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Skulduggery Pleasant #4
Dark Days
Skulduggery Pleasant is lost on the other side of a portal, with only some evil gods for company. Can he possibly survive? (Yes, all right, he's already dead. But still.)
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior.
Oh yes. And dead.
Skulduggery Pleasant is gone, sucked into a parallel dimension overrun by the Faceless Ones. If his bones haven’t already been turned to dust, chances are he’s insane, driven out of his mind by the horror of the ancient gods. There is no official, Sanctuary-approved rescue mission. There is no official plan to save him.
But Valkyrie's never had much time for plans.
The problem is, even if she can get Skulduggery back, there might not be much left for him to return to. There’s a gang of villains bent on destroying the Sanctuary, there are some very powerful people who want Valkyrie dead, and as if all that wasn’t enough it looks very likely that a sorcerer named Darquesse is going to kill the world and everyone on it.
Skulduggery is gone. All our hopes rest with Valkyrie. The world’s weight is on her shoulders, and its fate is in her hands.
These are dark days indeed.
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior.
Oh yes. And dead.
Skulduggery Pleasant is gone, sucked into a parallel dimension overrun by the Faceless Ones. If his bones haven’t already been turned to dust, chances are he’s insane, driven out of his mind by the horror of the ancient gods. There is no official, Sanctuary-approved rescue mission. There is no official plan to save him.
But Valkyrie's never had much time for plans.
The problem is, even if she can get Skulduggery back, there might not be much left for him to return to. There’s a gang of villains bent on destroying the Sanctuary, there are some very powerful people who want Valkyrie dead, and as if all that wasn’t enough it looks very likely that a sorcerer named Darquesse is going to kill the world and everyone on it.
Skulduggery is gone. All our hopes rest with Valkyrie. The world’s weight is on her shoulders, and its fate is in her hands.
These are dark days indeed.
415 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2010
573 people are currently reading
6674 people want to read
About the author
Derek Landy
252 books5,282 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 1,103 reviews
December 22, 2017
this is just a great series to read back to back.
that ending had me staring with my mouth flapping open.
that ending had me staring with my mouth flapping open.
Read
October 14, 2013When you need lightweight fantasy craziness with ultra-violence, wit and nemeses who just keep on coming back, book after book, your two best options are Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books and Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant novels. The Fowl has gone off the boil (I haven't bothered with the latest one) so that leaves Landy and the Skeleton Detective as possessors of the field. Except Pleasant is stuck in another dimension with a bunch of Gods that appear to have escaped from a Lovecraft story. Which means Valkyrie Cain, who is the real protagonist of this series, is on a rescue mission. So...how good is Skulduggery Vol. IV?
THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CURTAILED IN PROTEST AT GOODREADS' CENSORSHIP POLICY
See the complete review here:
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THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CURTAILED IN PROTEST AT GOODREADS' CENSORSHIP POLICY
See the complete review here:
http://arbieroo.booklikes.com/post/33...
April 13, 2017
Ehhhhh, this one wasn't my favourite. It fell a bit flat BUT was still kickass and enjoyable so I can't give it any less than 3. I'm really enjoying growing with our
main character too, it feels a lot better when I'm not reading about a literal 12 year old tbh.
Refer back to my review on book one as to why I won't be writing reviews for the books in this particular series.
main character too, it feels a lot better when I'm not reading about a literal 12 year old tbh.
Refer back to my review on book one as to why I won't be writing reviews for the books in this particular series.
May 25, 2023
7.1/10
The most interesting beginning after the first book. Skulduggery is being trapped in another world and the rest of the team try to find a way to save him. After that comes to a conclusion it's back to same old, same old. A bad guy, in this case a group of them, organising a plan to bring down the sanctuary and kill a bunch of people.
Although after the start it becomes very predictable, i would say it doesn't become boring.
I will continue the series.
The most interesting beginning after the first book. Skulduggery is being trapped in another world and the rest of the team try to find a way to save him. After that comes to a conclusion it's back to same old, same old. A bad guy, in this case a group of them, organising a plan to bring down the sanctuary and kill a bunch of people.
