katzenkindliest's review against another edition
4.0
Kurz aber gut. Diese Geschichte funktioniert im Grunde sogar, ohne die anderen Bücher zu kennen. Walküre zeigt zur Abwechslung viel Gefühl, das mag ich ich.
greenfantasy's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
5.0
Derek Landy is so ridiculously talented - contained in this 111-page novella is a gripping story with apocalyptic stakes, a moving study of a young man's sense of identity, some hilarity courtesy of everyone's favourite skeleton detective and continuing evidence that Valkyrie Cain is one of the best-written female characters in YA today (just don't mention vampires). Love this series - I'm just cross that I must wait until September for book 7. Grumble grumble.
philomath_in_phila's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if anything from now 6.5 will be mentioned in later books. As of right now, I'd say skip it and continue with book 7.
paperbackd's review against another edition
5.0
This 100-page novella was written for World Book Day in the U.K. and Ireland. It takes place between books 6 and 7 of the Skulduggery Pleasant series, although it provides a great starting point for new readers and it's not necessary to have read the entire series beforehand. In just 111 pages, Derek Landy takes his readers on another epic journey with detectives Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain - unravelling mysteries, rescuing innocent bystanders and saving the world from complete annihilation all in an afternoon's work.
The End of the World is told through the eyes of mortal fifteen-year-old Ryan, a troubled, lonely teen who stumbles across the skeleton dectective's path when he inadvertedly discovers the key to the Doomsday Machine (a device capable of destroying the entire planet) in his local library. From that moment on, Ryan finds himself thrown into a world of magic and mayhem as the two dectectives race to save the world - and Ryan's life too.
I absolutely loved Ryan's character, particularly his reaction to the magical world he's introduced to and his perspective of Skulduggery and Valkyrie. Derek Landy's usual fast-paced wit had me laughing out loud, but by the time I reached the final page I was in tears. There's a fantastic twist at the end of the story, so cleverly laid out and so heartbreakingly sad, and that's what makes this short novella my absolute favourite story from Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant universe.
The End of the World is told through the eyes of mortal fifteen-year-old Ryan, a troubled, lonely teen who stumbles across the skeleton dectective's path when he inadvertedly discovers the key to the Doomsday Machine (a device capable of destroying the entire planet) in his local library. From that moment on, Ryan finds himself thrown into a world of magic and mayhem as the two dectectives race to save the world - and Ryan's life too.
I absolutely loved Ryan's character, particularly his reaction to the magical world he's introduced to and his perspective of Skulduggery and Valkyrie. Derek Landy's usual fast-paced wit had me laughing out loud, but by the time I reached the final page I was in tears. There's a fantastic twist at the end of the story, so cleverly laid out and so heartbreakingly sad, and that's what makes this short novella my absolute favourite story from Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant universe.
sky_jo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
meimear's review against another edition
4.0
Ahhhhhhhhh what a cute little book! I've been having SERIOUS El Skulduggo withdrawal symptoms what with all this spx going on, but I can't reread them yet because I legit just did that in Summer.
This book was gift. I haven't read any of the little extra books yet, and now is the PERFECT time. This little story is just hilarious. I was rolling around on the floor with tears streaming down my face. It's not even supposed to be funny, which is why I love Derek's style of humour. I think it's just distinctly Irish and in tune with my own.
The banter was witty, the plot was fast and fun, and the actual basis of the story was VERY clever.
It was also fascinating to read the "what could have been" scenes. I am fascinated by the writing process, and the extra scenes at the end show how some plots just don't work.
Anyway, long review for short book. I'll provably read the Tanith one and then Armeggedon Outta Here. Woohoo!
This book was gift. I haven't read any of the little extra books yet, and now is the PERFECT time. This little story is just hilarious. I was rolling around on the floor with tears streaming down my face. It's not even supposed to be funny, which is why I love Derek's style of humour. I think it's just distinctly Irish and in tune with my own.
The banter was witty, the plot was fast and fun, and the actual basis of the story was VERY clever.
It was also fascinating to read the "what could have been" scenes. I am fascinated by the writing process, and the extra scenes at the end show how some plots just don't work.
Anyway, long review for short book. I'll provably read the Tanith one and then Armeggedon Outta Here. Woohoo!
aira_reads's review against another edition
5.0
As a Skul-fan, i was not at all disappointed with this book. It's short, it's fun, it's snappy with only ten chapters in total.
And for those who are the real Skul-fans, with practicing Elementals or Adept, you would be pleased to read the last few pages. It's Derek's first draft of certain parts from the first novel. (Which, to be fairness, is intriguing and could spin off a whole new different outcome if he chose to follow this darker path)
And for those who are the real Skul-fans, with practicing Elementals or Adept, you would be pleased to read the last few pages. It's Derek's first draft of certain parts from the first novel. (Which, to be fairness, is intriguing and could spin off a whole new different outcome if he chose to follow this darker path)
jowlsverne's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0