Kingdom of the Wicked
by Derek Landy
HarperCollins Publishers 2012
Book 7 of Skulduggery Pleasant
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 5.6 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
Book 7 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- friendship and loyalty
- power and responsibility
- identity and destiny
- good vs. evil
- mentorship
- moral choices
- alternate realities
- courage
About this book
Skulduggery Pleasant, the wisecracking skeleton detective, and his partner Valkyrie Cain face a terrifying new crisis as ordinary teens begin developing dangerous magical powers overnight. Their hunt to uncover who’s behind the surge pulls them into conspiracies that span the magical underground and even other worlds. Fast-paced action, razor-sharp banter, and big stakes keep the pages turning. Perfect for confident middle school readers and up who love humor mixed with dark, twisty fantasy.
Setting: contemporary Ireland and the hidden magical world, with forays into alternate dimensions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingdom of the Wicked right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Kingdom of the Wicked. The reading level is AR 5.6, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include friendship and loyalty, power and responsibility, identity and destiny. Note: this is book 7 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read Kingdom of the Wicked?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Kingdom of the Wicked takes around 15h to finish. The book has 150,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Kingdom of the Wicked have an AR quiz?
Yes — Kingdom of the Wicked has an AR quiz available, worth 21 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Kingdom of the Wicked?
Kingdom of the Wicked has an AR reading level of 5.6, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.