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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
More fun from Fforde. On to the next book in the series!
When I started reading it, it seemed to be not as good as the last. Then things picked up, and it finished beautifully. Excellent read! Definitely recommended if you read the first one!
I'd say this second book in the series is the same quality as the first. Quick, fun read, but with the same short comings.
Spoiler
I still find the berserker reveal from the first book to be a strange choice. Even more so, really, since it wasn't used at all in this book. I imagine that it's going to come more into play in one of the next two, but it seems it would have been more effective to demonstrate that there was something "different" or off about Jennifer and then let it be a reveal later. There's only a single mention in the first book, when Jennifer realizes she a berserker, about her having trouble controlling her temper, yet that is never actually an issue in narrative.
The second book has all the pitfalls of the first in the series, although I didn’t enjoy it as much. The plot is incredible slow-paced at the beginning and extremely quick in the last few chapters. As much as I loved the fantastical world and its characters, much of the world-building came across as constant info dumps. It felt more like reading an history textbook—especially with the addition of footnotes. At points, it felt hard to follow along with the mention of so many minor characters and magic terms.
The main plot follows Jennifer as she manages the sorcerers in repairing the bridge. Kazam is caught up in a rigged competition with iMagic, in which the King and Blix want to use magic for capitalistic gain. They first arrest multiple Kazam sorcerers so that their team dwindles. It’s an ongoing problem through the book but is then suddenly and quickly resolved when Queen Mimosa steps in. Then Kazam neatly wins the competition.
Same happens when Blix attempts to use the Dibbles to gain power and take over. He’s swiftly defeated by Boo. The quick clean-up of the book’s conflicts makes them carry a certain weightlessness. The plot isn’t as gripping since it lacks tension.
Also, in the first book at the end, it’s mentioned that Jennifer is a Beserker. There said the fearsome warriors who can channel rage into extreme violence. Being found out would mean confinement or being used as a tool for the army. Aside from a brief mention, this plot thread isn’t followed along throughout the story. Even when Blix is digging up reasons to arrest Kazam’s sorcerers, Jennifer never fears that this information might be used against her. There’s not much weight carried with the reveal.
The main plot follows Jennifer as she manages the sorcerers in repairing the bridge. Kazam is caught up in a rigged competition with iMagic, in which the King and Blix want to use magic for capitalistic gain. They first arrest multiple Kazam sorcerers so that their team dwindles. It’s an ongoing problem through the book but is then suddenly and quickly resolved when Queen Mimosa steps in. Then Kazam neatly wins the competition.
Same happens when Blix attempts to use the Dibbles to gain power and take over. He’s swiftly defeated by Boo. The quick clean-up of the book’s conflicts makes them carry a certain weightlessness. The plot isn’t as gripping since it lacks tension.
Also, in the first book at the end, it’s mentioned that Jennifer is a Beserker. There said the fearsome warriors who can channel rage into extreme violence. Being found out would mean confinement or being used as a tool for the army. Aside from a brief mention, this plot thread isn’t followed along throughout the story. Even when Blix is digging up reasons to arrest Kazam’s sorcerers, Jennifer never fears that this information might be used against her. There’s not much weight carried with the reveal.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thanks to Edelwiess and HMH Books for Young Readers for early access to this title.
3 1/2 stars - I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one, but its still a fun read. The adventures of the wizards are entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoy Jennifer's character. The book is a bit silly, and in a few places it was a distraction for me. However, most of the time, the silliness is part of the fun of the book. I particularly like the titles he gives to the various characters. Anyone who's read the first one will find this a Must=Read; if you haven't read the first one, this is harder to enjoy as a stand alone. Fun for both 'Tweens and Teens.
3 1/2 stars - I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first one, but its still a fun read. The adventures of the wizards are entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoy Jennifer's character. The book is a bit silly, and in a few places it was a distraction for me. However, most of the time, the silliness is part of the fun of the book. I particularly like the titles he gives to the various characters. Anyone who's read the first one will find this a Must=Read; if you haven't read the first one, this is harder to enjoy as a stand alone. Fun for both 'Tweens and Teens.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm not a big fan of series, but I really loved this. Jennifer Strange is such a great character, and I found myself laughing out loud many times. So fun!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm generally a fan of Fforde's style of whimsy because I enjoy the alternative versions of our world he creates, which are filled with the mildly ridiculous and fantastical. He writes fun adventures, but I felt that the Kazam books just haven't quite done it. The ideas are a bit too disconnected, and I didn't feel the protagonist changes or grows much over the course of the book. It felt shallow compared to some of his other work (Particularly the Thursday Next series and Shades of Grey). Still, a fun enough read.