Skulduggery Pleasant

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Skulduggery Pleasant (Book 1) by Derek Landy

This is an amusing if somewhat derivative young adult urban fantasy. It features a world of magic just under or along our own world, barely concealed among those who can work magic.

Stephanie Edgely is a tween girl innocent of the hidden world until her uncle dies. She meets the eponymous Skulduggery Pleasant. Skulduggery is aptly named since he was killed an ancient magical world but came back as an animated skeleton, who wears sunglasses, a floppy hat, and a scarf when he walks among mortals. Skulduggery and Stephanie are tossed into the mystery of the uncle's death. It turns out that the uncle had rediscovered a magical artifact that a particularly loathsome magic user wants.

Then, we are off to the races with action and adventure. Stephanie learns about the magical world, including the important rule that she must not give out her name and should take a magical name. There is much action and adventure. Skulduggery serves as mentor and cynical observer.

This is an enjoyable book that makes for quick read. The characters are sympathetic. The magic system is simplistic. The plot has been done before, but it is still enjoyable.