The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde ★★★★☆

Another master piece.

Fiction – YA – Urban Fantasy

289 pages

Age Level: 10 - 14 | Grade Level: 5 - 9

Publication Date: 2013 (in the US)

The Last Dragonslayer #2

Two months after the initial magic power surge magic is slowly rising and Jennifer Strange is trying stave off a takeover of Kazam Mystical Arts Management from a rival magic company.  A contest between the two rivals is set to take place, but with the other side cheating and backed by King Snodd IV the chances of Kazam winning is looking iffy at best.

This story is a quick, nontaxing read with a high level of silliness.  Again Mr. Fforde proves himself a master wordsmith with colorful writing and an imagination that knows no bounds.  He weaves his stories together so they are never straight forward or entirely predictable, keeping the attention of his readers.  I particularly liked his bit about some wizards having the ability to make remote suggestion or sending ideas and that it was banned once it was found out they used it to promote talentless boy bands.  As usual, his characters are well rounded, the world is fleshed out and quirky and everything is up to the high level I have come to expect from Mr. Fforde.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede ★★★★☆

A princess who can rescue herself and her friends.

Fiction – Juvenile – High Fantasy

Age Range: 10 and up Grade Level: 4 - 8

212 pages

Publication Date: 1990

Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1

Literary Awards: Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award Nominee (1993)

Princess Cimorene isn’t your typical fairytale princess despite her family’s attempts to make her one.  Nor does she want to be.  Cimorene wants freedom to choose her own path, so when her parents arrange for her to marry she decides to it’s time to run away.  Told to head to the Enchanted Forest by a frog Cimorene begin the adventure of her life.  And the ending is anything, but typical, just like Cimorene.

So it is fairly obvious that while this book takes place in a typical fairytale book world, Cimorene, as a nonconformist, couldn’t have a typical story.  This story has no rescue, no knight, no happily-ever-after, because Cimorene actually volunteers to be a dragon’s princess.  Cimorene as a heroine is strong, independent and most importantly bored with normal princess life, and she has the gumption and courage to take chances.  Now the thing I really valued about her is even though she wanted to choose a different path from the norm she gives others to follow the normal one without scorn.  She gives them the freedom to be who they are.  Also it was nice to see that her princess upbringing did help her out in her new role.  So her upbringing did have value even if she didn’t like it at the time.

Charming, whimsical and fun this book is nice light read, with interesting characters set in a familiar world that keeps turning custom on its ear.  This is a book I can confidently that all ages will enjoy

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde ★★★★☆

Delightfully Absurd and Absurdly Delightful!

Ficition – YA – Urban Fantasy

Reading level: Ages 12 and up

287 pages

US Publication Date:  October 2nd 2012

The Last Dragonslayer #1 (UK) or The Chronicles of Kazam Book 1 (US)

Magic has lost it strength and grandeur and has been downgraded to use for household repair and pizza delivery.  Jennifer Strange, the fifteen-year-old foundling in servitude to Kazam, still tries her best to remember the old days and take care of the magicians in Kazam’s employment, but business is drying up just as fast as magic.  But when a vision of the last dragon dying at the hands of a Dragonslayer is broadcasted, things in the Kingdom Hereford and the surrounding lands are thrown into chaos.  With a war at hand and change sharply in the air Jennifer must quickly reinterpret her destiny and hopefully spark the revival of Big Magic.

In an effort to have full disclosure and airing of my decidedly strong prejudices I just want to say Jasper Fforde is my favorite author.  Both our girls have book names and if we had had a boy - like we originally thought- Alexander Fforde was definitely in the running as a name (Sorry Jasper, I don’t know what it’s like on the other side of the Pond, but around here Jasper as a first name would be clearly asking for trouble and/or an ass kicking).

This book wasn’t my favorite by Fforde – that glorious honor goes to the Well of Lost Plots and the estimable character Miss Havisham.  While not quite the crown jewel of his body of work it is still better than 78.6% of the best other authors have to offer and thus quite good.  I have waited for the US debut of this book for a few years and I am so grateful to my library for stocking it(trust me when the bond measure in my state came up for putting more money into our public library systems I was all for it!  “MORE BOOKS FOR EVERYONE!” the masses cheer.)

