_mjg_'s review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I've ever read a Jasper Fforde book I didn't enjoy..
geminidragonbadger's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far my favorite book in the trilogy. Jennifer is really solidified as a take-no-nonsense, intelligent, brave protagonist and Fforde once again turns fantasy on its head (really, Jennifer should have just applied for a quest permit and none of this would have happened). Really, though, it’s amazing how ludicrous some of the places and ideas seem, yet it somehow makes sense in the universe Fforde builds.
The plot points tying the last two books together begin to come to a head in this book; and the ending really got me. I’m really sad there’s no release for book four yet. Believe me, by the end, you may have a sneaky suspicion of what’s to come, but you won’t really be sure until the last few pages.
Overall, a quick and engaging read without the pitfalls that distracted from Quarkbeast.
The plot points tying the last two books together begin to come to a head in this book; and the ending really got me. I’m really sad there’s no release for book four yet. Believe me, by the end, you may have a sneaky suspicion of what’s to come, but you won’t really be sure until the last few pages.
Overall, a quick and engaging read without the pitfalls that distracted from Quarkbeast.
dixiet's review against another edition
3.0
This was was longer than the first two, and although there was action throughout it still seemed to move a little slowly. Enjoyed it, just not quite as much as 1 and 2. Looking forward to 4.
turrean's review against another edition
3.0
I love Fforde's bizarre alternate UK. I thought the plot in this one was weaker than the two preceding novels in the series. But the characters introduced were marvelous. I don't know how Fforde did it, but he managed to have a fabulous cast of strong independent women without making their strength and independence a plot point. So many authors can't avoid self-consciousness about their characters' gender. I actually finished the book, and then went back and counted chromosomes. Let's hear it for the Xs!
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gavinsteyn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mora55's review against another edition
So this one is my least favorite of the three, but that absolutely does not mean I dislike it.
But. There is so much deadpan hilarity and that is my favorite type of hilarity. It is delivered like it is not humorous at all and it's so smart* and I love it.
Well, I like this series, but I know it's definitely not for everyone by any means. I'm not here for the serious and in-depth plot (because there isn't one); I'm not here for the intense thought that needs to go into reading it (there is not a lot of that). I like it because this is a brand of humor I love and it is unselfconsciously employed. The entire series is unselfconscious. That's honestly the best word to describe it. You can't really critique the book with "Jennifer is way too mature for a sixteen-year-old this is unrealistic" or "the humor is so stupid it doesn't even make sense" or any of that because the book is very much aware of that and absolutely does not care what you think of it at all. You just get that vibe that it is grinning at you in a very unnerving way the entire time you complain about it because it knows these things and is enjoying laughing at the fact that you haven't realized it knows these things.
Do you need to suspend your disbelief? Absolutely. Personally, I like to suspend my disbelief every once in a while; hang it from the rafters, let it air out. It's cathartic.
*I say "smart". Others say "stupid". To each their own, I guess.
But. There is so much deadpan hilarity and that is my favorite type of hilarity. It is delivered like it is not humorous at all and it's so smart* and I love it.
Well, I like this series, but I know it's definitely not for everyone by any means. I'm not here for the serious and in-depth plot (because there isn't one); I'm not here for the intense thought that needs to go into reading it (there is not a lot of that). I like it because this is a brand of humor I love and it is unselfconsciously employed. The entire series is unselfconscious. That's honestly the best word to describe it. You can't really critique the book with "Jennifer is way too mature for a sixteen-year-old this is unrealistic" or "the humor is so stupid it doesn't even make sense" or any of that because the book is very much aware of that and absolutely does not care what you think of it at all. You just get that vibe that it is grinning at you in a very unnerving way the entire time you complain about it because it knows these things and is enjoying laughing at the fact that you haven't realized it knows these things.
Do you need to suspend your disbelief? Absolutely. Personally, I like to suspend my disbelief every once in a while; hang it from the rafters, let it air out. It's cathartic.
*I say "smart". Others say "stupid". To each their own, I guess.
apatrick's review against another edition
3.0
Seemed a bit slow at times, but I still love just about everything Fforde writes. There's more economics in here than in a typical kid's book, so bonus points for that.
katmystery's review against another edition
1.0
I'm devastated.
Remember everything that you loved about the last books? This one takes all of that and throws it off a cliff. I was taken by surprise and am literally shaking in horror and anger.
Over all, I would say the book is extremely different from what one would expect and that it left me in disappointed terror.
And, oh yes, there will be another book after this one. Joy! I'm not going to read it.
Remember everything that you loved about the last books? This one takes all of that and throws it off a cliff. I was taken by surprise and am literally shaking in horror and anger.
Over all, I would say the book is extremely different from what one would expect and that it left me in disappointed terror.
And, oh yes, there will be another book after this one. Joy! I'm not going to read it.
gkneveu's review against another edition
3.0
I've rated books one and two of the Dragonslayer books 3 stars and I kind of want to rate this one lower. However, I'm not sure it quite deserves 2. So 2.5, I guess.
The first two books maintain a sort of silly tone with the stakes never seeming too high. They were goofy and humorous, mostly remaining light even when characters were discussing objectively terrible things. However, the tonal shift in this third installment was jarring. The juxtaposition between the maintained humor and absurdity of the setting with the far darker and more gruesome storyline did not work for me.
As with the first two, I found the development of the main characters to be lacking. Jennifer continues to be undefined. The Princess' change in character was abrupt and unearned. Unfortunately, this seems a trend of adult writers moving into writing for children/YA. It's always a tad lazy.
I did finish it, obviously, and so there were things about the book I enjoyed. Mostly I just wish Fforde had stuck with the tone of the first two. The absurdity of the world is entertaining and I enjoy the odd world-building. I wish everyone didn't feel the need to just go darker and bigger with each installment of any series.
The first two books maintain a sort of silly tone with the stakes never seeming too high. They were goofy and humorous, mostly remaining light even when characters were discussing objectively terrible things. However, the tonal shift in this third installment was jarring. The juxtaposition between the maintained humor and absurdity of the setting with the far darker and more gruesome storyline did not work for me.
As with the first two, I found the development of the main characters to be lacking. Jennifer continues to be undefined. The Princess' change in character was abrupt and unearned.
Spoiler
And again, please, why is Jennifer a Berserker?? Why was this revealed at the end of the first book?? Why, during all the peril she was put through in this book did she never, you know, berserk??I did finish it, obviously, and so there were things about the book I enjoyed. Mostly I just wish Fforde had stuck with the tone of the first two. The absurdity of the world is entertaining and I enjoy the odd world-building. I wish everyone didn't feel the need to just go darker and bigger with each installment of any series.