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Skulduggery Pleasant #8.5
Armageddon Outta Here
The ULTIMATE story collection for Skulduggery Pleasant fans, now updated to include Apocalypse Kings AND six more new stories for this edition - 22 stories in all!
ENTER A WORLD OF MAGIC AND MYSTERY
Enter a world where Apocalypse Kings and ancient monsters stalk beside the killers, the misfits, the oddballs and the weirdos.
Enter the world of Skulduggery Pleasant.
This definitive story collection has been updated with seven new twisted tales of darkness and light, of heroes and villains and everything in-between. It will drag you, screaming, further than you have ever dared venture.
YOU ARE NOT READY
ENTER A WORLD OF MAGIC AND MYSTERY
Enter a world where Apocalypse Kings and ancient monsters stalk beside the killers, the misfits, the oddballs and the weirdos.
Enter the world of Skulduggery Pleasant.
This definitive story collection has been updated with seven new twisted tales of darkness and light, of heroes and villains and everything in-between. It will drag you, screaming, further than you have ever dared venture.
YOU ARE NOT READY
528 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2014
201 people are currently reading
3663 people want to read
About the author
Derek Landy
253 books5,283 followersDerek 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
July 11, 2024
Armageddon Outta Here
By Derek Landy
This is a collection of stories, and I found them to be all enjoyable. They varied in creepiness. Some had a lot of dark humor or funny moments mixed in the stories. Other stories were creepy from the beginning to the end. Landy is good at making stories that adults like to read, too!
By Derek Landy
This is a collection of stories, and I found them to be all enjoyable. They varied in creepiness. Some had a lot of dark humor or funny moments mixed in the stories. Other stories were creepy from the beginning to the end. Landy is good at making stories that adults like to read, too!
February 17, 2021
I think you talk big,” said Pleasant. “I think you talk about death like it’s your friend. But if you really want to get acquainted, we can help you with that.
A novella filled with so many extra stories on characters that i've come to love over the past 8 books in the series i've read and with 16 new stories i got to learn more about the characters and even got introduced to two fan submitted character stories as well.
Derek has created such a world that is so riched in character and story development that he actually takes the time to flesh all of his characters out and make sure each one of them has a backstory and a goal of where they are headed no matter the outcome. I love Skulduggery and Valkyrie as the main protagonist and the bond that has grown over the course of 8 books now and the banter in each book gives me such a nice feeling.
I like where this series has gone and i will be eagerly waiting reading the next books in the series to continue on this adventure that i have been on with these characters for 3 years now.
A novella filled with so many extra stories on characters that i've come to love over the past 8 books in the series i've read and with 16 new stories i got to learn more about the characters and even got introduced to two fan submitted character stories as well.
Derek has created such a world that is so riched in character and story development that he actually takes the time to flesh all of his characters out and make sure each one of them has a backstory and a goal of where they are headed no matter the outcome. I love Skulduggery and Valkyrie as the main protagonist and the bond that has grown over the course of 8 books now and the banter in each book gives me such a nice feeling.
I like where this series has gone and i will be eagerly waiting reading the next books in the series to continue on this adventure that i have been on with these characters for 3 years now.
September 2, 2018
http://www.writingis.fun/%D0%B0%D0%BF...
Издателство „Артлайн“, Брой страници: 364 стр.
Разбий стъклото… покатери се през прозореца… и влез в света на Скълдъгъри Плезънт с този сборник разкази. В крайна сметка, вратите са за хора без въображение…
Сборник с тринадесет разказа за най-запалените фенове на Скълдъгъри Плезънт! Виж с какво се е занимавал Били Рей Сангин; разбери как Скълдъгъри и Валкирия се справят със сериен убиец, отчаян призрак и рояк особено гадни насекоми. Сещаш се – обичайните неща. Дерек представя скритите истории на скелета, чиято мисия е да спаси света… и момичето, чиято съдба е да го унищожи…
Ех, Ланди … знаеш как да ме зарадваш!
След прочита на всички книги от поредицата за Скълдъгъри ми стана малко тъжно като стигнах 9-та част. И малко след това – ей на – писателят обяви, че ще пише още книги към поредицата. Тръгнах да скачам от радост из стаята, дори и колегите да ме гледаха малко странно, че на кой му пука…
След Хари Потър, това беше един от световете, в които най-дълго съм „живяла“. Какво щастие, че ще може да очакваме още от него! Ама догодина – да си знаете.
Книгата с кратки разкази е перфектното допълнение към поредицата за приключенията на детектив Плезънт.
Може да сте видели и прочели и на други места, но и аз ще го кажа – спрямо номерацията на книгите, „Апокалипсата ме хвана“ или „Armageddon Outta Here“ се води част 8.5 от поредицата. Аз лично препоръчвам прочита й след поне едно 8 книги. А това е предимно защото няма да познавате героите, за които са самите разкази – така че, почнете си ги поред на номерата.
До сега не съм писала ревюта за поредицата за Скълдъгъри (така че няма нужда да търсите из блога) – да обожавам я, даже прекалено – като нищо бих създала фен клуб по въпроса. Просто реших, че няма нужда – прекалено много ги обикнах и си позволих напълно да си им се наслаждавам. Пък и само щях да ви надуя главите колко си заслужават четенето – на когото и да съм я препоръчала, не е останал недоволен. Даже като цяло помагам на хората да се пристрастят към нея.
eotwwt
Та, пак за сборника – в него има 13 разказа, като всички без 3 от тях – които са писани специално за него самия – вече ги бях чела. Повечето се водят като междинни „.5“ части между книгите от главната поредица. Не са жизнено важни за историята, но помагат да опознаеш някои от героите по-добре.
От всички междинни части, само 7.5 „Седморката на злото“, която е историята на Танит – разказваща за детството й, обучението й за наемен убиец, научаваме повече за оръжията Богоубийци – е всъщност доста важна особено за част 8 и 9.
