I cannot wait for Skulduggery Pleasant: Kingdom Of The Wicked

The cover is gorgeous. As a graphic designer, I'm supposed to look into these

types of design and be fairly critical. However, I cannot fault this. The illustration
is amazing & detailed. I want this book now! Illustration by Tom Percival.

I cannot wait for Skulduggery Pleasant: Kingdom Of The Wicked. I simply cannot. Really. I want to read it now... it looks awesome. The Skulduggery Pleasant series of books has long been one of my favourite series of books by irish author Derek Landy. At this point I had read all 6 books so far 3 times over and have actually just started the second Skulduggery Pleasant book 'Playing With Fire' which is possibly my favourite out of all of them... possibly. The book stars a magical and powerful skeleton detective (Mr. Pleasant) & his  young apprentice (Ms. Valkyrie Cain). The pair take centre stage alongside a huge cast of characters, in a magical world so close to our own in Ireland, and yet so far away from our understanding.

There have been so many epic moments in the series, none of which I will deprive you of. I won't deprive you of the all powerful evil gods that were banished thousands of years ago (beings so evil in fact, that their shadows cast away from them), nigh-indestructible half-gods that have stitched up using and deadly ancient animal organs, necromancers whose abilities reach so far that only pointing at you will kill you, vampires that pull themselves out of their human skins, large men with visor covered faces wielding massive scythes with deadly grace and skill, a genderless creature in limbo with a scab where his nose should be & even an unstoppable masked assassin who can cause your bones to shatter with a touch... who loves his cat... which he has simply called 'cat'. Honestly, the universe Derek has laid out before us is amazing, funny, in-depth, cleverly connected with well thought out plots & paradoxical moments and some of the best cliff-hangers possible in a story. I, who loves and has always loved fiction, science fiction, thriller, action & adventure & fantasy books for many a year now, have become so engaged in this series. Honestly, there is something in each of these books for everybody.

Don't believe me? Check out the reviews from just the first book:

'Skulduggery Pleasant serves up a thoroughly satisfying blend of humour, magic and adventure. Once you've met Stephanie and Skullduggery, you'll be clamouring for a sequel.' Rick Riordan

‘Hugely enjoyable – a thrill-a-minute adventure.' Jonathan Stroud

'It's exciting, pacy, nicely handled and fun. I sincerely hope Landy revisits these characters.'
Philip Ardagh, Guardian

'A gripping debut.' Phil Hogan, Observer

"A remarkably accomplished debut with wonderful dialogue." Robert Dunbar, Irish Times

"[Landy's] fight scenes are perfectly pitched. His characters are exceptionally well drawn and delightfully colourful… Reading [this book] is like riding a rollercoaster.” Irish Independent

"Landy's witty style will win him fans of all ages… With writing of this standard, a rattling plot and definite potential for cross-over appeal, it's a good job Harry's [Potter] resigning before he's forcibly retired." Irish Mail on Sunday

"Humour and magic combine in this thrilling adventure." Waterstone's Books Quarterly

"…people in the book world are raving about this book." Glasgow Herald

"It's pacy, it's funny, it's irreverent. The relationship between Skulduggery and Stephanie is tremendously strong. Stephanie is a splendid character – blunt, logical and outspoken… We enjoyed Skkulduggery Pleasant. Muchly. Roll on volume two!" The Book Bag

"A rip-roaring adventure." Irish Sunday Independent

"Full of black humour, super powers, mysteries, murder and mayhem." Carousel

See what I mean? Check out the books for yourself.

As for me, I have purchased the short story 'The End Of The World' & I will be doing a personal Skulduggery project throughout the year.