Skulduggery Pleasant (14) - Dead or Alive Derek Landy 9780008667467

Skulduggery Pleasant is dead. Valkyrie Cain is cool. Omen Darkly is neither.

In a matter of days, the world will change.

Billions of lives will be wiped away in a final, desperate search for the Child of the Faceless Ones - she who is destined to bring about the return of humankind's ancient overlords.

To prevent this, Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain have one last - terrible - option: the assassination of Damocles Creed. With protests stirring in the magical city of Roarhaven, with riots and revolutions on the horizon, Valkyrie must decide who she wants to be: the hero who risks everything for a noble ideal, or the killer who sacrifices her own soul for the fate of humanity.

The decision must be made, and time is running out.

Derek Landy lives near Dublin. Before writing his children's story about a sharply-dressed skeleton detective, he wrote the screenplays for a zombie movie and a murderous horror film. "I think my career-guidance teacher is spinning in her grave," he says, "or she would be if she were dead."

Praise for Skulduggery Pleasant:

'A gripping debut.' Phil Hogan, Observer

'Landy's witty style will win him fans of all ages ... It's a good job Harry's [Potter] resigning before he's forcibly retired.' Irish Mail on Sunday

'Hugely enjoyable - a thrill-a-minute adventure.' Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy

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

'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, author of the Percy Jackson series

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

'A rip-roaring adventure.' Irish Sunday Independent

Praise for Derek Landy:

'Landy [has the] ability to craft an engaging story from start to finish.' Inis

'Derek Landy has been something of a publishing phenomenon.' Irish Post