Tanith Low In...The Maleficent Seven Review

The definitive verdict on this charming and hilarious Skulduggery Pleasant spin-off.
Well, this has come as a pleasant surprise! Until just two months ago, we had heard nothing of Tanith Low In...The Maleficent Seven, a new novella spin-off to the Skulduggery Pleasant novels from series veteran author Derek Landy. Now, the new adventure's on our shores, and while it is short and snappy, there are a few choice plot twists which could have major plot implications in the final two instalments of the main franchise.

Tanith Low takes place a few weeks after the events of Kingdom Of The Wicked, with the titular ex-ally of Skulduggery now possessed by a Remnant and looking to form a team in order to find and destroy artefacts which could bring about Darquesee's end. There's a glorious sense of anti-heroism running throughout the novella in its entirety, something deviously fresh for Landy's franchise that's been missing since the original trilogy of Skulduggery books. Landy's characterisation of his new female protagonist is as witty as it ever was when Tanith was a supporting member of the cast, and this reviewer hopes that the Remnant-ridden antagonist gets a bigger role next time around in the main series.

What's perhaps most refreshing in Maleficent Seven is the new direction that the narrative takes and the new perspective that offers on the Skulduggery universe, yet the novelty of such an innovative turn of events can only ever last so long. Indeed, by the final stages of the novella, most readers will likely be compelled only by the hope of a final cliffhanger that will have an impact on the main franchise, rather than the mildly filler-esque standalone storyline that forms the core of the adventure. Perhaps this would have been better suited as a short story, although Landy would likely have struggled to confine the narrative to a 1000-5000 word limit. That's not to say that this isn't worth your time, more a simple observation than anything.

All the same, with Tanith Low In...The Maleficent Seven we have an interesting new take on the Skulduggery Pleasant franchise. Whereas Kingdom Of The Wicked was a worryingly predictable and convoluted affair, this spin-off piece should provide fans with new hope for the series as it heads towards its penultimate chapter this Summer. Derek Landy has rarely been on better form with this- if he keeps up the ante, then the upcoming two-part 'season finale' to this bestselling teen franchise could be a true highlight in both 2013's and 2014's offerings for young adults.
4/5