Разказите, които не бях чела, доста бързо ми припомниха колко много ми харесва стила на писане на Ланди, типичния му леко саркастичен хумор и увлекателния начин да разказва една история. Беше истинско щастие да се потопя отново в този свят и да разследвам случай с Валкирия Каин и Скълдъгъри Плезънт.
13770444_1443556402324999_4477254664529504064_n
За да обобщя – нашата корица е по-хубава от английската и прочетеният вече сборник идеално допълва останалите части от поредицата живеещи на библиотеката ми.
Книгата получава едни доста добре заслужени 5 звезди.
Издателство „Артлайн“, Брой страници: 364 стр.
Разбий стъклото… покатери се през прозореца… и влез в света на Скълдъгъри Плезънт с този сборник разкази. В крайна сметка, вратите са за хора без въображение…
Сборник с тринадесет разказа за най-запалените фенове на Скълдъгъри Плезънт! Виж с какво се е занимавал Били Рей Сангин; разбери как Скълдъгъри и Валкирия се справят със сериен убиец, отчаян призрак и рояк особено гадни насекоми. Сещаш се – обичайните неща. Дерек представя скритите истории на скелета, чиято мисия е да спаси света… и момичето, чиято съдба е да го унищожи…
Ех, Ланди … знаеш как да ме зарадваш!
След прочита на всички книги от поредицата за Скълдъгъри ми стана малко тъжно като стигнах 9-та част. И малко след това – ей на – писателят обяви, че ще пише още книги към поредицата. Тръгнах да скачам от радост из стаята, дори и колегите да ме гледаха малко странно, че на кой му пука…
След Хари Потър, това беше един от световете, в които най-дълго съм „живяла“. Какво щастие, че ще може да очакваме още от него! Ама догодина – да си знаете.
Книгата с кратки разкази е перфектното допълнение към поредицата за приключенията на детектив Плезънт.
Може да сте видели и прочели и на други места, но и аз ще го кажа – спрямо номерацията на книгите, „Апокалипсата ме хвана“ или „Armageddon Outta Here“ се води част 8.5 от поредицата. Аз лично препоръчвам прочита й след поне едно 8 книги. А това е предимно защото няма да познавате героите, за които са самите разкази – така че, почнете си ги поред на номерата.
До сега не съм писала ревюта за поредицата за Скълдъгъри (така че няма нужда да търсите из блога) – да обожавам я, даже прекалено – като нищо бих създала фен клуб по въпроса. Просто реших, че няма нужда – прекалено много ги обикнах и си позволих напълно да си им се наслаждавам. Пък и само щях да ви надуя главите колко си заслужават четенето – на когото и да съм я препоръчала, не е останал недоволен. Даже като цяло помагам на хората да се пристрастят към нея.
eotwwt
Та, пак за сборника – в него има 13 разказа, като всички без 3 от тях – които са писани специално за него самия – вече ги бях чела. Повечето се водят като междинни „.5“ части между книгите от главната поредица. Не са жизнено важни за историята, но помагат да опознаеш някои от героите по-добре.
От всички междинни части, само 7.5 „Седморката на злото“, която е историята на Танит – разказваща за детството й, обучението й за наемен убиец, научаваме повече за оръжията Богоубийци – е всъщност доста важна особено за част 8 и 9.
Разказите, които не бях чела, доста бързо ми припомниха колко много ми харесва стила на писане на Ланди, типичния му леко саркастичен хумор и увлекателния начин да разказва една история. Беше истинско щастие да се потопя отново в този свят и да разследвам случай с Валкирия Каин и Скълдъгъри Плезънт.
13770444_1443556402324999_4477254664529504064_n
За да обобщя – нашата корица е по-хубава от английската и прочетеният вече сборник идеално допълва останалите части от поредицата живеещи на библиотеката ми.
Книгата получава едни доста добре заслужени 5 звезди.
paused
August 30, 2014EDIT: 11.07.2014
Armageddon Outta Here is...here. In my Room. With me.
_____________________
EDIT: 22.06.2014
______
EDIT: 04.04.2014
______
EDIT: 29.03.2014
We have a Cover!
And look at Skulduggery!
Am I the only one with hots for a skeleton?
__________________
EDIT: 25.03.2014
And because I, and therefore WE, are on the home stretch, this blog is going to be choc-a-block with announcements and reveals over the next few weeks. By the end of THIS week, for example, we'll be revealing the cover for the Armageddon-Outta-Here short story collection. Next week, we'll reveal the full, WRAPAROUND cover for the collection (it's awesome). And the week after that? We'll be revealing the title for the ninth, and last, Skulduggery Pleasant book.
I.CAN'T.FUCKING.WAIT!
Armageddon Outta Here is...here. In my Room. With me.
_____________________
EDIT: 22.06.2014
______
EDIT: 04.04.2014
______
EDIT: 29.03.2014
We have a Cover!
And look at Skulduggery!
Am I the only one with hots for a skeleton?
__________________
EDIT: 25.03.2014
And because I, and therefore WE, are on the home stretch, this blog is going to be choc-a-block with announcements and reveals over the next few weeks. By the end of THIS week, for example, we'll be revealing the cover for the Armageddon-Outta-Here short story collection. Next week, we'll reveal the full, WRAPAROUND cover for the collection (it's awesome). And the week after that? We'll be revealing the title for the ninth, and last, Skulduggery Pleasant book.
I.CAN'T.FUCKING.WAIT!
March 29, 2024
I read the original 2014 release. Now it's been rereleased with seven new stories so really looking forward to them!!
March 31, 2024
reread: 31/03/2024
The newest Skulduggery Pleasant book, A Mind Full of Murder was released recently so I want to catch up before I get to it. I just have the prequel (Hell Breaks Loose) and the graphic novel (Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel) now :)
This has seven new stories so really looking forward to them!!
The newest Skulduggery Pleasant book, A Mind Full of Murder was released recently so I want to catch up before I get to it. I just have the prequel (Hell Breaks Loose) and the graphic novel (Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel) now :)
This has seven new stories so really looking forward to them!!
