Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull
by Martin Howard, illustrated by Pete Williamson
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Pub Date 26 Sep 2024 | Archive Date 26 Sep 2024
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Description
Super funny, super spooky middle grade for budding horror fans about a talkative skull and a necromancer-in-training – perfect for Lemony Snicket readers!
When Mallory Vayle’s parents’ carriage takes a leap off Gibbett Bridge, she’s left orphaned – but not alone. Due to gifts she’d rather not acknowledge, she can see and speak to their ghosts!
But when her ghost parents are cruelly kidnapped, Mallory will have to use the talents she hates to get them back. And who will teach her to hone her necromancy skills, you ask?
A talking skull called Maggoty, who wants some favours in return for his help – not just a gorgeous wig and some sparkly earrings, but for Mallory to break the curse that locked his spirit inside his skull for 500 years.
Will Mallory be able to lean into her gifts and get her parents back? Will she ever learn to love her chatty sidekick? And will Maggoty ever find the perfect earrings to match his fabulous new wig…
Packed with outrageous characters, you’ll cackle your way through this ghoulish tale that brings humour to the macabre! Sure to raise wigs (and tickle ribs) this is the perfect book for 9+ horror fans!
Advance Praise
"Gleefully spooky, gruesome and very, very funny; for fans of Lemony Snicket." - The Bookseller
"Gleefully spooky, gruesome and very, very funny; for fans of Lemony Snicket." - The Bookseller
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781805132257 |
PRICE | £7.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 304 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
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This is a book about an orphaned girl with a gift to talk to spirits -- and that includes the spirits of her dead parents. The illustration at the beginning of the book gripped me before I even started reading it. Then the witty writing took over and I was blown away by it. It gives off some "Wednesday" vibe in an even more comical way. I am sure my students would love it.
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I loved this book - it was funny, fast paced and spooky with atmospheric illustrations.
Mallory's parents have died tragically but, as she's got the ability to see and talk to ghosts, she isn't missing them yet. Great start to the book then it's full of silly jokes/insults from a talking skull, evil shadows and lots of bones. Great character and place names too. Will be loved by middle grade readers who like their books creepy.
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Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull is wonderfully different. It is a brilliantly engaging read. I wasn't too sure what to expect but I am so pleased that I was granted an early read as this is a delightfully entertaining read with just the right amount of spookiness and bucketfuls of humour. I absolutely love Maggoty's comedic interjections. The characters and the storyline will certainly appeal to readers and I can see this becoming a favourite readaloud story. Definitely would highly recommend.
Huge thanks to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for an early read.
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Mallory Vayle's story was cute in its darkness. Mallory confidently loves books about ponies in juxtaposition of the necromancy she excels at. The book is full of silly jokes and Maggoty skull's fowl language in an attempt to make children giggle and get creative. It definitely will suit the likes of fans of Netlix's Wednesday. I found it depreciatory towards young readers' capacity, but it got better towards the end. I wouldn't say it was predictable, but it wasn't jaw-dropping the way the story went.
It was enjoyable and a little spooky read, that will be perfect for the upcoming Halloween.
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