Scan barcode
A review by justjonsbooks
The Skulduggery Pleasant Grimoire by Derek Landy
4.0
As a lifetime fan of the Skulduggery series, this is something I’ve wanted for a long long time in order to recap the earlier stories that I haven’t had the chance to re-read over the years. This does a nice job of putting everything together into a book that can be read in only a couple days or so. But I have some issues that I will get into.
Starting with the positives as always; the awesome side commentaries from characters, the archivist logs throughout and all the other additional stories were brilliant additions to this Grimoire. Everything about them had that Derek Landy charm and it never felt like reading a simple wiki page summary. I especially liked the ending for this reason but I won’t spoil any of that stuff.
The artwork scattered throughout, both the detailed and cartoony versions were awesome and I enjoyed showing them to my mum who is also a slight fan. Plus the comic strip looked incredible! I loved seeing the characters come to life in that way, I just wish it was longer because basically all we had was a short fight sequence and that was it. A full-fledged graphic novel is definitely at the top my fanboy wish-list now!
Oh and the Hardback looks super awesome and really adds to the whole ‘book from the sanctuary archives’ experience. It’s a fun way to engage the reader although I’m not sure a paperback or e-book would have the same effect.
So despite all my love of this Grimoire there were some issues and weak-points, many of which are already mentioned in much more detailed reviews here on Goodreads. But I’ll share my thoughts and feedback as a fan anyway.
Firstly I feel as though a book like this would have benefitted greatly with sections such as character profiles, family trees, timelines, give us a map why the hell not and a much better glossary section for key words and names. Have some actual commentary from Derek; insights into decisions and thought processes that were made while he was writing. You know, things that you would normally expect to find in a Grimoire. Things that would make someone want to pick up the book again in the future when they want to find some information quickly.
I feel however that that would be very difficult with the way things have been told and laid out. I believe It could have been much more organised structure wise, and as great as it was to have fun and detailed summaries, the way they are presented in long descriptions and scattered with other stories in between felt unintuitive. Also with the older books I’d have names of characters thrown at me like I’m supposed to remember who they are... shame there’s no real glossary/character profiles as I mentioned... And this happens all the way throughout as though we’re expected to have full knowledge of everyone. Plus having random heroes and villains popping up here and there for a sentence of commentary lost its charm quickly and became a bit random. I think it should have just stuck with Skullduggery, Valkyrie and the Archivist.
Continuing on, I don’t know anything much about the writing and publishing situation, but I did find it quite bizarre to not only receive a note but also have it scattered throughout the book that ‘ah this book has been rushed, please forgive any mistakes’. I’ve always been told the unwritten rule of never putting yourself down before you’ve even shared something. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed any issues If I hadn’t read that and then subconsciously start looking for them. Plus it’s a bit sucky to be told by the writer himself that this first edition I spent money on is supposably sucky. If I had known that before I probably would have waited for the proper complete version. Also, and again I don’t know all the background details, but why would Derek need to rush a Grimoire in the first place? Surely it would have been better to wait until the series has actually finished and everything is put together before you start working on something like this? Also isn’t there still 1 final book remaining that hasn’t been released and therefore is definitely not in this Grimoire. So why why why make this now when it’s not complete?
I mean yes it was the perfect time for me PERSONALLY to have this book at this time because I really wanted the re-cap before I get started with the last few books. But in 10 years time if I pick this up to read about the grand finale it’s not even going to be there!
Anywayyy, despite the criticisms I’m still going to give it a 4 because what there was was still really fun and I liked it. I just wish it included all the things you would have expected it to have. Who knows maybe the final, enhanced, upgraded, complete version will be perfect.
Starting with the positives as always; the awesome side commentaries from characters, the archivist logs throughout and all the other additional stories were brilliant additions to this Grimoire. Everything about them had that Derek Landy charm and it never felt like reading a simple wiki page summary. I especially liked the ending for this reason but I won’t spoil any of that stuff.
The artwork scattered throughout, both the detailed and cartoony versions were awesome and I enjoyed showing them to my mum who is also a slight fan. Plus the comic strip looked incredible! I loved seeing the characters come to life in that way, I just wish it was longer because basically all we had was a short fight sequence and that was it. A full-fledged graphic novel is definitely at the top my fanboy wish-list now!
Oh and the Hardback looks super awesome and really adds to the whole ‘book from the sanctuary archives’ experience. It’s a fun way to engage the reader although I’m not sure a paperback or e-book would have the same effect.
So despite all my love of this Grimoire there were some issues and weak-points, many of which are already mentioned in much more detailed reviews here on Goodreads. But I’ll share my thoughts and feedback as a fan anyway.
Firstly I feel as though a book like this would have benefitted greatly with sections such as character profiles, family trees, timelines, give us a map why the hell not and a much better glossary section for key words and names. Have some actual commentary from Derek; insights into decisions and thought processes that were made while he was writing. You know, things that you would normally expect to find in a Grimoire. Things that would make someone want to pick up the book again in the future when they want to find some information quickly.
I feel however that that would be very difficult with the way things have been told and laid out. I believe It could have been much more organised structure wise, and as great as it was to have fun and detailed summaries, the way they are presented in long descriptions and scattered with other stories in between felt unintuitive. Also with the older books I’d have names of characters thrown at me like I’m supposed to remember who they are... shame there’s no real glossary/character profiles as I mentioned... And this happens all the way throughout as though we’re expected to have full knowledge of everyone. Plus having random heroes and villains popping up here and there for a sentence of commentary lost its charm quickly and became a bit random. I think it should have just stuck with Skullduggery, Valkyrie and the Archivist.
Continuing on, I don’t know anything much about the writing and publishing situation, but I did find it quite bizarre to not only receive a note but also have it scattered throughout the book that ‘ah this book has been rushed, please forgive any mistakes’. I’ve always been told the unwritten rule of never putting yourself down before you’ve even shared something. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed any issues If I hadn’t read that and then subconsciously start looking for them. Plus it’s a bit sucky to be told by the writer himself that this first edition I spent money on is supposably sucky. If I had known that before I probably would have waited for the proper complete version. Also, and again I don’t know all the background details, but why would Derek need to rush a Grimoire in the first place? Surely it would have been better to wait until the series has actually finished and everything is put together before you start working on something like this? Also isn’t there still 1 final book remaining that hasn’t been released and therefore is definitely not in this Grimoire. So why why why make this now when it’s not complete?
I mean yes it was the perfect time for me PERSONALLY to have this book at this time because I really wanted the re-cap before I get started with the last few books. But in 10 years time if I pick this up to read about the grand finale it’s not even going to be there!
Anywayyy, despite the criticisms I’m still going to give it a 4 because what there was was still really fun and I liked it. I just wish it included all the things you would have expected it to have. Who knows maybe the final, enhanced, upgraded, complete version will be perfect.