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The Last Dragonslayer: The Chronicles of Kazam, Book 1 Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,672 ratings

A teenage foundling finds herself at the center of a magical prophecy in this humorous fantasy adventure by a New York Times–bestselling author.

“Fforde’s talent for world-building, his skewed sense of humor and his searing satire come through full force.”—New York Times Book Review 

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 have been reduced to pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam Mystical Arts Management, 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 that’s true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer.

Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.

“Smart, funny, and abundantly imaginative.”—Horn Book

“Humor abounds, but so does heart, as readers are introduced to a heroine who is practical, smart, and true.”—School Library Journal (starred review)

“Readers both young and adult will get hours of pleasure visiting these Ununited Kingdoms, and riding around in the Rolls-Royce Slayermobile with the Last Dragonslayer and her stalwart sidekick, Tiger Prawns.”—NPR.org

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-Once magic was powerful and very useful, but as the dragons have been dying off, it has been fading. Now its powers are only used for mundane purposes such as rewiring houses or delivering pizzas by magic carpet. With the prediction of the death of the last dragon by Kazam Mystical Arts Management's seers, 15-year old foundling Jennifer Strange, the agency's acting director, is suddenly sent headlong into events that will change her life and the lives of all in the UnUnited Kingdoms. Little does she know the role she is destined to play in the dragon's death or in the coming of what is known as Big Magic. Suddenly Jennifer becomes known as the Last Dragonslayer, and is fighting off commercial endorsements and driving the armored Slayermobile while trying to avoid a war between her kingdom and the neighboring duchy. While this all seems very dark and ominous, Fforde keeps the puns and humor flowing, and populates the tale (Harcourt, 2012) with outrageous individuals and fantastic creatures. The plot is engaging, and Jennifer is a mature and well-developed character whose intelligence, strong morals, and ingenuity help her through some very difficult decisions. Elizabeth Jasicki channels the book's wittiness impeccably, and presents each character with just the right voice and accent, from polite Jennifer to the gruff, wizened Maltcassian the Dragon. Listeners will be captivated by this first title in a trilogy and will eagerly await the further adventures of Jennifer, her pet quarkbeast, and her assistant, Tiger Prawns.-MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NYα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"With 'The Last Dragonslayer' fans of Jasper Fforde's best-selling 'Thursday Next' and 'Nursery Crime' series will be delighted that Fforde's talent for world-building, his skewed sense of humor and his searing satire come through full force."
New York Times Book Review “Features the same delightful mix of magic and everyday absurdity that characterizes [Fforde’s] other books. . . . Readers both young and adult will get hours of pleasure visiting these Ununited Kingdoms.”
—NPR Books, online review "Fforde's foray into children's books will delight readers who like their fantasy with a dash of silliness.”
Publishers Weekly, starred review "Humor abounds, but so does heart, as readers are introduced to a heroine who is practical, smart, and true."
School Library Journal, starred review "Fforde's fantasy is smart, funny, and abundantly imaginative in its critique of commercial culture. . . . Reminiscent of Pratchett in tone, this is nevertheless Fforde’s own creature entirely—and entirely satisfying.”
Horn Book “Fantasy readers with a taste for the silly should appreciate the subverted tropes.”
Kirkus "Thoroughly entertaining . . . readers will easily sit back and enjoy the fun.”
Booklist

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00819G3TO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books (October 2, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 2, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,672 ratings

About the author

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Jasper Fforde
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Jasper Fforde is the critically acclaimed author of The Last Dragonslayer series: THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER, THE SONG OF THE QUARKBEAST and THE EYE OF ZOLTAR, SHADES OF GREY, the Nursery Crime books: THE BIG OVER EASY and THE FOURTH BEAR and the Thursday Next novels: THE EYRE AFFAIR, LOST IN A GOOD BOOK, THE WELL OF LOST PLOTS, SOMETHING ROTTEN, FIRST AMONG SEQUELS, ONE OF OUR THURSDAYS IS MISSING and THE WOMAN WHO DIED A LOT.

After giving up a varied career in the film world, he now lives and writes in Wales, and has a passion for aviation.

To find out more visit Jasper's website www.jasperfforde.com, Facebook page www.facebook.com/jasperffordebooks or follow him on Twitter @jasperfforde.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
1,672 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book delightful and entertaining with witty humor. They praise the clever, original plot twists and whimsical feel of the story. The writing quality is described as well-written, easy to read, and conversational. Readers appreciate the engaging characters and their connection to the heroine. Overall, they describe the book as a wonderful, satisfying read suitable for young adults and older readers alike.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

122 customers mention "Humor"122 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book delightful, entertaining, and clever. They appreciate the witty writing style with silly word jokes. The writing is peppered with brilliant use of words and satire, making it charming and cute.

