Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant (Audio) by Derek Landy

2007. Harper Collins. 392 pgs.

Gordon Edgley’s sudden death came as a shock to everyone—not least himself. One moment he was in his study, seven words into the twenty-fifth sentence of the final chapter of his new book, “And the Darkness Rained Upon Them,” and the next he was dead. “A tragic loss,” his mind echoed numbly as he slipped away.

Stephanie’s uncle dies and she inherits all his property. Through this she is introduced to the world of magic and Skulduggery Pleasant. There is a secret war between good magic and bad magic people. Stephanie travels with Skulduggery Pleasant and investigates her uncle’s murder. They discover that Serpine has returned to his evil ways and is searching for an all powerful scepter. When he finds the scepter he takes out the head council of good guys. By killing them he can get to the Book of Names where all people’s true names are recorded. This allows Serpine to control everyone. Stephanie and Skulduggery have to find the power to stop Serpine and destroy the book.

I’ve been told that it is easier (or at least more interesting) to listen to fantasy books but I thought it was more difficult. It’s harder to understand all the words they make up and twists and turns. That being said I liked the book. It was interesting and I loved Skulduggery’s humor. I can’t wait to read the next one. But I’m definitely going to read it!