Dead or Alive (Skulduggery Pleasant, Book 14)
#14 of 17 in Skulduggery Pleasant Series
on Goodreads (3,538)
What’s inside...
In this fourteenth installment of the Skulduggery Pleasant series, magic and mayhem abound as Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain face new challenges and old enemies. While dealing with the intricate politics of the magical world, they must also confront a possible end-of-the-world scenario, forcing them to make tough decisions and face their darkest fears. In a matter of days, the world will change. Billions of lives will be wiped away in a final, desperate search for the Child of the Faceless Ones — she who is destined to bring about the return of humankind's ancient overlords. To prevent this, Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain have one last – terrible – option: the assassination of Damocles Creed. With protests stirring in the magical city of Roarhaven, with riots and revolutions on the horizon, Valkyrie must decide who she wants to be: the hero who risks everything for a noble ideal, or the killer who sacrifices her own soul for the fate of humanity. The decision must be made, and time is running out.
Character compass
Valkyrie Cain
Skulduggery Pleasant
Temper Fray
Omen Darkly
Lethe
Crepuscular Vies
Discussion points
How do the choices made by the characters in 'Dead or Alive' influence the events of the story?
What lessons can you learn about friendship and trust from Skulduggery and Valkyrie's relationship?
If you had magical powers like the characters, how would you use them to make a positive change in your world?
What are the consequences of the actions taken by the antagonists, and what does it teach us about responsibility and power?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the importance of making wise choices and considering their impact on others.
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to the situations faced by the characters for a deeper understanding of the book's themes.
Discuss the concept of heroism and what it means to be a hero, reflecting on the actions of Skulduggery and Valkyrie.
Use examples from the book to illustrate the importance of teamwork and cooperation in overcoming challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must collaborate to solve problems and face challenges, demonstrating how teamwork leads to success.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to work cooperatively with others at school or in sports, understanding that combined efforts often achieve greater results.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: Characters in the story are often faced with the consequences of their choices, highlighting the theme of accountability.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think about the consequences of their actions and encourages them to make thoughtful decisions in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Characters show bravery when confronted with difficult situations, providing a model of courage under pressure.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by standing up for what is right and facing challenges head-on, whether in confronting a bully or trying something new.
Example Lesson: The value of persistence
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, the protagonists persist in their goals, illustrating the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to keep trying and not give up when facing difficulties in tasks like learning a new skill or improving in a subject at school.