"This is such a fun book, the plot is unique, the characters are loveable, and every scene was a surprise!" Read more

"...to sum up with a list of adjectives, the book is fast-paced, humorous, witty, and entertaining. My book group has been meeting for almost 25 years...." Read more

"...The characters and made up creatures were fun and believable in a fantasy sort of way and I felt a true connection to the heroine, Jennifer Strange...." Read more

"...It's a funny, witty, clever, unique and truly delicious book. I immediately loved Jennifer and Tiger...whose last name is Prawns...do you get it?..." Read more

83 customers mention "Story quality"73 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the clever and original plot twists. They find the whimsical and believable creatures fun and interesting. The book is described as imaginative and hard to put down.

"This is such a fun book, the plot is unique, the characters are loveable, and every scene was a surprise!" Read more

"...None of it is real, but it is interesting and amusing. I will not give a plot summary, because that would spoil things for you...." Read more

"...The characters and made up creatures were fun and believable in a fantasy sort of way and I felt a true connection to the heroine, Jennifer Strange...." Read more

"...All of the characters are original, comical and interesting, but the reader learns little about them...." Read more

45 customers mention "Writing quality"38 positive7 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read. They appreciate the conversational style and how it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The language is simple with few language issues, and the worlds are well-crafted. The child characters are well-developed and there are many humorous twists and wordplay.

"...I love, love, love the detailed descriptions and the colorful language..." Read more

"...of character, more interesting relationships/conflicts and the language sparkles...." Read more

"...I would consider this book is only for light reading, such as a summer or beach read...." Read more

"...A very easy read and full of imagination and truly paints a picture...." Read more

41 customers mention "Character development"37 positive4 negative

Customers find the characters engaging and well-developed. They connect with the heroine, Jennifer Strange, who is independent, clever, and resourceful.

"This is such a fun book, the plot is unique, the characters are loveable, and every scene was a surprise!" Read more

"...fun and believable in a fantasy sort of way and I felt a true connection to the heroine, Jennifer Strange...." Read more

"...All of the characters are original, comical and interesting, but the reader learns little about them...." Read more

"...They're fun stories but we get a lot more with this book--more layers of character, more interesting relationships/conflicts and the language..." Read more

35 customers mention "Value for money"31 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's value for money. They find it a satisfying read with clever plot points and well-crafted characters. The book is described as a great adventure, though some felt the ending was lacking.

"...not a book that will change my life; however, it was fun and worth the purchase price and reading time. I will be looking for a third installment." Read more

"...the fresh and subtle plot and the twists along the way which kept me engaged...." Read more

"...The dragon...Maltcassion...is old yet magnificent. His chats with Jennifer are some of my favorite parts of this book...." Read more

"The Last Dragonslayer, is another amazing `trip.' Somehow Fforde is able to mingle the ordinary with the extraordinary, and he's a wiz at it...." Read more

34 customers mention "Book for all ages"31 positive3 negative

Customers find the book suitable for young adults and older children. They appreciate the simple plot suited for younger teens but with a whimsical style. The characters seem to come alive on the pages. Readers describe it as an enjoyable read for fans of the author.

"...This book is suitable for a bright young adult reader...." Read more

"...I recommend this book to young people, it will expand your horizons, and to adults, it will renew your belief in goodness." Read more

"...Sigh! Final thoughts... This is a fantastic book for young readers...actually for all readers! I loved every chapter...." Read more

"The Last Dragonslayer is a good YA novel with a simplistic plot best suited for younger teens, but a whimsical style and satirical humor that is..." Read more

27 customers mention "Style"27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's whimsical and satirical style. They find it charming, creative, and consistent with the author's writing style. The characters are enjoyable and the absurd humor is delightful. Readers describe the book as a fun read that paints a picture.

"...I love, love, love the detailed descriptions and the colorful language..." Read more

"...It's a funny, witty, clever, unique and truly delicious book. I immediately loved Jennifer and Tiger...whose last name is Prawns...do you get it?..." Read more

"...novel with a simplistic plot best suited for younger teens, but a whimsical style and satirical humor that is probably way over their heads...." Read more

"This book was interesting from the get-go. The author wrote a cute, funny intro to the story, giving a preview of what would happen in the book and..." Read more

17 customers mention "Pacing"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it fast-paced, humorous, and a quick read. The author blends the ordinary with the extraordinary in an enjoyable way.

"...my life; however, it was fun and worth the purchase price and reading time. I will be looking for a third installment." Read more

"...of the best elements of this story in my humble opinion is the melding of old and new...." Read more

"...The second half of the book is fast paced and filled with very funny jabs at pop culture, capitalistic greed and corrupt politicians, but there is..." Read more

"...Somehow Fforde is able to mingle the ordinary with the extraordinary, and he's a wiz at it. This book is no different than his others...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2025
    This is such a fun book, the plot is unique, the characters are loveable, and every scene was a surprise!
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2013
    As a mother of three terrific, now adult, sons I have been introduced to some really great young adult books. The guys are big fantasy fans and they have introduced me to some of their favorites. That is how I came to Brandon Sanderson, Ursula LeGuin, Megan Whalen Turner, and Patrick Rothfuss and learned not to skip over books that are labeled young adult. I introduced them to the Eyre Affair after they had to read Jane Eyre as school assignments. It was that book that made me a fan of Jasper Fforde. Let me start by saying that I like most of Jasper Fforde's books. I laughed out loud on an airplane reading The Eyre Affair. I did tire of that series and I barely touched the nursery rhyme books. But I really enjoyed the Last Dragonslayer and the Song of the Quarkbeast, its second installment. Both are clever and entertaining. Mr. Fforde plunges the reader into a fantastic society with magic on the wane (or on the rise, depending). I like that he does not feel that he has to explain every created word or elements of quasi "techno-babble". Explanations would be tedious and his writing is clever enough that the reader does not get lost. None of it is real, but it is interesting and amusing. I will not give a plot summary, because that would spoil things for you. This book is suitable for a bright young adult reader. I say, bright, not because the writing is ponderous or complicated, but because the humor is witty and it takes some level of maturity to "get" all of it. Our young heroine, a foundling is likeable and very resourceful and those factors would probably add to its appeal to young adults. She works hard, does not whine and takes a practical problem-solving approach to most of the crisis that arise. She does seem to be the only mature person sometimes and that would also appeal to young readers. The book is light and quirky, but it manages to avoid being silly even when it approaches the absurd. I think that takes great talent and precision in a writer. So to sum up with a list of adjectives, the book is fast-paced, humorous, witty, and entertaining. My book group has been meeting for almost 25 years. This book would not be the kind of book that could be a book group selection for us because there is so little to talk about. Not every book is a book group book. This is not a book that will change my life; however, it was fun and worth the purchase price and reading time. I will be looking for a third installment.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2013
    I chose this book and bought a copy because I won the second in the series in Goodread’s ‘First Reads’ and I just had to read the first in the series! Although I do enjoy dragon stories, I may not have selected this book to read without some other motivation, personally I prefer Westerns or horse books, and I must say that without this author and these books my reading experience has been lacking.

    I enjoyed the fresh and subtle plot and the twists along the way which kept me engaged. I love, love, love the detailed descriptions and the colorful language (which was used as a point to separate the classes and was distained to the point of humor). The characters and made up creatures were fun and believable in a fantasy sort of way and I felt a true connection to the heroine, Jennifer Strange. One of the best elements of this story in my humble opinion is the melding of old and new. Medieval dragons, trolls, [and what in the world is a Quarkbeast?] and magic all combined in a world of cars, telephones, and computer code is just cool. And I appreciated the very hidden messages of conservation, loyalty, and standing up for one's own beliefs.

    I quickly got into the story as young Jennifer, an orphan, a foundling indentured into work as manager of magic in the aging hotel full of mostly retired sorcerers. She faces her challenges with wit and courage that belies her age. I laughed with her, I feared for her, and I grieved as she faced her greatest challenge.

    I recommend this book to young people, it will expand your horizons, and to adults, it will renew your belief in goodness.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2012
    The Last Dragonslayer
    By
    Jasper Fjorde

    My" in a nutshell" summary...

    Jennifer works with wizards...from what I can gather she drives them around, keeps tabs on them...sort of run things at the wizard house. She was a former orphan and now works with and for the wizards. I believe that she might be sort of endentured.

    My thoughts after reading this book...

    It's a funny, witty, clever, unique and truly delicious book. I immediately loved Jennifer and Tiger...whose last name is Prawns...do you get it? Tiger Prawns! Jennifer and Tiger are foundlings who after a period of time in an orphanage get to work with wizards as sort of wizard keepers...they drive wizards around and do the books, answer phones...the usual sort of work...lol. There are so many very clever facets to this book...for example...the wizards are hired to rewire houses and unplug drains but in magical wizard like ways. To get to your room you step into the elevator shaft and shout your number and you are just whooshed to it. Tiger's room doesn't allow itself to get messy...there is a Quarkbeast and a transparent moose and much much more. And magic is measured in gigashanders? OMG!

    Every story must have a problem and the problem in this story is that everyone is waiting for the last dragon to die so they can snatch up his land. Everyone wants the dragon to die with the exception of Jennifer. The dragon...Maltcassion...is old yet magnificent. His chats with Jennifer are some of my favorite parts of this book. Everything leads up to a showdown on Sunday afternoon. It's deliciously exciting!

    What I loved about this book...

    It's just so clever!

    What I did not love...

    Absolutely nothing...each chapter was fun. Each chapter was filled with humor. Well...there are one or two really sad things that happen...I didn't like either one. Sigh!

    Final thoughts...

    This is a fantastic book for young readers...actually for all readers! I loved every chapter. I personally can not wait for Book 2.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • John Blenkinsop
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wacky, wild and wonderful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2021
    This is the first Jasper Fforde book I've read, and I am mightily impressed. I know it's marketed as a book for children, but you'd have to be a pretty literate child (there are many to be found). I would have read it and enjoyed it at age 9.
    As it is, I read it at age 67, and enjoyed it hugely. The writing style suits the subject perfectly, with a constant ripple of humour and bad puns underlaying a well-knitted plot and intriguing characters.
    To a very small extent, the plot and the humour does impact on the dvelopment of the characters, but the do develop, albeit it slowly. I've read the next two books in the series, and they are excellent too; and yes, the main characters are more filled out and the plots even more exciting!
  • D. Bary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasievoll bis zum Bersten
    Reviewed in Germany on June 16, 2017
    Wieder ein mal beweist der Autor sein unglaubliches Talent für fantastische stories. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail absurder Zusammenhänge und Hintergründe erzählt er eine faszinierende in sich logische Geschichte eigentlich unvorstellbarer Handlungen, Personen und Ereignisse. Die humorvolle Absurdität in einem noch akzeptablen Grad an realitätsnähe zeichnet ihn für mich als Nordstern dieser Art von Kunst aus, an dem auch andere nur orientieren können, aber selbst kaum zum Orientierungspunkt herhalten können.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clever, quirky and funny
    Reviewed in Australia on March 18, 2019
    Fforde is a master of his craft. This book is a satire, but as engrossing and richly imagined as the best fantasy. It will surprise and delight you.
  • Jennifer L. Barton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Read!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2013
    Reading Jasper Fforde since the Thursday Next series, I just saw this title by chance and snapped it up to read at once. It follows in his style, which is to say there are side notes in the prose, not-so-subtle puns for names and titles and best of all, strange beasts, crabby old people talking crankily and enough similarities to our actual time to make anyone laugh out loud. I have loved all his other books that I have read (which I estimate at 90% since I didn't discover this one until yesterday) and this one was no exception. Will a run-of-the-mill reader enjoy reading this? Possibly but I'm guessing not many. If, however, you enjoy a good plot (though this one is somewhat less complex than his adult novels, which I will assume was intended since it is a Young Adult title), Mr. Fforde will not disappoint. For those of you lucky enough to already be introduced, this is a Jasper Fforde work through and through, nothing to fault with the less complicated plot. Very likely you, too, will consume these pages readily and snap up the second, just as I did.
  • Claire qui dévore les livres
    5.0 out of 5 stars Toujours aussi bon!
    Reviewed in France on January 14, 2011
    Comment dire? Jasper Fforde c'est la capacité de nous emmener dans un univers parallèle, merveilleux et en même temps si proche du nôtre; ce qui en fait un univers déjanté dans lequel j'aimerais bien plonger tête la première ! C'est d'ailleurs ce que je fais dès que j'ouvre le livre, mon monde s'estompte et je me retrouvre dans celui du Last Dragonslayer. Boris Vian et son univers vianesque. Pour moi, Jasper Fforde c'est pareil, vocabulaire inclus !
    The Last Dragonslayer, les Thursday Next et autres Nursery crimes : le bonheur est le même! A consommer sans modération! Et pour ceux qui n'y sont pas encore allés : courez vite voir son site, moments de pur bonheur en perspective là également!

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