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Skulduggery Pleasant #6
Passage der Totenbeschwörer
Wieder einmal müssen Skulduggery und Walküre die Menschheit retten. Oder besser: die Hälfte der Menschheit. Denn die Totenbeschwörer haben endlich ihren Todbringer gefunden, der ihnen allen das ewige Leben bescheren soll. Doch für diesen besonderen Zauber braucht der Todbringer sehr viel Energie. Magische Energie, die er nur durch den Tod von – sagen wir – 3,5 Milliarden Menschen gewinnen kann.
Ganz klar, dass Skulduggery und Walküre sofort zur Stelle sind, um das zu verhindern. Aber da bekommen sie Gegenwind von einer ganz unerwarteten Seite.
Ganz klar, dass Skulduggery und Walküre sofort zur Stelle sind, um das zu verhindern. Aber da bekommen sie Gegenwind von einer ganz unerwarteten Seite.
573 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
552 people are currently reading
6586 people want to read
About the author
Derek Landy
256 books5,298 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 907 reviews
March 14, 2022
The badass alter egos came out and omg I hope they are here to stay!! The death bringers are here, fight amongst yourselves who it may be and Skulduggery and Valkyrie are finally on an equal playing field and new bombshells are being exposed.
China’s past is exposed - I’m excited to find out how that resolves itself with Skulduggery in the next book.
Darquesse and Lord Vile are back from the subconscious - these two are epic villains and they need more praise for the way Landy writes them.
It is continually fast paced and witty and oh so sarcastic and I am unabashedly obsessed.
On to the next one!
China’s past is exposed - I’m excited to find out how that resolves itself with Skulduggery in the next book.
Darquesse and Lord Vile are back from the subconscious - these two are epic villains and they need more praise for the way Landy writes them.
It is continually fast paced and witty and oh so sarcastic and I am unabashedly obsessed.
On to the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2015
some books don't servive a series past book 3, this series stays soooooo good.
June 25, 2023
Star Rating: —> 4.5 Stars
RE-READ ! July 25, 2021— ^^^4.5?!? WHAAAAT WAS I BLOODY THINKING?!? 5 STARSSS !
These books just freakin’ kill me. How does EACH and EVERY novel deliver a completely unique, complex, fun plot, while maintaining such amazing continuity!? How does the banter between Skulduggery & Valkyrie always seem new & exciting and never get old, even after SIX BOOKS?!? They always find new ways to crack me up. Each and every one of the books is just beyond hilarious & action packed & high stakes & so UNIQUE! Ahhhhhh SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT IS THE BEST.
If you like Harry Potter, (with a gazillion times more sarcasm. And violence? Haha— but nothing too graphic... actually I take that back. It gets a liiiitttttleee gory sometimes 😂, but, just... I mean... punching people in the face is like, a regular thing for this duo, like consistently, with amazingly sarcastic & funny as hell comments to go with each one, so...) check this series OUT guys!
RE-READ ! July 25, 2021— ^^^4.5?!? WHAAAAT WAS I BLOODY THINKING?!? 5 STARSSS !
These books just freakin’ kill me. How does EACH and EVERY novel deliver a completely unique, complex, fun plot, while maintaining such amazing continuity!? How does the banter between Skulduggery & Valkyrie always seem new & exciting and never get old, even after SIX BOOKS?!? They always find new ways to crack me up. Each and every one of the books is just beyond hilarious & action packed & high stakes & so UNIQUE! Ahhhhhh SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT IS THE BEST.
If you like Harry Potter, (with a gazillion times more sarcasm. And violence? Haha— but nothing too graphic... actually I take that back. It gets a liiiitttttleee gory sometimes 😂, but, just... I mean... punching people in the face is like, a regular thing for this duo, like consistently, with amazingly sarcastic & funny as hell comments to go with each one, so...) check this series OUT guys!
August 10, 2012
So I bought this book on September 3rd when I went to Derek Landy's book signing. I had a brilliant time talking to him; he is such a nice person. So when I came home eager to start this book, I was definitely not disappointed.
Melancholia St Clair, an average Necromancer, who has been announced as The Death Bringer, brings shock to the Necromancers, especially Solomon Wreath as he had thought that Valkyrie Cain was the one. The Death Bringer would've been the person to join life and death together by opening up 'The Passage'. But what exactly is this 'Passage'? All the rest of the Sorcerers know is that it will save the world. Or will it?
The book is excellent, it maintains it's five star record with a gripping plot and brilliant characters. You can definitely see the growth in the characters, especially Valkyrie's who is now more confident, hormonal, egoistic and far from perfect person. We are told of her brilliance numerous times, but it is balanced out by Fletcher's argument with her which pinpoints all the things that's wrong with her. I thought her character as Darquesse was brilliant, it shows her at her full potential, a very dark and disturbing person indeed.
The new characters were slid in very well. I found myself enjoying China Sorrow's manipulation from her old friend, Eliza Scorn. You definitely end up seeing China's subtle side in this book which still includes her smug attitude, but her feelings for Valkyrie develop into something more.
I thought that Caelan's character fell, and wasn't the same standard as Derek Landy kept him in the previous books. He was very obsessive over Valkyrie, proposing to her at one point and offering to watch her sleep which reminded me of Edward Cullen. At first I was very disappointed but towards the end I realised that Derek Landy wrote it to take the mickey out of all the Paranormal Romance books that are out there, even having Valkyrie mention Edward and Bella at a point. I was honestly grinning like a fool, but it still doesn't mean that I don't want to throw Caelan off a cliff.
There are many twists and turns, many questions get answered, but new ones are also brought up, especially that cliffhanger at the end.
Melancholia St Clair, an average Necromancer, who has been announced as The Death Bringer, brings shock to the Necromancers, especially Solomon Wreath as he had thought that Valkyrie Cain was the one. The Death Bringer would've been the person to join life and death together by opening up 'The Passage'. But what exactly is this 'Passage'? All the rest of the Sorcerers know is that it will save the world. Or will it?