February 12, 2018
I read this sometime last year guess I never marked it as read? Oops lol
July 17, 2014
This book contains an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming Skulduggery novel The Dying of the Light!
I've officially died and gone to heaven. Derek Landy has included an extremely intriguing (& funny) sneak peek of the upcoming Skulduggery book at the end of Armageddon Outta Here.
For those who want a taste of the teaser, here is a brief excerpt:
Armageddon Outta Here also contains a bunch of awesome stories that will have you on the edge of your seat...and dying in anticipation for The Dying of the Light. August 28th can't come soon enough!
I've officially died and gone to heaven. Derek Landy has included an extremely intriguing (& funny) sneak peek of the upcoming Skulduggery book at the end of Armageddon Outta Here.
For those who want a taste of the teaser, here is a brief excerpt:
'He stood there, looking at her. She glared back, opened her mouth to continue the conversation, but he suddenly turned, walked away, like he'd just remembered that she may look and sound and talk like Valkyrie Cain, but she wasn't Valkyrie Cain.It seems like Valkyrie's reflection is going to be at the centre of The Dying of the Light's dramatic plot. But can the reflection (a.k.a Stephanie) be trusted? I guess we'll have to wait to find out!
And she never would be.'
Armageddon Outta Here also contains a bunch of awesome stories that will have you on the edge of your seat...and dying in anticipation for The Dying of the Light. August 28th can't come soon enough!
June 23, 2018
I haven't read any Skulduggery in ages but it's perfect for my current mood - that is fun, lightweight and fast-paced. The short story form offers the opportunity to experiment and Landy takes that opportunity, varying genre, tone and narrative perspective and in doing so proving he's not just a one note writer. I'd very happily see him produce novels that showed the same variety. The haunted house story was particularly good, building a great atmosphere of dread.
September 8, 2020
A fun read! I enjoyed all the stories!
Read
July 4, 2014Not rating this as it's a collection of short stories varying in length and in the amount of satisfaction I got from each one.
I didn't re-read the stories which I'd read before, which was most of them, but of the new ones, I really liked The Horror Writers' Halloween Ball.
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon - the brand new novella - is, story-wise, the best of the lot, but oddly enough, I think I'd have liked it better as a non-SP story, with no Skul or Val in it at all. As it was, the very small part they played was just enough to make me unhappy about there not being more.
If I ever get more time or energy, I might expand the review with, like, actual thoughts.
I didn't re-read the stories which I'd read before, which was most of them, but of the new ones, I really liked The Horror Writers' Halloween Ball.
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon - the brand new novella - is, story-wise, the best of the lot, but oddly enough, I think I'd have liked it better as a non-SP story, with no Skul or Val in it at all. As it was, the very small part they played was just enough to make me unhappy about there not being more.
If I ever get more time or energy, I might expand the review with, like, actual thoughts.
April 19, 2020
Want to see more...
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This series keeps getting better and better
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This series keeps getting better and better
January 20, 2019
Как хем да завършиш една сага, хем тя да продължи? Как хем да си „починеш” от размазващо епичната развръзка на финала, хем да не оставяш любимата поредица? На помощ идват ПРИДРУЖАВАЩИТЕ книги – онези новели и сборници с разкази, които развиват вселената на основната поредица с някои по-маловажни, но не по-малко забавни за четене истории, които да удължат удоволствието и да ви позволят да прекарате още време в компанията на любимите си герои, без задължително да препрочитате серията отначало. Да не говорим, че когато основната ти серия е от цели девет книги, трудно се намира време за тяхното препрочитане. Да, вече сте се досетили – отново ще говорим за „Скълдъгъри Плезънт” на Дерек Ланди! Този път обаче хронологията не е така последователна, защото фокусът е върху книга 8.5: „Апокалипсата ме хвана”. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
August 2, 2020
I enjoyed a lot of the stories. I really felt that they added to the series, since a lot of characters that did not appear too often in the series had stories about them in this book. Also, I liked that some of the stories featured other characters who weren't in the other books, since they gave more insight into the world of series.
August 12, 2020
Amazing short stories that just fill the world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie out even more. Adored them all.
June 17, 2017
4,5/5 ☆
April 11, 2023
3.5/5🌟
Favorite story: Across a Dark Plain - 5🌟
I hate this story and every choice that went into making it. Why? Just why must I suffer
Least Favorite story: Get thee behind me, Bubba Moon - 2🌟
Way too long, way too boring and please never write in first person again cause it sucked
Favorite story: Across a Dark Plain - 5🌟
I hate this story and every choice that went into making it. Why? Just why must I suffer
Least Favorite story: Get thee behind me, Bubba Moon - 2🌟
Way too long, way too boring and please never write in first person again cause it sucked
May 20, 2021
I enjoyed all of these, although I did feel that some were stronger than others. And the nostalgia of some of the early ones was so nice! My favourites include Friday Night Frights, Death and Texas, Gold, Babies and The Brothers Muldroon and The wonderful Adventures of Geoffrey Scrutinous (that one had me CACKLING).
March 21, 2023
Skulduggery never fails. I could be biased but to me, its just the perfect pace of excitement and humour. Plus to read some new stories that I hadn't before was a bonus.
And I will always need stories like Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon.
And I will always need stories like Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon.
August 8, 2018
This might be my favourite sentence I've ever read:
Scrannel ran to the dark corner of the cave where he kept his stuff, and grabbed the wooden spear he’d been working on for weeks. He ran back towards Tanith and when he was close enough so there was no way he could miss, he hurled the spear and missed.
Scrannel ran to the dark corner of the cave where he kept his stuff, and grabbed the wooden spear he’d been working on for weeks. He ran back towards Tanith and when he was close enough so there was no way he could miss, he hurled the spear and missed.
September 21, 2017
omg I'm actually such an idiot because I thought I still had like 30 pages or so of stories to go after I'd read The Maleficent Seven so I'd been saving them until I needed it aaaaaand it turns out I only had one 10 page story left and that's it. smh.
