Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Harper, 2009, ©2008.
Description
When the evil Baron Vengeous escapes from prison, Detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his apprentice, Valkyrie Cain, have just two days to recapture him or the Baron's creature, the Grotesquery, may summon the Faceless Ones back to their world.
User reviews
LibraryThing member jennyo
I requested this review copy from HarperCollins Children's Publishing because my son loved the first Skulduggery Pleasant book. As soon as I got this one in the mail, he grabbed it and started reading. I had to make him turn his light off at midnight the first day, and he finished it on the second,
I'll write a good review of anything that gets him that excited about reading.
I did pick it up a couple of days ago and have just finished reading it myself. It's a wild supernatural romp with vampires, skeletons, monsters, giant spiders, and other seriously creepy creatures. There's plenty of action (it's almost movie script-like in its pace) to keep even the most reluctant reader interested, but my favorite part was the snappy dialog. Skulduggery is sarcastic, clever, and funny, which I suppose is an appropriate tone for a skeleton detective. Worked for me anyway.
I'd recommend this book for kids who aren't easily susceptible to nightmares (there's a lot of very violent action, people "rupture" and "explode" with bits of them raining down all over the place). And my nine year old recommends it too. He also says it's not for young children since there are a couple of bad words in it. (Not seriously bad ones, but not ones you'd want them spouting in front of Grandma.)
As a side note, it looks like lots of the reviews associated with this book actually apply to the first in the series which is simply titled Skulduggery Pleasant. This is actually the second book.
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then pronounced, "Mom, this one's good. You should write a good review of it."I'll write a good review of anything that gets him that excited about reading.
I did pick it up a couple of days ago and have just finished reading it myself. It's a wild supernatural romp with vampires, skeletons, monsters, giant spiders, and other seriously creepy creatures. There's plenty of action (it's almost movie script-like in its pace) to keep even the most reluctant reader interested, but my favorite part was the snappy dialog. Skulduggery is sarcastic, clever, and funny, which I suppose is an appropriate tone for a skeleton detective. Worked for me anyway.
I'd recommend this book for kids who aren't easily susceptible to nightmares (there's a lot of very violent action, people "rupture" and "explode" with bits of them raining down all over the place). And my nine year old recommends it too. He also says it's not for young children since there are a couple of bad words in it. (Not seriously bad ones, but not ones you'd want them spouting in front of Grandma.)
As a side note, it looks like lots of the reviews associated with this book actually apply to the first in the series which is simply titled Skulduggery Pleasant. This is actually the second book.
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LibraryThing member chibimajo
Skulduggery and Valkyrie are back and she's been learning a lot. This time, their enemy is even worse than the one in the previous book! Yet again, they have to try and prevent the old ones from being resurrected and destroying the world, but this time the plot is even more nefarious. There are
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also sinister hints at a third book, if not even more! Show Less
LibraryThing member jamiesonwolf
Stephanie Edgley is no ordinary girl.
After her uncle´s death, twelve-year-old Stephanie meets Skulduggery Pleasant, a fast-talking, snappy dressing detective who just happens to be a walking, talking skeleton. He tells Stephanie that she is directly descendant from the Ancients, people who used
Under Skulduggery´s tutelage, Stephanie´s skills have grown. She is an Elemental, able to control Air, Earth, Water and Fire to her will. While still not as skilled as Skulduggery, she´s getting better. Which is a good thing; she´s going to need all her skills for a new evil that is threatening the world.
Evil sorcerer, Baron Vengeous, has hatched a plan to bring back the Faceless Ones; Gods who ruled the Earth with dark magic and great cruelty. Stephanie and Skulduggery previously defeated the Baron´s boss, the horrible Serpine. But the Baron has a surprise in store for our hero´s far nastier than Serpine.
The Baron plans to resurrect the Grotesquery. Part man, part Frankenstein mishmash of mythical creatures and all evil. If brought back to life, the Grotesquery will call the Faceless Ones back to earth and then everyone will be done for.