The book is excellent, it maintains it's five star record with a gripping plot and brilliant characters. You can definitely see the growth in the characters, especially Valkyrie's who is now more confident, hormonal, egoistic and far from perfect person. We are told of her brilliance numerous times, but it is balanced out by Fletcher's argument with her which pinpoints all the things that's wrong with her. I thought her character as Darquesse was brilliant, it shows her at her full potential, a very dark and disturbing person indeed.
The new characters were slid in very well. I found myself enjoying China Sorrow's manipulation from her old friend, Eliza Scorn. You definitely end up seeing China's subtle side in this book which still includes her smug attitude, but her feelings for Valkyrie develop into something more.
I thought that Caelan's character fell, and wasn't the same standard as Derek Landy kept him in the previous books. He was very obsessive over Valkyrie, proposing to her at one point and offering to watch her sleep which reminded me of Edward Cullen. At first I was very disappointed but towards the end I realised that Derek Landy wrote it to take the mickey out of all the Paranormal Romance books that are out there, even having Valkyrie mention Edward and Bella at a point. I was honestly grinning like a fool, but it still doesn't mean that I don't want to throw Caelan off a cliff.
There are many twists and turns, many questions get answered, but new ones are also brought up, especially that cliffhanger at the end.
March 16, 2025
“No,” said Valkyrie. “What do we do now? We’re partners. You’re my best friend. I love you. You were my … I looked up to you. What am I supposed to do now?” He turned away. “You need to find yourself a new hero.”
What's your favourite Skulduggery book and why is it Death Bringer?
girl sitting next to me on the bus was reading a skulduggery pleasant book (couldn’t figure out which one exactly but it was phase ii so it’s whatever who cares) and my brain immediately started getting nostalgic and demanded a reread of the best Skulduggery Pleasant book and i am unfortunately a slave to my own desires so i bought the kindle version of this book that i already own five minutes later.
Death Bringer continues being the best SP book and quite frankly the best fantasy book and also quite frankly the best book ever written period. I hate to give it to Derek cause i have major beef with him for fucking up my favourite series by not letting it fucking die and dragging it on way past its natural god given conclusion (book 9) but unfortunately this book slaps so hard - it’s perfect, it’s everything, i think about it all the time, it’s been fourteen fucking years and i still hold my breath reading that one chapter. undefeated. i wish every book was death bringer.
What's your favourite Skulduggery book and why is it Death Bringer?
girl sitting next to me on the bus was reading a skulduggery pleasant book (couldn’t figure out which one exactly but it was phase ii so it’s whatever who cares) and my brain immediately started getting nostalgic and demanded a reread of the best Skulduggery Pleasant book and i am unfortunately a slave to my own desires so i bought the kindle version of this book that i already own five minutes later.
Death Bringer continues being the best SP book and quite frankly the best fantasy book and also quite frankly the best book ever written period. I hate to give it to Derek cause i have major beef with him for fucking up my favourite series by not letting it fucking die and dragging it on way past its natural god given conclusion (book 9) but unfortunately this book slaps so hard - it’s perfect, it’s everything, i think about it all the time, it’s been fourteen fucking years and i still hold my breath reading that one chapter. undefeated. i wish every book was death bringer.
February 11, 2019
"Then why put labels on ourselves? That's a job for a psyichiatrist. We punch people, Valkyrie. That's who we are. Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed."
It's been a while that I've struggled so much to decide for one quote. This book is full of great quotes that all deserve to head this review and to be read.
Glorifying death is not a religion. It's a sickness.
I loved this book. It's funny, it's thrilling, it's magical and it has one of the major reveals of the series on its pages. You might argue that Valkyrie is arrogant and bitchy in this one (and you would be right...) but I still enjoyed it immensly. Derek Landy has a way with bickering that I haven't seen matched anywhere. I need more right now, I just wanna continue the reread...
Plus, the more time I spend rereading this, the more I get on the "I ship Skulduggery and Valkyrie"- train. There is so much hidden in the way they treat each other (which I just might be reading into those line because I'm looking for it) and I think it's glorious.
August 6, 2020
Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed.
This series has and will always step its game up and i have loved every single entry in this series thus far and how far it's come from book one till now.
Plot: Book six picks up after the events of book five and we see Valkyrie and Skulduggery trying to stop the necromancers with their plan to cause mass destruction to the world with their new death bringer. I really loved how this series is going and with the direction with how the story is going i really have no faults with the main plot itself and it's a testament to how strong the writing is.
More of Valkyries two worlds are starting to collide and in some way i am really enjoying that fact because its becoming harder for her to keep them seperate. Valkyries two cousins Carol and Crystal now know that she has magical powers and is slowly learning more about the world that she has been brought into after the death of her uncle. I was really surprised to see that the twins father actually knows about the world Valkyrie is apart of and how he doesn't want them apart of it, to me i always thought he didn't know but there was a small part of me that thought he might.
Valkyrie starts to become more darker with the way she does things in this one and i think i liked seeing her almost cross that line into no return and it made for some really awesome character development from her and some of her best scenes in the series so far.
Finding out that Skulduggery is lord vile was also another shock for me to find out in this one and i'm not really sure if it's been mentioned before in the series but for me finding that out was a real shock.
I swear, talking to you is like talking to a really good-looking and mildly stupid brick wall.
Fletcher and Valkyries relationship turns really rocky in this one and i feel like that it was mostly part to her not really feeling the relationship all that much and towards the end it was more Fletcher putting in the effort than her. However i feel like at her age she is still confused on what she wants and who she likes. I would like this to be explored more as the series goes on.
Overall this one was my favourite entry in the series so far and six books in this series just keeps on getting better and better. I can't wait to see were book 7 goes!
This series has and will always step its game up and i have loved every single entry in this series thus far and how far it's come from book one till now.
