Last Dragonslayer 01

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Average customer rating 4 (3 comments)

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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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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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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.