Although after the start it becomes very predictable, i would say it doesn't become boring.
I will continue the series.
June 25, 2023
Star Rating: —> 5 [HOLY SH*T!] Stars
RTC
RTC
July 20, 2018
"Be nice," she muttered as they walked over.
"I'm always nice," Skulduggery responded.
"Don't point your gun at his head."
"Oh," he said. "that kind of nice."
OH MY GOD! I KNEW IT WAS COMING AND IT STILL SHOOK ME AND I KINDA WANT TO REREAD THE NEXT BOOK LIKE NOW BECAUSE... THIS ENDING!!! *screams at the top of her lungs*
*clears throat* Where was I? Ah, yeah. Fourth book in the series and still amazing. I love the sarcasm, the magic, the characters... I love it. And you know what? When I first read this series it never crossed my mind because, you know, Valkyrie is just so young in the first books. Too young to be shipped with anyone, really. Plus he's a cynical skeleton. Didn't really see him as the realtionship kinda of... skeleton. BUT I think I'm starting to ship Skulduggery and Valkyrie. Maybe not at this point of the story but she's getting older throughout the series. And i'm just gonna go dig myself a grave because I think this reread changed how I view one of my favorite series ever forever...
Skulduggery and Valkyrie were meant for each other. China could see that now. They were meant to find each other, to form this bond and to effect each other's lives.
January 16, 2016
Тази част... направо не знам, какви думи да използвам, за да я опиша - толкова неща се случиха, че сега си седя вкъщи, гледам дъжда, който се стича по прозореца и ми иде да хукна навън и да си купя следващата!!! Историята стана толкова интересна, че просто няма как да се спреш да я четеш. Без съмнение това се превърна в най-любимата ми поредица!
https://writingisfunbooks.wordpress.c...
https://writingisfunbooks.wordpress.c...
March 7, 2021
This series continues to maintain the right blend of humor, action, magic and interesting, complicated plots.
This is the one where Valkyrie tries to release Skulduggery from the realm of the Faceless Ones, but to succeed she needs to find his original skull (he'd been using somebody else's for years). Meanwhile, several villains have formed up as the Revengers' Club, and they break into the Irish Sanctuary to steal a broken Desolation Engine (a magic bomb). They also kidnap Kenspeckle Grouse, a scientific genius who can fix it.
In not-news, master swordswoman Tanith Low gets defeated and captured. Again.
I wish these books were easier to find in the States. Here's hoping I come across the fifth book, The Mortal Coil, before I lose the plot. 😉
This is the one where Valkyrie tries to release Skulduggery from the realm of the Faceless Ones, but to succeed she needs to find his original skull (he'd been using somebody else's for years). Meanwhile, several villains have formed up as the Revengers' Club, and they break into the Irish Sanctuary to steal a broken Desolation Engine (a magic bomb). They also kidnap Kenspeckle Grouse, a scientific genius who can fix it.
In not-news, master swordswoman Tanith Low gets defeated and captured. Again.
I wish these books were easier to find in the States. Here's hoping I come across the fifth book, The Mortal Coil, before I lose the plot. 😉
September 26, 2019
Okay. That's it. I am now officially obsessed with this series. Rtc.
🔥
"Until the end."
🔥
"Until the end."
May 28, 2018
Honestly everyone needs to read this book for the ending. Now the real plot begins!!
This book just continues to weave intricate plots and sarcasm and I love everything about it.
I feel Skulduggery is hiding more things than usual and I cannot wait to find out what they are
Here the book plots start to thread from one to the other - and the books become more teen/young adult.
And Stephanie is about to become wild and I’m actually here for it
This book just continues to weave intricate plots and sarcasm and I love everything about it.
I feel Skulduggery is hiding more things than usual and I cannot wait to find out what they are
Here the book plots start to thread from one to the other - and the books become more teen/young adult.