Plot: Book six picks up after the events of book five and we see Valkyrie and Skulduggery trying to stop the necromancers with their plan to cause mass destruction to the world with their new death bringer. I really loved how this series is going and with the direction with how the story is going i really have no faults with the main plot itself and it's a testament to how strong the writing is.
More of Valkyries two worlds are starting to collide and in some way i am really enjoying that fact because its becoming harder for her to keep them seperate. Valkyries two cousins Carol and Crystal now know that she has magical powers and is slowly learning more about the world that she has been brought into after the death of her uncle. I was really surprised to see that the twins father actually knows about the world Valkyrie is apart of and how he doesn't want them apart of it, to me i always thought he didn't know but there was a small part of me that thought he might.
Valkyrie starts to become more darker with the way she does things in this one and i think i liked seeing her almost cross that line into no return and it made for some really awesome character development from her and some of her best scenes in the series so far.
Finding out that Skulduggery is lord vile was also another shock for me to find out in this one and i'm not really sure if it's been mentioned before in the series but for me finding that out was a real shock.
I swear, talking to you is like talking to a really good-looking and mildly stupid brick wall.
Fletcher and Valkyries relationship turns really rocky in this one and i feel like that it was mostly part to her not really feeling the relationship all that much and towards the end it was more Fletcher putting in the effort than her. However i feel like at her age she is still confused on what she wants and who she likes. I would like this to be explored more as the series goes on.
Overall this one was my favourite entry in the series so far and six books in this series just keeps on getting better and better. I can't wait to see were book 7 goes!
August 6, 2016
2.5 stars.
Val, Val, Val. I liked you. What happened? Hanging out with Caelan, cheating on Fletcher, dumping Fletcher, dumping Caelan(or...kind of) and then coming back around to Fletcher, relying on his awesomeness and love for you to save your sorry bitchy self, along with a multitude of head-banging stupid decisions and treating everyone horribly. I desperately wanted Tanith to show up and slap her. Or Skulduggery to tell her off. Or Fletcher to realize that's he much too good for her.
Or something, anything, to make her see. That one comment to Fletcher at the end does not excuse her satisfactorily.
Val, Val, Val. I liked you. What happened? Hanging out with Caelan, cheating on Fletcher, dumping Fletcher, dumping Caelan(or...kind of) and then coming back around to Fletcher, relying on his awesomeness and love for you to save your sorry bitchy self, along with a multitude of head-banging stupid decisions and treating everyone horribly. I desperately wanted Tanith to show up and slap her. Or Skulduggery to tell her off. Or Fletcher to realize that's he much too good for her.
Or something, anything, to make her see. That one comment to Fletcher at the end does not excuse her satisfactorily.
March 28, 2025
Die Totenbeschwörer hauen mächtig auf die Kacke. Zombiekönig Scapegrace bleibt uns hoffentlich erhalten. 🙏
April 21, 2012
A decent edition to the series, even darker and more dangers than before, but not one of my faves. Was disappointed that not much about the situation with Tanith was really dealt with.
While I enjoyed the book well enough overall, there were a few issues. For one, the pacing was off and definitely dragged in places - and some of the fight scenes, especially the last one... ye gods. The snark and humor is still good when Valkyrie and Skulduggery are bantering, but seemed sadly lacking any other time.
But my main issue was that Valkyrie isn't really very relatable. While I enjoy some of the snark and whatnot, she's just not very likable a lot of the term. You need to have a good side and qualities to counter the dark ones, and in this one she's mostly dark.
And I'm sort of tired of the whole insta-heal stuff. It just doesn't give the events a whole lot of suspense and immediacy.
I was torn about the one reveal, namely While it puts him in a unique position to understand the Darquesse situation, it also had a bit of a "really?" vibe to it. Like how much can possibly be wrapped up in these two?
Still fully plan on continuing with the series, and I'm nowhere near wanting to give up on it, but I'm also still hoping it gets better. It seems like it's kinda circling the airport at this point, so to speak.
While I enjoyed the book well enough overall, there were a few issues. For one, the pacing was off and definitely dragged in places - and some of the fight scenes, especially the last one... ye gods. The snark and humor is still good when Valkyrie and Skulduggery are bantering, but seemed sadly lacking any other time.
But my main issue was that Valkyrie isn't really very relatable. While I enjoy some of the snark and whatnot, she's just not very likable a lot of the term. You need to have a good side and qualities to counter the dark ones, and in this one she's mostly dark.
And I'm sort of tired of the whole insta-heal stuff. It just doesn't give the events a whole lot of suspense and immediacy.
I was torn about the one reveal, namely While it puts him in a unique position to understand the Darquesse situation, it also had a bit of a "really?" vibe to it. Like how much can possibly be wrapped up in these two?
Still fully plan on continuing with the series, and I'm nowhere near wanting to give up on it, but I'm also still hoping it gets better. It seems like it's kinda circling the airport at this point, so to speak.
September 13, 2018
Oh my God. I just finished this book and it is one of the best in the series, right next to Dark Days.
I finished it in 5 days, I could not put it down! Valkyrie has grown up so much. And we discover some SERIOUS stuff about Skulduggery's past! Both of them are ambidextrous mages (so far, at least) and both of them are/were potential Death Bringers. Both of them have a dark alter ego, they even tried to kill each other! But they're best friends, and neither of them can bear to see the other die.
Ships have sunk: Valkyrie/Fletcher, Valkyrie/Caelan, Skulduggery/China. All of this is paving the path for Valkyrie/Skulduggery!
And this is the first book without Tanith in it, except for mention by name. I feel so sorry for poor Ghastly, he was SO CLOSE to being with her! There's not much of him in this book, sadly, but he DID say some of the most important lines, to Fletcher.
The Requim Ball was definitely for all those fans who have written fanfiction about a Sanctuary Ball! Valkyrie was amazing, and boy, Skulduggery can DANCE! With China... ewww....
Lots of shocking revelations and events happen in this book. The final trilogy will be something that is very different from the first two.
