Full of suspense, enthralling a classroom of kids! - Rated 
I bought this book for my P5/6/7 class at Christmas time and began reading when we came back from holiday.
So far, although we are about a third of the way through, a handful of the children have badgered their parents enough to buy them their own copy! A big plus, apart from the fact they sometimes spoil the exciting bits!
I used the action scene where Skulduggery is introduced as a basis for some absolutely fantastic writing. We are all really looking forward to book 2 and to the film which is due out in 2010!!
Okay, not amazing - Rated 
The fantastic front cover artwork and the snappy blurb on the back, combined with the slick marketing and advertising, would have you believe that Skulduggery Pleasant is the Next Big Thing after you-know-what.
Sadly, this isn't the case. Make no mistake, S.P is a GOOD read, but that's as far as it goes. The story is a bit thin on the ground and is padded out with far too many action scenes that are hard to follow. Skulduggery himself is a likeable character and hero, but he isn't as 'hilarious' as you'd believe. The pace cracks along nicely, if occasionally too quickly, and the world Landy has created is believeable and carefully introduced.
However, the biggest letdown within the book is that Landy himself is far too self-conscious of the story. Okay, so it's ultimately a comedy but that doesn't mean that everything should be turned into a joke. Whenever the story gets suitably serious or a character makes a poignant speech, it's cancelled out by a flippant quip at the end: 'I just made a big speech. It was quite good.' While funny at first, it quickly starts to grate and you'd just wish that Landy would get on with the story rather than trying desparately to squeeze some cheap laughs.
That said, it's fun, fast and the ending is rather nice, which leaves you with a sweet taste in the mouth rather than a bitter one. You will certainly enjoy S.P., just don't go expecting a book as special as the front cover looks.
Great - Rated 
This is a great book probably the best book i've read i love it Skulduggery Pleasant and his battle against Nefarian Serpine it is great cant wait till April when number 2 comes out.
Death and magic with humour - great combination! - Rated
I began reading at ten o'clock this morning - and have just finished the book.
Stephanie is an instantly likeable character - and Skulduggery is someone you wish you could run into at a party.
Charming, mysterious and a skeleton who doesn't let death get in the way of a good story.
There's plenty of danger and action - Skulduggery's world isn't a safeplace. You'll come away with bumps, bruises and broken bones if you're lucky.
I have read comparisons with Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl - but it's really nothing like either of those books.
It's delightful in it's own way and I look forward to the next one.
If you have ever seen the magical film - 'Mirror Mask' - reading the book constantly reminded me of that landscape.
Skulduggery himself frequently reminded me of Manny in the excellent game 'Grim Fandango'....and not just because he's a skeleton.
I don't mean the book replicates them - just that if you enjoyed either of these - I think you'd really enjoy the book.
too many fights get boring in the end! - Rated 
I was astonished to find so many "5 star reviews" - until I discovered that they have all been written, when the readers were still in the middle of the book.
Yeeeees - I DID like the book as well, when I was just in the middle ...
BUT even though I appreciate Skulduggery Pleasant as a charming new Fantasy/Horror star, I have to admit that I got quite bored towards the end of the book. The skeleton and his human friend have to fight against the evil of their world - and the plot reminded me more and more of a computer game. The bad ones get killed but stand up immediately, because it was not the right way to end their lives, the good ones get fatally injured but survive nevertheless - it's only the ones you don't really get to know that die in the end. LOADS of action scenes and not a lot of suspense in the last half of the book left a bitter taste. What a waste! Of good characters, such as Skulduggery - and of my time. Pity!
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