So, we went to a bookstore while we were away, and this is one of the books I got (actually, I got the first three in the series)! I had read the first book before, I I remembered really liking it, so when I saw the books, I knew I just had to get them! This is the cover that the book I read the first time had, and it's the one that I prefer, because it is so much cooler than the new ones, so I decided to use this one for the review.
Note: If you are looking for this in a store, the title changed when the cover did, so you should actually be looking for Scepter of the Ancients by Derek Landy if you want to read it. The store you're at may have the old, cooler covers, but you never know. I got my copy from the scratch and dent section, and then, when I wanted to find books 4-6, I had a really hard time trying to find them in the rest of the store, but that was because I was trying to find it in YA. Would you believe that they had this series shelved as 'Children's'?
Hint: These books are probably not a good bedtime story for your five year old. Just sayin'.
This book is really action packed, and Skulduggery and Stephanie are hilarious. But, like I said earlier, I do not think that this counts as a Children's book. Maybe an older kid, to a preteen's book (and up), but definitely not for children. It's filled with violence, and really freaky vampires (their teeth are gigantic man. GIGANTIC!), as well as a moderate dose of swearing, which I don't mind, because I hear it all the time, and it has sort of ceased to bother me (except for when people insist on swearing every other word, and/or use the same swear word over and over and over again. Grow a vocabulary people!). I do not personally swear, but I'm not going to have a conniption because you do occasionally, and I usually won't let it interfere with my enjoyment of a good story (unless, you know, it becomes excessive, and I've already explained how that bugs me.). However, I don't think that kids should be exposed to it. And, as previously mentioned, there are some pretty freaky vampires in it. When I read this for the first time, I must have been in 8th grade, and the vampires still kept me up at night (did I ever mention that I'm a little paranoid?).
Now that I have ranted for way too long, I am going to (hopefully) get back on track. I really like these books. I mean really, really like these books. I can't wait to find the other three so that I can finally find out what happens. I need to know. And I refuse to Google it and spoil it for myself when I finally do get to read the rest of them.
So, to sum everything up:
Do I recommend this book? Yes. Absolutely yes. Yes to infinity (and beyond)!
So, have you ever read this book? What do you think of the cover? And (if you've seen it) what do you think of the new one? Also, do you think that Skulduggery is capable of drowning? Because, I don't think that he would be able to (he doesn't have lungs), but on the other hand, I don't know if he should technically be able to swim, as he is literally just bones, so wouldn't it be hard to propel yourself forwards? Does any of this really matter when you are a magical undead talking skeleton? I don't know. Until next time,
Stay Addicted!
-Elizabeth