I finished it in 5 days, I could not put it down! Valkyrie has grown up so much. And we discover some SERIOUS stuff about Skulduggery's past! Both of them are ambidextrous mages (so far, at least) and both of them are/were potential Death Bringers. Both of them have a dark alter ego, they even tried to kill each other! But they're best friends, and neither of them can bear to see the other die.
Ships have sunk: Valkyrie/Fletcher, Valkyrie/Caelan, Skulduggery/China. All of this is paving the path for Valkyrie/Skulduggery!
And this is the first book without Tanith in it, except for mention by name. I feel so sorry for poor Ghastly, he was SO CLOSE to being with her! There's not much of him in this book, sadly, but he DID say some of the most important lines, to Fletcher.
The Requim Ball was definitely for all those fans who have written fanfiction about a Sanctuary Ball! Valkyrie was amazing, and boy, Skulduggery can DANCE! With China... ewww....
Lots of shocking revelations and events happen in this book. The final trilogy will be something that is very different from the first two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
Another excellent addition to the series. This one is a bit of a turning point, propelling the series to a bit of a darker place. The character development blows me away!
First read 2013
Second read July 2014
First read 2013
Second read July 2014
November 21, 2019
Much better than #5 and holy relationship issues Batman! Valkyrie and Skulduggery grow a bit and get much more complicated, yet are still friends to the core. Lots of added information and intrigue with Valkyrie's family, Skulduggery's past and current characters. I would have stopped after #5 but I already had this one and am glad I stuck with it.
Scapegrace and Thrasher are truly entertaining along with Skulduggery's one liners. Great series for kids and adults although I do miss the narrator from books 1-3
Scapegrace and Thrasher are truly entertaining along with Skulduggery's one liners. Great series for kids and adults although I do miss the narrator from books 1-3
May 26, 2018
4.25-4.5 stars. It's late and I'm tired (as always) so a quick summary here and a proper RTC later.
I really enjoyed this overall, but the unnecessary love triangle/messy cheating subplot was just... annoying and enough for me to kick off half a star. I know she's still a teenager and she's admittedly going through some pretty damn stressful shit, but some of Valkyrie's decisions were frustrating AF. The entire romance subplot was boring and unnecessary imo, so I'm glad it's over now.good riddance to the dead bicth vampire, thank god
Not 100% sure how I feel about one of the major plot reveals and the whole Darquesse situation is starting to feel slightly tedious - I've never been a huge fan of super OP characters when there's nothing to ground them in some way, so that's not surprising.
I'm scared for China Sorrowsaka my girlfriend after that reveal at the end... is probably my favourite twist of the series so I'm super excited to see what ends up happening now that our protagonists know about it.
Overall tho, I'm having a blast with this series. I'm all caught up to where I got to in my teens so everything that comes after this is gonna be all new. Onto book seven!
I really enjoyed this overall, but the unnecessary love triangle/messy cheating subplot was just... annoying and enough for me to kick off half a star. I know she's still a teenager and she's admittedly going through some pretty damn stressful shit, but some of Valkyrie's decisions were frustrating AF. The entire romance subplot was boring and unnecessary imo, so I'm glad it's over now.
Not 100% sure how I feel about one of the major plot reveals and the whole Darquesse situation is starting to feel slightly tedious - I've never been a huge fan of super OP characters when there's nothing to ground them in some way, so that's not surprising.
I'm scared for China Sorrows
Overall tho, I'm having a blast with this series. I'm all caught up to where I got to in my teens so everything that comes after this is gonna be all new. Onto book seven!
February 27, 2017
This is where things get so intense and twisty. Characters' backgrounds are revealed and the world is coming to an end AGAIN. So good!
February 27, 2019
Продължава да не е точно моята чаша чай и дразнещите (ме - мнението е лично, не искам да ангажирам никого с него) моменти като че ли се засилват, та ще отнема цели две звезди от крайната си оценка. Мотиви: абсолютно малоумна хореография на екшън сцените - всеки втори удар е "чело в глава" или "лакът в глава"; крайно нелогични от гледна точка на конкретната магьосническа Вселена умирания/възкръсвания на определени герои за сметка на други - т.е. в даден момент еди-кой-си не можеш да го утрепеш след половин часово сражение, а в следващия - същия този го катурваш с едно помръдване на кутрето на левия си крак, примерно... възкръсванията не искам да ги коментирам - те просто обезсмислят смъртите на главните персонажи от предходните томчета; сцените с влюбения вампир - бляяяяк и ОЩЕ ПО-ГОЛЯМО БЛЯЯЯЯЯЯК... никому ненужни... Давам си поредната голяма почивка от серията преди да посегна към следващата.
November 13, 2021
As usual, there's a lot going on in this.
The Necromancers are still looking for their Death Bringer; most believe it's Valkyrie, but a few believe it's Melancholia St. Clair. Vandameer Craven has permanently scarred Melancholia in order to force the power of a Death Bringer into her. Valkyrie and Skulduggery are chased by an assassin named Dragonclaw, and their capture brings out Skulduggery's deep, dark secret: . Things come to a head with Fletcher and in a fit of anger, Valkyrie spills that she's been seeing Caelan too. Scapegrace and Thrasher continue to be idiots - and the biggest source of laughs.
The voice actor for this series, Stephen Hogan, does a great job creating different voices for each character, which brings these novels to life.
The Necromancers are still looking for their Death Bringer; most believe it's Valkyrie, but a few believe it's Melancholia St. Clair. Vandameer Craven has permanently scarred Melancholia in order to force the power of a Death Bringer into her. Valkyrie and Skulduggery are chased by an assassin named Dragonclaw, and their capture brings out Skulduggery's deep, dark secret: . Things come to a head with Fletcher and in a fit of anger, Valkyrie spills that she's been seeing Caelan too. Scapegrace and Thrasher continue to be idiots - and the biggest source of laughs.
