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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another quirky and fun tale out of Fforde. In this follow-up to The Last Dragonslayer, Jennifer Strange and the Kazam crew are up against iMagic.
Uiuiui, ein würdiger Nachfolger zum ersten Band! Er hat mir sogar noch besser gefallen, wenn ich ehrlich sein muss. Ich hab allerdings gehofft, dass die Drachen eine etwas größere Rolle oder überhaupt eine(!) spielen würden.
Jasper Fforde seems to have further developed the world of Snodd in this book, which has its good sides and bad. Song of the Quarkbeast begins calling magic (or “wizidrical power”) crackle, something that wasn’t mentioned in the first book, same for the description of spells as something akin to coding. It certainly fleshes out some understanding of magic, but seems to come out of nowhere. This is my first time rereading the books, so I noticed it this time whereas previously some time had passed between reading the two.
Aside from that, we again get to follow Jennifer Strange along on another magical adventure, this time as she fights to keep magic from being controlled by the corrupt leader of her country. Song of the Quarkbeast introduces some new characters and builds at the backstory of Kazam hinted at in book one.
Like the first book, the plot keeps you moving and the dialogue is quick and biting. Jennifer is the wonderful character we remember, and we get to see more personality for other characters. Another quick read that brings a smile to your face as the universe comes together to do the right thing when necessary.
Aside from that, we again get to follow Jennifer Strange along on another magical adventure, this time as she fights to keep magic from being controlled by the corrupt leader of her country. Song of the Quarkbeast introduces some new characters and builds at the backstory of Kazam hinted at in book one.
Like the first book, the plot keeps you moving and the dialogue is quick and biting. Jennifer is the wonderful character we remember, and we get to see more personality for other characters. Another quick read that brings a smile to your face as the universe comes together to do the right thing when necessary.
I liked this, but I didn't love it. Anytime I read a book by Fforde, I find myself wishing it were a Thursday Next book, which is where his Cleverness really shines. Here, it felt like a distraction from the plot, which felt a bit thin at times. Still, this book has a lot of charm.
I am becoming a big Jasper Fforde fan. Well, at least a big Kazam fan since that's all I've read, but I just might have to look into his adult books as well. I just love his writing. It's clever and funny and absolutely perfect. I'm waiting eagerly for the next book in the series.
This was an excellent sequel to [b:The Last Dragonslayer|13316328|The Last Dragonslayer (The Chronicles of Kazam, #1)|Jasper Fforde|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346791460s/13316328.jpg|13380425], though this book does stand perfectly well on its own if you have not yet read the first book. I almost would have liked to see more of the consequences of the first book's big events - they were mentioned but our hero, Jennifer Strange, didn't seem much changed in any way by it all. I can work with it because I love Jennifer Strange's character and the writing and unique worldbuilding more than make up for it, but it did throw me off at first. This minor complaint is the only thing keeping me from giving this book five stars.
Once again, I'll say that I highly recommend this series to any fantasy fans, and especially to anyone who enjoys authors like [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] and [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg].
This was an excellent sequel to [b:The Last Dragonslayer|13316328|The Last Dragonslayer (The Chronicles of Kazam, #1)|Jasper Fforde|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346791460s/13316328.jpg|13380425], though this book does stand perfectly well on its own if you have not yet read the first book. I almost would have liked to see more of the consequences of the first book's big events - they were mentioned but our hero, Jennifer Strange, didn't seem much changed in any way by it all. I can work with it because I love Jennifer Strange's character and the writing and unique worldbuilding more than make up for it, but it did throw me off at first. This minor complaint is the only thing keeping me from giving this book five stars.
Once again, I'll say that I highly recommend this series to any fantasy fans, and especially to anyone who enjoys authors like [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] and [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg].
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In this second installment of the Dragonslayer series, we follow the foundling, Jennifer Strange, as she continues to manage one of the two competing wizidrical companies in the UnUnited Kingdom. Join her as she tries to uncover: the whereabouts of the Great Zambini,
why the Great Zambini can't stay locked in their time,
more about Quarkbeasts,
what iMagic is trying to scheme against Kazam,
what happened to the Once Magnificent Boo, and more.
Curious? Confused? That is a normal response to a summary of most work by Jasper Fforde. I'd rate this book at 3.7 stars.
Recommended for :
Those who enjoy fantasy and humor including mild slapstick and avid sarcasm. Warning, this book contains some humor which may induce smiling, sniggering, and a potential outburst of laughter. Ask your doctor if laughter is safe for you.
Although the writing style is on an adult's reading level, this would certainly be a good book for parents to read aloud with their kids. The series has clean humor with mostly clear lines of right and wrong. Items that start out as unclear are resolved and could make for good discussion. I especially like the points that were made in regards to the Troll Wars about 3/4 of the way through the book.
why the Great Zambini can't stay locked in their time,
more about Quarkbeasts,
what iMagic is trying to scheme against Kazam,
what happened to the Once Magnificent Boo, and more.
Curious? Confused? That is a normal response to a summary of most work by Jasper Fforde. I'd rate this book at 3.7 stars.
Recommended for :
Those who enjoy fantasy and humor including mild slapstick and avid sarcasm. Warning, this book contains some humor which may induce smiling, sniggering, and a potential outburst of laughter. Ask your doctor if laughter is safe for you.
Although the writing style is on an adult's reading level, this would certainly be a good book for parents to read aloud with their kids. The series has clean humor with mostly clear lines of right and wrong. Items that start out as unclear are resolved and could make for good discussion. I especially like the points that were made in regards to the Troll Wars about 3/4 of the way through the book.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
4 stars
The quarkyness is back!!
I like this series in the randomness of it but as well as an arcing plot line and the fact that it makes fun of everything.
It was good and I'm glad the quarkbeast is back.
The quarkyness is back!!
I like this series in the randomness of it but as well as an arcing plot line and the fact that it makes fun of everything.
It was good and I'm glad the quarkbeast is back.