Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
HMH Books for Young Readers (2014), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: Magic has been in a sad state in the Ununited Kingdom for years, but now it's finally on the rise, and boneheaded King Snodd IV knows it. If he succeeds at his plot, the very future of magic will be at risk! Sensible sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts Management and its unpredictable crew of sorcerers, has little chance against the king and his cronies�but there's no way Kazam will let go of the noble powers of magic without a fight. A suspenseful, satirical story of Quarkbeasts, trolls, and wizidrical crackle!.
User reviews
LibraryThing member norabelle414
The events of the previous book have had pretty much zero effect on Jennifer Strange's everyday life. She's still a 16-year-old orphan girl who has run the largest magic company in the Kingdom of Snodd since its manager, the Great Zambini, vanished a few years back. The magic levels are definitely
The plot here is perfectly adequate, and everything comes together brilliantly in the end, but as usual the world-building and characterization are where Fforde shines. We learn tons more about everyone from the Great Zambini and the Amazing Blix to quarkbeasts and trolls. It's a delightfully Fforde-esque book, which of course means it is not for everyone, but definitely for the best kind of people.
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rising, however, and King Snodd is eager to gain full control of it. He appoints the Amazing Blix (manager of iMagic, Kazam's competitor) to be the official Court Mystician. When Jennifer refuses to follow Blix's orders, King Snodd announces a competition between the two companies, and Jennifer knows that iMagic will never fight fair.The plot here is perfectly adequate, and everything comes together brilliantly in the end, but as usual the world-building and characterization are where Fforde shines. We learn tons more about everyone from the Great Zambini and the Amazing Blix to quarkbeasts and trolls. It's a delightfully Fforde-esque book, which of course means it is not for everyone, but definitely for the best kind of people.
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LibraryThing member karieh
I am primarily a fan of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series…but also enjoy the Nursery Crime books. His first foray into fiction for a slightly younger audience (The Last Dragonslayer) was good – but after finishing “The Song of the Quarkbeast” – feel that this series is improving as
The tone of all of Fforde’s books is a combination of gentle sarcasm, whimsy, and smart social commentary. Reading one of his books is an enjoyable experience – and one that leaves the reader feeling smarter – either because s/he picked up on one of the many literary references integrated throughout the story or because s/he learned something.
Jennifer Strange, the main character of the Kazam books, is a wonderful prequel to Thursday Next – one of the best characters in fiction.
“I took a glass globe from my bag, just one of the many useful objects that I liked to have with me on assignment. “It runs on sarcasm,” I said, handing it to him. “Great,” Tiger replied, and the globe lit up brightly.”
And I loved Fforde’s comments on some of the most inexplicable aspects of modern life. He attributes cell phones, medical scanners – and (most accurately as far as I am concerned) – copy machines to magic. The way the characters brush aside the idea that these devices came to be through any means other than mystical ones make perfect sense – especially in a world where magic carpets are used for pizza delivery.
“I liked him, but since his particular field of interest was Remote Suggestion – the skill of projecting thoughts into people’s heads from a distance – I didn’t know whether I actually liked him or he was suggesting I like him, which was both creepy and unethical. In fact, the whole Remote Suggestion or “seeding” idea was banned once it was discovered to be the key ingredient in promoting talentless boy bands, which had until then been something of a mystery.”
The way he weaves elements of the modern world and the magical world together makes for a delightful book and one that is even better than the first book in this series. The characters are getting stronger and the depth and detail of their world makes for a more interesting story. I look forward to the next installment!
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it goes on.The tone of all of Fforde’s books is a combination of gentle sarcasm, whimsy, and smart social commentary. Reading one of his books is an enjoyable experience – and one that leaves the reader feeling smarter – either because s/he picked up on one of the many literary references integrated throughout the story or because s/he learned something.
Jennifer Strange, the main character of the Kazam books, is a wonderful prequel to Thursday Next – one of the best characters in fiction.
“I took a glass globe from my bag, just one of the many useful objects that I liked to have with me on assignment. “It runs on sarcasm,” I said, handing it to him. “Great,” Tiger replied, and the globe lit up brightly.”
And I loved Fforde’s comments on some of the most inexplicable aspects of modern life. He attributes cell phones, medical scanners – and (most accurately as far as I am concerned) – copy machines to magic. The way the characters brush aside the idea that these devices came to be through any means other than mystical ones make perfect sense – especially in a world where magic carpets are used for pizza delivery.