The voice actor for this series, Stephen Hogan, does a great job creating different voices for each character, which brings these novels to life.
June 10, 2017
Another Amazing reread!!!
September 11, 2011
I borrowed the first Skulduggery book a few years back, when i was on my fishing trip to Ireland. (My family have this house in Donegal, which has been passed down the family). When i started reading it of course, i realised that it was actually SET in Ireland, how friggin' awesome.
...So there i was in Ireland, reading Skulduggery Pleasant, as you do. And i thought it was pretty snazzy.
Then i read "playing with fire". Meh.
"Faceless ones" Kinda good.
"Dark Days" amazing.
"Mortal Coil" Wow.
And then i saw Death Bringer. I'd almost forgot about Skulduggery, but i nabbed the book off the shelf at TESCO'S ASAP. And my god, this series has FINALLY, officially, completely won me over.
Everything about it, the characters, dialogue, story, is brilliant, beyond comparison. I haven't been able to relate to the previous books as well, i think this is because it took this book for me to finally tune into the right wave length. Next time i read the previous books, ill probably love them more.
This book has so many awesome quotes that i'll never forget.
The romance is hilarious. Constantly laughing in Bella and Edwards face. Taking the Mick out of Paranormal romances, iv'e never smiled so much whilst reading. Here's a couple of epic quotes:
Valkyrie to Caelan - "were not Buffy and Angel, or Romeo and Juliet, or those two from west side story. Were not even Edward and Bella, OK? You're far too freaky for me."
Fletcher to Caelan - "Just listening to you makes me want to top myself, you self-pitying paranormal romance reject"
AAAH GAAD EPICNESS.
If i am ever in a fight with someone, right before i punch them, i will make sure i say "the Sparrow flies south for winter"
Read the book, then you will understand.
I mean it though. Read it.
Now.
Read the others before though, or you won't have a clue what you're reading.
This is almost the first series to come along that i can say has NEARLY replaced that little gaping hole that the end of the Harry Potter books left. Bring on more Derek Landy, you genious.
5 stars!
...So there i was in Ireland, reading Skulduggery Pleasant, as you do. And i thought it was pretty snazzy.
Then i read "playing with fire". Meh.
"Faceless ones" Kinda good.
"Dark Days" amazing.
"Mortal Coil" Wow.
And then i saw Death Bringer. I'd almost forgot about Skulduggery, but i nabbed the book off the shelf at TESCO'S ASAP. And my god, this series has FINALLY, officially, completely won me over.
Everything about it, the characters, dialogue, story, is brilliant, beyond comparison. I haven't been able to relate to the previous books as well, i think this is because it took this book for me to finally tune into the right wave length. Next time i read the previous books, ill probably love them more.
This book has so many awesome quotes that i'll never forget.
The romance is hilarious. Constantly laughing in Bella and Edwards face. Taking the Mick out of Paranormal romances, iv'e never smiled so much whilst reading. Here's a couple of epic quotes:
Valkyrie to Caelan - "were not Buffy and Angel, or Romeo and Juliet, or those two from west side story. Were not even Edward and Bella, OK? You're far too freaky for me."
Fletcher to Caelan - "Just listening to you makes me want to top myself, you self-pitying paranormal romance reject"
AAAH GAAD EPICNESS.
If i am ever in a fight with someone, right before i punch them, i will make sure i say "the Sparrow flies south for winter"
Read the book, then you will understand.
I mean it though. Read it.
Now.
Read the others before though, or you won't have a clue what you're reading.
This is almost the first series to come along that i can say has NEARLY replaced that little gaping hole that the end of the Harry Potter books left. Bring on more Derek Landy, you genious.
5 stars!
June 9, 2012
Skulduggery 6 represents a return to form for Landy, mainly because he shakes things up quite a bit; Tanith and Sanguine are no-shows, other characters are bogged down in bureaucracy and there are quite a number of surprising revelations.
At the end of the previous volume I thought I had worked out quite a bit of what was going to happen next; none of it played out the way I expected, though some of it still might...because the Reflection subplot still hasn't paid off...which is getting a little irritating...I also thought vol. 6 was going to wrap things up; no more Skeleton Detective stories. How wrong can I be? There's already a World Book Day novelette following on from this book...
With Kenspeckle also out of the picture, Landy needed to find another approach to the, "Skulduggery is a bad influence on Valkyrie," voice. This he manages by working it into the story via the protagonists' actions and hidden aspects. This works much better than another lecture by the good doctor would have. In fact Cain behaves pretty unpleasantly in various respects during the course of the book and only retains sympathy because of the previous five books. It's brave on the part of Landy and I applaud it. It's a shame, however, that one of the ways Cain behaves badly is during the Anti-Twilight plot-line. I could have lived without it; it's not even remotely subtle and I certainly don't need a warning about the unwisdom of a teen having a "romance" with a stalker-over-protector-controlling older man... Maybe the target audience (i.e. actual teenagers) do need such a warning but I'd like to think they don't, even if they are rabid Twilight fans. I could tell life and novels apart when I was a teen.
But is this series ever going to end? At least could Landy write something else between Skeleton Detective tomes? I want to believe he has more than one idea.
At the end of the previous volume I thought I had worked out quite a bit of what was going to happen next; none of it played out the way I expected, though some of it still might...because the Reflection subplot still hasn't paid off...which is getting a little irritating...I also thought vol. 6 was going to wrap things up; no more Skeleton Detective stories. How wrong can I be? There's already a World Book Day novelette following on from this book...
With Kenspeckle also out of the picture, Landy needed to find another approach to the, "Skulduggery is a bad influence on Valkyrie," voice. This he manages by working it into the story via the protagonists' actions and hidden aspects. This works much better than another lecture by the good doctor would have. In fact Cain behaves pretty unpleasantly in various respects during the course of the book and only retains sympathy because of the previous five books. It's brave on the part of Landy and I applaud it. It's a shame, however, that one of the ways Cain behaves badly is during the Anti-Twilight plot-line. I could have lived without it; it's not even remotely subtle and I certainly don't need a warning about the unwisdom of a teen having a "romance" with a stalker-over-protector-controlling older man... Maybe the target audience (i.e. actual teenagers) do need such a warning but I'd like to think they don't, even if they are rabid Twilight fans. I could tell life and novels apart when I was a teen.