Skulduggery and Stephanie will need all their magic, all their allies, to defeat this most monstrous of enemies.
And they only have three days to do it.
I am a huge fan of Landy´s first Skulduggery book. I´ve given copies out to friends and family and have told everyone I know about it. It was one of my favourite books of 2007.
It was funny, fun, frantic and incredibly fantastic. It was also self-contained. So, needless to say, I was a little worried about a second book in the series though extremely excited at the same time. Would Playing With Fire be just as funny, as fast paced and fun?
The answer is a loud and resounding yes. In fact, Playing With Fire is better than Landy´s first offering. Landy manages to write a dark gothic fantasy that is laugh out loud funny and also incredibly original, fresh and new.
Landy has managed to do something that many authors have not: transcend genres. While this is first and foremost a young adult fantasy, it´s also a noir comedy and can be read by young adults and adults alike.
Landy is a talented writer and has managed to create characters we care about. The relationship between Skulduggery and Stephanie is comic, yes, but also extremely touching. It´s a rare and talented author that can make us laugh in one sentence and then pull our heartstrings in another.
Playing With Fire is an incredible, amazing treat and one hell of a read. It´s also the best young adult book I´ve read in years. If you haven´t read Skulduggery Pleasant, the first book in the series, do so. Then read Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire. You won´t be sorry.
In fact, you´ll be left begging for more.
After her uncle´s death, twelve-year-old Stephanie meets Skulduggery Pleasant, a fast-talking, snappy dressing detective who just happens to be a walking, talking skeleton. He tells Stephanie that she is directly descendant from the Ancients, people who used
Show More
control magic. Under Skulduggery´s tutelage, Stephanie´s skills have grown. She is an Elemental, able to control Air, Earth, Water and Fire to her will. While still not as skilled as Skulduggery, she´s getting better. Which is a good thing; she´s going to need all her skills for a new evil that is threatening the world.
Evil sorcerer, Baron Vengeous, has hatched a plan to bring back the Faceless Ones; Gods who ruled the Earth with dark magic and great cruelty. Stephanie and Skulduggery previously defeated the Baron´s boss, the horrible Serpine. But the Baron has a surprise in store for our hero´s far nastier than Serpine.
The Baron plans to resurrect the Grotesquery. Part man, part Frankenstein mishmash of mythical creatures and all evil. If brought back to life, the Grotesquery will call the Faceless Ones back to earth and then everyone will be done for.
Skulduggery and Stephanie will need all their magic, all their allies, to defeat this most monstrous of enemies.
And they only have three days to do it.
I am a huge fan of Landy´s first Skulduggery book. I´ve given copies out to friends and family and have told everyone I know about it. It was one of my favourite books of 2007.
It was funny, fun, frantic and incredibly fantastic. It was also self-contained. So, needless to say, I was a little worried about a second book in the series though extremely excited at the same time. Would Playing With Fire be just as funny, as fast paced and fun?
The answer is a loud and resounding yes. In fact, Playing With Fire is better than Landy´s first offering. Landy manages to write a dark gothic fantasy that is laugh out loud funny and also incredibly original, fresh and new.
Landy has managed to do something that many authors have not: transcend genres. While this is first and foremost a young adult fantasy, it´s also a noir comedy and can be read by young adults and adults alike.
Landy is a talented writer and has managed to create characters we care about. The relationship between Skulduggery and Stephanie is comic, yes, but also extremely touching. It´s a rare and talented author that can make us laugh in one sentence and then pull our heartstrings in another.
Playing With Fire is an incredible, amazing treat and one hell of a read. It´s also the best young adult book I´ve read in years. If you haven´t read Skulduggery Pleasant, the first book in the series, do so. Then read Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire. You won´t be sorry.
In fact, you´ll be left begging for more.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
I love Skulduggery Pleasant. Very entertaining writing style, dry humor, and great characters.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Continues the story of Skulduggery and Stephanie (now Valkyrie) and their fight against those who want to rule ordinary humanity.
