Customer Reviews

Playing with Fire (Skulduggery Pleasant, Book 2)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

He's back. The wise-guy Skulduggery Pleasant is ready to save the world with his young partner Valkyrie Cain, once called Stephanie Edgely. While she learns the tricks of the magic trade, a new villain, Baron Vengeous, has escaped from jail and plans to awaken the Grotesquery, a creature combining the parts of various monsters that will open the way for the ultimate evil, the Faceless Ones. If he successes, the world is doomed. So, of course it is up to a living skeleton and a thirteen-year old girl to stop him and the beast he hopes to unleash using magic, revolvers, and smart aleck remarks. You have to feel sorry for them, Vengeous and the Grotesquery that is.

[I would apply this review to both the first two books in the series, but I wrote it just after reading the second (Playing With Fire).]
How could a book seem so badly written and yet be this hard to put down? It's not as badly written as it seems although a lot of aspects of the story are not believable at all. Even fantasy has to be believable in a way, and this isn't. Some people are going to really like this style of story. Some people will think it's terrible. As I writer, I appreciate both sides and say it's both. It's terrible and yet it's just the kind of style and story that's likable in way that you like in some movies, but seems a little out of place as a novel.

It reads like one of those comic book movies like Batman and Spiderman or even more like X-Men and Dick Tracy with multiple direct references to H.P. Lovecraft and half a touch of Harry Potter in certain places. It has very little depth (probably less than any of the movies and books I mentioned), and a lot of action -about half of which is pretty much pointless. The plot has a lot of the kind of cheesy bits you expect in those kind of movies.

Another major thing which makes me think of X-men is that although the characters are presented as mages or sorcerers, most of the time they seem a lot more like X-men-esque mutants with certain special power(s). And something about the way the characters, especially the bad guys, are described and the way they interact reminds me of Dick Tracy.

It seems like this story could've been a much better fit as a comic book and/or a movie or cartoon in which case I probably would never have read/watched it -and would not have suffered much loss for that. Then again, if you think you might really like what I'm describing, you'll probably like these books. I give it a 3.5 / 5 instead of a 3 because it was a fun read, but I likely won't bother reading further in the series. And again, I give it a 3.5 for me, but I have a feeling certain types of people will like this kind of book a lot more than I do.

The cover of Derek Landy's inaugural SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT novel shows the eponymous skeleton in his trademark hat and sunglasses next to the legend, "And he's the good guy." Good doesn't even begin to describe the fun to be found between the covers of that book and, fortunately for readers, the second installment in the series, SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT: PLAYING WITH FIRE, takes the fun to a whole new level.

Well into her apprenticeship with Skulduggery, Valkyrie Cain --- the girl formerly known as Stephanie Edgley --- is fighting alongside her sardonic teacher. As the story unfolds, the pair defeats a homicidal villain known as Scapegrace, who sees his intended killing spree as a form of art. But the victory is short-lived as a new, far more powerful adversary appears on the scene.

Baron Vengeous, a terrible baddie from Skulduggery's past, escapes from prison. (In a clever nod to This is Spinal Tap, Skulduggery notes that on the villain scale of one to ten, Vengeous "turns it all the way up to eleven.") The Baron, much like Serpine from the first book, is on a mission to revive the Faceless Ones from the dead. His plan involves summoning a beast known as the Grotesquery, a Frankenstein-like hodgepodge of body bits. With the Grostequery and the magical armor of the powerful necromancer Lord Vile, nothing can stand in the Baron's way. Except, perhaps, the fire-flinging Valkyrie and her dead mentor.

In their quest to stop the Baron, the pair encounter Springheeled Jack, a creature who strikes fear into the hearts of Londoners at night and an infected assassin called Billy-Ray Sanguine. The lightning-fast story offers plenty of twists and a touch of paranoia as Valkyrie and Skulduggery come to understand that there's far more to this plot than they originally imagined.