But is this series ever going to end? At least could Landy write something else between Skeleton Detective tomes? I want to believe he has more than one idea.
July 17, 2020
Обожавам стилът на Дерек Ланди! Още с посвещението, той ме развесели.
Докато четях тази книга се чудех, защо ми отне толкова време, да се върна към тази изключителна (и много любима моя) поредица.
Вестителят на смъртта е поредното доказателство за необятен талант, източник на забавление и храна за въображението. С голяма доза приключение, не прикрит сарказъм и големи изненади (!)
Единственият минус, който откривам, са прекаленo дългите диалози или глави (тип пълнеж) с не много значима роля, но пък забавни и приятни за четене… все пак книга от 544 страници не се пише лесно :)
Докато четях тази книга се чудех, защо ми отне толкова време, да се върна към тази изключителна (и много любима моя) поредица.
Вестителят на смъртта е поредното доказателство за необятен талант, източник на забавление и храна за въображението. С голяма доза приключение, не прикрит сарказъм и големи изненади (!)
Единственият минус, който откривам, са прекаленo дългите диалози или глави (тип пълнеж) с не много значима роля, но пък забавни и приятни за четене… все пак книга от 544 страници не се пише лесно :)
September 2, 2025
A YA fantasy tale played out in an operatic format. The action sequences, full of swirling movement, uninhibited violence and often blood and gore, take the place of the arias. The recitatives, the boring bits, though never boring in Skulduggery Pleasant - are full of repartee, cross-talk acts (Skulduggery and Valkyrie, Valkyrie and Fletcher, Valyrie and Caelan the vampire) or are funny interludes.
The funniest is when Scapegrace is conducting his little zombie army through the monster infested tunnels beneath Gordon Edgeley's house. His sidekick Thrasher whispers to him: "I think we have a problem... It's one of the zombies... Reggie... I - I think he's been eaten." Scapegrace's reaction is to turn to his army and say: "Well, come on. Own up. Who did it? Who ate Reggie?" It turns into pure Dad's Army - with a dark side. The sad thing is that it is not followed up. The plot move on to the next aria, Melancholia shows her Death Bringer powers.
It is a very enjoyable novel. There are some revelations about the nature of the identities of Darquesse and Lord Vile and Valkyrie's love life falls into turmoil. The story may be over-long, 600 pages, causing the recitatives to sometimes overwhelm the arias. However, the humour always works and if any reader is a little squeamish when it comes to hideous bloodshed there is the comforting thought that a good laugh is only a few pages away. Recommended even if you are not familiar with the series.
The funniest is when Scapegrace is conducting his little zombie army through the monster infested tunnels beneath Gordon Edgeley's house. His sidekick Thrasher whispers to him: "I think we have a problem... It's one of the zombies... Reggie... I - I think he's been eaten." Scapegrace's reaction is to turn to his army and say: "Well, come on. Own up. Who did it? Who ate Reggie?" It turns into pure Dad's Army - with a dark side. The sad thing is that it is not followed up. The plot move on to the next aria, Melancholia shows her Death Bringer powers.
It is a very enjoyable novel. There are some revelations about the nature of the identities of Darquesse and Lord Vile and Valkyrie's love life falls into turmoil. The story may be over-long, 600 pages, causing the recitatives to sometimes overwhelm the arias. However, the humour always works and if any reader is a little squeamish when it comes to hideous bloodshed there is the comforting thought that a good laugh is only a few pages away. Recommended even if you are not familiar with the series.
January 1, 2026
Ich hab aktuell viel Zeit zum Hören, wie man merkt. Ich habe gestern angefangen und bin heute Vormittag fertig geworden. Die Bücher sind so großartig geschrieben und auch gelesen, ich liebe es. Auch wenn Fletcher wirklich besseres verdient gehabt hätte. Ansonsten bin ich sehr großer Fan der Reihe und kann sie weiterhin nur empfehlen. Ich mach dann mal weiter mit dem nächsten Buch.
August 23, 2020
It’s my 10 Year Anniversary with Skulduggery Pleasant, the book series that changed my life. In this re-read, I’ll be doing something special. I’ll be rounding up my top 10 favourite moments from each book, and quoting the scenes that I love the most. Obviously this will come with spoilers, SO DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE SERIES.
Death Bringer is always in the fight to climb higher and higher in my top favourites within the series, and without a doubt, it definitely earns its place within the top 5. I think this quote in the beginning is the best aphorism that describes this book:
”Good and evil are so close together as to be chained together in the soul.” (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde)
So many moments. So many. God it’s like one bombshell after another, and after one bombshell there’s just more bombshells. It’ll be so hard to narrow down my favourites but here they are, which I’m giving reluctantly because I really don’t know if these are my top moments because there’s so many more that I want to add.
10. The Jitter Girls. Absolutely frightening little things aren’t they?
”What is it?” she whispered.
“It’s a box,” he whispered back.
“What kind of box?”
“A wooden one.”
She gave him a look. “OK, I’ll try this. Why are we hiding from a box?”
“We’re not. We’re hiding from what’s inside the box.”
“What’s in the box?”
“Is it a head?” Fletcher asked.
“It’s the Jitter Girls.”
9. When Darquesse comes out during their Jitter Girls fight - DAMNNN I am obsessed with this little encounter.
“Hello,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Darquesse smiled, walking towards him.
“You’re very impressive,” he continued. “That’s a kind of magic I don’t think I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen every kind of magic. You are quite the curiosity, aren’t you?”
