Friday, May 6, 2011

Death Bringer

It is here! Finally! I present to you, my loyal Minions, the cover of Book 6- Death Bringer!


I'm trying to picture it on a shelf in a bookshop, with that glorious red and the silver, and the shiny foil around the title, and the sheer size that the book is going to be, sitting there, on the shelf, making all the other books tremble in fear...

As you can see, we went for a mid-battle shot of our two heroes, which is a radical departure from Tom's sketch that's all over the interweb. Tom always comes up with lots of possible ideas, so I'm always being sent sketches, and on the basis of those sketches we decide what works best. The final books in each trilogy are going to be mid-battle shots- we started it with The Faceless Ones, we're continuing it here, and we'll finish it with Book Nine.


AND we get to use a tag-line that I've wanted to use since Book Two - "Kicking Evil Very Hard In The Face". Oh I love that line. It's so long and unwieldy, whereas tag-lines are meant to be short and snappy. But Skulduggery, of course, just HAS to be different...

And as for the title, I think it was always going to be Death Bringer, even before I'd consciously decided on it. The second trilogy is a "two word title" trilogy- Dark Days, Mortal Coil, and now this one. The title style in the final trilogy will change yet again.

I really like this cover, I think Tom did an amazing job, and the fun doesn't even end here. At some stage over the next few months we'll be unveiling the back cover (which is ASTONISHINGLY good) and I hope to sneak you out a chapter before September.

I am just too good to you, I really am...

4,567 comments:

  1. Awesome that has to be one of my favorite covers so far!

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  2. The cover is REALLY good. All the red gives it an Apocalyptic feel. Can't wait for Death Bringer to hit Australia! :D

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  3. OMG 3rd comic!!!
    this cover is EPIC
    I sorta shriked with epicness
    CANT WAIT 4 it 2 come out
    :D

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  4. P.s really need 2 change the name keep on getting confused with being a girl

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  5. Love it!!! Looks great, can't wait for the book!!!

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  6. Looks awesome :D Cannot WAIT for this book. Lovin the tagline, btw!

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  7. yeah, man^^
    that definitely blows my mind
    At the moment I´m trying to stand, but my legs are shaking. maybe I´ll fall ther will be nobody to catch me...
    Dammit!

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  8. "Kicking evil very hard in the face." Wow.
    And the back cover, we know will be awesome.
    And pleeasse hurry up with giving us the first chapter... Please?

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  9. @rainofashes
    I would catch you if I were there :P

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  10. Derek just A few questions.
    in this book are skulduggery and valkyrie going 2 be fighting a LOT of zombies?

    would there be more talking skeletons since lord vile brought there souls back to life?

    would old foes like serpine and vengeous be making an appreance as they would be brought back to life?

    Would kenspeckle return because of the death bringer?

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  11. YAY!!! YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!YAY!!!Oops im in maths class... should be paying attention

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  12. ups, I fell. but it was worth it. I´m anbsolutely sure xD
    can´t wait to read it...

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  13. thax, sallytracey^^

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  14. and now im sitting again, staring at the computer...
    and staring...
    and staring...
    ok, now I´m okay again.
    YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
    sry, I had to do that.







    And I would do it again!

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  15. hehe, np :D
    ANYWAY WOW OMG fANDOMWOOTWOOTOMGNEWBOOKYAYZZZ!!!
    Although... .~. About Lacuna's questions... I don't want Kenspeckle to come back. I was kind of relieved when he died, because.. well, now Valkyrie doesn't have so much of a safety net, ya know? Makes it more exciting.

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  16. ok, I screamed and fell and so on, but now is the time to ANALYSE it.
    Valkyrie looks like something pissed her off (I think Skulduggery, too, but he hasn´t got a face)oh, and I hope she kicks the evil thing, that pissed her off, very hard in the face.
    Red sky and maybe a graveyard in the background. That IS creepy but also absolutely cool, and mysterious (I like mysterious things, because...
    yeah, they are mysterious!)

    So, my review: TOM, YOUR A GENIUS!!!!!

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  17. Wow a graveyard!!! AWESOME! Best place to hang out :P OR kick evil very hard in the face. Whatever floats your boat. YAAAAAAAY!

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  18. Yay! I'm exited, but book FOUR isn't even out in the U.S. But still, yay!