May 30, 2017
Review to come when on computer. :)
November 4, 2014
Finishing the Skulduggery series earlier in the year left me with quite an emotional gap in my heart. There's a space there, much like how Potterheads feel years after the ending, that can only be filled with the love you have for a series and for me, I will passionately love Skulduggery Pleasant for a long, long time, and honestly, it hadn't occurred to me to read the novellas of this series - they felt to me like they wouldn't really be worth it, they're only really fillers for the series anyway, right? Wrong. These novellas where so much more than just fillers for each installment; they brought the series together in a way that Dying of the Light, personally, didn't do, they gave me answers to questions I didn't know I had, and they provided me with a smaller, yet just as enjoyable journey, from start to finish, and reminded me just how much I love this series.
Novellas are difficult to review at the best of times, never mind a collection of them, so I will do my best to provide a fair opinion on all of them, however, some opinions will be larger than the rest, but that is obviously, to be expected..
Across A Dark Plain - This novellas really brought me straight back into the world, but not only that, highlighted what a fantastic author Landy really is. Even travelling years back into the past, he managed to create a vivid world where I could easily picture what was expected and really, the little touch in this novellas was Skulduggery and Wreath. It was never really explained in the series why these two characters had such a strong feeling of negativity towards each other, especially Skulduggery to Wreath, but that answer is given on a platter in this novella, and really, I thought this only complimented the feeling of bringing the original Dead Men back together. It did however, make for emotional feelings of knowing what came next.. 3.5 stars.
The Horror Writers' Halloween Ball - Until this novella, I really hadn't thought about how important Gordon is in this series. Without him, Valkyrie would never have inherited his house, or met Skulduggery, and so on, so without Gordon, there is no series really, so it really pleased and impressed me that Landy created a novella that revealed more about him. His humour is exactly like the banter between Valkyrie and Skulduggery and it made for such entertaining scenes, and his relationship with Skulduggery was absolutely wonderful. To see their connection, their genuine friendship, something that is generally difficult for Skulduggery to create, it was a more than welcome addition to the series, and when you throw in some lacking in logic humour, some fancy dress costume fighting and Skulduggery laughing and smiling, actually enjoying himself, there was absolutely no way that meeting Gordon could go anywhere but into the pure happiness markers. 4.5 stars.
The Lost Art of World Domination - This was definitely one of the shorter novellas and less impressive, however, it did give a nice insight to Scaramouch, one of the easily forgotten, and it's understandable why, characters of the series. Skulduggery used his quick humour and thinking and seeing Valkyrie grow confident in her skills made this an enjoyable novella, but not near mind-blowing. 3 stars.
Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon - Oh people, this book, I laughed so hard, what an enjoyable read this novella was. Skulduggery landing on his face, Valkyrie being given first handed experience and the chance to ride shotgun, even the touch of huge goblins was well received in this novella and really, I just thoroughly enjoyed it. Oh, and can I mention the absolute howling I found myself doing when Skulduggery fell through a roof onto his face? Oh you guys, this was a great pick-me-up after the previous novella and got the show back on the road. 3.5 stars.
The Slightly Ignominious End to the Legend of Black Annis - Now this novella, for the people who read the novella before the end of the series, really highlighted and foreshadowed some fantastic scenes to come in the series. Annis I feel was an easily missed character and bullied character in Maleficent Seven and it was nice to have her character more, fleshed out, than in that novel. Seeing her go up against Tanith was fantastic and there was some serious girl/creature/woman/anger power in this novella. Nothing like a bit of Tanith to add to the great Skulduggery novellas though, is there? 3 stars.
Friday Night Frights - One character I never did feel anything for in this series was Caelan.. not because he wasn't a good character, but because I didn't like his character, yet that changed a little in this novella. We're also never aware of how Valkyrie met Caelan in this series, so it was nice to be introduced and made aware, as well as learning more about his charcater and why in fact he took such a shine to Valkyrie. I don't condone being clingy, but his back-story was heartbreaking and really horrible, yet sad to read about, and the brutal battle between vampires, absolutely gruesome yet fantastically written, as Landy always does. This novella also gave me more answers to questions I hadn't taken to care to ask, but that's what novellas do, especially these ones - they give you more than you thought you could get. 4 stars.
Myosotis Terra - Yet again, another enjoyable, quick paced and really great novella, focusing on how Landy encouraged other readers to get involved and create their own characters. Myosotis is a fantastic character, her personality shines through, her banter and relationship will Valkyrie was fantastic and the logic behind it was also great. I liked the overall feel and pace and the general plot was nice too, but it definitely wasn't, amazing. 3.5 stars.
The Wonderful Adventures of Geoffrey Scrutinous - Now this novella people, this was the first in this collection that felt like a real story, with a great plot, a fantastic mystery and was completely unrelated to the series. Once again, Geoffrey was a character created by another reader and was he a great character; he was hard-worker, but had a hidden personality and humour and care about him, and the plot, oh you would be impressed. It was believable, it was full of suspense, humour, darkened twists and really some great tension. I was enthralled, I was sucked in, I couldn't get enough of this novella and really, it's definitely one of my favourites of the collection. I also loved the banter and humour between Skulduggery and Valkyrie, but I also liked how no matter what Valkyrie is going through personally, she still found the time to be a typical teenager, and that's what always made connecting to her easy, she was the perfect example of an adventurous teenager, and that was always a feature I adored in this series. 4.5 stars.
Just Another Friday Night - Zombies don't tend to impressed much, and that was still the case in this series, and this novella. Don't get me wrong, it was still enjoyable, introduced more characters created by readers, and did provide the same humour and snark that this series has always had, but on a personal enjoyment level, it didn't sit well with me, and was the weakest of the novellas. 2 stars.
End of the World - Review
Trick of Treat - Trick or Treat was a wonderful further insight into how the plot arc of this series was being developed and also had fantastic links to Maleficent Seven which was an amazing longer novella. Getting more from Tanith, more from Sanguine and their relationship with one another, but most of all, and I sound twisted saying this, but the violence from Tanith was wonderful, and I mean that in the most complimentary of ways. I adored the twist taken in this series, even if it did break my heart originally and I cannot commend Landy enough, it was a risk, but in this novella, you really see Tanith develop and grow into a character with so much more depth than you can ever first imagine, and I cannot say no to Tanith, ever. 4 stars.