“I liked him, but since his particular field of interest was Remote Suggestion – the skill of projecting thoughts into people’s heads from a distance – I didn’t know whether I actually liked him or he was suggesting I like him, which was both creepy and unethical. In fact, the whole Remote Suggestion or “seeding” idea was banned once it was discovered to be the key ingredient in promoting talentless boy bands, which had until then been something of a mystery.”
The way he weaves elements of the modern world and the magical world together makes for a delightful book and one that is even better than the first book in this series. The characters are getting stronger and the depth and detail of their world makes for a more interesting story. I look forward to the next installment!
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LibraryThing member fred_mouse
This one had been sitting on the shelf two-thirds read since I stopped reading it aloud to the offspring. I picked it up and finished it off in one last ditch attempt. It has the notable feature that at no point did I have to wonder who the characters are or what is going on, and what have I
And it is working for me a light and fluffy dystopia with magic and political shenanigans. One of the villains had somewhat of a comeuppance; the other makes a last minute power grab and got theirs.
Pros: Fforde does good over the top plots with handwaving and clever use of language. Cons: It obviously didn't hold my attention enough, and at no point have I wondered how it finishes. It was just that I got to there in the pile of books, and figured I might as well read it.
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forgotten -- despite the number of years in between, it is all sufficiently clear. I did not even turn back one page. And it is working for me a light and fluffy dystopia with magic and political shenanigans. One of the villains had somewhat of a comeuppance; the other makes a last minute power grab and got theirs.
Pros: Fforde does good over the top plots with handwaving and clever use of language. Cons: It obviously didn't hold my attention enough, and at no point have I wondered how it finishes. It was just that I got to there in the pile of books, and figured I might as well read it.
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LibraryThing member LemurKat
Clever and entertaining - as are all Jasper Fforde's books. This novel seems to be aimed at the more bookish teenager - the plot is relatively straightforward, but some of the language is a little complex, and Fforde certainly does not patronise the younger reader. Intermingled with humour and
Now, why is there no quarkbeast fanart?
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quirky characters. This ia a quick, fast and fun read.Now, why is there no quarkbeast fanart?
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LibraryThing member HiramHolliday
Another great book by Jasper. Imaginative, witty, surprising etcetera... Presented as a youth book it's well digested by adults
LibraryThing member riverwillow
A good sequel to the first book - Jennifer and Tiger are still trying to keep Kazam afloat against the odds. As before the book is populated buy interesting characters and full of Fforde's trademark black dystopian humour. And there are lots of Quarkbeasts!
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Continuation of his YA fantasy series. Just not quite as funny as the others lacking the relevant social commentary that makes true humour work. Where it does attempt it is to heavy handed and obvious. The Practchett style footnotes also don't quite have his flair either. Coming at the chapter
Jennifer Strange has little to do as the Dragonslayer of the previous book, and instead returns to her old job of managaing the magcial staff of the institute in Hereford. The new Big Magic of the previous books hasn't yet created enough new magic to allow everyone unlimited power, but things are slowly looking up. However the local King still doens't approve of her, and intervenes when a newly founded magical institue challenges them to a duel. The task was a to raise a bridge, which they'd have easily won, until various of their sorceres get arrested. This leaves poor Jenny running around alot to summon various help, and incidentally involves her thwarting the great Shandar's plans once again.
Although all of JF's books are contrived, this feels a lot more contrived than ususal, and similar to the first book in the series, definetly aimed more for a YA segment of the market. The humour is more situational if present at all, and continuity seems to have gone by the wayside. Events happen one after another with Jennifer responding until it all works out in her favour. There are very few references to events in the previous book.
Readable enough, but hardly Jasper at his best.
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breaks rather than the bottom of the page makes them awkward to access.Jennifer Strange has little to do as the Dragonslayer of the previous book, and instead returns to her old job of managaing the magcial staff of the institute in Hereford. The new Big Magic of the previous books hasn't yet created enough new magic to allow everyone unlimited power, but things are slowly looking up. However the local King still doens't approve of her, and intervenes when a newly founded magical institue challenges them to a duel. The task was a to raise a bridge, which they'd have easily won, until various of their sorceres get arrested. This leaves poor Jenny running around alot to summon various help, and incidentally involves her thwarting the great Shandar's plans once again.
Although all of JF's books are contrived, this feels a lot more contrived than ususal, and similar to the first book in the series, definetly aimed more for a YA segment of the market. The humour is more situational if present at all, and continuity seems to have gone by the wayside. Events happen one after another with Jennifer responding until it all works out in her favour. There are very few references to events in the previous book.
