Book #7. The Last Dragonslayer, by Jasper Fforde. Unabridged audio.I have read most of Jasper Fforde's novels, and have read most of those. The six novels in the Thursday Next series in particular are quite entertaining.
In this fantasy version of Britain,magic is weakening to such an extent that wizards have been reduced to performing basic household functions. Jennifer Strange is a 15-year-old, filling in for the missing manager of an employment agency for magicians, hired to rewire houses or unclog drains.
There is a truce that has lasted for years, that have kept the dragons in their own lands for generations. But there are prophecies that the last dragon will soon die, meaning that the dragon's territory is up for grabs. And Jennifer is tasked with the role of apprentice dragonslayer. And then many things go bad for Jennifer, who finds herself more inclined to protect the dragon rather than slay it.
Despite the age of the protagonist, this book is not strictly speaking a YA novel, although many libraries and bookstores have filed the book in that section. This novel includes Fforde's signature silliness and humor, but at the core it is a serious story, touching on fate and prophecy, consumerism, and greed. This mix of serious story and funny wordplay work well in most cases.
This book was presented as a stand-alone novel when it was first released,but a follow-up novel (The Song of the Quark-Beast) will be released shortly, and the series is currently planned for either three or four books.
Source: local library
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