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.
I pretty much read everything Patrick Rothfuss (Author of "The Name of the Wind") supports. This book showed up on Pat's Goodreads feed, and thus it was fortold that Dan would pick it up. If you're a fan of this blog, than by all means go check out Pat's blog (http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com) ASAP. You won't regret it; and if you do regret it, then you shouldn't have been a fan of my blog in the first place.
*Mic drop*
Anyway, on to the review:
A lot of folks think whimsy is just for kids. And in a sense, our society has pressured adult literature to become that way. If you want to be noted as a venerable writer, write pain and story sorry.
I've been trying to read more of said 'adult' literature, but it comes at a price. The price of whimsy and the tax of youth. Reading serious, non-speculative fiction can leave one feeling broken-hearted, helpless, and lonely. With the onset of adult literature comes the feeling (at least for me) of growing old and losing the warm veil of youth. Which is of course the natural progression of life; but that doesn't mean it's fun.
Luckily, there is a literary medication for those woes. Youth is a state of mind, a vitality, that can benefit any age group. And in this sense, a bit of youthful whimsy a day can keep the gloomy away.
Stories like "The Last Dragonslayer" are perfect balms for soothing the emotional stretch-marks of growing up.
Fast-paced, whimsical, and with a nice underlying message, "The Last Dragonslayer," is perfect if you don't want to think to hard, but you still want quality fantastical world-building. The dialogue is often very witty and Fforde's playful turns-of-phrase will have you cackling out loud.
And if Hasbro doesn't make Quarkbeast plush dolls, than they're missing out on some serious moolah.
4/5
