About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their middle or high schooler is looking for a fast paced, witty, and slightly edgy adventure that explores the complexities of loyalty and morality. It is an ideal pick for a reader who enjoys anti-heroes and stories where the lines between 'good' and 'bad' are blurred, providing a sophisticated look at teamwork among individuals who don't naturally trust one another. While part of a larger series universe, this standalone story focuses on Tanith Low as she assembles a crew of magical villains to save the world, albeit for their own selfish reasons. It balances high stakes magical combat with sharp, dark humor. Parents should be aware that the book features frequent fantasy violence and a cynical tone, making it most suitable for ages 12 and up who can appreciate the irony of villains doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The book contains descriptive fantasy violence, including magical combat that results in injuries and deaths of named characters. There are scenes involving 'Remnants,' which are parasitic entities that possess people against their will, which may be unsettling for younger or more sensitive readers.
Ideal Reader
A 13-year-old who loves witty dialogue, 'Suicide Squad' style team-ups, and isn't afraid of a story where the heroes are actually the villains.
Parent Prep
This can be read cold. A parent might hear their child laughing at a joke about a character getting hurt or see a cover featuring dark, monstrous imagery.
Age Experience
Younger readers (11-12) will focus on the cool powers and the jokes; older readers (14+) will better appreciate the subversion of fantasy tropes, the concept of moral ambiguity, and the darker philosophical questions about redemption.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies that focus on a chosen hero, this book revels in the perspectives of the antagonists, using Landy's signature rapid-fire dialogue to make the 'bad guys' incredibly charismatic. It explores the idea that "good" people can do bad things and vice versa, making for a complex study of villainy.
Read plot summary
Tanith Low, a fan favorite from the Skulduggery Pleasant series, takes center stage as she assembles a team of seven notorious villains. Tanith, normally a hero but currently possessed by an evil remnant, leads this group on a mission to locate and destroy the God-Killer weapons before a rival group of sorcerers can use them to bring back the Faceless Ones and end the world. It is a high-octane heist story set in a world of magic, populated by monsters, assassins, and sorcerers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tanith Low is technically a villain in this book because she is possessed by a Remnant. Do her actions in saving the world make her a hero, or is she still a villain?
2
Which member of the Maleficent Seven did you trust the least, and did they end up surprising you by the end of the story?
3
The team is made up of people who usually work alone. What was the biggest obstacle they faced when trying to work together as a group?
4
How does the humor in the book change the way you feel about the violent or scary scenes? Does it make the danger feel less real or more entertaining?
5
If you had to pick one of the God-Killer weapons to protect, which one would you choose and why?