And Stephanie is about to become wild and I’m actually here for it
October 30, 2014
This has been a worthy continuation of the series. I'm glad the story and the character keep being interesting and complex. Thoroughly enjoyed this darker book.
April 7, 2021
I think this might be my favourite in the series so far!
November 21, 2024
Man merkt dem Buch an, dass viele Samen gesät werden, denn die 'Erste Staffel' von Skulduggery Pleasant geht bis einschließlich zum 9. Band. Der Vampir Caelan, die Totenbeschwörer warten auf ihren Messias, die neue Bedrohung namens Darquise in einer nicht so weit entfernten Zukunft, Walküres erste Beziehung, Skulduggerys neuerliche Schwächen ... Walküre wird immer selbstständiger und rückt nicht von ihrer Kühnheit ab (Hybris?). Und natürlich: Die Gesichtslosen sind dieses Mal nicht im Mittelpunkt der Bösen.
Hier geht es um Plot, und Plot bekommen wir, bis ganz zum Ende gibt es Wendungen und nichts scheint die Storymaschine stoppen zu können. Und deswegen geht es auch bald weiter mit Band 5. 👊
Wegen der Fülle an neuen Elementen und Entwicklungen fand ich die Geschichte nicht so geschlossen, wie die vorigen Teile, was aber - abhängig von kommenden Büchern - nicht zum Nachteil sein muss, denn im Prinzip spitzen sich die seit Band 1 angedeuteten Bedrohungen konsequent weiter zu.
Leichte Jugendbuchkost, die Spaß macht.
Hier geht es um Plot, und Plot bekommen wir, bis ganz zum Ende gibt es Wendungen und nichts scheint die Storymaschine stoppen zu können. Und deswegen geht es auch bald weiter mit Band 5. 👊
Wegen der Fülle an neuen Elementen und Entwicklungen fand ich die Geschichte nicht so geschlossen, wie die vorigen Teile, was aber - abhängig von kommenden Büchern - nicht zum Nachteil sein muss, denn im Prinzip spitzen sich die seit Band 1 angedeuteten Bedrohungen konsequent weiter zu.
Leichte Jugendbuchkost, die Spaß macht.
January 11, 2012
Firstly, Derek Landy is not only one of my top favorite authors, but the author I aspire to be like. His series (Skulduggery Pleasant, starting with "Scepter of the Ancients")fits into the young adult category. The books aren't easy to find in American stores (he's Irish, and given the lingo he uses, it definitely shines through in his writing), so I reccomend looking for them on amazon.
I RECCOMEND THIS SERIES to all ages, and all readers.
This is the ONLY series of books I've ever read, and laughed out loud like a lunatic in a room completely by myself while reading.
The stories follow a young girl named Stephanie through her adventures as the sidekick to a skeleton detective, befittingly named Skulduggery in a modernized, grittier version of the Harry Potter world (magic users hiding right under the noses of "normal" people). The plots are creative without being too hard to follow, he's hilarious, his characters are compelling (even the bad guys are hard to dislike), and his action scenes are totally bad ass. Despite the fact that this is technically a "children's book," these are quite possibly the goriest books I've ever read in my life. For a small taste of Derek Landy's genius, I highly advise checking out his blog at http://dereklandy.blogspot.com/, which is often times just as clever as his series.
As for Dark Days in particular, I think this is the one that officially won me over for life-- it's also the one where I realized "Damn, this sh*t is getting real." It's WAY, WAY darker then any of the previous books, and really takes Skulduggery's character in a whole new direction.
That's all I'm willing to say!
I RECCOMEND THIS SERIES to all ages, and all readers.
This is the ONLY series of books I've ever read, and laughed out loud like a lunatic in a room completely by myself while reading.
The stories follow a young girl named Stephanie through her adventures as the sidekick to a skeleton detective, befittingly named Skulduggery in a modernized, grittier version of the Harry Potter world (magic users hiding right under the noses of "normal" people). The plots are creative without being too hard to follow, he's hilarious, his characters are compelling (even the bad guys are hard to dislike), and his action scenes are totally bad ass. Despite the fact that this is technically a "children's book," these are quite possibly the goriest books I've ever read in my life. For a small taste of Derek Landy's genius, I highly advise checking out his blog at http://dereklandy.blogspot.com/, which is often times just as clever as his series.