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon - Much like End of the World is, this novella is definitely a story all in it's own, and was probably the best novella in this collection. With normal characters, normal human characters, a twisted horror story rich in tension and suspense, twists and childhood dares, there's very little to dislike, unless you dislike horror stories. I found the entire premise wonderful, well developed and surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed when Skulduggery and Valkyrie only appeared later on - it was a wonderful change to have the novella and story through another persons perspective and I enjoyed that. In some places, I'm ashamed to say, this novella was actually scarier to read than the actual novels, it felt grown up, it felt teenage/young adult like and it was sinister, it was dark, it had depth, and it really gave me whiplash. That plot twist, how could you Landy, I trusted that character, why would you do that, but the whole pace and premise, plot and world was wonderful here, as is the writing, and as always, Skulduggery and Valkyrie were absolutely wonderful characters in this novella. Without a doubt, my favourite of the collection and as far as I can think, faultless. 5 stars.
The Button - Maybe the previous novella was too good, but this final part of the collection felt repetitive and reused often in the story. The premise was enjoyable, humourous actually, and even enjoyable, but it definitely had nothing on some of the other stories in this collection, but what was wonderful was having reached the end of the collection and seen the development in characters, in Valkyrie and Skulduggery, together and alone, and the depth in the world, in the plot, in everything that was read, and while this wasn't a fantastic novella, it definitely didn't end the collection on a downer.. 3.5 stars.
You would think that by reading novellas that are published between novels would be a problem after you've finished the series, but really, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being back with these characters that I'd left behind and feeling the remembering the plot in the novels while I read these new pieces of material. Some were highly enjoyable and others were a little flat, but it's like everything that has many ingredients, not everything will be perfect, but some things will blow your mind. Knowing that I have now finished everything with the series, read every piece of material, watched all the interviews, read all the stories and novellas and extras, the actual final thought of really saying goodbye is horrible, and I don't think I'll be able to honestly say goodbye probably for this series for a long time. If you haven't yet tried the series, I don't know what you're waiting for. I can't promise that you will love each installment, and I can't promise that they will all be favourites, but I can say that you can't start the story and not finish it, not when Skulduggery's on the case.
Novellas are difficult to review at the best of times, never mind a collection of them, so I will do my best to provide a fair opinion on all of them, however, some opinions will be larger than the rest, but that is obviously, to be expected..
Across A Dark Plain - This novellas really brought me straight back into the world, but not only that, highlighted what a fantastic author Landy really is. Even travelling years back into the past, he managed to create a vivid world where I could easily picture what was expected and really, the little touch in this novellas was Skulduggery and Wreath. It was never really explained in the series why these two characters had such a strong feeling of negativity towards each other, especially Skulduggery to Wreath, but that answer is given on a platter in this novella, and really, I thought this only complimented the feeling of bringing the original Dead Men back together. It did however, make for emotional feelings of knowing what came next.. 3.5 stars.
The Horror Writers' Halloween Ball - Until this novella, I really hadn't thought about how important Gordon is in this series. Without him, Valkyrie would never have inherited his house, or met Skulduggery, and so on, so without Gordon, there is no series really, so it really pleased and impressed me that Landy created a novella that revealed more about him. His humour is exactly like the banter between Valkyrie and Skulduggery and it made for such entertaining scenes, and his relationship with Skulduggery was absolutely wonderful. To see their connection, their genuine friendship, something that is generally difficult for Skulduggery to create, it was a more than welcome addition to the series, and when you throw in some lacking in logic humour, some fancy dress costume fighting and Skulduggery laughing and smiling, actually enjoying himself, there was absolutely no way that meeting Gordon could go anywhere but into the pure happiness markers. 4.5 stars.
The Lost Art of World Domination - This was definitely one of the shorter novellas and less impressive, however, it did give a nice insight to Scaramouch, one of the easily forgotten, and it's understandable why, characters of the series. Skulduggery used his quick humour and thinking and seeing Valkyrie grow confident in her skills made this an enjoyable novella, but not near mind-blowing. 3 stars.
Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon - Oh people, this book, I laughed so hard, what an enjoyable read this novella was. Skulduggery landing on his face, Valkyrie being given first handed experience and the chance to ride shotgun, even the touch of huge goblins was well received in this novella and really, I just thoroughly enjoyed it. Oh, and can I mention the absolute howling I found myself doing when Skulduggery fell through a roof onto his face? Oh you guys, this was a great pick-me-up after the previous novella and got the show back on the road. 3.5 stars.
The Slightly Ignominious End to the Legend of Black Annis - Now this novella, for the people who read the novella before the end of the series, really highlighted and foreshadowed some fantastic scenes to come in the series. Annis I feel was an easily missed character and bullied character in Maleficent Seven and it was nice to have her character more, fleshed out, than in that novel. Seeing her go up against Tanith was fantastic and there was some serious girl/creature/woman/anger power in this novella. Nothing like a bit of Tanith to add to the great Skulduggery novellas though, is there? 3 stars.
Friday Night Frights - One character I never did feel anything for in this series was Caelan.. not because he wasn't a good character, but because I didn't like his character, yet that changed a little in this novella. We're also never aware of how Valkyrie met Caelan in this series, so it was nice to be introduced and made aware, as well as learning more about his charcater and why in fact he took such a shine to Valkyrie. I don't condone being clingy, but his back-story was heartbreaking and really horrible, yet sad to read about, and the brutal battle between vampires, absolutely gruesome yet fantastically written, as Landy always does. This novella also gave me more answers to questions I hadn't taken to care to ask, but that's what novellas do, especially these ones - they give you more than you thought you could get. 4 stars.
