Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 A great TV show, but sadly it's a book... August 8, 2008
Edmund Prowe (Kent, England)
A lively, energetic, occasionally funny book, but this is TV-written-down, and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' at that...
It's not exactly that there's much wrong with this book - it's an enjoyable, fairly absorbing read, perfect for keeping an eight-year-old quiet for a day - but it feels as if it's in the wrong medium. Derek Landy would be a great writer for a TV series('Buffy', 'Angel', 'Charmed', even 'Dr. Who'). He has a great ear for dialogue, especially the wisecrack, some great, vivid ideas, and an assured and compelling ability to sketch characters in only a few strokes. But sadly the book suffers from being a book: the special effects aren't as impressive as they should be, the fight sequences are long, uninventive and unimaginatively written, and there is nothing at all in the book that wouldn't work as well or better on TV. Second only to being dull - which this isn't - this is the worst crime a children's book can commit; we shouldn't be surprised that children prefer TV if the books we give them are only second-rate TV themselves. It's a great shame, because 'Skulduggery Pleasant' has some fantastic ideas, a nice (if unoriginal) premise, and strong central characters (although I notice, wearily, that the ubiquitous feisty young girl is making an another appearance). The writing style doesn't have much going for it, but there's not much to make you wince, and there's some genuinely laugh-aloud humour that would appeal both to adults and to children. But unfortunately my prevailing impression is of a book that's impatient with being a book, and of a writer who's more excited by film or TV than by books - which means it's a book of missed opportunities, striving after CGI and slick fight sequences, without any real interest in what, finally, should be at the heart of story-telling: good writing.
 scary but excellent! June 11, 2008
J. Rowley
5 star*****
dont miss it!
once i read one page i always wanted to read the next
ITS SPOOOOOOOOKY!!!
An Amazing Read............. May 23, 2008
manydots (United Kingdom)
I bought this book, after a friend recomended it to me, thinking that it wouldn't interest me at all, but I was completely incorrect! I couldn't take my eyes of this amazing book for one moment! It is a adventure with magic, betrayal, loyalty, horror and saddness in it mixed in with a bit of humor. The story is about a girl of 12 years, called Stephanie, investigating her uncle's death with a living skelleton- Skulduggery Pleasant! Together they fight the the evil to save the world!
This book may not be suitable for the younger readers as it contains a few gruesome and tragic scenes , but is certainly an exellent read for any reader aged 10 and above!I have certainly enjoyed it and can't wait to read "Skulduggery Pleasant- Playing With Fire"!
Incredibly Exciting. A Real Page Turner April 24, 2008
Mrs. K. A. Wheatley (Leicester, UK)
My eight year old daughter chose this as the book she wanted to take on holiday with us for bed time reading. Her teacher is reading it to her class at school and she wanted to know what happened while she was away. I have to say I was dubious to start with, but was as hooked as she was after a couple of chapters.
It's a very well written, incredibly fast paced roller coaster of a book with action on almost every page. You really want to get through it as fast as possible because you just have to know what happens next.
It concerns a twelve year old girl, Stephanie Edgely, who is left a fortune by her crime writing uncle in his will. At the will reading she meets Skulduggery Pleasant, who turns out to be a detective who is also a skeleton with supernatural powers. Stephanie is drawn inexorably into Skulduggery's dangerous world and comes face to face with a truly evil villain, Nefarious Serpine, whose mission is of course to end the world as we know it. Skulduggery and Stephanie team up to try and stop him.
Despite the focus being on action the plot is tight and the characters are well drawn. It clearly isn't just a gratuitious slug fest, and there are some highly comical moments amongst what are some very dark moments.
I would say that I think this may be slightly too dark for the average eight year old, and I'm glad I read it with my daughter. I'd be happier recommending it to tens and ups. Having said that she can't wait to read the sequel, and it's almost a dead cert she'll get it for her upcoming birthday, because neither can I!
Dark Fun April 1, 2008
kehs (Hertfordshire, England)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is a dark yet witty story about a detective who is actually a skeleton. How Skulduggery met with this fate is a tragic tale that may be upsetting to younger readers. There are also some gruesome torture scenes that may be unsuitable for the younger readers too. Having said that this book is hugely entertaining and is sure to be a massive big seller. It revolves around 12-year-old Stephanie, who inherits the home of her author Uncle on his death. She spends a night in the house alone and is attacked by someone from the `other' world. Soon she is fighting for her life but Skulduggery comes to her rescue. From there on the pair have adventure after adventure battling trolls and evil villains who are trying to find a sceptre that will enable them to rule the world. This book is filled with quirky characters, action and hilarity. I can't recommend it highly enough, especially to fans of Eoin Colfer, JKR and Holly Black
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