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Original Essays | May 1, 2013

Josh Hanagarne: IMG Seven Books That Actually Changed My Life

5 comments By Josh Hanagarne

I'd predict that 99 percent of the small talk in the staff elevator at my library involves the following question and its answers: "Are you reading... Continue »
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Other titles in the Chronicles of Kazam series:

The Last Dragonslayer (Chronicles of Kazam)

by

The Last Dragonslayer (Chronicles of Kazam) Cover

ISBN13: 9780547738475
ISBN10: 0547738471
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

From the author of the Thursday Next mysteries comes this off-beat fantasy, the first in a new series for young readers. In the good old days, magic was powerful and unregulated by government, and sorcerers were highly respected. Then the magic started to fade away. Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, a magic employment agency. Work is hard to come by, and unexciting: These days, sorcerers find work unblocking drains, and even magic carpets have been reduced to pizza delivery. So it's a surprise when the visions start. Not only do they predict the death of the last dragon at the hands of a dragonslayer, they also point to Jennifer. Something is coming. Something known as — Big Magic.

Review:

"Adult author Fforde's foray into children's books will delight readers who like their fantasy with a dash of silliness. Since the Great Zambini disappeared six months earlier, the job of running Kazam Mystical Arts Management has fallen to Jennifer Strange, a foundling two weeks shy of 16, but sensible beyond her years. Kazam is part boardinghouse, part employment agency for wizards and magicians whose talents are on the decline — a high maintenance bunch. Jennifer has just begun her mentorship of another foundling, Horton 'Tiger' Prawns, when she learns she is the Last Dragonslayer (capitalized to differentiate from merely the previous dragonslayer) and that the last dragon on Earth, Maltcassion, is prophesied to die at her hand on Sunday noon. Comedic chaos ensues — the news of Maltcassion's imminent death paves the way for a major land grab. There's a lot of setup for later books in Fforde's Chronicles of Kazam, but it's so inventive and charming that readers will happily stick with it (though the tragic death of a major character will hit some of them hard) and be impatient for the next episode. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Review:

"Fantasy readers with a taste for the silly should appreciate the subverted tropes." Kirkus

Review:

"Thoroughly entertaining...readers will easily sit back and enjoy the fun." Booklist

Review:

"Fforde's fantasy is smart, funny, and abundantly imaginative in its critique of commercial culture." Horn Book

Synopsis:

In his witty first novel for young readers, New York Times best-selling author Jasper Fforde introduces fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, who runs an agency for underemployed magicians in a world where magic is fading away. But when visions of the death of the world's last dragon begin, all signs point to Jennifer — and Big Magic.

Synopsis:

In the good old days, magic was indispensable — it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians — but it's hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world's last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam — and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as... Big Magic.
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Video

About the Author

Jasper Fforde, the author of the best-selling Thursday Next mysteries and the Nursery Crime books, has a devoted worldwide following for his highly entertaining and original novels. He lives with his family in Wales. www.jasperfforde.com
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
Beverly B, February 13, 2013 (view all comments by Beverly B)
The Last Dragonslayer is a good YA novel with a simplistic plot best suited for younger teens, but a whimsical style and satirical humor that is probably way over their heads. Like many novels that are the first in a series, The Last Dragonslayer suffers from way too much attention spent on introducing a huge cast of characters most of whom play little or no part in the events of the rising action. All of the characters are original, comical and interesting, but the reader learns little about them. The protagonist, Jennifer Strange, a 15 year old orphan, does not begin her quest until page 132 - almost exactly halfway through the book. While trying to run a struggling employment agency for magicians in a land where the demand for magic is dwindling, Jennifer discovers she is the chosen Last Dragonslayer. She has no idea why, no fighting skills, has never seen a dragon, and has no experience dealing with corrupt, greedy dishonest people who come out in droves when word gets out that she is the chosen one. The second half of the book is fast paced and filled with very funny jabs at pop culture, capitalistic greed and corrupt politicians, but there is little intensity or depth. One of the dragons explains the conflict rather than the conflict unfolding through the events. I wish the story had started on page 132 and gone into much more detail about the conflict among the empires and the conflict between the dragons and the humans.
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Lindsay Mead, January 5, 2013 (view all comments by Lindsay Mead)
Wow, good story. It's quirky and silly. Near the middle it feels like it's not going anywhere-- then the next thing you know, you're crying. Twice. Lovely story with a good ending.

Recommended & Honorable Mention

Yes/No Checklist
Sex: No
Gore: No
Rape: No
Magic: Yes
Drugs: No

Star Categories
Romance: N/A
Action: 3 Stars *Not much action in this, but a few heart-pounding spots.
Pacing: 3 1/2 Stars *It seems to drag in the middle.
Writing: 5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars *It brings to mind a certain movie, but still really good.
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Protagonist Meter
Damsel---------*-Badass
She shows her real talents at the end and she could be quite formidable.
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Jamie Carpenter, January 1, 2013 (view all comments by Jamie Carpenter)
I vote for this as my favorite book of the year. I read a lot of fantastic books in 2012 (and I'm sure there are great ones I didn't get to!), but I love satire and comedy. Even though this poses as a light-hearted young adult book, it provides a scathing social commentary, in true British form.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780547738475
Author:
Fforde, Jasper
Publisher:
Harcourt Children's Books
Subject:
Action & Adventure
Subject:
Children s-Science Fiction and Fantasy
Subject:
Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
Edition Description:
Trade Cloth
Series:
The Chronicles of Kazam
Publication Date:
20121031
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
from 7
Language:
English
Pages:
306
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in 1 lb
Age Level:
from 12
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Related Subjects


Children's » Action and Adventure » Adventure Stories
Children's » Animals » Mythical
Children's » New Arrivals
Children's » Science Fiction and Fantasy » General
Featured Titles » General
Young Adult » Featured Titles
Young Adult » General

The Last Dragonslayer (Chronicles of Kazam) New Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$16.99 In Stock
Product details 306 pages Harcourt Children's Books - English 9780547738475 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "Adult author Fforde's foray into children's books will delight readers who like their fantasy with a dash of silliness. Since the Great Zambini disappeared six months earlier, the job of running Kazam Mystical Arts Management has fallen to Jennifer Strange, a foundling two weeks shy of 16, but sensible beyond her years. Kazam is part boardinghouse, part employment agency for wizards and magicians whose talents are on the decline — a high maintenance bunch. Jennifer has just begun her mentorship of another foundling, Horton 'Tiger' Prawns, when she learns she is the Last Dragonslayer (capitalized to differentiate from merely the previous dragonslayer) and that the last dragon on Earth, Maltcassion, is prophesied to die at her hand on Sunday noon. Comedic chaos ensues — the news of Maltcassion's imminent death paves the way for a major land grab. There's a lot of setup for later books in Fforde's Chronicles of Kazam, but it's so inventive and charming that readers will happily stick with it (though the tragic death of a major character will hit some of them hard) and be impatient for the next episode. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
"Review" by , "Fantasy readers with a taste for the silly should appreciate the subverted tropes."
"Review" by , "Thoroughly entertaining...readers will easily sit back and enjoy the fun."
"Review" by , "Fforde's fantasy is smart, funny, and abundantly imaginative in its critique of commercial culture."
"Synopsis" by , In his witty first novel for young readers, New York Times best-selling author Jasper Fforde introduces fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, who runs an agency for underemployed magicians in a world where magic is fading away. But when visions of the death of the world's last dragon begin, all signs point to Jennifer — and Big Magic.
"Synopsis" by , In the good old days, magic was indispensable — it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians — but it's hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world's last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam — and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as... Big Magic.
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