It's fun, not quite as much fun as the previous one but still a well-realised world, even if my previous comments about it's predecessor that the female lead really comes
It's fun, not quite as much fun as the previous one but still a well-realised world, even if my previous comments about it's predecessor that the female lead really comes
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across as a bit older than the story shows still rings true, to me she feels more around 16 than 13. Show Less
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
The second in the skulduggery pleasant series about a skeleton detective and his teenage sidekick.
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Landy's follow-up to Skulduggery Pleasant finds Valkyrie Cain knee deep to over her head in dirt - at times, quite literally. A paranormal jailbreak, a dead necromancer's armor, a knife-wielding serial killer and the odd vampire or six - somehow it all ties together into a plot to reanimate a very
Fast and furious fun - don't expect to want to put it down for long.
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grotesque Frankenstein of a monster. Someone wants the Faceless Ones returned in the worst way, and if Skulduggery and Valkyrie can't stop him the world may not survive the aftermath.Fast and furious fun - don't expect to want to put it down for long.
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LibraryThing member KarenBall
Baron Vengeous has escaped from a Russian prison, and is hunting for Lord Vile's shadow armor and the resting place of the Grotesquery, a Frankenstein’s monster-like creation, that is made of various deadly pieces of magical creatures. If the Baron manages to resurrect the Grotesquery during the
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lunar eclipse, then it will open a portal through which the Faceless Ones can return to destroy the world. Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are working with Tanith Low, China Sorrows, and Kenspeckle Grouse to foil the plot and save the world! Crammed with page-turning action, car chases, messy attacks, vampires, evil minions, psychotic spiders, and more than a few exploding heads, this is more fun than the first book! Derek Landy introduces a few new villainous and semi-villainous characters with interesting powers, with plot twists that will spin your head, while the puns and sarcasm will keep you laughing at the same time. Great read, love this series! Show Less
LibraryThing member kings7
It's very interesting and exciting
LibraryThing member 6h.library
Skulduggery Pleasant Playing with Fire is...AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
It is about a walking skeleton named Skulduggery Pleasant and his partner Valkryie Cain who is a teenage girl. There are different people and they are either named sorcerers or mages. A monster named the grotesquery has been brought back
It is about a walking skeleton named Skulduggery Pleasant and his partner Valkryie Cain who is a teenage girl. There are different people and they are either named sorcerers or mages. A monster named the grotesquery has been brought back
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and now is going to open a portal to brign back the Faceless Ones. Valkryie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant and the rest of their gang have to defeat this mosnter before the portal is open to bring back the dark gods. This books should be rated 20/5. Show Less
LibraryThing member akmargie
Sequel to Skulduggery Pleasant but I had to put it down when classes started getting crazy. I'm going to pick it up during Winter Break and start at the beginning. Sad when life gets in the way of reading!!
LibraryThing member JenJ.
Snappy, sarcastic dialogue with fantasy and mystery aspects? It's like they took all my favorite things and put them together! Tons of fun - I can't wait to read the next one.
LibraryThing member rata
this book was easier to read due to reading Skulduggery Pleasant beforehand. Although I enjoyed this volume more than the first, I'm not a Skulduggery Pleasant fan. I find the storyline too busy and repetitive. While i understand that it is fantasy and each character is introduced with its unique
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characteristics, there are just too many characters and too many conflicts and very little resolve. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheMadHatters
Playing with Fire was not quite as funny as the first book. If I had to sum it up in one sentence it would be, Extended fight scenes!
We meet several new enemies in this installment that have a new diabolical plan to bring back the Faceless Ones. Fast paced, and action packed!
We meet several new enemies in this installment that have a new diabolical plan to bring back the Faceless Ones. Fast paced, and action packed!
LibraryThing member MidnightFae
These are my all time favorite series. The world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain is just amazing.
LibraryThing member MidnightFae
These are my all time favorite series. The world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain is just amazing.
LibraryThing member MidnightFae
These are my all time favorite series. The world of Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain is just amazing.
