Personal Rating: 4 Stars Goodreads Rating: 3.85 Stars 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. (goodreads.com) I wasn’t even going to read this book when I checked it out from the library. You know how you just grab a ton of books sometimes, knowing you probably won’t be able to read them all, but you get them anyway? This was one of the books that I grabbed thinking it sounded good, but I didn’t think I’d actually get around to reading it. Well, I did read it and I’m glad that I did because I loved it. This is one of those books that reminds me of a time when I was so obsessed with reading and fantasy that I was falling behind in school. Not the most pleasant time, but some of the most pleasant books. It was pre-high school, of course, when it didn’t matter so much if I goofed off (but I sure drove my mom crazy - sorry Mom!), and my reading time could span across a whole day. That’s when I was really into dragons and fairies and magic (I still am, I’ve just expanded into different genres now). This book reminds me of all of the crazy stories I read back then and how much fun they were. It seems like one of those novels that you read, enjoy, and then move on. It’s one of those books that is great, but you’d never say it’s one of your favorites because it just slips to the back of your mind. Jennifer Strange, our MC, is a really fun character. She is logical, but has an open enough mind to deal with magic and wizards and not be freaked out. She’s level headed and ready to take on any challenge, including kings, dragons, and business tycoons. I like that she’s brave and moral, but still struggles with her problems in relatable ways. Also, I love the fact that there weren’t a huge amount of instances of people saying “but you’re a girl!” or “a girl can’t do this”. Of course there were a few instances, but it wasn’t a huge trait of the story. The setting was amazing as well. This story takes place in our world, but if magic had been real and people know about it. No one is startled that magic exists because wizards often redo the wiring on homes and magic has always existed. Sometimes characters are surprised at certain types of magic, but no one is shocked that it exists. I love this approach to fantasy. Unless it’s set in a whole other world then magic is always alarming people, whereas, in this book, it’s just a force that exists. Like gravity. I also enjoyed that they have much of the same technology in this book that we have today as well as magic. I suppose the ending of the story was a little abrupt and there may have been too many characters crammed into the story, but for the most part I could find no flaws with this book. A few of the terms they used were confusing, but you just kind of go with it and, even if it doesn’t make sense, it’s still enjoyable. As soon as I finished this book I wanted to dash outside and run to the library to see if they have the second one. However, it is freezing out there and slushy snow is on the ground… and I’ve only got a sweater. So, maybe a little bit later, with the aid of a heated car, I will go pick up the next one. I eagerly await reading Jasper Fforde’s next novel. As eagerly as a Quarkbeast awaits a nice meal of steel. Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13316328-the-last-dragonslayer
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