Description

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant

Ace Detective
Snappy Dresser
Razor–tongued Wit
Crackerjack Sorcerer
and
Walking, Talking,
Fire-throwing Skeleton

—as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.

These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.

The end of the world?

Over his dead body.

About the Author

Derek Landy is far too modest to talk about any accolades his books may have garnered. He will not, for instance, mention that his first book, Skulduggery Pleasant: Scepter of the Ancients, was named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association, or appeared on Oprah's Book Club Kids Reading List, or indeed was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Similarly, he gets downright embarrassed when he has to admit to the awards won by the follow-up Skulduggery novels- Playing with Fire and The Faceless Ones. It's simply all too much for a simple lad from Ireland. Derek lives in Dublin with a variety of cats, a German Shepherd, and two arthritic Bull Terriers who keep peeing on his floor because they think it's funny.

Praise for Skulduggery Pleasant: Scepter of the Ancients…

“This book is a delight. Full of character, black humor, and great fun.”
-Daily Telegraph (London)

“Landy keeps the action brisk, his characters slightly macabre, and uses humor to take the edge off.”
-ALA Booklist

“A distinctly Horowitzian humor and verve.”
-London Times

“Fun and quirky with lots of humor.”
-Locus

“Expected to take over Harry Potter’s place.”
-UPI

“An utterly charming debut, perfect for the Potter crowd.”
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)