Book Review (why yes, I did spend most of the day in bed reading)

[kenjari]

The Last Dragonslayer
by Jasper Fforde

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

This is the first volume of Fforde's new YA series, which is set in the Ununited Kingdoms, a magical, fantasy version of the UK which is kind of a mashup of Discworld and modern-day Britain. The protagonist, Jennifer Strange, is an adolescent foundling who works as the manager of the Kazam Mystical Arts Management company, which is an employment agency for wizards. When a series of visions predicting the eminent death of the last dragon sweep the wizard community, things get really interesting for Jennifer and her compatriots.
The Last Dragonslayer was thoroughly delightful. with interesting plot twists, a really likeable main character, and a wonderfully quirky supporting cast. And even though it's a YA novel, the stakes are high and the danger is real. I also really liked the way the themes of loyalty to friends and ideals, and doing what you think is right even in the face of serious pressure were handled with enough clarity to get through but also with a light enough touch to never become preachy. I really enjoyed it all and look forward to the next book in the series.

Comments

[kenjari.livejournal.com]

This was my introduction to Fforde, and I now want to seek out his other stuff, because this one was so much fun.

[ladybird97.livejournal.com]

The Thursday Next series is awesome - it slumps a bit in the middle but the latest has picked up again and become excellent. The Nursery Crime series isn't very good, alas - the first one was OK, but the second was really bad, and if there's a third I haven't bothered to find it. I love that he's so creative that he keeps putting out new ideas and new series, but I want him to get back to Thursday Next :)