LibraryThing member readernoir
Book Description:
Baron Vengeous, one of Mevolent’s terrifying Three Generals has escaped from a Russian prison. He intends to gain control of the Grotesquery, the horrific beast created from parts of the ancient Faceless Ones, before the next lunar eclipse. With the help of 13-year-old Valkyrie
Pros:
To say that Playing with Fire is better than the Scepter of the Ancients would be an understatement. This second volume is, simply put, just great. Almost every positive aspect of the previous book is improved upon and much of the negative points are allayed.
To begin with, the stakes feel much higher this time around, mostly owing to a better-defined main conflict. The action begins straightaway and the plot is immediately engaging. The throwaway action of the previous volume is here replaced with spectacular car chases, battles, and general derring-do that more than anything else feel a lot more central. Over-description is also less of a problem here.
Characterization, which had been at best archetypal, is improved greatly. This is especially evident in dialogue and humor that are far more character-specific. Some of the new characters, notably "Southern boy " Billy-Ray Sanguine, are also very entertaining.
The plot balances levity and danger well. (Characters will make jokes during risky situations and not only does it feel appropriate, it feels indispensable.) It’s also significantly more focused than in the in the first book.
The concepts of the Grotesquery and Vile’s armor are great, as are the abilities of characters. I especially liked those China Sorrows and Baron Vengeous.
Cons:
The major mistake here is, I think, that fact the Lord Vengeous is undermined right out the gate. (He is captured by China Sorrows in the beginning of the book, but is freed a short while late.) This makes him, obviously, a less threatening antagonist.
The writing is still a little dodgy, and the author’s tendency of telling not showing is still present, if decreased.
Also, this book may contain too much violence and too high a body count for younger children.
Verdict:
Significantly improving upon the original, Playing with Fire is an enthralling, humorous, and highly-entertaining adventure with just the right balance of light and dark.
Baron Vengeous, one of Mevolent’s terrifying Three Generals has escaped from a Russian prison. He intends to gain control of the Grotesquery, the horrific beast created from parts of the ancient Faceless Ones, before the next lunar eclipse. With the help of 13-year-old Valkyrie
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Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant must try to stop him before he is able to open a portal through which the Faceless Ones themselves can return to the world, and enslave all of humanity.Pros:
To say that Playing with Fire is better than the Scepter of the Ancients would be an understatement. This second volume is, simply put, just great. Almost every positive aspect of the previous book is improved upon and much of the negative points are allayed.
To begin with, the stakes feel much higher this time around, mostly owing to a better-defined main conflict. The action begins straightaway and the plot is immediately engaging. The throwaway action of the previous volume is here replaced with spectacular car chases, battles, and general derring-do that more than anything else feel a lot more central. Over-description is also less of a problem here.
Characterization, which had been at best archetypal, is improved greatly. This is especially evident in dialogue and humor that are far more character-specific. Some of the new characters, notably "Southern boy " Billy-Ray Sanguine, are also very entertaining.
The plot balances levity and danger well. (Characters will make jokes during risky situations and not only does it feel appropriate, it feels indispensable.) It’s also significantly more focused than in the in the first book.
The concepts of the Grotesquery and Vile’s armor are great, as are the abilities of characters. I especially liked those China Sorrows and Baron Vengeous.
Cons:
The major mistake here is, I think, that fact the Lord Vengeous is undermined right out the gate. (He is captured by China Sorrows in the beginning of the book, but is freed a short while late.) This makes him, obviously, a less threatening antagonist.
The writing is still a little dodgy, and the author’s tendency of telling not showing is still present, if decreased.
Also, this book may contain too much violence and too high a body count for younger children.
Verdict:
Significantly improving upon the original, Playing with Fire is an enthralling, humorous, and highly-entertaining adventure with just the right balance of light and dark.
