Fun from the very first page, this book is the start of a series I grew up loving. The characters are witty and hilarious, the stakes are high but well realised and the world building is decent for a childrens book. Some of the scenes can be quite dark though there is often comedy used to lighten the situation, and I remember as a kid loving that it didn't shy away from the dark stuff. A lot happens and yet it never feels rushed, overall it is still an entertaining read after all these years.