Skulduggery Pleasant is a weird looking guy, skeletal in fact, and it appears he got that way by being tortured to death. He's now one of the good guys, and a very powerful magician, though he's just a bit obsessed with the guilt of those he blames for his end.
A well written romp through a parallel fantasy culture with plenty of moderately scary adventure on the way, this is very much post-Potter. Our reader's way into this world is through Stephanie, who is clever and resourceful and strong-minded and brave, and trying to work out whether she has magic in her or not. A neat way round the strong male versus strong female lead (that might put boys off) is combining this duo of Skulduggery and Stephanie who are sure to appeal to a broad range of children in our age group. Their banter is very fast and witty and not unlike the screwball comedies of the mid-twentieth century film industry. (In fact reading the one and watching the other might make for some very different and interesting lessons on genre).
Watch points:
Violence: quite a few fights with fantasy creatures. Lots of thwack, punch, kick, ouch. Stephanie does get injured. Skulduggery is tortured, again. There is some use of guns.
Death: lots of fantasy creatures, and bad guys. The deaths of Skulduggery (in the past before the novel begins) and his family are discussed. A friend is petrified but though he is not sorted out by the end of the book there is the suggestion that it might not be permanent.
Peril: lots! Not for the faint hearted or nightmare prone. All the major characters come under threat of death at different points, and Stephanie more than once. All cleverly done in the literary equivalent of shouting "Boo!" in the quiet moment, but it did make even me a bit jumpy, though not scared as I am probably just too old!
Religion: parallel universes and the undead might challenge some religious tenets if you are reading this in an orthodox environment.
Nothing much to worry anyone on the language or relationships front.
Summary: Fast paced, sharp and witty, with a great plot and very adept characterisation, this was a pleasure to read. One of those books that makes you wish you were 12 again. It is one of an extended series for those who like to become addicated to books' characters. Just beware the peril levels for the nervous.
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