Why hasn't everybody read this already??

[Harrison]

An excellent book series, filled with mystery, magic, and paranormal detectives. A fast-paced adventure meant to keep you turning pages to the end, Derek Landy has created the perfect blend for a young adult novel: characters and dialogue crafted to inspire admiration in the reader, descriptive action sequences to captivate your attention, and just the right amount of wit to break up tension throughout the plot development.

Landy's characters are likable. The thrill seeking protagonist, Stephanie Edgley, is quite relatable as a teenage girl: sassy, stubborn, and ready to take on anything, whereas her companion Skulduggery is an enigmatic, silver-tongued powerhouse capable of bending the elements to his will. Also, he's a skeleton detective, working for the magical government of Ireland. What's not to like? Landy's extensive imagination produces characters, heroes and villains alike, that you just can't help but fall in love with.

Landy also has proven his worth in his description of the scraps Skul and Stephanie get in on a regular basis. Through explicit detail, he is able to portray the exact movements they perform as they punch, dodge, and execute all manners of self-defensive action. Being an instructor in kenpo karate, he obviously knows what he's talking about.

He's just a funny guy. Even in the most desperate of situations that his heroes are put in, he can lighten the mood with the wisecracks that they pull. Every chapter contains a moment for guffaws, but this in no way transforms the book into an overriding comedic venture. On the contrary, it provides a good balance, and develops the personalities of each character further.

Who doesn't love a good mystery? On top of the excellent plot structure, you can enjoy the elements of a thriller novel, and can indulge yourself in a laugh. I was sold after the first few chapters. This is indeed, a worthy series of your time.

[Wren]

It is awesome, I agree.

[[deleted user]]

Despite what the first book accomplishes, I can't help but think he overvalued the violence in the second book of the series. Also, I don't really feel like I can relate to Stephanie all that much, since in the first book all that can be brought up is how rebellious she is, and how much she wants to be involved in the world of magic. Her situation is more unique than some, but considering how well-developed some of the other characters are (and how she is technically the main protagonist), I think the author should have put more effort into making Stephanie less annoying to read about.

I'm not trying to say that I disagree with you entirely though. Skulduggery Pleasant is a really great book compared to the majority of novels released for youth in today's day and age. It's just not the best I've ever read.

[Reece]

Oh, totally. This book rocks!

[L'existence Et le Silence]

I also read this book and 4 others of this series. It's great.

[Danyel]

I have read the first three books and love them! I haven't been able to find the next books for decent price in U.S. Please help

[[deleted user]]

You watch out. This is the next Artemis Fowl, if not the next Harry Potter. (And I say this as a dedicated Fowl fan.)

[Aurora]

I'm rereading them, and I honestly can't see why people wouldn't love this series.