8. Melancholia showing up at Val’s house and... slashing... her... to... ribbons.
“I could destroy you and no one would be able to do anything about it. I would tear you from your family. Your friends would be powerless to stop me. The Skeleton Detective? I’d make him watch.”
Valkyrie said nothing.
And then Skulduggery’s reaction to it after through Ghastly’s eyes. *chefs kiss*
”And how are you?” Ghastly said.
“Meaning?”
“She was almost killed.”
“I am aware. You’re waiting to see if I’ll get angry.”
“I already know you’re angry. You’re sitting very still and you’re talking very quietly. You’re getting ready to kill someone.”
“I just need a name.”
7. Fletcher and Caelan at the end of the book. I really enjoyed Fletcher’s character here, he’s just hilarious.
Caelan took a breath, like he was in pain, and straightened up. His voice was low, guttural. “I was hoping I’d get the chance to kill you.”
“You won’t be killing anyone, you sad little emo git.”
“You’ve stood in the way of our love for long enough.”
“Just listening to you makes me want to top myself, you self-pitying Paranormal Romance reject.”
Caelan glared. “Stop insulting me.”
“Why? If you cry, will your mascara run?”
6. What’s the best code for when you’re about to punch someone?
”Very well. How about the sparrow flies south for winter?”
“Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s a classic.”
5. The Requiem Ball!!!!
“You’re late,” he said.
“I’m beautiful.”
“You’re always beautiful.”
“I’m always late, too.”
4. Darquesse and Lord Vile’s EPIC. FIGHT.
”Darquesse stood up, and looked at Lord Vile. “Be honest,” she said. “You’ve been looking forward to this, haven’t you?”
3. The. Big. Reveal.
“He abandoned his old life. He wore armour to disguise his old form. He took a new name to kill his old self.”
“No,” Valkyrie said. “No, don’t.”
“Skulduggery Pleasant walked off the battlefield, and Lord Vile walked into my Temple.”
2. Probably my favourite scene of all time in Death Bringer - when Skulduggery came through and tried to call out to Valkyrie and then the banter that we all know and love after this scene... I’m getting emotional just thinking about this.
“Valkyrie,” Lord Vile said. His voice was a whisper.
Darquesse smiled. “I’m Valkyrie. Whatever you’ve got to say to her, you can say to me. What was it Skulduggery said earlier? I’m her bad mood.”
That whisper again. “Let her out.”
1. China’s. Secret.
”I won’t blame you,” she said, her voice tight with pain, “if you walk away.”
“Good,” Valkyrie said, and she did just that.
Honourable mention:
Melancholia and Valkyrie’s unlikely friendship by the end of the book:
”What are you trying to do?”
“I’m trying to take his soul.”
Valkyrie punched her, right across the jaw. “I’m not going to let you kill him, you nutcase. You think I’d ever choose you over him?”
This one was quite a heavy book! There are so many big reveals and it felt like such a huge payoff after all the other books previous to it. Of course, this one caps off the Death Bringer/necromancer trilogy, and while that’s been fun - the really nifty gritty is the Darquesse trilogy....
———
Excerpts from: Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer by Derek Landy. Copyright HarperCollins Publishing, review under fair use.
Death Bringer is always in the fight to climb higher and higher in my top favourites within the series, and without a doubt, it definitely earns its place within the top 5. I think this quote in the beginning is the best aphorism that describes this book:
”Good and evil are so close together as to be chained together in the soul.” (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde)
So many moments. So many. God it’s like one bombshell after another, and after one bombshell there’s just more bombshells. It’ll be so hard to narrow down my favourites but here they are, which I’m giving reluctantly because I really don’t know if these are my top moments because there’s so many more that I want to add.
10. The Jitter Girls. Absolutely frightening little things aren’t they?
”What is it?” she whispered.
“It’s a box,” he whispered back.
“What kind of box?”
“A wooden one.”
She gave him a look. “OK, I’ll try this. Why are we hiding from a box?”
“We’re not. We’re hiding from what’s inside the box.”
“What’s in the box?”
“Is it a head?” Fletcher asked.
“It’s the Jitter Girls.”
9. When Darquesse comes out during their Jitter Girls fight - DAMNNN I am obsessed with this little encounter.
“Hello,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Darquesse smiled, walking towards him.
“You’re very impressive,” he continued. “That’s a kind of magic I don’t think I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen every kind of magic. You are quite the curiosity, aren’t you?”
8. Melancholia showing up at Val’s house and... slashing... her... to... ribbons.
“I could destroy you and no one would be able to do anything about it. I would tear you from your family. Your friends would be powerless to stop me. The Skeleton Detective? I’d make him watch.”
Valkyrie said nothing.
And then Skulduggery’s reaction to it after through Ghastly’s eyes. *chefs kiss*
”And how are you?” Ghastly said.
“Meaning?”
“She was almost killed.”
“I am aware. You’re waiting to see if I’ll get angry.”
“I already know you’re angry. You’re sitting very still and you’re talking very quietly. You’re getting ready to kill someone.”
“I just need a name.”
7. Fletcher and Caelan at the end of the book. I really enjoyed Fletcher’s character here, he’s just hilarious.
Caelan took a breath, like he was in pain, and straightened up. His voice was low, guttural. “I was hoping I’d get the chance to kill you.”
“You won’t be killing anyone, you sad little emo git.”
“You’ve stood in the way of our love for long enough.”
“Just listening to you makes me want to top myself, you self-pitying Paranormal Romance reject.”
Caelan glared. “Stop insulting me.”
“Why? If you cry, will your mascara run?”
6. What’s the best code for when you’re about to punch someone?
”Very well. How about the sparrow flies south for winter?”
“Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s a classic.”
5. The Requiem Ball!!!!
“You’re late,” he said.
“I’m beautiful.”
“You’re always beautiful.”
“I’m always late, too.”
4. Darquesse and Lord Vile’s EPIC. FIGHT.
”Darquesse stood up, and looked at Lord Vile. “Be honest,” she said. “You’ve been looking forward to this, haven’t you?”
