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Cover of Playing with fire

Playing with fire

Derek Landy, DEREK LANDY (2008)

SubgenreChildren's Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages352 (Standard (250-400))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age10+
Goodreads4.29/5 (35315)
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Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentNone
LanguageMild

Trigger warnings

ViolenceDeath

Positive tags

AdventureHumorMentor FigureFound FamilyFriendship

Hero archetypes

Detective / InvestigatorMentor (As Pov)Mysterious HeroApprentice

Heroine archetypes

Coming-of-Age Heroine

Protagonist archetypes

Duo / PartnersMentor Figure

Tropes

Mentor FigureApprenticeUrban FantasyTime PressureAncient Evil ReturnsDetective StoryHidden WorldMagic SystemComing of Age

Themes

MentorshipGood vs EvilCourageGrowing upHidden Magic WorldRace Against Time

Synopsis

When the evil Baron Vengeous escapes from prison, Detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his apprentice Valkyrie Cain have just two days to recapture him or the Baron's creature, the Grotesquery, may summon the Faceless Ones back to their world.

Is Playing with fire appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

Middle grade urban fantasy with magical battles, some violence (creature attacks, magical combat), and comedic horror elements. The humor balances the darker supernatural elements.

What to know going in

This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death and violence.

Who'll love this

A fast-paced magical adventure with a witty skeleton detective and his teenage apprentice racing to stop an evil villain before monsters destroy the world.

Tags

MysteryDetective FictionActionComedy