Fans of Landy's initial outing will be very pleased with the second book, which, I'm happy to say, is even funnier than the first. Landy has a talent for the snappy banter between Valkyrie and Skulduggery, perfectly framing their relationship as both friends and teacher/student. Valkyrie is settling in to her role as a descendent of the Ancients who can control elements. It's fun to watch her grow more confident in her abilities but, at the same time, acknowledge that she still relies on Skulduggery's knowledge and assistance. Although the story moves along briskly, Landy manages to breathe life into all his characters and allow them to grow as events unfold.

Realizing that there was a higher force controlling the Baron, the book ends on a pleasantly ominous note: "Bad things are coming for us, Valkyrie." Bad things for Valkyrie and Pleasant perhaps, but only great things for readers, who will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this increasingly entertaining series.

When I enjoy a book as much I enjoyed Skulduggery Pleasant, it is only natural that I would be excited for the next one in the series. But with so much to live up to, there is also the slight worry that the book you are looking forward to will suffer from the unfortunate affliction dubbed sequelitis. Playing With Fire though not only matches the first book but - if this is even possible, considering the high standards of Skulduggery Pleasant - exceeds it.

Playing With Fire opens with a bang of a scene, making it very clear that the action and (most importantly to me) the humour of the first are still very much there. The moment I had to set the book down for a minute in that opening as I was laughing so hard I knew that I voice I loved from the first book was still very much there. That wit and snark and all-around humour is one of the most appealing things about this series, so when it is in full form (like it is here in Playing With Fire) it makes for a wonderful read.

While Skulduggery himself is a wonderful character - and really, how could he be anything but? - I must confessed that young Valkyrie Cain has swiftly taken over the position of first place. She is a brilliant character - strong, intelligent, brave - and overall a delight to read. After reading a number of books with "heroines" that have no personality or anything to bring them to life Valkyrie is impressive and that is putting it mildly. Likable characters can make an otherwise average book into a good one, but brilliant characters like Valkryie, Skulduggery and the rest of the cast turn a book with an exciting plot and great world-building into something that is hard to top.

Speaking of plot, Playing With Fire's is nicely-paced and packed with great moments of action and character development, plus some nice twists and turns to keep things interesting - I don't think I can say much more for fear of spoiling. Just know that if you enjoyed Skulduggery Pleasant, then I think you will enjoy the way the series is continuing and growing. If you haven't read Skulduggery Pleasant, I suggest you run out and get yourself a copy so you can get onto Playing With Fire.

Stephanie Edgely never could have predicted the death of her beloved Uncle Gordon would lead to her rebirth as Valkyrie Cain, magical apprentice to the world famous skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant.

Instead of attending school, doing homework, and spending time with her family like other thirteen-year-old girls, Valkyrie sends her reflection to carry out the mundane duties of everyday life, while she prowls the streets of Dublin with Skulduggery, honing her abilities and hunting down villains by order of The Elders back at Sanctuary.

Skulduggery harbors suspicions about head and (presently) sole council member Thurid Guild, suspicions that only increase when one of the Malevolent's most fanatical, intelligent, and powerful generals, Baron Vengeous, escapes from his secretly located prison. Aided by the vampire Dusk and razor-blade wielding U.S. import Billy-Ray Sanguine, Vengeous plans to complete a mission Lord Vile set in motion years ago.

With the help of China Sorrows and Tanith Low, Skulduggery and Valkyrie must put together the various pieces of the Baron's plot before he resurrects the Grotesquery (a monster assembled from the most fearsome beasts of legend) and brings the Faceless Ones back to life.

PLAYING WITH FIRE is a swiftly paced novel that delivers adventure and suspense without sacrificing character and relationship development. The relationships between Valkyrie and her mentors have deepened in this second novel, yet we also see a distance being created from her family and old life.

Readers will be satisfied with the novel's plot wrap-up, yet still hunger for the next installment thanks to Derek Landy's overarching hints and teases of a much larger conspiracy. To sum up, PLAYING WITH FIRE is a clever, snarky, satisfying read.

Reviewed by: Cat

Oh how excited I was to get back to Dublin to see what Skulduggery and Valkyrie were going to be up against in the second book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series! I have to say, Landy didn't disappoint me: he kept the action coming and placed enough intrigue into the book that you just knew something else was going to happen, but you're just not quite sure what.