As for Dark Days in particular, I think this is the one that officially won me over for life-- it's also the one where I realized "Damn, this sh*t is getting real." It's WAY, WAY darker then any of the previous books, and really takes Skulduggery's character in a whole new direction.
That's all I'm willing to say!
December 14, 2025
ICH HATTE GANZ VERGESSEN, WELCHER CLIFFHANGER AM ENDE DIESES BUCHES WARTET. Ich weiß noch, als ich das nach Erscheinen das erste Mal gelesen habe und wie geschockt ich war. Jetzt weiß ich (jedenfalls noch grob), was da auf uns zukommt und ich bin nicht viel weniger geschockt. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, die Geschichte weiter zu verfolgen. Insgesamt finde ich es großartig, dass Fletcher endlich da ist und wie immer sind die Wortgefechte zwischen Valkyrie und Skulduggery einfach toll und das Gegengewicht zum düsteren Geschehen. Ich kann die Bücher nur empfehlen.
August 12, 2022
He's not even remotely playing around now 😳
I think I would probably hold this one from the younger end of the spectrum, although if kids are supposed to age with a series I think someone Valkyries age would be fine reading it! The violence and death got a little descriptive in this one 😳
It still had plenty of fun banter and jokes, but in a much toned down way.
Fletcher is awesome, I'm starting to like him. The new head and bad hair jokes probably had me laughing the hardest, but they were few and again overall this is the most serious of the books by farrrr
It's also the last that Rupert Degas narrated, and they left out the musical audio. I don't miss it but the sound track felt a little bare without it.
Need a little break to catch up on some other audiobooks but I plan on finishing the original nine books before too much longer
I think I would probably hold this one from the younger end of the spectrum, although if kids are supposed to age with a series I think someone Valkyries age would be fine reading it! The violence and death got a little descriptive in this one 😳
It still had plenty of fun banter and jokes, but in a much toned down way.
Fletcher is awesome, I'm starting to like him. The new head and bad hair jokes probably had me laughing the hardest, but they were few and again overall this is the most serious of the books by farrrr
It's also the last that Rupert Degas narrated, and they left out the musical audio. I don't miss it but the sound track felt a little bare without it.
Need a little break to catch up on some other audiobooks but I plan on finishing the original nine books before too much longer
March 7, 2024
Ok, hier geht das Absurde und Groteske aus den vorangegangenen Bänden deutlich verloren. Die Bösewichte wollen nicht die ganze Menschheit unterwerfen oder den Untergang der Welt herbeiführen. Sie wollen sich rächen. Da werden mir ihre Missetaten dann zu konkret und ganz und gar nicht grotesk.
Ich wollte die Serie zuerst mit diesem Band beenden und dann kam der Cliffhanger. Die kann Derek Landy halt schon ziemlich gut :)
Ich wollte die Serie zuerst mit diesem Band beenden und dann kam der Cliffhanger. Die kann Derek Landy halt schon ziemlich gut :)
August 19, 2024
Oh to be in Ireland now that zombies and vampires are here. Not to mention walking-talking skeletons, sorcerers, mages and other various creatures of the undead or should be well and truly dead. You see, this is what happens when the Catholic Church loosens its grip, though the Church did have its own share of the depraved and unworthy. I'm not sure what a priest would have done against the Faceless Ones. I fear his fate would have been similar to that of the well meaning clergyman in George Pal's film of The War of the Worlds, who strides out to face the Martians bible in hand only to be immediately incinerated by a ray gun.
In Dark Days Valkyrie must go across dimensions to take Skulduggery Pleasant his real skull, snatch him from the Faceless Ones and bring him home. Not to peace and a quiet life but to face the plotting of the evil Darquesse and her almost as evil band of magical weirdos.
