Arunimaa's Reviews > Seasons of War

I could cry right now.



You know, every year I desperately wait for the summer to come so that I get to read a new Skulduggery book, meet all my lovely characters again, be mindblown by yet another mindblowing plot , cry a little at just how good everything is and go back to feeling complete again for an entire one week. Then, of course, the same year-long yearning for MORE begins.

I am so content, so sated right now. Like of course, I need answers, I need more but I am still extremely satisfied. This satisfaction isn't just got to do with the story being as good as it is. Well, of course, there is that but it's more about how nostalgic I feel whenever I read these books. Like, when I was reading it, I was smiling the entire time ( I mean, except for the parts where there was lots of dying and lots of blood. I am not a psychopath, no.) because it would remind me exactly why I loved this series so much as a kid. This was the first series I had read in my life. And it was one of the best things that had ever happened to the 11-year-old me. I am 20 now, and it still is one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Well, we have come a long way since then. Somewhere along the way, these books took a dark turn, they weren't so lighthearted anymore as the initial few books had been. You can tell that these new books, after the original series ended, are different. Not in a good or a bad way. It's just how it is. It's gloomier, etched with the losses of all those wonderful characters. Every time I see the old squad in these books, I get a little emotional. It can be overwhelming to see how few of them are left. So obviously after everything that has happened, after all the losses our characters have had to face, the series can't go back to being lighthearted again. And I don't want it to be. It wouldn't make sense.

I hated how Valkyrie's mental health was taking a toll in these newer series but I was also glad that Mr. Landy brought this aspect of her mental health being affected by everything that's happened to light. Because I have read a lot of series where obviously people die and suffer losses of loved ones. But they barely bring light to the the supposed hero/heroine's mental healths. So even though, it broke my heart to see her like that, I was glad that the author as putting it out there.

Sometimes I pick the first book from the shelf to read how energetic and innocent and happy the 12-year-old Valkyrie had been. I miss her. A lot. But it's okay. After everything that she has been put through, of course, it would change her. She is 26 now, an adult. She has grown, matured, improved, and deteriorated in the ways as anyone else would after all that she has suffered through. So it's fine. She is not the same little girl, but she is still Valkyrie. And I was so, so happy to see her finally getting better in this book. She is the strongest woman I know, and I grew up alongside her so I am extremely attached to her character. And her finally mending her self made me happier beyond words.

I was very excited to see to old squad go on a mission. It was like old times and it was a rollercoaster. Why Saracen??? That was the saddest part of the entire book. I actually cried a little at the part where he made a best friend test for Tanith to see if she would be able to be dexter's new friend. Like, he actually did that. . It was very endearing to see the interaction between old friends. But I kept missing the old ones, Ghastly especially.

"Bad news?"
"The, you know, the scars. And the bent nose and the jaw."
"Ah," she said.
He continued quickly " I mean, you're still attractive. Still very attractive. I'm not saying you're ugly or anything ..."
Valkyrie laughed, and it didn't hurt. "I knew someone once whose face was full of scars. and a more beautiful person I don't think I've ever met. And I know a woman with a flawless face and there have been times when I never wanted to see her again. What I'm saying is, Scorry, is that I don't really care about ugly or pretty. I'm just happy I'm healthy. And that's thanks to you."

This particular scene really struck me. I have always been really insecure about certain things about my body and appearance but after reading this, it made me feel thousand times and also vain for worrying about things that don't matter. And it made me miss Ghastly so much more.

Honestly, Valkyrie Cain is the best girl ever. Skulduggery Pleasant approves.

" She's smarter than that, you know. She's not going to just charge in here, guns blazing. You're dealing with someone whose actions you can't predict. I've taught her everything I know, but she's so much more than that. You won't beat her, you can't outsmart her, and you'll never - ever- see her coming. She's your worst nightmare, Mevolent. If Valkyrie Cain is in the city, you've already lost. "

AAAAAAAH. Just look at the pride in his voice when he says that. I can never imagine Skulduggery saying all of this for anyone else other than Valkyrie. Their friendship and bond are one of the loveliest things ever. I can never get enough of their relationship. Speaking of relationships, I am so invested in the Valkyrie and Militsa ship. I don't want it to ever get ruined. Militsa is perfect for Valkyrie and their relationship is so warm and cute. And they deserve the world. Also, about (view spoiler)[ Never and Auger. I was a little disappointed because I have been shipping Never and Omen since Ressurection so like, this was a little bummer for me. But it's fine, I mean I am not here for romance but I'd still like Never and Omen to get together in the future books. (hide spoiler)]

Omen didn't have that much of a, what is the book version of screentime? Page time? I am pretty sure that's not it but I'm just gonna go with it. Yeah, so Omen didn't have much of a page time ( it sounds so awkward) since he wasn't a part of the big mission with Skulduggery and Valkyrie this time. Instead, he was busy with his own little mission. I really like the kid and I would like to see more of him in the upcoming books.

I am so excited for (view spoiler)[ Darquesse. I initially hated her coming back. I hate her with every fiber of my being. Because of her, Valkyrie and everyone else had to suffer so much. but her newfound interest in humans and their way of living and how she has been behaving is really interesting and I want to see more of it. I also lowkey, can't wait for her to meet Valkyrie because Darquesse is giving different, more interesting vibes so I wanna see how their interaction goes. But I really hope she is going to be different this time, not nicer or anything but just not the bloodthirsty monster she was before who is intent on finishing off this world. (hide spoiler)]

Moving on, I think I might be in love with Serpine. There, I said it. I never thought I would say this but he was kind of adorable in this book. Damn, he grew on me a whole lot. Also, he is so funny. He has to get brownie points for that. Who doesn't like funny? But of course, I don't trust him. He is selfish and insensitive but then again, we all love morally grey characters who are hot and funny. (view spoiler)[ hehehehehe (hide spoiler)]

I am going to keep missing all of these lovely people especially my OGs Skulduggery and Valkyrie for another year. But the anticipation will be worth it.

"And then you'll be back, will you?"
She smiled at him. "Of course I will. I can't stay away from you, you know that."
The way his head tilted, Valkyrie knew that pleased him.

These two, I swear, will be the end of me.


* this book also helped me check off two prompts from two different Reading Challenges that I have participated in -
POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2020 for " A book with a three word title."
and AROUND THE YEAR IN 52 BOOKS CHALLENGE 2020 for " A book related to one of the four horsemen f the apocalypse." *["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>