The Lost Art of World Domination

A shot of Skulduggery action.

It isn’t easy to take over the world. First you need the scheme. Then you need the muscle. Then you need to come up with a system for ruling six billion people and keeping them from revolting. It takes a certain kind of man to take over the world.

Scaramouch Van Dreg, however, is not that man.

But he has one thing going for him. He has his arch enemy, Skulduggery Pleasant, chained up in his dungeon, and the only person who is coming to save him is the skeleton detective’s 13 year old sidekick.

What could possibly go wrong?

Reviews

“A high-intensity tale….Readers, particularly Artemis Fowl fans, will be skipping meals and sleep to get to the end.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Utterly charming…perfect for the Potter crowd.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Rich fantasy that is as engaging in its creative protagonists and villains as it is in the lightning-paced plot and sharp humor.”
— BCCB

“Landy keeps the action brisk, his characters slightly macabre, and uses humor to take the edge off.”
— ALA Booklist

“Skulduggery Pleasant serves up a thoroughly satisfying blend of humor, magic and adventure. Once you’ve met Stephanie and Skulduggery, you’ll be clamoring for a sequel.”
— Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series

About the author

Derek Landy lives near Dublin. Before writing his children's story about a sharply-dressed skeleton detective, he wrote the screenplays for a zombie movie and a murderous horror film. "I think my career-guidance teacher is spinning in her grave," he says, "or she would be if she were dead."