Needless to say, when the pair realize that Baron Vengeous is out to bring the Grotesquery back to life to call the Faceless Ones they know they have some serious damage control to take care of. Why you ask? Because if the Faceless Ones return that will be the end of the world. Nothing major, you know!

I am totally loving these books and can't wait for the third one to come out in August. Landy really keeps you on the edge of your seat with the situations he puts his characters in and the way he paces the story.

Notes on the Cover:
Skulduggery and Valkyrie running with fire in hand is visually appealing, but I have a problem with Valkyrie smiling. Not that I begrudge the girl a smile, but when she's running with fire like that, she's generally a little more worried about how to beat her opponent and her own survival to really think about smiling. Minor detail, but anyone who reads these books will know that she is definitely not smiling during her fights! (Okay, maybe at the end when she realizes she's still alive for the moment...)

Everyone's favorite skeleton detective/wizard (and snappy dresser) Skulduggery Pleasant and the precocious Stephanie Edgley are back in Playing with Fire (2008) the action packed follow up to Derek Landy's debut novel Skulduggery Pleasant (sometimes called Scepter of the Ancients presumably to differentiate between the novels in the series) (2007).

Playing with Fire picks up about a year after the first novel. Stephanie is officially apprenticed to Skulduggery Pleasant, learning more elemental magic, and helping Skulduggery fight crime under her taken name, Valkyrie Cain. Throughout the novel, it was impressive to see how deftly Landy handled the unusual name change of his main character as well as her negotiation of people who know her as both Valkyrie and Stephanie.

Skulduggery and Valkyrie are dealing with the usual mayhem and misfits when news of something really unpleasant comes their way. Baron Vengeous, one of Skulduggery's old enemies, is back in town and dead set on bringing a monster called the Grotesquery back to life to wreak some havoc. Cobbled together from pieces of the most feared, not to mention brutal, monsters ever seen the Grotesquery has to be stopped before it becomes invincible. Oh and before it calls the Faceless Ones back to Earth to destroy everything.

With the help of Tanith Low, the two detectives set out to find and destroy the Grotesquery. But, as often happens, complications get in the way. In addition to possible corruption in the Council of Elders, Valkyrie and Skulduggery have to deal with Billy-Ray Sanguine--simultaneously one of the most likable and most horrifying villains of the series thus far.

On top of that, Valkyrie is beginning to feel like a stranger in her normal life as Stephanie Edgley. Using an enchanted reflection to go to school and otherwise act as her proxy, Valkyrie keeps telling herself that is the price for a life of adventure and magic. Still, as the problems mount and Valkyrie finds more twists and danger, it starts to seem like there will be a higher price to pay.

The important thing to remember about this series is that Skulduggery Pleasant was an insanely awesome, utterly original book. Given the high bar set by its predecessor, it was perhaps unavoidable that Playing with Fire would not be as good.

There is an old adage that before leaving the house a person should take off one accessory; if this book were a person, it would instead add one more. Landy piles villains on top of villains so that names begin to blend together and necessitate rereading. This novel is also rife with battle scenes--too many, really, in relation to the plot. Finally, and this one can be fixed, the end of the book left a lot of questions unanswered.

Taken together, these things lead to the possibility that Playing with Fire is a bridge book which serves more to transition from the first book and pave the way for the third book in the series than to stand on its own. (Clarifying example: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was a bridge movie.) Thus, while much of this book was not as marvelous as the first it is still entirely possible and even likely that the third book The Faceless Ones (due out in August 2009) will be another powerhouse of a book.

The emblematic banter and humor were still present, but not often enough. Ironically, given the name of the series, Skulduggery Pleasant really did not have enough page time in this book.

We ordered the first Skulduggery Pleasant book from Amazon.co.uk and my daughter really enjoyed it, so I decided to get her more of the series as a gift. I have not read them personally, but plan to start soon.

this is a great book. i dont know why more people are not reading it. will not give anything away. get the book and read it.

i hate to say it,but my favorite character was a bad guy!!!but skulduggery is so in second place.this is a really good book,and i like it more than twilight.[and thats saying something.]i hear that the guys who are making the harry p. movies are making a movie for this series!!!love this book soooooooooo mutch!!!