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LibraryThing member jennyh11
very awesome
LibraryThing member MrsRJ
Moving forward in her apprenticeship to Skulduggery, Valkyrie Cain (aka Stephanie Edgley) has made great strides, but has a great deal left to learn. Skulduggery's old nemesis, Baron Vengeous and his band of legendary monsters, known as the Grotesquery are determined to release the Faceless Ones
The story takes off when the Baron escapes from what was reportedly an inescapable prison and sets his devious plan into motion. To revive the ancient creatures known as the Faceless Ones he would first have to revive the Grotesquery, a hideous creature with the power to split the framework of space and time. However, the entire plan rests with Baron's ability to obtain the most vital ingredient...Stepanie's (Valkyrie's) blood...
Throughout this wonderfully frightening imaginary journey, our heroes must find a way to stop Baron Vengeous' army of monsters from coming fully back to life. Should Valkyrie and Skulduggery fail, the Faceless Ones will return, and the world as they know it will be no more. Will the evil band of hideous baddies defeat the dapper dead wizard and his young apprentice?
An intense, exciting adventure that will have even the most reluctant reader on the edge of their seat. While some of the more frightening characters and scenes may be a bit too much for very young readers, their older counterparts will devour the pages. Skulduggery is an ingenious, likable character...strong and heroic but not without fear -- Derek Landy's ability to craft a character that kids can relate too, that is exciting, fun to read and encourages creativity is a noteworthy accomplishment. Allowing the hero to display a fear, albeit an understandable one, that of torture, allows kids to see that even the people they look up to have faults and fears and in today's society this is an important message that flows over into every aspect of life.
A fabulous series that seems to get better with each new installment - the book is filled with biting dialogue that propels the action with the speed and intensity of lightning. Four hundred pages, may at first seem a bit much, however, there's no wasted space and never a dull moment. At the conclusion, you will find yourself wishing the book had been four times as long. As the characters grow, the stories expand in depth, allowing the reader to become emotionally invested in the story. From the ultra-cool skeleton to the action and scenery, each has been vividly painted to fully immerse the reader in Skulduggery's world. Although the series was initially penned for ages 10+, these books easily cross all barriers, including age, providing an exciting, entertaining reading experience for all! And this grown-up is hooked - I look forward to the next installment with great anticipation!
Happy Reading!
-RJ
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and destroy the world. Of course, the oh' so cool, ultra chic, quick-witted wizard stands in their way.The story takes off when the Baron escapes from what was reportedly an inescapable prison and sets his devious plan into motion. To revive the ancient creatures known as the Faceless Ones he would first have to revive the Grotesquery, a hideous creature with the power to split the framework of space and time. However, the entire plan rests with Baron's ability to obtain the most vital ingredient...Stepanie's (Valkyrie's) blood...
Throughout this wonderfully frightening imaginary journey, our heroes must find a way to stop Baron Vengeous' army of monsters from coming fully back to life. Should Valkyrie and Skulduggery fail, the Faceless Ones will return, and the world as they know it will be no more. Will the evil band of hideous baddies defeat the dapper dead wizard and his young apprentice?
An intense, exciting adventure that will have even the most reluctant reader on the edge of their seat. While some of the more frightening characters and scenes may be a bit too much for very young readers, their older counterparts will devour the pages. Skulduggery is an ingenious, likable character...strong and heroic but not without fear -- Derek Landy's ability to craft a character that kids can relate too, that is exciting, fun to read and encourages creativity is a noteworthy accomplishment. Allowing the hero to display a fear, albeit an understandable one, that of torture, allows kids to see that even the people they look up to have faults and fears and in today's society this is an important message that flows over into every aspect of life.
A fabulous series that seems to get better with each new installment - the book is filled with biting dialogue that propels the action with the speed and intensity of lightning. Four hundred pages, may at first seem a bit much, however, there's no wasted space and never a dull moment. At the conclusion, you will find yourself wishing the book had been four times as long. As the characters grow, the stories expand in depth, allowing the reader to become emotionally invested in the story. From the ultra-cool skeleton to the action and scenery, each has been vividly painted to fully immerse the reader in Skulduggery's world. Although the series was initially penned for ages 10+, these books easily cross all barriers, including age, providing an exciting, entertaining reading experience for all! And this grown-up is hooked - I look forward to the next installment with great anticipation!