The humour is as lively as ever in this series. It softens the impact of random limb severing, decapitations and disembowellings and all the scary bits of a world turning mad. It is a lively read in which Valkyrie thumps, kicks and head-butts her way through an army of the night - all at top speed and with barely time to think. I'm ignoring the complexity of seeing a young teenage girl fall in love with a middle-aged man who happens to be dead and exists as a mobile skeleton. It is probably best to stick to the fantasy adventure.
In Dark Days Valkyrie must go across dimensions to take Skulduggery Pleasant his real skull, snatch him from the Faceless Ones and bring him home. Not to peace and a quiet life but to face the plotting of the evil Darquesse and her almost as evil band of magical weirdos.
The humour is as lively as ever in this series. It softens the impact of random limb severing, decapitations and disembowellings and all the scary bits of a world turning mad. It is a lively read in which Valkyrie thumps, kicks and head-butts her way through an army of the night - all at top speed and with barely time to think. I'm ignoring the complexity of seeing a young teenage girl fall in love with a middle-aged man who happens to be dead and exists as a mobile skeleton. It is probably best to stick to the fantasy adventure.
May 14, 2020
Бруталните убийства продължават, злодеите стават все повече и все по-единни. от друга страна и Валкирия расте и поема по своя предначертан път. Дали за добро, или за лошо ще разбера в следващите книги.
Историята тук естествено беше супер динамична, с много екшън, магия и бой. Все повече се потапям в света на Ланли и много се радвам, за което!
Историята тук естествено беше супер динамична, с много екшън, магия и бой. Все повече се потапям в света на Ланли и много се радвам, за което!
October 11, 2018
Посредствените автори на детско-юношеска литература залагат на факта, че младата аудитория има (уж) ниски критерии за качество и все още не чак дотам изградена база за сравнение. Да има екшън, шарения и цирк и хлапетата ще са доволни. (Хм?!) По всичко личи обаче, че Дерек Ланди няма ни най-малко намерение да изпада в посредственост, защото при все, че чета вече четвърта книга за неговия свръхестествен детектив-скелет интересът ми не намалява. Не само това, ами и със всяка следваща книга серията „Скълдъгъри Плезънт” (изд. „Студио Арт Лайн“) става все по-остросюжетна, заплетена и една идея по-зряла, сякаш и самият автор си е поставил за цел героите му да растат заедно със своите млади читатели. Готови ли сте за „Скълдъгъри Плезънт 4: Мрачни дни”?Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
August 27, 2020
فکر کنم باید یکبار دیگه از اول بخونمشون. هر چهار جلد رو دوباره. .
نویسنده روی این حساب کرده که هر جلد بلافاصله بعد از جلد بعد خونده میشه و مطمئنا با روش خوندن من آشنایی نداشته. من بجز هری پاتر یا ارباب حلقه ها و فکر کنم مجموعه ی آنیتا بلیک و یا نایت ساید نتونستم چند جلد رو پشت سر هم بخونم ، همیشه یه فاصله نیاز داشتم و دوست داشتم وقتی دوباره در بسته ی یک دنیا رو باز میکنم و توش سرک میکشم نویسنده با مهربونی و حوصله دوباره با اون دنیا آشنام کنه. شاید خیلی ها اینطوری نباشن و از توصیف زیاد بدشون بیاد ولی خب من اینطوری ام دیگه .
بعد از چندین ماه فاصله یکم شخصیت هارو فراموش کرده بودم، چه مثبت چه منفی. از دست خودم ناراحتم ولی از طرفی یه صدایی درونم هست که میگه ''من همییییینمممم'' .... یا '' یادم رفته که رفته. '' 🤣🤣
امیدوارم بعدا وقتی حس اسکالداگری دست بده بشینم دوباره از اول بخونمش.
