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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Audiobook performed Elizabeth Jasicki
From the dust jacket - Long ago, magic began to fade, and the underemployed magicians of Kazam Mystical Arts management have been forced to take any work their sixteen-year-old acting manager, Jennifer Strange, can scare up. But things are about to change. Magical power is finally on the rise, and King Snodd IV of the Ununited Kingdoms knows that he who controls magic controls everything. Only one person stands between Snodd and his plans for a magic grab – and that’s Jennifer.
My reactions
Fforde entertains with another flight of fancy and fantasy. The plot has been written before – evil geniuses out to control the world, thwarted by an honest, morally upright young person with right on her side. The cast of characters includes several doddering old magicians, one charming young apprentice, the king’s useless brother, and the Transient Moose. The action features a magic carpet ride at the speed of light, a visit to Trollvania, a brief appearance by the Great Zambini himself, and a bridge-building contest between rival teams of sorcerers. Of course, there’s also the quarkbeast and its lonely song: “A song of resignation, of poetry given and received.”
I like that Jasper’s heroine is a strong, intelligent, resourceful young woman who uses wit and intelligence rather than might to best her enemies. In fact, there are several strong women in the roster of characters from Lady Mawgon to the Once Magnificent Boo.
On the whole, however, I think this is a book best enjoyed by a younger audience; ages 10-15 seems to be the target group.
Elizabeth Jasicki does a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She has a gift for voices that brings all these colorful characters to life. And her enthusiasm for the work helped me suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride (even without a magic carpet).
From the dust jacket - Long ago, magic began to fade, and the underemployed magicians of Kazam Mystical Arts management have been forced to take any work their sixteen-year-old acting manager, Jennifer Strange, can scare up. But things are about to change. Magical power is finally on the rise, and King Snodd IV of the Ununited Kingdoms knows that he who controls magic controls everything. Only one person stands between Snodd and his plans for a magic grab – and that’s Jennifer.
My reactions
Fforde entertains with another flight of fancy and fantasy. The plot has been written before – evil geniuses out to control the world, thwarted by an honest, morally upright young person with right on her side. The cast of characters includes several doddering old magicians, one charming young apprentice, the king’s useless brother, and the Transient Moose. The action features a magic carpet ride at the speed of light, a visit to Trollvania, a brief appearance by the Great Zambini himself, and a bridge-building contest between rival teams of sorcerers. Of course, there’s also the quarkbeast and its lonely song: “A song of resignation, of poetry given and received.”
I like that Jasper’s heroine is a strong, intelligent, resourceful young woman who uses wit and intelligence rather than might to best her enemies. In fact, there are several strong women in the roster of characters from Lady Mawgon to the Once Magnificent Boo.
On the whole, however, I think this is a book best enjoyed by a younger audience; ages 10-15 seems to be the target group.
Elizabeth Jasicki does a marvelous job performing the audiobook. She has a gift for voices that brings all these colorful characters to life. And her enthusiasm for the work helped me suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride (even without a magic carpet).
4 and a half.
These Chronicles of Kazam are just a lot of fun. Appropriate for any age.
These Chronicles of Kazam are just a lot of fun. Appropriate for any age.
Still a good romp! I thought this one was tidier, more fun, and more exciting than the first one. I don't often feel so much more positively about sequels than firsts, but it didn't suffer from a lot of the problems I had with the first one. The pacing was still a bit erratic, but there weren't nearly as many loose ends and though the ending felt very quick and a bit abrupt, everything came together really nicely.
It was good, even though I'd rather it was Painting by Numbers for fuck's sake.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this to my 14-year old son, right after we finished the first in the series. I liked that first title more than he did, and after this one, we both decided we did not need to read any further. I recognize the wit and humor employed in the book, although most of the time, it did not make me laugh. I found watching my son strike a pose or a facial expression based on what I was reading much more amusing.
I didn't bond with any of the characters, and thus didn't care about their adventures or drama. Mostly it felt too slowly paced, with not nearly enough Quarkbeast action.
Not a fan, but I can see how some would enjoy it.
I didn't bond with any of the characters, and thus didn't care about their adventures or drama. Mostly it felt too slowly paced, with not nearly enough Quarkbeast action.
Not a fan, but I can see how some would enjoy it.
An enjoyable second volume. There were more quarkbeasts, but they spent less time on the page, however.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
The second in THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER series, it starts with a very linear storyline, takes a few odd ball knocks around and then settles into a satisfying ending. However, the epilogue that wraps the story up sort of negates the upcoming third book in the series. Whether it was deliberate or not, seems out of place. As per Ffordian form, puns abound, the clever poking a stick at the big government, and well, throw in some magic and you have a fairly fine novel. Not the best of Fforde's, for sure, but as with his novels, he tends to start out strong, the middle is a bit weak, and then it ramps up again.