Myosotis Terra - Yet again, another enjoyable, quick paced and really great novella, focusing on how Landy encouraged other readers to get involved and create their own characters. Myosotis is a fantastic character, her personality shines through, her banter and relationship will Valkyrie was fantastic and the logic behind it was also great. I liked the overall feel and pace and the general plot was nice too, but it definitely wasn't, amazing. 3.5 stars.
The Wonderful Adventures of Geoffrey Scrutinous - Now this novella people, this was the first in this collection that felt like a real story, with a great plot, a fantastic mystery and was completely unrelated to the series. Once again, Geoffrey was a character created by another reader and was he a great character; he was hard-worker, but had a hidden personality and humour and care about him, and the plot, oh you would be impressed. It was believable, it was full of suspense, humour, darkened twists and really some great tension. I was enthralled, I was sucked in, I couldn't get enough of this novella and really, it's definitely one of my favourites of the collection. I also loved the banter and humour between Skulduggery and Valkyrie, but I also liked how no matter what Valkyrie is going through personally, she still found the time to be a typical teenager, and that's what always made connecting to her easy, she was the perfect example of an adventurous teenager, and that was always a feature I adored in this series. 4.5 stars.
Just Another Friday Night - Zombies don't tend to impressed much, and that was still the case in this series, and this novella. Don't get me wrong, it was still enjoyable, introduced more characters created by readers, and did provide the same humour and snark that this series has always had, but on a personal enjoyment level, it didn't sit well with me, and was the weakest of the novellas. 2 stars.
End of the World - Review
Trick of Treat - Trick or Treat was a wonderful further insight into how the plot arc of this series was being developed and also had fantastic links to Maleficent Seven which was an amazing longer novella. Getting more from Tanith, more from Sanguine and their relationship with one another, but most of all, and I sound twisted saying this, but the violence from Tanith was wonderful, and I mean that in the most complimentary of ways. I adored the twist taken in this series, even if it did break my heart originally and I cannot commend Landy enough, it was a risk, but in this novella, you really see Tanith develop and grow into a character with so much more depth than you can ever first imagine, and I cannot say no to Tanith, ever. 4 stars.
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon - Much like End of the World is, this novella is definitely a story all in it's own, and was probably the best novella in this collection. With normal characters, normal human characters, a twisted horror story rich in tension and suspense, twists and childhood dares, there's very little to dislike, unless you dislike horror stories. I found the entire premise wonderful, well developed and surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed when Skulduggery and Valkyrie only appeared later on - it was a wonderful change to have the novella and story through another persons perspective and I enjoyed that. In some places, I'm ashamed to say, this novella was actually scarier to read than the actual novels, it felt grown up, it felt teenage/young adult like and it was sinister, it was dark, it had depth, and it really gave me whiplash. That plot twist, how could you Landy, I trusted that character, why would you do that, but the whole pace and premise, plot and world was wonderful here, as is the writing, and as always, Skulduggery and Valkyrie were absolutely wonderful characters in this novella. Without a doubt, my favourite of the collection and as far as I can think, faultless. 5 stars.
The Button - Maybe the previous novella was too good, but this final part of the collection felt repetitive and reused often in the story. The premise was enjoyable, humourous actually, and even enjoyable, but it definitely had nothing on some of the other stories in this collection, but what was wonderful was having reached the end of the collection and seen the development in characters, in Valkyrie and Skulduggery, together and alone, and the depth in the world, in the plot, in everything that was read, and while this wasn't a fantastic novella, it definitely didn't end the collection on a downer.. 3.5 stars.
You would think that by reading novellas that are published between novels would be a problem after you've finished the series, but really, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being back with these characters that I'd left behind and feeling the remembering the plot in the novels while I read these new pieces of material. Some were highly enjoyable and others were a little flat, but it's like everything that has many ingredients, not everything will be perfect, but some things will blow your mind. Knowing that I have now finished everything with the series, read every piece of material, watched all the interviews, read all the stories and novellas and extras, the actual final thought of really saying goodbye is horrible, and I don't think I'll be able to honestly say goodbye probably for this series for a long time. If you haven't yet tried the series, I don't know what you're waiting for. I can't promise that you will love each installment, and I can't promise that they will all be favourites, but I can say that you can't start the story and not finish it, not when Skulduggery's on the case.
August 9, 2017
5/5 no doubt.
A short-story collection, more of the quick-peak in the world already loved and cherished, and, yes please, give me more, because I could never get enough of SP.
Some stories were good, some excellent, some magnificent, some pure love. But let’s talk detail.
Across a Dark Plain
A Dead Man story? Like all of them, alive (with well known exception of our skeleton) and kicking, and fighting zombies on a haunted graveyard. The dynamics, the team-work perfect like clock-work, the humour – oh my, they are utterly insane! And just let me appreciate this for second – Hopeless. We finally see Hopeless, even if he just says one short phrase during the story, but…oh. Can’t I just get a Dead Man spin-off series, because this guys are fantastic, freakishly so.
10/10
The Horror Writers Halloween Ball:-
One image – Gordon dresses in the costume of the Thing. This alone is simply magnificent. I really liked meeting the younger Gordon, and seeing his friendship with Skulduggery, and his overall awkwardness, and true determination when it comes to important things.
But really, a very interesting view on what the writing and books in general are. How stories feed of the reader, and we, the simple lot, are to accept it. True, though.
10/10
The Lost Art Of World Domination:-
Very in the feel of first books. Simple, but hilarious, and oh poor main villain and his plans for world domination. I just doesn’t work that way!
8/10
Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon:-
A bit more action in this one, but very much the same tone. I was laughing out loud (in public, and people around were giving me strange looks, but what the hell!). Just the thought of giant goblin-lady in wedding dress chasing after and proclaiming undying love for one known skeleton. Khh, a tease to go on forever.
9/10
The Slightly Ignominious End To The Legend Of Black Annis:-
That was a different tone, with Tanith being total kick-ass and main villain Annis was such a cute (apart for the man-eater fact) and pitiful character, that makes this story funny and kind of sad at the same moment.
