In conclusion, this series was amazing, and the beautiful ending did it justice. This book was my favorite of the five, and I honestly couldn't have wished for it to be any better. Although, a kiss would've been nice, but I guess we can't have everything. Besides, it's obvious that they get together in the end :) the characters. MY GOD, THE CHARACTERS. i haven't felt this way about a group of friends since harry potter.

All of our characters are present (of course) and many of them have moments of revelation during this last book. If you've enjoyed the series to date then I guarantee you will love this final piece of the puzzle. Holly laughed again; her eyes sparkled as she glanced at me sidelong. 'You must know there are other possibilities in this world.'" The banter you guys, it’s perfect, it’s beautiful, it revived me during my deepest and darkest time aka when George got beaten up but those as*holes :( george is my library-hunting, information-finding, donut-eating dude. i'm glad he got more of a plot-line in this book. he is like a boy hermione who eats more donuts. he gets ALL THE HUGS. One of my favourite pieces of this series is that it doesn't go on forever and ever. Five books feels perfect in this instance. Stroud does such a great job of leaving the reader feeling satisfied at the end of the series; but still also loving it and wanting to revisit it again.Then there's Kipps. Can we talk about how freaking awesome Kipps became later in the series?! And this book was the pinnacle of it. Kipps dry humour was just a pleasure and seeing him and George go at it was just priceless. But I also live for Kipps' soft side. Kipps is just amazing.

For one thing, I think the Marissa/Penelope twist was introduced way too late in the series, so we never really got to settle in with her as an antagonist. I wish Stroud had established her as the Big Bad right from the beginning (while still saving the big bombshell about her identity for a later book) so we could enjoy the characters grappling with her throughout the series instead of wasting time on lesser villains (Stroud half-heartedly tries to keep the Winkmans relevant as villains in at least three books, and I would forget who they were every single time) Ultimately, the Marissa storyline felt very rushed, with everything getting crammed into the last book before we could adjust to the new information. I don’t want this series to end but I’m already at the fifth book and I know this ending is going to hurt! I don’t even know why, but I have a feeling that I’m probably going to cry an ocean while I read this. In the climactic battle at the end of the novel, Stroud explores this theme and juxtaposes two different characters’ responses to death.

But above all, the ending scene really got me. And this is where we get to talk about my favorite character: the skull. Stroud brings his intricate, series long storyline to a close with a complex, dramatic climax followed by a simple, satisfying conclusion. A first-rate adventure, full of memorable, original characters Booklist Not only did Lucy's friendship with him strengthen, but the skull himself actually began to show attachment to her. He wouldn't talk to anyone other than her (even when the team was on the Other Side and the others could hear him too) and he helped her with her cases despite constantly claiming that he had no intentions of doing it for any reason other than his own gain. Having said that, I wouldn't mind at all if Stroud was about to roll this series over into a spinoff. At all.

I really loved all the paranormal information in this series. It’s lots of fun and the spooky moments in the books are well done!

About Jonathan Stroud

When we finally got to see the skull's spirit in the Creeping Shadow, I had a little freak-out moment. As it turned out, we got to see his full spirit-form even MORE in this book, and it was amazing. BUT NOW??? I LOVE HER. if that doesn't show you the genius of jonathan stroud's amazing ability to write and create and build characters, i don't know what will. Brilliant as ever. Spectator I enjoyed it so much, I hope there will be yet another book soon to follow in this fabulously told series. Amazed Earthling, with Guardian Children's Books