داستان، دیالوگ ها، و طنز داستان عالی اند
شخصیت پردازی میتونست پیچیده تر باشه البته من حق ندارم حرفی بزنم چون مثل یه ماهی شخصیت هارو یادم رفته بود 😕
نویسنده روی این حساب کرده که هر جلد بلافاصله بعد از جلد بعد خونده میشه و مطمئنا با روش خوندن من آشنایی نداشته. من بجز هری پاتر یا ارباب حلقه ها و فکر کنم مجموعه ی آنیتا بلیک و یا نایت ساید نتونستم چند جلد رو پشت سر هم بخونم ، همیشه یه فاصله نیاز داشتم و دوست داشتم وقتی دوباره در بسته ی یک دنیا رو باز میکنم و توش سرک میکشم نویسنده با مهربونی و حوصله دوباره با اون دنیا آشنام کنه. شاید خیلی ها اینطوری نباشن و از توصیف زیاد بدشون بیاد ولی خب من اینطوری ام دیگه .
بعد از چندین ماه فاصله یکم شخصیت هارو فراموش کرده بودم، چه مثبت چه منفی. از دست خودم ناراحتم ولی از طرفی یه صدایی درونم هست که میگه ''من همییییینمممم'' .... یا '' یادم رفته که رفته. '' 🤣🤣
امیدوارم بعدا وقتی حس اسکالداگری دست بده بشینم دوباره از اول بخونمش.
داستان، دیالوگ ها، و طنز داستان عالی اند
شخصیت پردازی میتونست پیچیده تر باشه البته من حق ندارم حرفی بزنم چون مثل یه ماهی شخصیت هارو یادم رفته بود 😕
March 27, 2020
Intenso, rápido, adictivo, divertido, sarcástico y , sí, un poquito oscuro.
May 2, 2010
At the end of Faceless Ones , we read as Skulduggery was sucked into the portal to the world of the Faceless Ones . In Dark Days , we read as Valkyrie Cain is on a mission to find Skulduggery's real skull-the one that was stolen by Goblins so that she can save him and return him to the real world. As usual , these novels are anything but safe as a new killer -this time one thats been locked up for 200 years and was framed is out on the loose to seek revenge on those - however he can't do this without an army of baddies/killers. In this novel we are introduced to Zombies and Vampires -Good and Bad ones. Can Skulduggery be saved and when he returns , is he ok or damaged ?. Can Valkyrie along with the help of friends new and old save the world from destruction from Scarab and his crowd. We also keep hearing about an evil sorceress who is coming to take over the world Darquesse , when Valkyrie discovers news on who she is and that Darquesse is closer than anyone realises . Its time to decide who Valkyrie is to be and become. Will she take a path of good or when the time arrives will she turn her back and let the evil side takeover. An excellent novel , that Im glad I perservered and picked up as If I hadnt I probably would have continued to think it was about Pirates LOL :). I also read a rumour that their is to be nine books in the series and a movie -lets keep our ears and eyes on the lookout to see if thats true.
November 16, 2017
Със всяка изминала книга започвам да харесвам тази поредица все повече и повече! Героите се развиват, сюжета става все по-заплетен, много екшън, много драма, а вече и малко любов... все още има герои които не знам дали е добре, че харесвам или не (като Били Рей и Чайна)... Заслужава си всяка една от звездите... Нямам търпение да почна "Тленни обвивки", но малко ще се наложи да изчака... Книгата е СУПЕР!!!!
July 16, 2017
Sigue siendo mi favorito!
January 30, 2022
6/5
I loved this book so so much.
I loved this book so so much.
February 1, 2023
I really enjoy this rather peculiar series. It's actually quite dark, despite the humor and the concept of a walking, talking, skeletal tough as nails detective. The further along this series gets, the less I feel it is a friendly domain for younger readers. If you're the precocious sort who started reading adult novels at the age of 11, then sure, this is still harmless. But it's quite violent and has some very dark themes.
I started this as a loan from the library, and I was gutted that I ran out of time and it had to go back, in the middle of a crucial scene. I absolutely had to buy the audiobook off Audible, and I have no regrets. I already downloaded the sequel.
