- no mention of the revived Solomon Wreath/Necromancers, which the book title heavily hints at.
- more and more boring Winter/Hidden One stuff that has completely overstayed its welcome, and we all could do without.
- Tanith still walking around completely unbothered by the fact that Skulduggery revealed himself to be Lord Vile in her presence several books ago, and continues to date the man whose mother Vile killed without any mention of it whatsoever.
- as if Valkyrie's Plot Armor wasn't already thicker than Negan's in TWD, now it becomes painfully predictable.

All in all, I fail to see what the book title has to do with the godawful content Derek put out. He has completely run out of good ideas and it just seems like his publishers are forcing him to release book after book just for the hell of it. If that's the case, Derek needs to find a way to breach contract, because Skulduggery Pleasant has been trash for too long.

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't hate it. So many flaws, yet I still can't hate these books. When will my nonsensical obsession with Skulduggery Pleasant end???????????????????????????
I cannot believe the first crush I ever had, and it was on a fictional skeleton. And that it's still ongoing.
The worst part about these books is that there's too many characters and too little soul.
I don't care about literally any character (except Skulduggery). I have not shed a tear for a single death, not even during phase one when Ghastly died. And not when you-know-what happens in this one.
The only reason I read this book was for my favorite wise-cracking detective(s?? I'm including Cadaver too, because I love him just as much.) AND YET, I was begging for crumbs of him. THE VERY NAMESAKE of the series, but he's a side character and I hate it so much. It's misleading to the public!!!
Like when I read the title of the book, A Soul Full of Shadows, I was so ecstatic! Who has a soul full of shadows? SHADOWS? I thought this book would finally center around Skulduggery and Cadaver and maybe some showdown between them, but I was sorely, DEVESTATINGLY, disappointed.
I just want to read about the genius skeletons, is that so hard?
On another point, you know what happens when you introduce too many characters? You become unable to flesh out their personalities and they all begin to sound the exact same. Like what makes (made) Valkyrie unique? Her brilliant sarcasm and witty comebacks. But while I was reading this book, there were NUMEROUS times when another character said something, and I was like, huh, that sounds something like Valkyrie would say. MULTIPLE characters. When Tanith was with Skulduggery, I honestly didn't see any difference between the og partnership and them because Tanith literally talks and thinks like a second Valkyrie Cain.
And the plot was just a rehashed version of the previous books in phase 3.
These series have plummeted so hard and so deep, it's just sad.
On that note, when is the next book coming out?

I'm going to die in this place.

[ThatBookMoth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to give this book a -5 out of 5.
I think I’ve spent a majority of the time reading this constantly saying “what the fuck?”.
Yet again Derek Landry has written a disappointing instalment to his Skulduggery Pleasant series, here’s hoping he isn’t lying about it being the last because he needs to stop.
What is it about? Skulduggery has a bounty placed on his head and Valkyrie is stuck in a bad situation. You’d think, with Skulduggery’s repertoire, that the best of the best would be coming after him. Nope. Just another slew of Landry writing pathetic characters to make Skulduggery look smarter.
Like with the previous one, it’s chock full of convoluted storylines that have zero purpose existing. This man keeps writing himself into corners that he can’t get himself out of. I thought this trilogy was supposed to be about Winter and Koa’s big fight. Not 10 storylines that never get resolved by the end of this book, and don’t get me started on the god awful “love at first sight” trope he tried throwing in there.
My wish was finally granted. Valkyrie died. For all of what….3 chapters? Before coming back. Yet again proving Landry can’t get out from under his Valkyrie security blanket.
We get to see some past characters. By “see” I mean they are mentioned as existing in the same room as the others and each get a whooping 2 lines each. Thrasher gets more dialogue than the more popular Dexter Vex.
Since phase 2 Landry has proven that his writing was regressed to a point where he can’t write his own world and characters anymore. He’s so detached from everything that his characters are OOC and he’s constantly writing in circles to justify his lack of knowledge with what’s going on in his books. AND HE WROTE IT! How hard is it to keep your ow facts straight.
This book is a mess of different storylines, timelines, and characters that have no point existing. This better be the last one. I have zero faith in this series getting better.

[Christopher Checkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phase 3 started strong with A mind full of murder but the following 2 entries really dropped I think. Not being bad books but just a let down from the return to form.

This series is best when Skullduggery and Val are together, solving the case while throwing in their humor. This book in particular they spend over half the book separated and it feels like we only get a handful of chapters where they are together doing what they do best.

But I could forgive that if not for the immortality. I was deep into reading after Vals death, tears and all because this was a character that I had read about since my teens and to see her go was tough. But it felt well done right until she appeared to save Winter. Then I just closed the book and went to sleep because I had to take a break and readjust my emotions after feeling robbed of them. It came out of nowhere and that was my same issue with Calen being Gestalt in "A Heart Full of Hatred" like it feels like a gotcha moment for the sake of it and not a cleverly woven story reveal like the early stories felt like.

