Customer Reviews
A great TV show, but sadly it's a book... - By: Edmund Prowe, 08 Aug 2008 
A lively, energetic, occasionally funny book, but this is TV-written-down, & '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'sin 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, & an assured & compelling ability to sketch charactersin 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 & unimaginatively written, & there is nothing at allin 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, & 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, & there's some genuinely laugh-aloud humour that would appeal both to adults & to children. But unfortunately my prevailing impression is of a book that's impatient with being a book, & 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 & slick fight sequences, without any real interestin what, finally, should be at the heart of story-telling: good writing.
scary but excellent! - By: J. Rowley, 11 Jun 2008 
5 star*****
dont miss it!
once i read one page i always wanted to read the next
ITS SPOOOOOOOOKY!!!
An Amazing Read............. - By: manydots, 23 May 2008 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 & saddnessin it mixedin 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 & tragic scenes , but is certainly an exellent read for any reader aged 10 & above!I have certainly enjoyed it & can't wait to read "Skulduggery Pleasant- Playing With Fire"!
Incredibly Exciting. A Real Page Turner - By: Mrs. K. A. Wheatley, 24 Apr 2008 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 & 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 unclein 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 & 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 & Stephanie team up to try & stop him.
Despite the focus being on action the plot is tight & the characters are well drawn. It clearly isn't just a gratuitious slug fest, & 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, & I'm glad I read it with my daughter. I'd be happier recommending it to tens & ups. Having said that she can't wait to read the sequel, & it's almost a dead cert she'll get it for her upcoming birthday, because neither can I!
Dark Fun - By: kehs, 01 Apr 2008 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 & 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 nightin the house alone & 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 & 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 & hilarity. I can't recommend it highly enough, especially to fans of Eoin Colfer, JKR & Holly Black