Readable enough, but hardly Jasper at his best.
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LibraryThing member bookwren
I was excited to read this sequel to The Last Dragonslayer. I enjoyed it, but it was not as over-the-top hilarious as the first one. I often find this with second books in a series. They are slower and don't have the freshness of the first book nor the climax of the final (in a trilogy). Still, I
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was glad to learn more of the magical world and happy to be among the quirky characters of Kazam again. Fforde continues to poke fun at the establishment and at big business, while developing his characters and setting. Jennifer continues to be strong protagonist - smart, practical and innovative. I continue to enjoy the pithy little footnotes, too. I hope The Return of Shandar is released soon! Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
This is a quick fun read. Aimed at teenagers so not as mocking as his other books.
LibraryThing member RandyMetcalfe
An entertaining sequel in Jasper Fforde’s Last Dragonslayer series. Jennifer Strange, the foundling acting-manager of Kazam—the biggest House of Enchantment in the world, uses wit and cunning to marshal her limited resources, in the absence of the the Great Zambini, to keep Kazam in the black,
Fforde’s writing is constrained, I think, by his younger target audience for the dragonslayer series. Just when it seems he is about to let rip on a Thursday-Next-like riff, he pulls back. He certainly curtails the body-count (as well as the body-double count) and if Jennifer were any more chaste and virtuous she would have to be imaginary. He also treads ever so carefully around Terry Pratchett’s Discworld formula of thematic comedy. But it’s all in a good cause, I suppose. Which is to say, a fast-paced tale full of adventure, magic, and Trolls. It would be nice, however, to see what Fforde could do with Jennifer Strange without the shackles, so to speak.
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thwart the evil designs of the Amazing Blix, pave the way for Quarkbeast enabled enlightenment, right some wrong, and chalk one up for foundlings everywhere. So, you know, the usual.Fforde’s writing is constrained, I think, by his younger target audience for the dragonslayer series. Just when it seems he is about to let rip on a Thursday-Next-like riff, he pulls back. He certainly curtails the body-count (as well as the body-double count) and if Jennifer were any more chaste and virtuous she would have to be imaginary. He also treads ever so carefully around Terry Pratchett’s Discworld formula of thematic comedy. But it’s all in a good cause, I suppose. Which is to say, a fast-paced tale full of adventure, magic, and Trolls. It would be nice, however, to see what Fforde could do with Jennifer Strange without the shackles, so to speak.
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LibraryThing member Jaylia3
There’s witty world building, deadpan absurdities, and physics-based/paradox-laced humor galore in Jasper Fforde’s The Song of the Quarkbeast, his second YA novel in The Last Dragon Slayer series, but surprisingly all that funny stuff doesn’t get in the way of its heart pounding suspense--I
Books with unmagical main characters living in a magic world have special appeal to me. Sixteen year old Jennifer Strange has no magical abilities herself, but since the disappearance of the Great Zambini she’s been managing Kazam, the largest wizard employment agency in the world. Magic had been in decline, but now that it’s increasing the King is hoping to change the rules so he can make a profit at the expense of his citizens--a prospect that Jennifer and her disparate Kazam coworkers won’t let happen without a fight.
If you are looking for romance, this isn’t the book for you, but if you enjoy alternate world settings, marvelously eccentric characters, crazy breakneck plot twists, and mind-bendingly clever humor Jasper Fforde can’t be beat.
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read the last chapters of the book at a gallop--and it didn’t prevent me from deeply caring about what happened to Jennifer Strange, all her quirky cohorts, and the state of magic in the Ununited Kingdom.Books with unmagical main characters living in a magic world have special appeal to me. Sixteen year old Jennifer Strange has no magical abilities herself, but since the disappearance of the Great Zambini she’s been managing Kazam, the largest wizard employment agency in the world. Magic had been in decline, but now that it’s increasing the King is hoping to change the rules so he can make a profit at the expense of his citizens--a prospect that Jennifer and her disparate Kazam coworkers won’t let happen without a fight.
If you are looking for romance, this isn’t the book for you, but if you enjoy alternate world settings, marvelously eccentric characters, crazy breakneck plot twists, and mind-bendingly clever humor Jasper Fforde can’t be beat.
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LibraryThing member PattyLouise
The Song Of The Quarkbeast
By
Jasper Fforde
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Magic is a mess in the Ununited Kingdom and it is up to Jennifer Strange to deal with it!
My thoughts after reading this book...
