The Spine-tingling World of Skulduggery Pleasant
- TBSHS Library
- Feb 23, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 2, 2022
Adrian, Y10
Ahead of the release of Until the End (14th April - Mark the date!), here are all the reasons you should take a dive into the world of Skulduggery Pleasant!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Brilliant. There are many words I could use to describe this series but this is the first that springs to mind. The characters, the plot, the fanbase – all brilliant. Skulduggery Pleasant is not your common ‘Magic’ and ‘Sorcerer’ book cliché, instead Derek Landy uses a completely different approach, bringing humour and nail-biting action to the table. I’m even inclined to say that there is no table, nothing can be compared to this brilliant series – prove me wrong...
It all begins with the very first book, a fast, action-packed, 400-page novel, telling the story of a twelve-year-old girl met with the sudden death of her uncle Gordon – a best-selling horror writer. After leaving her his estate in the will, “Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn't fiction.”
Dive into the world of Magic, duelling Sanctuaries, Vampires, a literal red-handed villain, our heroine Valkyrie Cain and her mentor, the Skeleton Detective. Who… is also dead. But don’t worry, that just means he can’t die again, right?
“So you won't keep anything from me again?"
He put his hand to his chest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
"Okay then. Though you don't actually have a heart," she said.
"I know."
"And technically, you've already died."
"I know that too."
"Just so we're clear."
Right, let’s get into it... Favourite character, hands down, is Tanith Low (though closely followed by Ghastly Bespoke). Witty mercenary, loyal to only those who she deems worthy and a flirty, fun-loving 103-year-old. I ask you, is there anything better than that? Viewing Valkyrie as the sister-she-never had, their relationship developed into inseparable friends by the end of the book. Tanith provides our heroine with advice, combat lessons, help in battle, a shoulder to cry on and the soul-felt determination she required to rescue those in trouble. What I like most about her is her dual personality which she always has control over - with both a serious, warrior side and a warm, witty side, readers can’t get enough! “Come have a go, if you think you’re hard enough.” – the catchphrase which fails to leave any fan’s heart.
The characters, as a whole, were very well thought out. Each had a flaw or two, enabling the plot to develop into something more interesting than a basic novel. Just like Superman and Kryptonite, our heroes all have a weakness: Skulduggery and his hatred towards Serpine; Tanith and The White Cleaver; even Nefarian Serpine and his greed. They all have a goal to achieve – a barrier to overcome and all those issues and hurdles come together to produce a book of such interest and passionate readers.
SPOLERS AHEAD
Speaking of the plot, I wanted to dedicate the next paragraph of this book review to the storyline. To its unpredictability and its gripping, page-turning nature. I honestly couldn’t have predicted what happened next – from start to finish. I especially wouldn’t have guessed that the most powerful sorcerer we had a chance to get to know would be captured and held hostage in a castle full of paper henchmen, themselves pumped full of vomit-inducing gas. Even more so that a member of the sacred sanctuary would be turned into a monster, capable enough of giving our favourite character a near-death experience in combat. And don’t even get me started on Skulduggery Pleasant’s history. I love that we get to see his vulnerable side, don’t get me wrong, but who would have predicted that!??? Brilliant.
I feel like Derek Landy really mastered the art of writing fight scenes throughout his journey of writing the quindecimalogy (definitely a real word – a lot of research went into that, don’t question it). Both thrilling and at the same time hard to follow for the simple non-martial-art-educated folk. It really brings the action to life, often having fight-related scenes lasting for pages on end. I think similarly about the humour aspect. He really does make me laugh – and that is on multiple occasions. It’s just the sheer wit and the comebacks Valkyrie and Skulduggery share that solidify their relationship. As well as the introduction of Vaurien Scapegrace and Thrasher later on in the series, those poor idiots are the laughingstock of the fanbase. Brilliant.
To summarise, this may just be my favourite series of all time. I recommend it to anyone - 12 and over - interested in dark fantasy, humour, action, the list goes on. I enjoy Skulduggery Pleasant immensely and I hope this book review has convinced you to try the book out. We’ll probably never see each other again, you will be too entranced by the series. I guess this is goodbye then.
Brilliant.
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