Four books in, we see Valkyrie's (aka Stephanie)'s character maturing and becoming more of an independent and completely capable fighter for good in her own right. She's developing both her elemental magic and necromancy skills. I love that she actually saves Skulduggery and won't give up on him when he's given up on himself. They learn more about each other, the dark secrets that he broods over, and her dark future destiny. A cabal of their enemies form a formidable plan for revenge that could have world-breaking consequences, and the two have to work with their small group of allies to save the world. I like the dimension to the characters, as you learn that the good guys aren't always as good as you'd like to think, and vice versa. The motives of the characters go deep and give you something to think about. Although some of the side characters are not always heavily fleshed out, I didn't feel like there were any unsatisfyingly cardboard characters.
I'm loving how each book makes the world bigger, and no plot threads are left dangling. There's plenty of action and harrowing moments. There's some of the standard supernatural creatures, but also some unique kinds of being, along with distinctive twists on the old themes. I mean, Spring-Heeled Jack is a character!
If I were to quibble, I would say the author's writing style is more telling than showing, but somehow, it doesn't come off as passive or less interesting. Where things leave off, there's evidence that things are going to continue along the dark pat this book begins.
The narrator is great, giving each character just the right inflection. He is a hug part of why the jokes land so well. He also gives the baddies, and often Skulduggery and his allies, all the menace that is a part of their characterization.
I've never read anything like these books, that's for sure. I never thought I'd get so involved with this series that I picked up from the library on a lark. I think ten-year-old me would have ate this up, just as much as me who is a whole lot older than that!
A well deserved 4.5/5.0 stars.
I started this as a loan from the library, and I was gutted that I ran out of time and it had to go back, in the middle of a crucial scene. I absolutely had to buy the audiobook off Audible, and I have no regrets. I already downloaded the sequel.
Four books in, we see Valkyrie's (aka Stephanie)'s character maturing and becoming more of an independent and completely capable fighter for good in her own right. She's developing both her elemental magic and necromancy skills. I love that she actually saves Skulduggery and won't give up on him when he's given up on himself. They learn more about each other, the dark secrets that he broods over, and her dark future destiny. A cabal of their enemies form a formidable plan for revenge that could have world-breaking consequences, and the two have to work with their small group of allies to save the world. I like the dimension to the characters, as you learn that the good guys aren't always as good as you'd like to think, and vice versa. The motives of the characters go deep and give you something to think about. Although some of the side characters are not always heavily fleshed out, I didn't feel like there were any unsatisfyingly cardboard characters.
I'm loving how each book makes the world bigger, and no plot threads are left dangling. There's plenty of action and harrowing moments. There's some of the standard supernatural creatures, but also some unique kinds of being, along with distinctive twists on the old themes. I mean, Spring-Heeled Jack is a character!
If I were to quibble, I would say the author's writing style is more telling than showing, but somehow, it doesn't come off as passive or less interesting. Where things leave off, there's evidence that things are going to continue along the dark pat this book begins.
The narrator is great, giving each character just the right inflection. He is a hug part of why the jokes land so well. He also gives the baddies, and often Skulduggery and his allies, all the menace that is a part of their characterization.
I've never read anything like these books, that's for sure. I never thought I'd get so involved with this series that I picked up from the library on a lark. I think ten-year-old me would have ate this up, just as much as me who is a whole lot older than that!
A well deserved 4.5/5.0 stars.
January 9, 2021
Nästan en fyra. Det händer grejer. Det är action och magi. Jag gillar det. Det var lagomt lättsamt att läsa över julledigheten.
May 21, 2018
That ending, tho...
I feel like every review I type up for the books in this series is going to basically be the same: I love the world, I love the characters, the books are fun and quick/easy to read and I just... love them. They might be flawed in their own ways here and there, but I always enjoy myself whenever I'm reading them tbh. Perfect books to read in-between studying for exams and handing in those final assignments imo.
I feel like every review I type up for the books in this series is going to basically be the same: I love the world, I love the characters, the books are fun and quick/easy to read and I just... love them. They might be flawed in their own ways here and there, but I always enjoy myself whenever I'm reading them tbh. Perfect books to read in-between studying for exams and handing in those final assignments imo.
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