Derek Landy

This entry in the series is the most serious in tone so far, with a depressed and guilt ridden Valkyrie trying to come to terms with the events of the previous book. She's 24 at this point and inevitably we get introduced to a younger protagonist (14) because that's the Law or something; kids' books must have at least one protagonist under 20. The newbie is the Chosen One's brother. This seems like a very deliberate counter-casting to Valkyrie and a bazillion other destined heroes, with a show more view to saying that "ordinary" people (i.e. the young readers) can be heroes, too, or at least acheive their dreams. Additionally, we have Never, a non-binary kid referred to by "he" or "she" apparently at the author's whim, who looks like at least being a side-kick, if not a true protagonist.

People looking for the continuous quipathon of the early books will be disappointed but this is a good set-up for a new and more sophisticated long term adventure in the world of the Skeleton Detective. show less

oh motherfucker. GoodReads ate my long-ass bitchy review.

In short: all the brown people get massacred FOR NO REASON but white people's emo-pain, while all the main white and Asian characters live. Africa and Australia are supposedly SO BACKWARD and HELPLESS that they can't even elect their own councils of elders, but need the Irish sanctuary to do it FOR them. (Sanctuary = sanctimonious, just a little? JFC, the gall.)

There's no justice for anyone. Some white killers claim to be sorry for show more killing brown people and women, but there are no arrests or jail time. Just apologias for violence.

Narratively, this book is an unmitigated clusterfuck without any shred of a throughline until the last 100 pages, and then in the last 40 pages it gets really good. And I am pissed off about that. This steaming pile of crap should not be allowed to get good at the end -- not with these racial and colonial politics. I am appalled that the last 40 pages make me want to know what happens next. If it were up to me, I'd send all the villains and most of the heroes to Azkaban. show less

The fifth book of the series, Mortal Coil will not disappoint fans of Skulduggery Pleasant. The book is action-packed, and I found that there were many chapters that demanded I read the next chapter. I enjoyed the nods to Monty Python and The Princess Bride that were cleverly woven into the story, the dialogue is as witty as ever, and the characters, both old and new, are well written. Mr Landy ties up some loose ends from book four while creating new havoc for Skulduggery and Valkyrie to show more face. This book also finds Valkyrie facing some very normal (boy trouble) and not-so-normal (cheating destiny) issues. All in all, this book is a nail-biting, edge of your seat page turner with its fair share of scenes worthy of Tim Burton animation. I admit that I denied the book a full five stars for a purely selfish reason--the ending. It left me wishing Mr Landy would write faster so I can find out what happens next. show less

The best novel I've read by Landy! It also has the best reason to get rid of the parents I've ever come across in teen fantasy. I suspect its inspiration resides heavily in the TV show, Supernatural, and the level of explicit horror was startling. Trade-mark Landy quiping and comic-relief idiot are all present and correct, though toned down compared to early Skulduggery Pleasant.