Wednesday, October 09, 2013

The Last Dragonslayer (2012)

The Last Dragonslayer. Jasper Fforde. 2012. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 296 pages. [Source: Review copy]

I liked The Last Dragonslayer. It definitely wasn't love, love, love.

Jennifer Strange is the heroine of this playful fantasy novel. This foundling may not want the job ahead of her, to fulfill her destiny that has been decreed for her for hundreds of years, but she may be the best chance for the world.

The Last Dragonslayer is peopled with some quirky characters. The writing was light and playful, the pacing tended to be just right as well. If I could have finished it in just one sitting, perhaps, I might not have realized the lack of connection I had with the characters and the story.

The characters were just substantive enough to be quirky and interesting at least from a distance. But I didn't feel there was much depth and substance to them beneath the surface. The exception probably being Jennifer Strange, our heroine.

Fantasies depend on world-building, great premises, and good storytelling. Characters are crucial as well. As is pacing. The Last Dragonslayer was entertaining and pleasant but it didn't really make itself unforgettable or memorable.

© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2 comments:

fredamans said...

When I first glanced at that cover, I was hoping you would have a raving review to go with it. Am saddened it was only good and not great!

JoanneMarie Faust said...

I agree, it was good, not great. I continue to read Fforde's books, but the only one I truly loved is his first Thursday Next Book, The Eyre Affair. The second book in the Jennifer Strange series is due out. I may get to it, eventually.