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The Blurb On The Back:

Skulduggery Pleasant is dead.
Valkyrie Cain is cool.
Omen Darkly is neither.

The eleventh book in the bestselling SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT series.

For years, Valkyrie Cain has struggled to keep her loved ones safe from harm, plunging into battle - time and time again - by Skulduggery Pleasant’s side, and always emerging triumphant.

But now the very thing that Valkyrie fights for is in danger as a ruthless killer snatches her little sister.

With Skulduggery racing to catch up and young sorcerer Omen scrambling along behind, Valkyrie only has six hours to find Alice before it’s too late.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 11th in Derek Landy’s SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT SERIES is another fast-paced, funny YA fantasy novel that sees Valkyrie trying to recover from her emotional and mental trauma and reconnect with her sister. However Omen has little to do other than advance backstory while the plot doesn’t do much to advance the over-arching storyline so although there’s a resolution for one of Cain and Pleasant’s enemies, the book does have a filler feel to it.

The Blurb On The Back:

”You’re wearing it,” Darquesse said, almost excitedly. “The gauntlet! You know what that means, don’t you? The vision is about to come true … “

Valkyrie. Darquesse. Stephanie.
The World ain’t big enough for the three of them.

The end will come.

The War of the Sanctuaries has been won, but it was not without its casualties. Following the loss of Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant must use any and all means to track down and stop Darquesse before she turns the world into a charred and lifeless cinder.

And so he draws together a team of soldiers, monster hunters, killers and criminals … and Valkyrie’s own murderous reflection.

The war may be over, but the final battle is about to begin. And not everyone gets out of here alive …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The ninth and concluding volume in Derek Landy’s bestselling fantasy series is a fitting, action-packed end that ties up loose ends and provides a resolution (albeit not one fans may necessarily want). Front and centre is the relationship between Darquesse, Stephanie, Valkyrie and Skulduggery and I really enjoyed the way Landy draws this out and examines each of their characters in a way that does justice to all of them. Stephanie in particular develops a great deal in this book both through her relationship with Fletcher and the rivalry and envy she feels for Valkyrie but there’s also some surprising developments for Darquesse who is much more than a stereotypical Big Baddie. I was particularly pleased by the role played by Scapegrace and Thrasher who have been through a lot in the series and often provide the silliest laughs but also some surprisingly touching moments. Although there are big character deaths in this book, they weren’t as gut-wrenching for me as in THE LAST STAND OF THE DEAD MEN but there are still some lump-in-the-throat moments involving Tanith Lee and Fletcher. Valkyrie’s family also play a much bigger role in this book although for me, they provided some of the more irritating moments given some of their actions. There is a hell of a lot of action (as you’d expect) but the fight scenes are very well crafted and provide a lot of excitement and pace. The book ends with the potential for Landy to revisit the characters (and I really hope we see them pop up somewhere) but it’s also a satisfying conclusion and while I’m sad this is over, it’s been one hell of a ride.

The Blurb On The Back:

”I know you all think you’re so cool with your secret societies and whatever,” said Kitana, “but we’re the new breed of sorcerers. And we’re stronger than you.”

Magic is a disease

Across the land, normal people are suddenly developing wild and unstable powers. Infected by a rare strain of magic, they are unwittingly endangering their own lives and the lives of the people around them. Terrified and confused, their only hope lies with the Sanctuary. Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are needed now more than ever.

And then there’s the small matter of Kitana. A normal teenage girl who, along with her normal teenage friends, becomes infected. Becomes powerful. Becomes corrupted. Wielding the magic of the gods, they’ve set to tear the city apart unless someone sands up against them.

Looks like it’s going to be another one of those days …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The seventh in Derek Landy’s SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT SERIES is a return to inventive form in another dark and gory middle grade book with a non-stop, pacey plot filled with originality that successfully builds on the overriding arc and ends with a jaw-dropping ending that really sets up book 8 in the series.

The Blurb On The Back:

”My power is practically limitless,” Melcholia said softly. “I’d describe the sensation to you but words would not be sufficient. To understand what it’s like to be a god, you’d really have to be a god. Like me …”

The Death Bringer has risen.

Faced with a possible cataclysm that could change the world, Skulduggery and Valkyrie have seven days to uncover the Necromancers’ secret before it’s too late.

The clock is ticking.

Lord Vile is loose.

And after this one, nothing will ever be the same again.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 6th in Derek Landy’s bestselling MG dark fantasy series is another dark and thrilling adventure. Although I didn’t like the main twist towards the end (mainly because it raises too many issues with the previous books) the different plot strands are expertly brought together, there’s some comic zombie fun and a great cliff hanger that will ensure I keep reading on.

The Blurb On The Back:

”Valkyrie turned to the portal. The wind whipped her hair. She ran, straight into the yellow ...”

Skulduggery Pleasant is gone, sucked into a parallel dimension. There is no official, Sanctuary-approved plan to save him.

But Valkyrie’s never had much time for plans ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

A dark and stunning read from start to finish, this 4th instalment in Derek Landy’s MG fantasy series is a delight from start to finish. I’m not convinced that some of the content is suitable for younger readers as there’s a lot of death and violence, but older readers should thoroughly enjoy it.

The 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 Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

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.