wallymeadows 's review for:

Kingdom of the Wicked by Derek Landy

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When I read the first Skulduggery Pleasant book I really expected a ton of FEELS to fall down on my head and strike me dead - simply because I love a platonic affectionate teacher/pupil relationship to pieces and the Skulduggery/Valkyrie dynamic is really ace. But the first book left me with a reaction of 'oh. That's nice.' rather than the laughing, grimacing feelsy-ness I had been expecting. Mortal Coil irritated me with its Valkyrie/Fletcher/Caelan situation (A LOVE TRIANGLE? WITH A VAMPIRE IN IT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NOT COOL.) but redeemed itself by dumping ALL of the Valkyrie/Skulduggery feelings on my poor, unsuspecting heart. And, so far, this instalment has me literally having to put down the book every few pages whilst I take a moment to inwardly squeal and flail about. There is so much about this series that causes me to feel embarrassed/irritated... I mean, I'm vain enough not to read it publicly because the covers... well, just look at them! but it's all pretty much made up for by the charm and wit of the books and the genuinely enjoyable character interactions.