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  19. It's really amazing to see how much thought you actually put into these books.

    This cover is just... fabulous. Kudos to Tom, he never ceases to amaze. The tag line is just so Skulduggery. I think you shine through a lot in the tag line.

    I love how you can see how much Val has grown up in this cover. You don't see it as much on the covers of the other books, but in this one you can see that she's definitely not the twelve year old girl from Haggard anymore.

    I think I'm going to create a Skulduggery corner in my room. I'll put the taglines up on the walls and pictures of the covers and some of my favourite quotes.

    It's weird to think about how this book is the end of the middle and the beginning of the end.

    You'd better have some other stories up your sleeve or I don't know what I'd do.

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  20. Not bad but I really liked their pose of the rough version better. Well, I'm looking forward to that book anyway :D
    Red is an awesome color for the book!
    I just hope the german publishers won't destroy it, like they did with the Cover of Dark Days -_-

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  21. OH. MY. GOSH!!!!! *dies from excitement* DEREK! Tell Tom that he has out done him self AGAIN! I SOOOOOOo Cant wait to read this book! Everything just keeps getting better and better!
    Ok, so like WHEN do we get to see the back cover? and when will you post a chapter of the new book? I'm so excited I can barely contain myself!!!! *is freaking out*
    Hugs galore for you and Tom!
    Adios! :D

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  22. *crosses fingers and hopes there is Demons in it*

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  23. ~first plain and simple awe is sketched into my features.... then a smile grows to develop into pure excitement and adore-ment of that awesome-sauce and ever so Derektastic cover~

    That.
    Is.
    Beautiful!
    Oh I LOVE it!!

    And OOOH! You are SO good to us! :D I'm so excited! I can't WAIT! Oh I can't wait!! And yes, I say "oh" a lot!
    ~starts singing and dancing~
    I'm so excited!!!

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  24. And now! A random tidbit of information 'cause I have to say some miscellaneous comment 'cause.... 'cause....
    I'M SO EXCITED AND RANDOM!!!!
    My Grandma is upstairs!! Yay! I haven't seen her for ages either! She flew here for my brother's graduation! Woo-hoo!!
    ~dances~
    She's so little and sweet!
    ~grins~
    We're going to lunch in a little while :]

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  25. Ooooh I don't know what to DO! I'm so energetic and crazy and, can you guess? EXCITED!!!!!!!
    Wooo-hoooo!!!

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  26. ~fan girl scream~
    That cover is so AMAZING!!!!
    You are one of the VERY few people that can make me fan-girl scream, I'll have you know! :D

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  27. Well, I know it wasn't you who drew the cover, but you invented the characters and that cover wouldn't be here if you hadn't so...!
    ~fan-girl scream once more~

    Oh.. I'm sorry, Am I hurting you ears, oh master Derek?
    ... I am?
    Sorrry!
    I'm so sorry!
    I'll stop fan-girl screaming..... I'll try to anyway....
    It's just so COOL!

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  28. OH.







    MY.








    GOD.......








    *SCREAMS AND BOUNCES OFF WALLS AND CEILING, LITTERALLY BREAKING DOWN THE HOUSE NOW.*







    i'm soooooooo high nowwww!!!!!! The cover is soooooooo awesome Derek!

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  29. I arrgh *coughs and gasps for air*
    chocking on my own joy here:)

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  30. OMG OMG OMG OMG. OH GREAT GOLDEN GOD, HOW CAN I REPAY YOU FOR YOUR GREATNESS? SCREAMS IN EXCITEMENT AND ACCIDENTALLY DEAFENS FLETCH.
    *SCREAMS*
    *GLOMPS EVERYONE IN TURN*

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  31. i am soooo excited my fingers are danncing.

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  32. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I'M SO GLAD TO BE PART OF DEREK'S BLOG, SO HONOURED.....
    *SORRY EVERYTHING IS IN CAPS I'M JUST SO EXCITED*

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  33. Is it September yet? Is it?

    ... What about now? Still not September? *checks calendar*

    ...... Surely it must be September soon. *drums fingers impatiently*

    I love the red. And the tag line is awesome. And I do like the title a whole lot.

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  34. *face is blushing from excitement.*

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  35. *wiggles around in chair*
    *starts playing "Party Rock Anthem*

    Question for Derek: Did Lord Vile really bring Skulduggery back? Sorry I'm collecting info for my little prequel. :)

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  36. RedRedRedSilverRed
    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT.