This opening paragraph said by Jennifer herself pretty much sums up this book...
I work in the magic
If only.
I love this paragraph. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Strange. I loved the first book in this series. The first book introduced us to the Quarkbeast. The second book deals with the fact that he is gone...or is he?
I am not going to over analyze this book...you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one but I would because I love reading stories in order.
There is magic that works and magic that doesn't work. There are funny names...like Tiger Prawns and Full Price and Half Price. There is a problem and a quest and there is the matter of the Quarkbeast.
What I loved about this book...
Loved the characters, loved the fun, loved the excitement!
What I did not love about this book...
Sometimes...and this is not really a dislike of anything...but...sometimes the names of people, places and things are a little too complex. I needed to go back and forth to make sure I knew whom and what I was reading about. That's ok...just a teensy bit distracting!
Final thoughts...
I loved the first one and I enjoyed this one. I love Jennifer...love Half Price...love Tiger Prawns...even...or rather especially...I loved the Quarkbeast! This would be a fun book for older children and might even make a fun read aloud.
By
Jasper Fforde
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Magic is a mess in the Ununited Kingdom and it is up to Jennifer Strange to deal with it!
My thoughts after reading this book...
This opening paragraph said by Jennifer herself pretty much sums up this book...
I work in the magic
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industry. I think you'll agree it's pretty glamorous: a life of spells, potions, and whispered enchantments; of levitation, vanishing, and alchemy. Of titanic fights to the death with the powers of darkness, of conjuring up blizzards and quelling storms at sea. Of casting lightning bolts from mountains, of bringing statues to life in order to vanquish troublesome foes.If only.
I love this paragraph. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Strange. I loved the first book in this series. The first book introduced us to the Quarkbeast. The second book deals with the fact that he is gone...or is he?
I am not going to over analyze this book...you don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one but I would because I love reading stories in order.
There is magic that works and magic that doesn't work. There are funny names...like Tiger Prawns and Full Price and Half Price. There is a problem and a quest and there is the matter of the Quarkbeast.
What I loved about this book...
Loved the characters, loved the fun, loved the excitement!
What I did not love about this book...
Sometimes...and this is not really a dislike of anything...but...sometimes the names of people, places and things are a little too complex. I needed to go back and forth to make sure I knew whom and what I was reading about. That's ok...just a teensy bit distracting!
Final thoughts...
I loved the first one and I enjoyed this one. I love Jennifer...love Half Price...love Tiger Prawns...even...or rather especially...I loved the Quarkbeast! This would be a fun book for older children and might even make a fun read aloud.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Sequel to The Last Dragonslayer. Here, the Kazam House of Magic is to compete in a magical bridge-building contest, but the other side, iMagic, cheats making the outcome, and the future of magic in the kingdom, uncertain.
LibraryThing member edieh
The second of the Chronicles of Kazam;the Song of the Quarkbeast is even better than the first book. Which is saying a lot, as the "Last of the Dragon Slayers" was quite good. And, although the book is labeled "young adult" it is literate enough for any "mature" reader.
Fforde's use of the English
Fforde's use of the English
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language is captivating. His universe is similar to ours and easily understood but the magic is quirky and idiosyncratic. Magic is more like the Diskworld than Harry Potter. In fact, if you like Pratchett, you should definitely try this series. The Song of the Quarkbeast can be read as a stand alone, but would be better read in sequence. Show Less
LibraryThing member lkmuir
Magic has been in a sad state in the Ununited Kingdom for years, but now it's finally on the rise, and boneheaded King Snodd IV knows it. If he succeeds at his plot, the very future of magic will be at risk! Sensible sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange, acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts
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Management and its unpredictable crew of sorcerers, has little chance against the king and his cronies-but there's no way Kazam will let go of the noble powers of magic without a fight. A suspenseful, satirical story of Quarkbeasts, trolls, and wizidrical crackle! Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
Delightfully quirky. Jennifer Strange and Tiger Prawns, plus all the kooky members of Kazam, return in this second installment. This time, King Snodd is trying to create a royal monopoly on magic by installing the head of rival company iMagic as his court mystician. A contest ensues, in which Blix
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and the king engage in all sorts of underhandedness to defeat Kazam. But with a little help from the Once Magnificent Boo, the chronically missing Great Zambini, and the Transient Moose, the members of Kazam rise to the occasion again. Show Less
LibraryThing member simchaboston
Fforde has fashioned yet another winning mix of humor, fantasy, and appealing characters. I enjoyed this story even more than its predecessor -- it somehow was more cohesive and felt a little more grounded in "reality" without losing any of his characteristic wit. I hope Fforde at some point
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publishes companion guides, because I'm always left wanting to know more about his universes. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Amusing and whimsical, this second book of the series is full of twists and turns. I didn't find it as engaging as "The Last Dragonslayer" but it was entertaining.