I think back to all of phase one and each trio of books wrapped up their plot while hinting to what came next. But phase 2 and 3 just seem to want to keep hinting instead of really trying up much story.

Overall as a stand alone it was fine but as the ending to a trilogy it felt flat. I think 3 stars is generous and fueled by my general like of the characters more so the strength of this story.

[Audiobook Enjoyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Derek keeps writing them I’ll keep reading them

That being said - DEREK, IF YOU’RE READING THIS, I BEG YOU TO GIVE US ANSWERS FOR THE FOLLOWING:

- Lord Vile - what happened to him? Did he die when fighting Dimension X Vile? Please either BRING HIM BACK or have Ghastly find out the truth about who killed his mother

- What’s going on with Gog Magog, the God of the Apocalypse and Skul’s dad (plus his cult of brainwashed followers)? Why does he never show up for the apocalypse?

- How did Wreath and his followers resurrect themselves after the reset?

- What’s going on with the Viddu De?

- Arava Kahann - why was he so fond of the Edgley sisters?

- What is the consequence of the Children of the Faceless/Ancients not killing each other?

- What the hell did those clown gods want?

- Who is the mysterious Mayor Graveside and why does everyone think she was at the Battle of Aranmore?

- What happened to Val’s power with the Katahedral crystal?

- Who escaped the single cell prison on Insadoom?

- What happened to Malice, who was trapped in a soul catcher in Coldheart?

- What happened with the sanctuary’s research into the Veritas device (true name mind control)?

[Ed Colton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as gripping as most of the other novels, but it's a fine installment if a dissapointing end to the trilogy and I don't even want to begin to believe that after 19 years he's run out of ideas and ends it there.

One more trilogy, get it together Derek and let's go out with a bang because the characters and the fans deserve better than the last two books.

The scene with the returning character or two was cool, but he did literally NOTHING with them after that chapter and it really served as a reminder of how much better the first two phase's supporting characters were and makes you wonder why Derek dropped so many of them without warning.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

ive been reading these books since primary school, now im in my first year at uni.

Although the idea that this is potentially the end of a series taht means so much to me is disheartening. It was brilliant had all the charm wit and greatness I've come to expect.

Yet, im not sure if im in a state of denial or it just wasnt an effective conclusion. it's almost as if Derek landy weighed up two possible ending throughout the book only to leave it rather open ended?. if this does mean more is on the way better believe ill read it!

However if this is the end of the series this "ending" is going to take a while to sink in.

[Jess Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst I felt that there may have been too many plot points to follow, overall, I really enjoyed this instalment. I felt that the development of Ghastly’s character especially was done really well and made me feel quite conflicted as a Ghastly stan. I also really loved the extended period of time between Valkyries death and her resurrection. Seeing everyone’s raw reactions was interesting, and the fact that it took a while for her to come back made her arrival much more effective. The ending was so sweet though! I’m really looking forward to more books!

[Myfanwy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm trying really hard to stay optimistic that the series isn't ending, but no end page to announce they'll be back? It can't be over, I refuse.

On another note, questionable clowns, all the more reason to add to my fear of clowns, thank you very much but better yet I did not see that twist happening. If my emotions aren't played with then I don't want it, but also why did you have to do that 😭

[Jess Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but there’s going to be more books, right? Please?

This trilogy wasn’t my favourite edition to the series but I could read stories in this world for years and I don’t think I’d get bored of it! Winter really grew on me in this one, and I’d love to see how she develops her powers, maybe see her work alongside Valkyrie, I don’t know, but I need more!

[Adam Pettigrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second half of the book was an complete whirlwind of emotions stop killing the characters of my childhood... We had Fletcher last book and then we had this book.
First reaction is that this is nearly a 5/5, however the climax of the different plots feel a bit rushed. But this is the last book of a trilogy, so it's not totally unexpected.

[Redwing · Rating 4 out of 5]

If this really is the last book, then it's not a good finale as it leaves so much unanswered but as a book itself, it's really good.

Took way too long to mention Fletcher though and only in passing too, that's fucked up.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew she wouldn't be dead for long. just didn't expect her to die twice.

ghastly used to be my favourite, before he became a politician. not sure if tanith still likes him.

welcome back scapegrace. haha. that scene was funny.

how gwapo is Dexter?

excited for koa to come to corrival.

[Rosemary Steeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

its skulduggery. how dare you doubt his excellency

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody hell.

[ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

if this is how the series ends, I'm happy with that

[Shauna Brannigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

[Eoghan Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were some FIVE START MOMENTS but also some oddball choices so in my heart it is a 5 but in my head it is a 4 🌟