SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy

awkay sooo .... this is the first book in the "Skulduggery Pleasant" series (five books in the series .. i think).

Stephanie : 12 yr old girl, living an ordinary, boring life
Skulduggery : a live skeleton detective, with a sense of humour

Skulduggery Pleasant : Book 1

This book starts off with the sudden death of Stephanie Edgley's uncle, Gordon. The book doesn't say much about Gordon. All we know is that, he was a writer who wrote about a world full of magic, filled with trolls, vampires etc. Through his books he became a very rich man. He lived in a mansion and he loved Stephanie with all his heart.
Soo .. its time to find out whats in Gordon's will. Stephanie and her parents head to the solicitor's office. Everyone is eager to find out what was left for them but they cannot start because one person is missing, mr SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT. Finally he arrives. Stephanie is left with Gordon's mansion and Pleasant is left with a little poem (which helps him later on in the book).
Stephanie heads to the mansion with mum. Mum leaves and isn't able to come back. Someone breaks into the mansion and SURPRISE, Pleasant comes to the rescue. Here, Stephanie finds out that Pleasant is a walking, talking skeleton, alive yet dead.
Pleasant explains that him and Uncle Gordon were the best of friends. She finds out about the world of magic that shes been living in all this time, and Gordon's books he wrote were based on true stories. Someone was after something that belonged to Gordon and Stephanie was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
After realising how boring her life is compared to the life where magic exists, Steph wants to join Pleasant and become his partner (you know, cause hes a detective). Pleasant cant get rid of her.
Stephanie finds out that Pleasant does 'elemental' magic. Meaning he is able to control air, water, fire and of course earth.
And the awesomeness begins ..

Sooo Stephanie and Skulduggery have to fight the bad guy, and try to save the world.

Skulduggery is a funny character, very sarcastic and loves to make jokes. Stephanie, a 12 year old girl is more mature than Pleasant. These two together can make anyone laugh. One of the many things I loved about this book. Though the beginning of the book is a bit slow it jumps straight into action, and you won't want to put the book down (I didn't). Would give this book a 8.9/10 (in my top ten fave book list). Loved this book because the characters have a mind of their own. I enjoyed the characters, story line and everything else in this book.

Would recommend this book to those who need a laugh and aren't too serious. For those 9+ (that's what it said at the back of the book :p ) .. maybe even for those smart 8 year olds out there :p

ooohhh and Steph changes her name to VALKERIE CAIN .. why? need to read the book :)