I've grown up with the Skulduggery Pleasant books, so when this book was announced, I was ecstatic (and also mildly terrified for the sake of the few of my old favourite characters that managed to survive the last book). My high hopes were in no way disappointed; seeing Valkyrie working through what has happened in previous books was heart-wrenching, but watching her take baby steps forward to get herself back into things was also cathartic. Omen surprised me with how quickly I got attached to him as a deuteragonist, and I find the fact that our next Big Bad is Skulduggery's ex to be endlessly amusing.

The plot was everything I've come to expect and love from Derek Landy, and the plot hooks for future development promise some very interesting (and painful) developments in the future. I especially love how a lot of world-building was expanded upon in this book, both in regards to politics and the neoterics.

I must admit (even if it makes me feel horrible to do so), I had been slightly worried for a bit before this book came out. I was worried that continuing the series may prove to be akin to flogging a dead horse, as the series seemed to wrap up fairly conclusively and I was worried about the series jumping the shark. I have never been so happy to have my doubts proven so utterly wrong, it is evident that the heart of the series is still true and very much alive, and I am eagerly looking forward to any future instalments!