I quickly fell under the spell of this book.  On the surface the story is fun and light and absurd, but as with all of Fforde’s writing there are layers.  He builds a very rich and detailed world in the Ununited Kingdoms, creating an interesting well-constructed mythology, along with the creation of a quirky mundane world.  Other reviewers have said this is one of his more accessible books and I have to agree.  While I adore his writing, I have to concede- though it makes me a little ill to do so- it isn’t for everyone, but The Lastdragon Slayer does have a more universal appeal, while not losing its Ffordeness.  So I say give it a try and let loose your own inner Ffordeness.

Side note:  Also for all of you aspiring authors if you ever get down about those pesky query letters, just read Thursday Next: The Eyre Affair and try to imagine what it took Fford to sell that work of genius!

ISBN  0547738471 (ISBN13: 9780547738475)

Eon by Alison Goodman ★★★☆☆

Dragons, Emperors and Girls in Disguise, Oh My!

Fiction -YA - Epic Fantasy

Reading level: Ages 12 and up

531 pages

Original Title: The Two Pearls of Wisdom

Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Eon #1

Literary awards:  Victorian Premier's Literary Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction Prize (2009), James Tiptree Jr. Award Nominee (2008), TAYSHAS High School Reading List (2010), Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel & Nominee for Young Adult Novel (2008), ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2009) Bank Street College Best Book of the Year (2009)

Crippled Eon is in training to become a candidate for the Rat Dragon’s apprentice; one of the greatest honors in the kingdom.  Gifted with rare full dragon sight Eon can see each of the dragons, except of course the Mirror Dragon who has been missing for 500 years.  On the day of choosing no one in the kingdom expects the “cursed cripple” to be chosen, but Eon has another reason for thinking he might not be chosen, Eon is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl.  Females cannot take part in the Dragonseye ceremonies, on pain of death.  When the Mirror Dragon resurfaces and chooses Eona everything in her life is thrown into chaos.  Plunged into a dangerous world she doesn’t understand and unable to call upon her dragon, Eona must carefully navigate the twists and turns of the palace for the sake of her allies and the Prince Kygo, otherwise much more than her life will be lost.

I purchased this book without knowing practically anything about it on the recommendation of a very enthusiastic store employee during a book buying frenzy.  So when I started to read it I only knew the very basics without my usual research and couldn’t help, but be concerned.  However, I was very pleasantly surprised.  The mythology is very well developed and thought out.  Goodman even managed to nicely mix the mythological elements with the political intrigue.  Her characters are charismatic, multi-dimensional, and each one has their very own agenda.  The story is rather complex with a large host of characters interacting and contributing so you do really have to pay attention.  I would not call this book a light, easy read, but it is worth the effort to keep everything straight.

This book is very interesting and did a good enough job pulling me in that I am now in search of “Eona”, the next one in the series.  The recommended reading age says 12 and up, but personally I think a little older would be better, at least 13 or 14, so the reader can fully grasp the content.

ISBN-13: 978-0142417119

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda ★★★★☆

A Tale of Courage

Juvenile Epic Fantasy

Age Level: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 and up

160 pages

Publication Date: February 17, 2004

Rowan of Rin #1

literary awards:  Children's Book Council of Australia Award for Book of the Year: Younger Readers (1994)

Gentle spirited Rowan is thought of as weak by the strong and hardy folk in his village, Rin.  He doesn’t measure up to the others villagers; in him they see no value and he has learned to see no value in himself.  Only

the peaceful creatures he tends named the bukshah love and appreciate him.  When an expedition to the top of the mountain is formed to save the bukshah Rowan is forced to go.  Haunted by fear and scorned and pitied by the other members of the expedition Rowan is driven by the faith the bukshah have in him to meet the dragon who lives at the top of mountain.

Throughout this book Rowan struggles to exhaustion to combat his fears and do things others find so easy.  Who among us hasn’t felt that way?  We spend a lifetime trying to be good enough only to be bashed down.  Most people can identify with Rowan and even at times his companions in this book.

One of the lessons Rowan learns is to see more clearly.  He learns to see himself and his companions in a truer light; they are not as invincible as he thought and he is braver than he knew.  As the only one to complete the quest he also learns what true bravery is; it is overcoming your fear and doing something even though it frightens you.  It is a lesson many people in the real world have yet to master. 

This is a book I have come back to many times and each time I read it I am immediately transported to the valley of Rin.  It is written for a younger age group than I tend to read, but the rich texture and characters appeals to many ages.  The writing is graceful and Rodda is able to keep the momentum up throughout the story.  With universal themes of learning to value yourself and bravery in the face of fear I give this book four stars. 

Definitely give this book a chance!