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  37. Hey, Tessa, Can you come here for a bit?

    http://xat.com/web_gear/chat/go_large.php?id=141848918

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  38. Oh and How many children did Skulduggery have?

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  39. Spreading the love to my library followers too...

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  40. Red and silver...good choice jedi. :)

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  41. OH MY GOLDEN GOD. This is so uh-maz-ing *dies from Tom awesome overload*
    How I'll survive these next few months i don't know!!!!

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  42. Oh poop, that means only 3 months left to finish the Skulduggery sculpt...
    Roll on the signing tour!

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  43. Brilliant job on the cover, as expected...
    Derek, do you know if you are doing any book signings around Manchester?
    Pls let me know.. many thanks...

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  44. SO COOL!!!

    Can't wait to read it. Are you going to post some sample pages???

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  45. OOF!
    *Just got tackled by 88 kg older bro*

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  46. LOVE IT ... Please post the back cover as soon as possible ... i love reading your blogs ... they are awesome

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  47. Derek can you tour Singapore? I haven't seen you around here before....

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  48. Yes I love the cover. The adrenaline rush has already left me, but my fingers are still dancing.

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  49. My fingers are dancing in awe too ... mwah ha ha haaaah...i lurrrv it

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  50. Derek have you ever been to Kent???

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  51. It's a tackling hug! :D Here's a definition off of Google

    to glomp NOT sexual, it is the action of one person lovingly (and
    dramatically) attacking another with a hug.

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  52. AHHH!!!! This is Wonka on her sister's thingy.

    I literally did that when I saw.


    AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    SO cool.
    Grr damn it too many months until September.

    Perfect music for the moment (Goodnight by The Birthday Massacre)

    AND NOW FOR JAGUAR'S OPINION (She's reading Mortal Coil right at this moment):

    No I'm not.


    YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I beat Wonka. (my opinion on the cover. Not beating Wonka)

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  53. Wonka is dancing with excitement... O.o

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  54. So people, what part of the world do you currently blog from?...where do ya live?

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  55. DEREK.

    FOLLOW THIS LINK.

    IT IS FANART BY WONKA. WONNKAAA. not me.
    http://stephaniespielberg.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=0#/d3f0sm2

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  56. My mum was worried because I was squealing and running round the room. In other words the cover and title are ASTONISHING!!!

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  57. SCOTLAND!!

    hey guys- just got back from school and its now...

    *dun dun dun!*

    THE WEEKEND!!!

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  58. YAY WEEKEND!
    Also England ^^

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  59. Darn. I've stopped dancing. I'm not even twitching now. That sucks.

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  60. Well ill die of excitement when I see the book
    Now all I need to do is to convince my mum to buy in -_-

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  61. Yay weekend!!! I'm partying here and drinking fizzy grape juice.

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  62. Ohhhhh
    Grape juice AND FIZZY!!!

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  63. Heyah Kaladevi...*shakes hand in greeting*

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  64. *ponders on why she doesn't return handshake, bu then shrugs and smiles*

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  65. oh yeah *returns handshake*

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  66. now you dont need to ponder ^^

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  67. Okay, i have to go now, cheeerio fellow minions

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  68. Im soo excited for the new book I've been trying to get my brothers to read it.

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  69. :) Its brilliant. I love how un-snappy it is! And the cover... REACHES NEW LEVELS OF EPIC!Definetly my fav cover yet. Now September feels so long to wait
    *sighs with impatiens]ce

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  70. OKAI so I have signed out of mah sistahs.

    Wondering- what programme does Tom Percival use for drawing the covers?

    ALSO, can anyone explain to me what it means when I start dancing over a cover for a book?

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  71. *Wonders*

    Did Derek Landy always have a ego big enough to orbit? Or is that s relatively new thing?

    Don't get me wrong he has totally earned his ego, but did he always have a abnormally large ego?

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  72. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  73. Love the tag line. genius.

    That is all that needs to be said

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  74. WITHERING STARE FOR STATING THE BLOODY OBVIOUS!!

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  75. Ooops sorry random blurting-outedness

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  76. Holy hell it looks AWESOME!
    And the tag line. I like the tag line. It's abrupt.

