Skulduggery Pleasant: Kingdom of the Wicked
Seventh novel in the Skulduggery Pleasant series.
The seventh book in Derek Landy's series, this young adult fantasy novel came out on August 30, 2012 in the UK and September 4, 2012 in the US. It picks up after *Death Bringer* and follows the sorcerer-detectives Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant. Their latest case involves a bunch of people who have suddenly gained magical abilities. The US edition was published by HarperCollins in September 2012, and the Canadian release followed the same year. An unabridged audio version, read by Rupert Degas, is put out by HarperCollins Audio.
The Sanctuary sends Skulduggery and Valkyrie to find a group of new magic users. One of them tells Skulduggery he got his powers in a dream from someone named Argeddion. The detectives track down a serial killer who can teleport through space, and this leads them to Argeddion. When the killer grabs Valkyrie's arm, she gets pulled into a pocket dimension created by Argeddion, where she learns it's a realm separate from the main world. Skulduggery figures out that Argeddion is locked up to stop him using his powers. He and Valkyrie head to a prison facility, but the Cube is actually a prison designed to hold Darquesse—Valkyrie's dangerous alter ego destined to destroy the world.
Three new magic users—Doran, Kitana, and Elsie—go to Doran's house, where he kills his older brother. Elsie sees their powers are making them violent and leaves. When Valkyrie and Skulduggery check out the murder, Kitana attacks them and steals Valkyrie's jacket. The Sanctuary decides to find the Sceptre of the Ancients and use it to erase Argeddion. Meanwhile, Argeddion kills some of his new magic users because they've become too strong. Valkyrie gets sent back to the alternate dimension, the Kingdom of the Wicked. She and Skulduggery go to Mevolent's palace, steal the Sceptre, and rescue Valkyrie's reflection, Stephanie, who lives her normal life while Valkyrie is off adventuring. Kitana helps the Council of Elders capture Argeddion, but then betrays them and attacks the Sanctuary. Skulduggery and Valkyrie turn into their alter egos, Lord Vile and Darquesse, to beat her. During the fight, Darquesse is sent to the Kingdom of the Wicked, where she battles Mevolent and nearly dies before escaping back. She kills Kitana, then fights Lord Vile. Skulduggery snaps out of it and helps Valkyrie return to normal. The book ends with Skulduggery, Valkyrie, and
- published
- August 30, 2012 (UK) / September 4, 2012 (US)
- US_and_Canada_release
- September 2012 (US) / 2012 (Canada)
Lore & Background
Sanctuary detectives Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are tasked with tracking down a group of people who have mysteriously gained magic powers. One of them tells Skulduggery that he was given the powers in a dream, by a man called Argeddion. Skulduggery and Valkyrie find a serial killer with the power to teleport through space, who helps lead them to Argeddion. After Valkyrie's arm is grabbed by the killer, she is transported into a pocket dimension created by Argeddion, not a dimension ruled by Mevolent. Skulduggery realises that Argeddion has been imprisoned so that he doesn't use his powers. He and Valkyrie set off to visit the prison, but the Cube is actually a prison designed to hold Darquesse, not Argeddion. Skulduggery and Valkyrie plan to use the Cube to one day imprison Darquesse, Valkyrie's dangerous alter-ego who is destined to destroy the world.
Reader's Guide
The novel explores themes of power, identity, and the consequences of unchecked magic. It introduces the alternate dimension 'The Kingdom of the Wicked' ruled by Mevolent, and deepens the conflict between Valkyrie and her destructive alter-ego Darquesse. The book was shortlisted for the Senior Irish Children's Book of the Year in 2012, losing to Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian. Patrick Wan, writing in SF's Crow's Nest, complimented the skilful use of cliffhangers, saying '[it's] almost impossible to put this book down.' The novel sets up a coming war and ends with a betrayal by Valkyrie's reflection Stephanie, who plots to murder Valkyrie and take her place. The book would not see release in the US and Canada until 2018.
Did You Know?
- The novel was shortlisted for the Senior Irish Children's Book of the Year in 2012.
- HarperCollins Audio publishes unabridged CD sets read by Rupert Degas.
- The US and Canada release did not occur until 2018.
- The epilogue reveals Stephanie, Valkyrie's reflection, plotting to murder Valkyrie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kingdom of the Wicked?
It is the seventh installment in Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant young-adult fantasy series. The novel continues the adventures of the sorcerer-detective duo and was published in 2012.
When was Kingdom of the Wicked published?
The UK edition arrived on August 30, 2012, and the US edition followed on September 4, 2012, both through HarperCollins. A Canadian release also came out later that same year.
What is Kingdom of the Wicked about?
Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant are sent to investigate a growing number of ordinary people who have unexpectedly acquired magical abilities. The case draws them into the territory of the Wicked, a faction of ancient sorcerers pursuing their own hidden agenda.
What book does Kingdom of the Wicked follow?
It picks up the story directly after Death Bringer, the sixth novel in the series. The events of that preceding book set the stage for the new case the duo must solve.
Who narrates the Kingdom of the Wicked audiobook?
Rupert Degas performs the unabridged audio narration, which is distributed by HarperCollins Audio.
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