8/10
Friday Night Fights:-
It was a bit fuzzy at the beginning, but as soon as I caught up with the story, I’ve grown to appreciate it. Like it was, in the way, first real trial for Valkyrie, when no one could have come to her rescue and she had to count on her own strength to save herself. It was a bit on the darker side, but very action-packed. The introduction of Caelan was oh so cool.
And here’s the thought to consider – illegal magical fights orchestrated by mortals. How many mortal actually know about magic and what shadow-business is still, for the lack of better phrase, in shadows.
9/10
Death and Texas:-
It is a Billy-Ray Sanguine story. Is there anything more worth telling? ❤
Here we have our favourite master-assassin as the good guy. And this concept shatter my mind and soul. Honestly, the part where he consider leaving the small gas-tank, because it is none of his business, he won’t get money for that and, hell, he’s not any kind of hero at all, but………. He is absolutely fantastic here! While still being hurt from the sword wound and without even a gun. Oh, my sunshine! ❤
Easy one of the best stories in collection.
10/10
Myosotis Terra:-
What a concept of magic – to forget about someone as soon as you turn your eyes away from that person. A bit of the lonely life, I gather, but a very neet trick for a spy.
Plot was great. Caves and rouge sorcerers, and sacrifices and cute fluffy monsters.
9/10
The Wonderful Adventures Of Geoffrey Scrutinous:-
A look from the side on our detectives, by none other than Scrutinous, who had managed to get himself into the trouble this time. A bit of a mystery with strange deaths, a bit of the action with the shark in the living room. Flawless. Geoffrey is adorable.
10/10
Just Another Friday Night:-
All exciting thing happen on Friday.
Fast and dynamic and you can’t have enough of zombie stories around. Loved the quick glance on Tane and Haley characters – we didn’t get enough of them in the series and this just makes me so sad. But the story was great.
9/10
The End Of The World:-
Here we have another 15 years old teen, dragged into the world of magic and bad guys trying to hunt you down. The meetings were flawless – oh my, they’ve killed your friend! And the vampire topic was great. We have another Maybury reference (as was in Scrutious story), and Foe and his band of misfits. The ending was sad, but that’s how SP stories are – you laugh a lot, until you don’t.
10/10
Trick Or Treat:
Tanith is wicked. Love the Remnant Tanith. An opening stage to Malificent Seven – made me very much excited for the book, as I hadn’t read that one yet.
And it’s Halloween!
10/10
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon
Every town has a haunted house. But what if it isn’t just stories?
I loves town-legend feel of the story, and the creepy childhood memories, and even more scary return to the past days. A bit muffled ending, but so perfect feel of “something terrible is about to happen and you can’t escape it”.
10/10
Theatre Of Shadows
It was simply disturbing. Like one bad memory you would very much like to forget. Yet it shows again how much of the magic world there are still to uncover.
9/10
Eyes Of The Beholder
Billy-Ray story. I gather I don’t even need t start telling how much I loved this. But here, strong and cool as ever, as so in love with Tanith, which I still find adorable and oh so perfect. I liked the fact we see a glimpse of Sanguine’s youth and how he actually lost his eyes. Which just adds to the level of perfection this character already has.
10/10
The Button
A strange story left for the end. But also so fitting. So, we just stopped one apocalypse.Great, we have 5 more to stop before the day ends. Story of their life….
8/10
A short-story collection, more of the quick-peak in the world already loved and cherished, and, yes please, give me more, because I could never get enough of SP.
Some stories were good, some excellent, some magnificent, some pure love. But let’s talk detail.
Across a Dark Plain
A Dead Man story? Like all of them, alive (with well known exception of our skeleton) and kicking, and fighting zombies on a haunted graveyard. The dynamics, the team-work perfect like clock-work, the humour – oh my, they are utterly insane! And just let me appreciate this for second – Hopeless. We finally see Hopeless, even if he just says one short phrase during the story, but…oh. Can’t I just get a Dead Man spin-off series, because this guys are fantastic, freakishly so.
10/10
The Horror Writers Halloween Ball:-
One image – Gordon dresses in the costume of the Thing. This alone is simply magnificent. I really liked meeting the younger Gordon, and seeing his friendship with Skulduggery, and his overall awkwardness, and true determination when it comes to important things.
But really, a very interesting view on what the writing and books in general are. How stories feed of the reader, and we, the simple lot, are to accept it. True, though.
10/10
The Lost Art Of World Domination:-
Very in the feel of first books. Simple, but hilarious, and oh poor main villain and his plans for world domination. I just doesn’t work that way!
8/10
Gold, Babies and the Brothers Muldoon:-
A bit more action in this one, but very much the same tone. I was laughing out loud (in public, and people around were giving me strange looks, but what the hell!). Just the thought of giant goblin-lady in wedding dress chasing after and proclaiming undying love for one known skeleton. Khh, a tease to go on forever.
9/10
The Slightly Ignominious End To The Legend Of Black Annis:-
That was a different tone, with Tanith being total kick-ass and main villain Annis was such a cute (apart for the man-eater fact) and pitiful character, that makes this story funny and kind of sad at the same moment.
8/10
Friday Night Fights:-
It was a bit fuzzy at the beginning, but as soon as I caught up with the story, I’ve grown to appreciate it. Like it was, in the way, first real trial for Valkyrie, when no one could have come to her rescue and she had to count on her own strength to save herself. It was a bit on the darker side, but very action-packed. The introduction of Caelan was oh so cool.
And here’s the thought to consider – illegal magical fights orchestrated by mortals. How many mortal actually know about magic and what shadow-business is still, for the lack of better phrase, in shadows.
9/10
Death and Texas:-
It is a Billy-Ray Sanguine story. Is there anything more worth telling? ❤
Here we have our favourite master-assassin as the good guy. And this concept shatter my mind and soul. Honestly, the part where he consider leaving the small gas-tank, because it is none of his business, he won’t get money for that and, hell, he’s not any kind of hero at all, but………. He is absolutely fantastic here! While still being hurt from the sword wound and without even a gun. Oh, my sunshine! ❤
Easy one of the best stories in collection.