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  77. This is the most awesome cover art I have EVER seen on a book, seriously! And I`ve seen a lot of books, so that has to count for something.

    Wow. Just WOW.

    Totally love it. Can´t wait to actually hold that book in my hands and read it.

    And the tag-line is great, I can see why you wanted to use that one. It really fits both Skull-man as well as Val.

    I am looking forward to the cover art and the synopsis. You will release a synopsis, right?! RIGHT?! (Preferably REALLY soon...)

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  78. You're ever so good to us, Derek! I LOVE the colour scheme for this one! And are they in a graveyard? There's crosses (some looking like Celtic crosses) in the background...

    So that leaves the question as to WHO is the death bringer!

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  79. Got a secret, can you keep it?
    Swear this one you'll save.
    Better lock it, in your pocket.
    Taking this one to the grave.
    If I show you, then I know you,
    Won't tell what I say.
    'Cause two can keep a secret
    If one, of them is dead...

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  80. *screams* OMG, OMG, OMG! DEREK, I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE GONNA TRY TO GIVE US A CHAPTER! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! AND THE TITLE PAGE IS AWESOME! TOM, WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE AMAZING! DEREK, THNKYOU! AHHHHHHHHH! *runs away screaming with joy*

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  81. :O iv heard o a saying like that: "three can keep a secret if two of them are dead" its like my catchphrase now :)

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  82. It pretty much is true I suppose...

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  83. *runs back in grinning* oh yeah, hi! *runs off again*

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  84. Hi everyone!

    That was the chorus from... A song.... I don't really know it, but its catchy, and from pretty little liars!

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  85. That cover is AMAZING! I LOVE it! :DD

    I think the next titles should be 1 word, because of 'Playing with Fire' - 3, 'The Faceless Ones' - 3, 'Dark Days' - 2 'Mortal Coil' - 2, and 'Death Bringer' - 2 XD

    Red's my favourite colour, too :DD

    Also, can you come on Bebo some time? PLEASE? XD

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  86. I'd like to make myself believe, that planet earth turns slowly!

    it's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep!

    'cause everything's never as it seems!

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  87. it seems... that nobody is properly here... hmm... it gets quite lonely here, very easily...

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  88. ... *runs around singing*

    i dance around this empty house! tear us down! throw you out!

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  89. this used to be our funhouse! but now it's full of evil clowns! it's time to start the countdown! i'm gonna burn it down, down, DOWN!

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  90. The cover is BRILLIANT. I love Tom's work. Valkyrie looks a lot older than in the earlier books. I mean, I know she is older but still.

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  91. That. Is. Awesome. Kick. Evil. In. Face.
    (From Dark Dragon, from lol.inc)

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  92. Oh, I forgot. That chapter, how soon can we have it? I'm suffering from withdrawal. I NEED Skulduggery. SOON!!!!

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  93. ARG THATS SOOO COOL!

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  94. One more thing. As much as I adore you, if you do anything to China I will hunt you down, tear you apart, and sell your hair on ebay for millions. *Giggles innocently* Bye

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  95. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!! *dies of the awesomeness of that cover and title* can't wait!!!!!!

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  96. AHAAAA! Oh my God! I love it! Litterally this cover is EPIC! XD It's so not what I thought it would be! It's just... better! The title? Awesome. However I had already guessed it would be something that, as I guessed it would be red. Don't ask me how I did that, I've just been on a good guessing streak at the moment :) But yes, title and book cover are loved muchly! And the tagline? Gosh that was a brilliant idea! Well done to you both, Tom and Derek! Cant wait to see the back cover and I certainly cant wait to read it!
    Yes, Derek. You are FAR too good for us!
    ~Laura~

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  97. THIS IS EPIC AND IT BLENDS IN SO WELL

    LIKE WHATS HAPPENING

    I THOUGHT VALKYRIE WAS GONNA BE USING NECROMANCER BUT I SHOULD NOT QUESTION THE GREAT AND O MIGHTY GOD!!



