The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Japer Fforde'sThe Last Dragonslayer is the first book in The Chronicles of Kazam series. It's a somewhat slow-moving and rather talky but humorous fantasy adventure about magicians concerned with finding the last dragonslayer and witnessing the return of Big Magic. There's little violence until the tale's climax, when a couple of likeable characters meet their individual fates. There's virtually no objectionable content and plenty of absurdist humor.
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What's the Story?
Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam Mystical Arts Management, keeping track of a motley team of magicians who've been reduced to unblocking drains and rewiring homes due to a lack of magical energy to draw on. But Big Magic may be about to reappear in the world, and various psychics have begun to predict the death of the last dragon. No one know who the last dragonslayer is fated to be, but two nations are willing to go to war to claim the lands once inhabited by the magical lizard.
Is It Any Good?
The tone of this book will be familiar to anyone who's read Jasper Fforde's absurdist fantasies for adults, but it's not a tone that translates particularly well to the YA market. Digressive and discursive, The Last Dragonslayer seems to take forever to drop into gear. Once it does, there are some intriguing plot developments, but it may be too little too late for some readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the enduring appeal of dragons in literature, movies, and legends. Why do they remain popular and compelling, even to modern readers and moviegoers?
Do you think there's such a force as destiny? Are people "fated" for one particular outcome over another?
What it might be like to be an indentured servant until your 18th birthday?
Book Details
- Author: Jasper Fforde
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Publication date: October 2, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 296
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle, App
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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Seraphina
Richly conceived dragon fantasy with stellar young heroine.
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Eragon: The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1
A teen wrote this engrossing fantasy story.
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Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
Violent China-influenced fantasy led by strong girl hero.
For kids who love fantasy and adventure
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