10/10
Myosotis Terra:-
What a concept of magic – to forget about someone as soon as you turn your eyes away from that person. A bit of the lonely life, I gather, but a very neet trick for a spy.
Plot was great. Caves and rouge sorcerers, and sacrifices and cute fluffy monsters.
9/10
The Wonderful Adventures Of Geoffrey Scrutinous:-
A look from the side on our detectives, by none other than Scrutinous, who had managed to get himself into the trouble this time. A bit of a mystery with strange deaths, a bit of the action with the shark in the living room. Flawless. Geoffrey is adorable.
10/10
Just Another Friday Night:-
All exciting thing happen on Friday.
Fast and dynamic and you can’t have enough of zombie stories around. Loved the quick glance on Tane and Haley characters – we didn’t get enough of them in the series and this just makes me so sad. But the story was great.
9/10
The End Of The World:-
Here we have another 15 years old teen, dragged into the world of magic and bad guys trying to hunt you down. The meetings were flawless – oh my, they’ve killed your friend! And the vampire topic was great. We have another Maybury reference (as was in Scrutious story), and Foe and his band of misfits. The ending was sad, but that’s how SP stories are – you laugh a lot, until you don’t.
10/10
Trick Or Treat:
Tanith is wicked. Love the Remnant Tanith. An opening stage to Malificent Seven – made me very much excited for the book, as I hadn’t read that one yet.
And it’s Halloween!
10/10
Get Thee Behind Me, Bubba Moon
Every town has a haunted house. But what if it isn’t just stories?
I loves town-legend feel of the story, and the creepy childhood memories, and even more scary return to the past days. A bit muffled ending, but so perfect feel of “something terrible is about to happen and you can’t escape it”.
10/10
Theatre Of Shadows
It was simply disturbing. Like one bad memory you would very much like to forget. Yet it shows again how much of the magic world there are still to uncover.
9/10
Eyes Of The Beholder
Billy-Ray story. I gather I don’t even need t start telling how much I loved this. But here, strong and cool as ever, as so in love with Tanith, which I still find adorable and oh so perfect. I liked the fact we see a glimpse of Sanguine’s youth and how he actually lost his eyes. Which just adds to the level of perfection this character already has.
10/10
The Button
A strange story left for the end. But also so fitting. So, we just stopped one apocalypse.Great, we have 5 more to stop before the day ends. Story of their life….
8/10
December 7, 2025
Fun little tales that expand the world of Skulduggery Pleasant and fill in some gaps that weren’t needed for the main story, but were fun to get stuck into nevertheless.
It’s fun to find out how many of the quirky characters that briefly pop up in the main series are the result of fan competitions which Landy has expanded on and dedicated stories too throughout this.
Landy also has fun experimenting with genre throughout, from western to horror, with some twists to the ends of some novellas I didn’t see coming. Not every story is memorable, but for lovers of Landy’s charming world it’s, along with the rest of his books, a must read.
It’s fun to find out how many of the quirky characters that briefly pop up in the main series are the result of fan competitions which Landy has expanded on and dedicated stories too throughout this.
Landy also has fun experimenting with genre throughout, from western to horror, with some twists to the ends of some novellas I didn’t see coming. Not every story is memorable, but for lovers of Landy’s charming world it’s, along with the rest of his books, a must read.
December 5, 2025
Armageddon-Outta-Here / Derek Landy
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~ Thick, basically. Just thick. Dumb as a box of hammers. Not too bright there, Valkyrie… ~
A nice segue in between novels to showcase what happens in between novels. Some were fun, some were sad, but mostly all were enjoyable. I just really enjoy this series.
I had to stop three stories before the end as the first of them gave a very mild spoiler on The Dying Of The Light, and I couldn’t be having that!!!
I am ready. Phase 1 Finale, incoming.
Audiobook Length: 15hrs, 57mins
Narrator: Stephen Hogan
🎧 Listened to on Borrowbox 🎧
Read: 26/11/25 - 04/12/25
Release Date: 03/07/14
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~ Thick, basically. Just thick. Dumb as a box of hammers. Not too bright there, Valkyrie… ~
A nice segue in between novels to showcase what happens in between novels. Some were fun, some were sad, but mostly all were enjoyable. I just really enjoy this series.
I had to stop three stories before the end as the first of them gave a very mild spoiler on The Dying Of The Light, and I couldn’t be having that!!!
I am ready. Phase 1 Finale, incoming.
Audiobook Length: 15hrs, 57mins
Narrator: Stephen Hogan
🎧 Listened to on Borrowbox 🎧
Read: 26/11/25 - 04/12/25
Release Date: 03/07/14
May 16, 2019
I thought this was a cool collection of short books, backstories and spin-offs. It was fun to read and also provide some facts about some of the characters that would never have been known otherwise. I recommend this book to 10-20 year olds and I recommend reading this book before Maleficent Seven and Last Stand of Dead Men. (Also I would encourage the author, Derek Landy, to write another collection of books starring other characters.)
May 24, 2024
I'm a big fan of spin-offs. Take a setting, change the angle from which we're able to see it, that's a win right there. While not, strictly speaking, a spin-off, this collection does serve to provide tantalising glimpses of the world beyond the main series (including a short story that could have been part of Dark Days itself but that's a gripe for another review). I especially like the horror novella that examines Skulduggery and Valkyrie's actions from an outside perspective.
July 8, 2017
4.75
Always a pleasure getting back into the world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie, if only for a short time. Loved it.
Landy - you're hilarious and fabulous as always.
Now... The wait for Book 11...
Always a pleasure getting back into the world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie, if only for a short time. Loved it.
Landy - you're hilarious and fabulous as always.
Now... The wait for Book 11...
May 10, 2021
I loved the fact that there is a timeline at the beginning it was incredibly helpful so I didn't have to search it up. When I saw the doors are for people with no imagination quote I knew it would be AMAZING. I now want Derek Landy to make a short story collection for phase 2.
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