Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer
Sixth novel in the Skulduggery Pleasant series.
Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer, the sixth book in Derek Landy’s series, came out in September 2011. It follows Mortal Coil and features sorcerer-detectives Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant dealing with the Death Bringer, Darquesse, and Lord Vile’s return. The book was released in the US and Canada in 2018, and HarperCollins Audio puts out unabridged CD sets read by Rupert Degas.
In the plot, Valkyrie goes to her sister Alice’s christening. During a fight while looking into a string of murders, she briefly turns into Darquesse, the prophesied world-destroyer. Necromancers debate whether Valkyrie is meant to be their messiah, the Death Bringer, but one of them has secretly trained a disciple named Melancholia St Clair for that role, revealing her new powers. On her way home, Valkyrie sees Caelan, a vampire she’s cheating on her boyfriend Fletcher with. Back home, she struggles with feelings about her Reflection, a double that lives her normal life while she’s off adventuring. Later, Melancholia attacks Valkyrie viciously.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie learn the necromancers plan to kill half the world’s population to stop both death and birth. It also comes out that Skulduggery became the evil Lord Vile shortly after his death, not a few years after his resurrection as a skeleton. Valkyrie nearly kills a man who mugged her mother; when he’s released and tracks her to her house, her Reflection apprehends him, surprising Valkyrie. She forgives Skulduggery for his Lord Vile past, and they attend a ball at her uncle’s mansion. Meanwhile, the necromancers prepare their plan. Skulduggery challenges Melancholia to a battle and becomes Lord Vile. To stop him, Valkyrie convinces Melancholia to try killing her, awakening Darquesse. Darquesse and Lord Vile fight a long battle before reverting to Valkyrie and Skulduggery. Valkyrie breaks up with both Fletcher and Caelan, and is forced to kill Caelan when he fights Fletcher. A reporter watches, slowly gathering evidence of the magical world.
Characters include Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant, Melancholia St Clair (a necromancy disciple wanting to be the Death Bringer), Lord Vile (a powerful necromancer thought dead, originally said to be the Death Bringer), Darquesse (Valkyrie’s True Name and the cause of the world’s end), and Caelan (a vampire obsessed with Valkyrie since tasting her blood in Mortal Coil).
T
- author
- Derek Landy
- published
- September 2011
- series
- Skulduggery Pleasant (book 6)
- genre
- Young adult fantasy
- publisher
- HarperCollins Audio (unabridged CD sets read by Rupert Degas)
- US/Canada release
- 2018
Lore & Background
The plot follows Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant as Valkyrie attends her sister Alice's christening and later, during a fight, momentarily becomes Darquesse, the woman foretold to destroy the world. Necromancers discuss Valkyrie's apparent destiny as their messiah, the Death Bringer, while one necromancer secretly grooms disciple Melancholia St Clair for that role. Valkyrie is attacked by Melancholia, and the necromancers plan to kill half the world's population to prevent both death and birth. It is revealed that Skulduggery became the evil Lord Vile shortly after his death, not a few years after his resurrection as a skeleton.
Reader's Guide
The novel received positive reviews from critics. Sarah Webb of The Independent compared Landy to J. K. Rowling, while Joseph Melda of The Book Zone praised the banter between protagonists. Rhys Wolfgang of ThirstForFiction highlighted the contrast between dry humour and brutal violence, calling it a black comedy. Vesuvius Blotch of Blotch's Reviews described it as the most emotionally harrowing book of the series, noting the development of Skulduggery and Valkyrie's relationship. The book was released in the US and Canada in 2018, and HarperCollins Audio published unabridged CD sets read by Rupert Degas.
Did You Know?
- The novel is the sixth in the Skulduggery Pleasant series and sequel to Mortal Coil.
- Valkyrie Cain's True Name is Darquesse, foretold to cause the end of the world.
- Skulduggery Pleasant became Lord Vile a few years after his death and resurrection as a skeleton.
- The book was released in the US and Canada in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer?
Derek Landy authored this sixth installment in his Skulduggery Pleasant series, which was published in September 2011.
What is the main plot of Death Bringer?
While investigating a string of murders, Valkyrie Cain briefly transforms into Darquesse, the prophesied world-destroyer, and must also contend with the return of Lord Vile.
Who is Darquesse in the Skulduggery Pleasant series?
Darquesse is the foretold destroyer of the world who momentarily manifests through Valkyrie Cain during a fight in Death Bringer, prompting the necromancer community to debate how to deal with the threat.
When was Death Bringer released in the US and Canada?
The novel reached North American readers in 2018, and HarperCollins Audio issued unabridged CD editions narrated by Rupert Degas.
Where does Death Bringer sit in the Skulduggery Pleasant series?
It is the sixth young-adult fantasy book in Derek Landy's series, following Mortal Coil and continuing the adventures of sorcerer-detective Valkyrie Cain and her partner Skulduggery Pleasant.
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