3. The. Big. Reveal.
“He abandoned his old life. He wore armour to disguise his old form. He took a new name to kill his old self.”
“No,” Valkyrie said. “No, don’t.”
“Skulduggery Pleasant walked off the battlefield, and Lord Vile walked into my Temple.”
2. Probably my favourite scene of all time in Death Bringer - when Skulduggery came through and tried to call out to Valkyrie and then the banter that we all know and love after this scene... I’m getting emotional just thinking about this.
“Valkyrie,” Lord Vile said. His voice was a whisper.
Darquesse smiled. “I’m Valkyrie. Whatever you’ve got to say to her, you can say to me. What was it Skulduggery said earlier? I’m her bad mood.”
That whisper again. “Let her out.”
1. China’s. Secret.
”I won’t blame you,” she said, her voice tight with pain, “if you walk away.”
“Good,” Valkyrie said, and she did just that.
Honourable mention:
Melancholia and Valkyrie’s unlikely friendship by the end of the book:
”What are you trying to do?”
“I’m trying to take his soul.”
Valkyrie punched her, right across the jaw. “I’m not going to let you kill him, you nutcase. You think I’d ever choose you over him?”
This one was quite a heavy book! There are so many big reveals and it felt like such a huge payoff after all the other books previous to it. Of course, this one caps off the Death Bringer/necromancer trilogy, and while that’s been fun - the really nifty gritty is the Darquesse trilogy....
———
Excerpts from: Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer by Derek Landy. Copyright HarperCollins Publishing, review under fair use.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2020
A lot happens in this book, and it's both violent and bloody. We also get a few surprises, and I like that. Enjoyable, as (almost) always!
August 14, 2022
welcome! instead of a review i'll be handing out awards!
and the winners are.....
fletcher renn, for reading valkyrie cain to absolute and utter FILTH!
skulduggery pleasant, for revealing perhaps the most HARROWING plot twist i have ever read! ladies and gentlemen, my jaw was on the floor!
china sorrows, for the being the slyest and sneakiest slytherin to ever slither!
valkyrie "the emotional range of a dead man" cain, in a shocking upset, for an alarming ratio of snarky retorts to fucks given!
vaurien scapegrace—aka the zombie king—for consistently being My Favorite Dumbass!
and last and CERTAINLY FUCKING LEAST, caelan, for being a piece of shit! rest in hell, asshole!!!!
that's all folks! good night!!!
and the winners are.....
fletcher renn, for reading valkyrie cain to absolute and utter FILTH!
skulduggery pleasant, for revealing perhaps the most HARROWING plot twist i have ever read! ladies and gentlemen, my jaw was on the floor!
china sorrows, for the being the slyest and sneakiest slytherin to ever slither!
valkyrie "the emotional range of a dead man" cain, in a shocking upset, for an alarming ratio of snarky retorts to fucks given!
vaurien scapegrace—aka the zombie king—for consistently being My Favorite Dumbass!
and last and CERTAINLY FUCKING LEAST, caelan, for being a piece of shit! rest in hell, asshole!!!!
that's all folks! good night!!!
January 4, 2015
Secreeettttssss, so many secrets! I really teared up at times during this book. We're finally told what Skulduggery did, we finally see the terrible toll Darquesse is taking on Valkyrie, we finally see and understand a of the characters' pasts and understand them better.
And Fletcher and Valkyrie?! DARN IT, Valkyrie, don't mess with the poor boy's feelings!
And the part that made me tear up really badly? Thiiiissss:
"No,"said Valkyrie. "What do we do now? We're partners. You're my best friend. I love you. You were my...I looked up to you. What am I supposed to do now?"
He [Skulduggery] turned away. "You need to find yourself a new hero."
*sobs*
And Fletcher and Valkyrie?! DARN IT, Valkyrie, don't mess with the poor boy's feelings!
And the part that made me tear up really badly? Thiiiissss:
"No,"said Valkyrie. "What do we do now? We're partners. You're my best friend. I love you. You were my...I looked up to you. What am I supposed to do now?"
He [Skulduggery] turned away. "You need to find yourself a new hero."
*sobs*
January 20, 2019
This one was a ride, lemme tell ya.
I went from normal to disappointed to absolutely SHOOK to heartbroken to worried to sad then back to worried to intrigued and then back to sad. All in the space of 597 pages.
And boy was it fun.
On the downward slide of the series now. I have 3 books left and then I'll be waiting until June for the next 3, and then who knows? I don't know what the author is planning, but as long as the writing quality keeps up, I'd be happy to read this series forever. I know I'm going to miss my favorite skeleton detective and his combat accessory when it finally comes to an end.
5 stars!
I went from normal to disappointed to absolutely SHOOK to heartbroken to worried to sad then back to worried to intrigued and then back to sad. All in the space of 597 pages.
And boy was it fun.
On the downward slide of the series now. I have 3 books left and then I'll be waiting until June for the next 3, and then who knows? I don't know what the author is planning, but as long as the writing quality keeps up, I'd be happy to read this series forever. I know I'm going to miss my favorite skeleton detective and his combat accessory when it finally comes to an end.
5 stars!
August 21, 2018
I forgot how intense those last 70 or so pages were. Like holy heck, I cringed so much and nearly had to stop reading. IT WAS GREAT!
I honestly think that the best thing about this series is that there are practically never any low points. Like sure, some (*most*) characters have their lows, but the series itself never has a dull moment. It just... goes. And goes and goes and goes. Do ya get me? This series will be the absolute death of me, but it'll be a good death.
I honestly think that the best thing about this series is that there are practically never any low points. Like sure, some (*most*) characters have their lows, but the series itself never has a dull moment. It just... goes. And goes and goes and goes. Do ya get me? This series will be the absolute death of me, but it'll be a good death.
September 10, 2024
read it all so kl love the twists OMG romance parts were heart stoping
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