Happy Reading!
-RJ
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LibraryThing member krau0098
I enjoyed this 2nd book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series. These books are fun dark fantasy reads full of action and magic. I always enjoy the magic aspects of them and the humor.
In this story Valkyrie and Skulduggery take on more dark sorcerers. Valkyrie is learning to use her magic effectively
I enjoy the characters and the story, although I feel like the writing could have flowed a bit better. Sometimes I end up having to go back and reread parts. Still, these are action packed and fast-paced, which I enjoy.
Given the above, I don't think I will be continuing the series. Although I think these are good books, I just have other series I am reading that I enjoy more. I think middle grade and YA readers will enjoy these a bit more than adults will.
Overall this was a well done continuation of the Skulduggery Pleasant series. I enjoy the theme of this series but the writing style isn’t my favorite. I think middle grade readers will enjoy this more than adults. If you are looking for a fast-paced, humorous, dark fantasy read I would recommend checking this out. It’s a fun read with some neat magic in it.
In this story Valkyrie and Skulduggery take on more dark sorcerers. Valkyrie is learning to use her magic effectively
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and become a force to be reckoned with.I enjoy the characters and the story, although I feel like the writing could have flowed a bit better. Sometimes I end up having to go back and reread parts. Still, these are action packed and fast-paced, which I enjoy.
Given the above, I don't think I will be continuing the series. Although I think these are good books, I just have other series I am reading that I enjoy more. I think middle grade and YA readers will enjoy these a bit more than adults will.
Overall this was a well done continuation of the Skulduggery Pleasant series. I enjoy the theme of this series but the writing style isn’t my favorite. I think middle grade readers will enjoy this more than adults. If you are looking for a fast-paced, humorous, dark fantasy read I would recommend checking this out. It’s a fun read with some neat magic in it.
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LibraryThing member KarenDuff
You could guess from the five stars that I loved this book, how can you not love a series that has a skeleton as a lead character? Also I like the fact that while one of the lead characters is a twelve year old she isn't annoying like a lot of fictional or even real twelve year olds tend to be.
I
I
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like that the author assumes that if you are reading this book then you have read the first one and therefore he doesn't need to waste pages explaining who the characters are and why skulduggery is now a skeleton. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookbrig
I love the banter in these books so much.
LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
Playing with Fire
(Skulduggery Pleasant #2)
by Derek Landy
Yes, this is made for middle grade kids but like Harry Potter, grown ups know a good thing when they see it! These are clever, witty, and well thought out books that so entertaining that I just have to have! The first one was hilarious and
Bad guys are after her for a variety of reasons. Speaking of bad guys, they are some strange duds themselves! Wow! Love the imagination!
(Skulduggery Pleasant #2)
by Derek Landy
Yes, this is made for middle grade kids but like Harry Potter, grown ups know a good thing when they see it! These are clever, witty, and well thought out books that so entertaining that I just have to have! The first one was hilarious and
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this one less funny but still very clever! I enjoy the adventures the girl and the skeleton get into. Each have powers. Stephanie/Valkarie can use her mirror image as a double so her parents don't know when she is gone.Bad guys are after her for a variety of reasons. Speaking of bad guys, they are some strange duds themselves! Wow! Love the imagination!
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LibraryThing member mutantpudding
I actually read this book for the first time several years ago, but recently reread it because it became available in audio book form from my library and I really love the narration for this series. Rupert Degas does a great job with all the voices (although his American accents are... odd?) and I
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really enjoy listening to the story this way. However, I wasnt quite as into this book as I was the ones before and after it. It builds up the story for the events that are to come, which is important, but not as interesting for me to read about. The plot also felt a bit disjointed to me for whatever reason. Show Less
Awards
Irish Book Award (Winner — 2009)
Berkshire Book Award (Winner — 2008)
Language
Original publication date
2008-04-01
Physical description
279 p.; 22 inches
ISBN
0061240907 / 9780061240904