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Skulduggery Pleasant #1-4
Skulduggery Pleasant #1-4: Skulduggery Pleasant, Playing with Fire, The Faceless Ones, Dark Days
All 4 books in this series 1. Skulduggery Pleasant (Paperback), 2. Playing with Fire (Paperback), 3. The Faceless Ones (Paperback).
Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Derek Landy
257 books5,294 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 6, 2016
This book was simply amazing, I found out about it when I was in Whales, UK (which is funny because that's where the author based the main setting off) the story starts off like this. There is a girl name Valkrie Cain, her uncle died mysteriously, he wrote about monsters and wizards. Soon enough Valkrie finds out the story's were not fake.....they're REAL. She meets a magician who is made out of bones (okay, I know a little unrealistic.) and he teaches her the ways of a elemental.
A elemental is a mage who can control the 4 elements. Valkrie meets other fellow mages, but no matter how many friends she makes there is almost nothing they can do to stop a Crazed Killer, and a Necromancer. On the way of chasing down the killers, she finds out some of her darkest secrets.
A elemental is a mage who can control the 4 elements. Valkrie meets other fellow mages, but no matter how many friends she makes there is almost nothing they can do to stop a Crazed Killer, and a Necromancer. On the way of chasing down the killers, she finds out some of her darkest secrets.
May 7, 2011
I love these book 100% I think the whole idea of a skeleton detective is really different and imaginative.I can wait for number 6!
April 19, 2012
Skulduggery Pleasant series is awesome
April 10, 2012
(I actually only read the first book, entitled Skulduggery Pleasant, but couldn't find it separately on Goodreads for some reason.) This was a recommendation from my niece, who is 11. While this is a somewhat typical "kid with special powers" book, its redeeming quality is the snarky, fun, often sarcastic dialogue. The writing isn't brilliant and the creativity is average, but I made it through all 300-something pages mostly based on my amusement over the dialogue.
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September 9, 2011A great series that will leave you waiting for more
April 20, 2015
Great book
May 29, 2015
I loved this book and it is full of adventures
February 2, 2025
These books were very good to start with, amazing first 2. However, they started to drag on and not be very interesting in the last 2. I stopped reading these after the fourth one, but they were a fun read.
September 19, 2017
Very good books... Absolutely loved them from start to finish ! Would certainly recommend if you are fan or gorry and funny stuff.
January 27, 2024
Very funny and entertaining back in the days
March 11, 2017
This is probably the best book series i have ever read. THere's action, there's humour ,there's magic and there are the FEELS. Characters who are impossible not to fall in love with. You can never be bored with a Derek Landy's book in the hand.I JUST LOVE IT!!!
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January 1, 2017good book
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June 10, 2017i just coudnt put it down after starting
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April 25, 2018“‘That’s a plan that could fall apart in so many ways,’...’ The fun ones are like that.’” This quote is from a book about a string of murders in the source world that lead to so much more. Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain start off by investigating multiple murders but end up having to solve a much more important case in order to save the world from dark, evil, and ruthless gods. I would highly suggest this book to people of any age. This book is exceptionally written, always keeping you on your toes!
The first point I would like to make about the quality of this book would be its humor. For a book with so many serious topics there sure are a lot of jokes and hilarious moments that occurred, but that is what gives the book its charm. You never know what sarcastic comments you are going to endure next! The fact that the characters keep most of there conversations light-hearted really shows there personalities. Now, that’s not to say that they can’t take anything seriously there definitely are many serious conversations and events, rather that they don’t let the current event change who they are. The threat of the end of the world has already taken a toll on them mentally, emotionally, and physically so it seems they almost seem obligated to not let it take their personality like they owe it to themselves.
Another point I feel I should mention is the fact that this book is perfect for people of any age. It is extremely easy to understand, yet the plot is still complex making it an easy read with a satisfying and eventful storyline. Though the character isn’t as complex as I would have liked, they are still relatable and complex enough that you can’t predict there every move.
One other asset to this book is how addictive it is, you never want to put it down. With a plot like this one you just never know what is going to happen next, and that fact alone makes you anticipating what the next page holds. Each chapter either brings a new perspective or an event you can’t help but feel like you are right there with the characters. The characters are not an inch short of lovable. Even with the antagonists you can’t help but shake your head in amusement.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. The relatable and lovable characters you will, by the end, feel like you have known them your whole life. A page turner with plot twists around every turned page. You will, for sure, be laughing all throughout the book and you might even find yourself so engrossed that your friends will have to tell you to stop making random facial expressions! Once again I would give this book a nine out of ten, you should definitely consider reading this!
The first point I would like to make about the quality of this book would be its humor. For a book with so many serious topics there sure are a lot of jokes and hilarious moments that occurred, but that is what gives the book its charm. You never know what sarcastic comments you are going to endure next! The fact that the characters keep most of there conversations light-hearted really shows there personalities. Now, that’s not to say that they can’t take anything seriously there definitely are many serious conversations and events, rather that they don’t let the current event change who they are. The threat of the end of the world has already taken a toll on them mentally, emotionally, and physically so it seems they almost seem obligated to not let it take their personality like they owe it to themselves.
Another point I feel I should mention is the fact that this book is perfect for people of any age. It is extremely easy to understand, yet the plot is still complex making it an easy read with a satisfying and eventful storyline. Though the character isn’t as complex as I would have liked, they are still relatable and complex enough that you can’t predict there every move.
One other asset to this book is how addictive it is, you never want to put it down. With a plot like this one you just never know what is going to happen next, and that fact alone makes you anticipating what the next page holds. Each chapter either brings a new perspective or an event you can’t help but feel like you are right there with the characters. The characters are not an inch short of lovable. Even with the antagonists you can’t help but shake your head in amusement.
I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. The relatable and lovable characters you will, by the end, feel like you have known them your whole life. A page turner with plot twists around every turned page. You will, for sure, be laughing all throughout the book and you might even find yourself so engrossed that your friends will have to tell you to stop making random facial expressions! Once again I would give this book a nine out of ten, you should definitely consider reading this!
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October 9, 2018Read all 4
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews