coymeld's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
anatolexii's review against another edition
3.0
"Moi, Jennifer Strange, dernière tueuse de dragons" est un roman plaisant destinée à la jeunesse.
Il raconte l'histoire de Jennifer, une orpheline et serve, qui travaille pour une association de magiciens. Les magiciens de cet univers sont des êtres en fin de carrière. Leurs pouvoirs ne cessent de diminuer depuis une vingtaine d'année, de ce fait leur prestige en a pris un sacré coup. Pauvres, râleurs, fantasques, les sorciers ont besoin d'avoir quelqu'un qui s'occupe d'eux à plein temps, qui s'assure que la paperasse est bien signée, qui prépare les contrats, règle les problèmes de plomberie. Jennifer tient donc ce rôle d'agent, intendante, infirmière, concierge, secrétaire.
On reconnaît que "Moi, Jennifer Strange..." est un roman adressé à la jeunesse à l'âge de l'héroïne. Elle a seize ans, mais toute son attitude dans le roman laisse bien sentir qu'elle est plus âgée que ça. Il semblerait que les éditeurs et auteurs ne semblent pas pouvoir croire qu'un jeune lecteur soit capable de s'intéresser à un personnage qui n'aurait pas leur âge.
L'univers comme le personnage principal font quelque peu regretter qu'il ne s'agisse que d'un one-shot, j'aurais pris un certain plaisir à voir tout cela se développer sur quelques tomes.
Un livre plaisant, qui se lit bien. Mais on reste très loin du "Un J.K. Rowling pour les grands !" que nous proment le Sunday Times en quatrième de couverture.
Il raconte l'histoire de Jennifer, une orpheline et serve, qui travaille pour une association de magiciens. Les magiciens de cet univers sont des êtres en fin de carrière. Leurs pouvoirs ne cessent de diminuer depuis une vingtaine d'année, de ce fait leur prestige en a pris un sacré coup. Pauvres, râleurs, fantasques, les sorciers ont besoin d'avoir quelqu'un qui s'occupe d'eux à plein temps, qui s'assure que la paperasse est bien signée, qui prépare les contrats, règle les problèmes de plomberie. Jennifer tient donc ce rôle d'agent, intendante, infirmière, concierge, secrétaire.
On reconnaît que "Moi, Jennifer Strange..." est un roman adressé à la jeunesse à l'âge de l'héroïne. Elle a seize ans, mais toute son attitude dans le roman laisse bien sentir qu'elle est plus âgée que ça. Il semblerait que les éditeurs et auteurs ne semblent pas pouvoir croire qu'un jeune lecteur soit capable de s'intéresser à un personnage qui n'aurait pas leur âge.
L'univers comme le personnage principal font quelque peu regretter qu'il ne s'agisse que d'un one-shot, j'aurais pris un certain plaisir à voir tout cela se développer sur quelques tomes.
Un livre plaisant, qui se lit bien. Mais on reste très loin du "Un J.K. Rowling pour les grands !" que nous proment le Sunday Times en quatrième de couverture.
sandraagee's review against another edition
4.0
Solid, quirky fantasy. If you like [a:Terry Pratchett|1654|Terry Pratchett|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg] and [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], you'll like this too.
djinnia's review against another edition
5.0
Jasper Fforde has done it again. He's made the the world into a strange and unusual place. Wizards and dragons and kingdoms abound in the alt. history/fantasy England.
I loved it. The quarkbeast was awesome. The wizards were all unique. The dragon was, I think, the smartest one of the bunch.
My favorite quote (somewhat paraphrasing): "Don't listen to her--she's one spell short of a curse."
Mr. Fforde has turned the world upside down and sideways once again. I thoroughly enjoy his works.
Fans of the Xanath series would enjoy this and his other series.
I loved it. The quarkbeast was awesome. The wizards were all unique. The dragon was, I think, the smartest one of the bunch.
My favorite quote (somewhat paraphrasing): "Don't listen to her--she's one spell short of a curse."
Mr. Fforde has turned the world upside down and sideways once again. I thoroughly enjoy his works.
Fans of the Xanath series would enjoy this and his other series.
turrean's review against another edition
4.0
Fforde novels are so wildly inventive--convoluted plot lines, literary jokes, plot twists galore. I found The Last Dragonslayer harder to get into than some of his other novels, but part of that was not knowing what to expect from a Fforde YA novel. Just what would make this a "teen" book? Fewer literary references? Internet meme jokes? I had nothing to fear. There was enough literary allusion, invented pop culture, and nonsense to gladden the most ardent Fforde fan's heart.
I'll admit I wasn't convinced that the main character, Jennifer Strange, rang true as an authentic 16 year-old. (For example, the mother in me cringed when she hires a 40 year-old male assistant, and blithely goes off alone with him. I was really, really glad this was Jasper Fforde and not a creepy murder mystery author.) I ended up deciding I should just think of Jennifer as a sort of younger sibling of Thursday Next, and just enjoy the ride in the Slayermobile with a quarkbeast at my side, on the way to a rendezvous with a dragon.
I'll admit I wasn't convinced that the main character, Jennifer Strange, rang true as an authentic 16 year-old. (For example, the mother in me cringed when she hires a 40 year-old male assistant, and blithely goes off alone with him. I was really, really glad this was Jasper Fforde and not a creepy murder mystery author.) I ended up deciding I should just think of Jennifer as a sort of younger sibling of Thursday Next, and just enjoy the ride in the Slayermobile with a quarkbeast at my side, on the way to a rendezvous with a dragon.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
In the Ununited Kingdoms magic has lost its power, magicians are forced to demean themselves by carrying out simple tasks such as pizza delivery and unblocking drains. In the kingdom of Hereford commerce is important and war against the Duke of Brecon a priority. Jennifer Strange is a foundling indentured to Kazam, a company which deals in the magical arts, but Jennifer has a destiny - she is the Last Dragonslayer.
Up to about 5 years ago I was a huge fan of Jasper Fforde, I found the Thursday Next series witty and entertaining. For some reason I stopped reading the new books, I think that I picked one up and wasn't in the right frame of mind to get into it! Having seen that this book was being adapted for TV I decided to pull it off the shelf and see if I could rekindle my love for Jasper Fforde. This is a children's book and therefore is not quite as sophisticated as the adult novels in terms of in-jokes and links to other media but it is an amazing children's book. The ideas are just as crazy, the story entertaining and the writing is fizzy - it's like Harry Potter on hallucinogens.
Up to about 5 years ago I was a huge fan of Jasper Fforde, I found the Thursday Next series witty and entertaining. For some reason I stopped reading the new books, I think that I picked one up and wasn't in the right frame of mind to get into it! Having seen that this book was being adapted for TV I decided to pull it off the shelf and see if I could rekindle my love for Jasper Fforde. This is a children's book and therefore is not quite as sophisticated as the adult novels in terms of in-jokes and links to other media but it is an amazing children's book. The ideas are just as crazy, the story entertaining and the writing is fizzy - it's like Harry Potter on hallucinogens.
rosiethespy's review against another edition
4.0
Not the most gripping or captivating read, but an enchanting world and a funny charming voice made me glad I read it.