![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quippeThe Blurb On The Back:
You know how it is - you think you've saved the world, and then ANOTHER evil villain turns up with an unbeatable monster and starts breaking things.
Oh yes, and you've got a skull for a head. A thirteen-year-old girl for a sidekick. And no clue what to do.
The second in Landy's enjoyable series about a skeleton detective with magical powers begins with Skulduggery and his assistant, 13-year-old Valkyrie Cain (aka Stephanie) capturing a murderer in downtown Dublin. When they take him back to the Sanctuary however, they're given the bad news that Baron Vengeous, an evil sorcerer dedicated to bringing the Faceless Ones back to the Earth, has escaped from jail and plans to resurrect an all-powerful creature that he created - the Grotesquery - so that the Faceless Ones can be brought back during an eclipse.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie's attempts to stop this bring them into contact with a host of characters - some familiar from the first book like the swordswoman Tanith Low, some like Billy-Ray Sanguine, new. Landy gives all of his characters a wit and vitality that makes them a joy to read - even the raving psychopaths. His imagination is incredible, from the depiction of Vengeous's shadowy armour to his take on vampires via the sinister Mr Dusk and the fight scenes crackle with pace and action. At the same time, there are some nice hints of dark things and mysteries to come on both a character and a plot level, e.g. the hint of more baddies existing in the background and the relationship between Valkyrie and her reflection, who is called on to make a big sacrifice and who is hiding something from her because of it.
The relationship between Valkyrie and Skulduggery is nicely developed as Valkyrie develops her powers as an Elemental and discovers the implications of being descended from an Eternal. At the same time, Valkyrie comes to realise how her thirst for adventure and excitement is affecting her relationship with her family, leading to a degree of soul searching.
The book ends with a nice set-up for the next book, which I am thoroughly looking forward to reading.
The Verdict:
This is one of the best YA series I've read in a long time - witty, moving and fast-paced - it's a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
You know how it is - you think you've saved the world, and then ANOTHER evil villain turns up with an unbeatable monster and starts breaking things.
Oh yes, and you've got a skull for a head. A thirteen-year-old girl for a sidekick. And no clue what to do.
The second in Landy's enjoyable series about a skeleton detective with magical powers begins with Skulduggery and his assistant, 13-year-old Valkyrie Cain (aka Stephanie) capturing a murderer in downtown Dublin. When they take him back to the Sanctuary however, they're given the bad news that Baron Vengeous, an evil sorcerer dedicated to bringing the Faceless Ones back to the Earth, has escaped from jail and plans to resurrect an all-powerful creature that he created - the Grotesquery - so that the Faceless Ones can be brought back during an eclipse.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie's attempts to stop this bring them into contact with a host of characters - some familiar from the first book like the swordswoman Tanith Low, some like Billy-Ray Sanguine, new. Landy gives all of his characters a wit and vitality that makes them a joy to read - even the raving psychopaths. His imagination is incredible, from the depiction of Vengeous's shadowy armour to his take on vampires via the sinister Mr Dusk and the fight scenes crackle with pace and action. At the same time, there are some nice hints of dark things and mysteries to come on both a character and a plot level, e.g. the hint of more baddies existing in the background and the relationship between Valkyrie and her reflection, who is called on to make a big sacrifice and who is hiding something from her because of it.
The relationship between Valkyrie and Skulduggery is nicely developed as Valkyrie develops her powers as an Elemental and discovers the implications of being descended from an Eternal. At the same time, Valkyrie comes to realise how her thirst for adventure and excitement is affecting her relationship with her family, leading to a degree of soul searching.
The book ends with a nice set-up for the next book, which I am thoroughly looking forward to reading.
The Verdict:
This is one of the best YA series I've read in a long time - witty, moving and fast-paced - it's a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining read.
