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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Just as wonderful as the book before it. While she's not a Dragonslayer anymore, Jennifer Strange proves to young adults you don't need to have a gigantic sword in order to be a hero. All it takes is being the smartest person in the room. Quick wit helps, which Fforde has in spades. I believe the Return of Shandar will be like the newest Thursday next book for me. No way in hell I'm waiting until it finally makes it here.
I normally LOVE books by Jasper Fforde. I love the unique worlds he creates, the characters, the "its almost reality, but with a twist". But this series, while enjoyable, just did not grab hold of me the way the Thursday Next, The Fairy Tale Crimes, or Shades of Grey series do.
Its a nice light read and the idea of magic as a power source, for hire, is interesting, but the conflict between the different magical houses, the politics of it all (which as usually so detailed and interesting) felt a little light and not well explained.
Honestly, I think because this was written as a Young Adult novel series, things felt a little flat. I think he tried to tone down his writing, not go into as much detail and that was what was truly missing in these books. That spark...but still a nice little read, but I'm waiting for the next Shades of Grey book...or I will go re-read my Thursday Next books when I need my Jasper Fforde fix. Don't get me wrong...its worth a read, but not one I will go back and read over and over again.
Its a nice light read and the idea of magic as a power source, for hire, is interesting, but the conflict between the different magical houses, the politics of it all (which as usually so detailed and interesting) felt a little light and not well explained.
Honestly, I think because this was written as a Young Adult novel series, things felt a little flat. I think he tried to tone down his writing, not go into as much detail and that was what was truly missing in these books. That spark...but still a nice little read, but I'm waiting for the next Shades of Grey book...or I will go re-read my Thursday Next books when I need my Jasper Fforde fix. Don't get me wrong...its worth a read, but not one I will go back and read over and over again.
I enjoyed the first book of this series, but I was unfamiliar with the characters. By the second book, they've grown on me. It's possible that 5 stars was a little generous, but since I've been in a slump with books I enjoy lately, this was a welcome change.
It's the same wacky dystopia and you find yourself...enjoying it? Making light of treating orphans like slaves? Check. The king has established a dictatorship...but you know, it's not all hopeless. Interesting because on paper, these should be horrifying and depressing, but they are not.
The dragons are mentioned, but not featured in this book, and Jennifer's role as Dragon Slayer takes the back burner, I guess.
It's the same wacky dystopia and you find yourself...enjoying it? Making light of treating orphans like slaves? Check. The king has established a dictatorship...but you know, it's not all hopeless. Interesting because on paper, these should be horrifying and depressing, but they are not.
The dragons are mentioned, but not featured in this book, and Jennifer's role as Dragon Slayer takes the back burner, I guess.
Ok, I am pretty darn sure I read this a few years ago. I listened to the first book on audio in 2016 and purchased the trilogy as an ebook in 2018. I remember thinking I only had one left to read. The plot also sounds familiar.... but I didn't list it in Goodreads, possibly because I didn't finish the whole ebook? I dunno. So I'm guessing on the date here.
Jaspar Fforde's writing is always a delight. I had written a longer review but it got lost and is irreproducible. So I'll just leave it at that.
And kudos to Elizabeth Jasicki for her marvelous reading!
And kudos to Elizabeth Jasicki for her marvelous reading!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this second installment of this YA series. I like how this was a full story in the world -a tiny bit is left open for more adventures but the ending was very satisfying. The returning characters continue to be appealing, fun, and resourceful. New characters were either deliciously evil or enigmatic. The world is still zany and wild, but it just fits so well. The story was great, and I really do love quarkbeasts now. I am really enjoying the rather different story and series and am excited to continue.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
More of a 3.5 than a 3. A bit too many coincidences. Granted, they are set up from earlier in the book, but it still made it feel a bit like the main characters didn't have as much to do with the resolution as they should have.