    OMG THAT COVER IS AWESOME THAT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOL



    U R JUST AWESOME (might) SNEAK OUT A CHAPTER BEFORE SEPTEMBER



    YOU ARE TOO GOOD TO US LITERALLY

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  98. kjbguyrtbykjlrgnukUHYBKJDFGNVGUIRAEBGSN BJGHOIERJUI8VKLWEBJNERKLGHIKWJRKWE RRHUIKJEKTCLDJRGJKEHJRIO,ÉÍÓ4EPT;CE4OITOE4UJTHI5UHYILTOLKGODGJKILRTGJNELOUI9OWE;OHYIEANGJIERUYHLREJGILUERHLYGHERO;IGUKERAGJKEABUDEHFIO;TERHGIKSDLURI8GTLUEHGWRTIUGEAWGH[POHWQJKBHFWuiwyr89pf'hjpgluieh



    Oh.... My.... Fecking...


    Derek, I.... Dear GOD! When you see Tom, right, you walk up to him, and slap him, then pat him on the back for me. Slap him for being so FRICKING AWESOME, and also pat him on the back for the same reason.


    Also, no WAY am I tearing up with sheer joy. No WAY.

    ....¬¬

    Okaymaybejustalittle.

    But just LOOK at it! All day I've had to wait all day for this! ALL DAY!

    My golly gosh Derek I love you and your books. You're such an amazing guy and your books are just as amazing! Seriously. I cannot WAIT to see you again! And this time I'll try to be less annoying XD. I really can't help it though, I can't shut up when I'm hyper.

    BACK COVER DEREK! *dies* I CAN'T WAIT! AND... AND... WE GET TO READ A BIT?!?!?! :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD *so damn happy right now*

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  99. OMG THE COVER IS FREAKIN' AWESOME!! LOVE THE GRAVEYARD IN THE BACKGROUND!!! SOO COOL! I ESPIECALLY LOVE THE KICKING EVIL VERY HARD IN THE FACE PART!! VERY AWESOME! AND I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE CALLED THE DEATH BRINGER AND LOVE THAT NAME!! THOROUGHLY AWESOME!! CANT WAIT TO READ, I KNOW ITS GONNA BE AWESOME! WELL DONE TOM, FOR THE COVER, AND VERY GOOD JOB MASTER DEREK, I KNO U DID AWESOME! CANT WAIT!

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  100. AWESOME DEREK! THE COVER IS AWESOME!

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  101. LLLAAAALLLLAALLLLLAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAA

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  102. Gotta go, I'll be on tomorrow!

    Bye!

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  103. I'm sorry I'm on late, the funeral buffet lasted longer than I thought. I swear... I've never had so many hugs from old people in my life! LOL

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  104. *sighs* i have to go and writ my novel now... bye guys! will be on tomorrow... maybe later... dunno... bye!

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  105. Oh yeah thanks for leaving me alone guys :(

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  106. i'm here!... *glares at krane* *hisses*

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  107. *doesn't take eyes off krane* hi gepard... *hisses at krane*

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  108. *stands at lilith's side, lightning beginning to form in his palms*

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  109. We will have no arguments tonight.

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  110. *hisses* *stays dead still* *glares at krane*

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  111. *smug grin at Lilith and Trohyman

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  112. Actually Krane I am not on your side. I just don't want any arguments.

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  113. No Trohyman. I do not want any more arguments since last night with Isabella.

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  114. You guys... XD

    Why don't you start up a Facebook Group and chat on there to save comment space for the other fans? :3 Because it's kinda making life hard for Derek with your massive convo on here XD

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  115. Lilith stop glaring at him.


    Krane, there is a difference between joking anger, normal anger then hate. A big difference.

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  116. good idea Bex but then we'll know each other's real names

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  117. He loves our convos.


    And fine Dragona.

    *sulks*

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  118. Bex, mainly because not all of us want facebook and here is better than facebook, in my opinion anyway. We have gone through this before with some other people, don't start it up again.

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  119. ...Yeah but... Shouldn't be a problem so long as none of you are rapists XDD. Just suggesting because I know how niffed other fans get when they come on here and there's no space for comments :/

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  120. Derek likes our conversations on here, he even joins in from time to time.

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  121. Right, Dragona, okay. Didn't want to start an argument XD. Like I said, just suggesting :D I'll go now XD.

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  122. I agree with Gepard(yeah I didnt call u Trohyman there)

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  123. Okay, I dedicate this page to my two best friends, Nicolette and Tristessa! Goen but not forgotten!

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  124. Bex, I'm sorry if I've offended you. I don't want to think that I have made you leave. There was an argument on the NZ post like argument en masse, I just don't want another repeat of it.

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