The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Last Dragonslayer
Author: Jasper Fforde
Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Yes the first in the Chronicles of Kazam series.
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: Harcourt Publishing Company
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary: from Good Reads
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.

Feelings:
I have read a few of the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde but this book was very different from them. I really liked the Thursday Next books and this is not to say that I didn't enjoy The Last Dragonslayer but it is definitely a young adult book, Fforde's first young adult novel. I enjoy young adult so this was not a negative for me. However, this is not like Fforde's other books so do not go in expecting it to be.

There are many strange and odd things included that I feel are unique to Fforde's writing. A Quarkbeast for instance.

The Quarkbeast yawned, revealing several rows of razor-sharp fangs. Despite his placid nature, the beast's ferocious appearance almost guaranteed that no one ever completely shrugged off the possibility that he might try to take a chunk out of them when they weren't looking. If the Quarkbeast was aware of this, it didn't show. Indeed, he might have been so unaware that he wondered why people always ran away screaming. (p. 5-6)

The Quarkbeast is just one element of the odd and unique that Fforde has created in here. I think the biggest difference between this and his other books is the fact that this is a much easier read that his other stories. It is written in a way that is easy to access. Again not a bad thing but this does make this less of an intellectual, make you think, kind of book and more of a sit down and enjoy the ride book.

Jeniffer Strange is an interesting and likeable character to follow. She is unique in many ways, including having a Quarkbeast as a pet. Kazam where she is in charge, in the absence of the head wizard, is both old and falling apart and full of magic.

The Last Dragonslayer is a book worth reading for those that have liked Fforde's other novels this may not be what you are expecting but it is an enjoyable read.