Books like Skulduggery Pleasant. Kingdom of the Wicked

Skulduggery Pleasant. Kingdom of the Wicked by Derek Landy reads as witty, adventurous. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling · 2007

The saga's darkest, most propulsive volume — a on-the-run quest that trades school corridors for wilderness danger and mounting loss, building to an all-or-nothing confrontation.

mildly eerieYA

Wrath of the Triple Goddess

Rick Riordan · 2024

A fast-paced mythological adventure following Percy's established voice and irreverent humor as he, Annabeth, and Grover confront divine dangers tied to Hecate; delivers the signat

YAdeep cut

Mortal Coil

Derek Landy · 2010

A fast-moving supernatural adventure pitched to YA readers, driven by a race-against-time threat that blurs life and death alongside the established Skulduggery/Valkyrie partnership.

creepy, not goryYAdeep cut

Peter and the Starcatchers

Dave Barry · 2004

An origin-story romp aboard a doomed ship, mixing orphan camaraderie with magical stardust and a pirate chase — brisk, kid-friendly adventure aimed at the Peter Pan mythos.

mildly eerieyounger readersdeep cut

Demon thief

Darren Shan · 2005

A fast, plainly-told YA horror-fantasy adventure that drops a boy into demon-hunting duty with quick chapters and constant threat.

creepy, not goryYAcliffhanger

The Empty Grave

Jonathan Stroud · 2017

The finale of a ghost-hunting series where a teenage agency confronts the origin of 'the problem' — series-culminating stakes with supernatural allies and a long-running mystery finally cracking open.

intensely scaryYAdeep cut

Fablehaven

Brandon Mull · 2006

A brother-and-sister discover a hidden preserve of magical creatures and quickly learn the rules exist for good reason — an adventurous middle-grade fantasy with escalating danger

closed-doorcreepy, not goryyounger readers

The iron trial

Holly Black · 2014

A propulsive middle-grade/YA magic-school opener built around a trial, an ensemble of young apprentices, and secrets that hook readers into a series.

younger readersdeep cut

Nightfall

Shannon Messenger · 2017

A propulsive middle-series entry that keeps its tween/teen ensemble sprinting between reveals, alliances, and betrayals — earnest, plot-forward, and emotionally invested in its found family.

mildly eerieYA

The Artemis Fowl files

Eoin Colfer · 2004

A supplementary collection that expands the Artemis Fowl universe through bonus stories and interviews, maintaining the series' wry adventurous voice while prioritizing worldbuilding and fan engagement over narrative arc.

YAdeep cut

My brother is a superhero

David Solomons · 2015

A close ya relative — matched on how it reads, with quick, propulsive pacing.

Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality

Roshani Chokshi · 2022

A fast, funny mythological quest full of banter and found-family warmth, balancing a countdown-to-doom plot against comic set-pieces like a rock concert trial.

mildly eerieYAdeep cut