LibraryThing member TheMadHatters
Jennifer Strange is the acting general manager of a magical agency that helps solve everyday problems in the Ununited Kingdom, such as locating lost items that don't want to be found and rebuilding bridges. This book had me laughing at the antics of the wizards and their fictional creatures. Jasper
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Fforde's sense of humor and writing style are intoxicating. Highly recommend. Show Less
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The second book in the YA series has Jennifer dealing with a magical contest with imagic over the control of magic in the kingdom. And of course the deck is stacked against Kazam with shady deals with the king. You do find out more about the workings of magic and about trolls and quarkbeasts as
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well. And the nice thing about this one is you really don't need to know anything about the previous book to read this one at all. Show Less
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Another quirky and fun tale out of Fforde. In this follow-up to The Last Dragonslayer, Jennifer Strange and the Kazam crew are up against iMagic.
LibraryThing member kmjanek
Jennifer Strange is back in this second adventure in the mystical world of Kazam, the biggest House of Enchantment in the Ununited Kingdom. Jennifer is in charge of managing the Kazam sorcerers for hire to conduct practical magic, like plumbing, rewiring and other construction jobs. King Snodd
This second book is just as clever as the first book. The adventure continues, but it could be a stand alone book. Just the names will make readers laugh: Tiger Prawns, Full Price, Lady Mawgon, Jimmy Nuttjob and many more. Throughout the book everything seems to be stacked against Kazam. The King and Blix do everything in their power to ensure that the Kazam sorcerers lost the contest. Readers will have a brief glimpse into the world of Trolls and Quarkbeasts are full of surprises.
This is a good series for a school library to have. It will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and those who like magical, fantasy worlds. There are parallels/commentary to our real world in terms of corporations, corruption and politics. This would be a good book to use in a literature or creative writing class when discussing world building. This is Jasper Ffords first series for young adults and I think that most adults would find some literary merit in these books. It is silly, enjoyable and thought provoking. I also like that the main character, Jennifer, is a strong female role model.
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appoints the All Powerful Conrad Blix, president of iMagic to be in charge of all the magic in the Kingdom. He is out to make money, while the Kazam gang feels that it should be used for good and for a nominal fee. They are challenged to a bridge building contest and it is Jenny’s responsibility to try to win the contest.This second book is just as clever as the first book. The adventure continues, but it could be a stand alone book. Just the names will make readers laugh: Tiger Prawns, Full Price, Lady Mawgon, Jimmy Nuttjob and many more. Throughout the book everything seems to be stacked against Kazam. The King and Blix do everything in their power to ensure that the Kazam sorcerers lost the contest. Readers will have a brief glimpse into the world of Trolls and Quarkbeasts are full of surprises.
This is a good series for a school library to have. It will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and those who like magical, fantasy worlds. There are parallels/commentary to our real world in terms of corporations, corruption and politics. This would be a good book to use in a literature or creative writing class when discussing world building. This is Jasper Ffords first series for young adults and I think that most adults would find some literary merit in these books. It is silly, enjoyable and thought provoking. I also like that the main character, Jennifer, is a strong female role model.
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LibraryThing member MadameWho
Although it's a little sillier than the first book, this sequel to The Last Dragonslayer actually has a better, more cohesive plot. The editing/proofing is a little slipshod, and I noticed some continuity errors between this book and both the first and third volumes. For example, at the end of
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Quarkbeast, the residents spruce up the old hotel with magic, returning it to its former glory. But at the beginning of The Eye of Zoltar, the hotel is shabby once more, the residents having decided not to fix it up because it would ruin the unique character of the place. Show Less
LibraryThing member ethel55
The dragons of the last story are off gaining knowledge, so Jennifer Strange is once again busy coordinating magical jobs for the sorcerers of Kazam. A mysterious ring, the transient moose, a challenge by iMagic (formerly known as Industrial Magic) creates a lot of action for those involved in this
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story. I liked learning more about some of the secondary characters, mostly sorcerers, and only wish a US publisher would pick up this fun children's series. Show Less
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
I loved this often silly, quirky, and suspenseful tale of magic management in somewhat medieval structured world with fantastical beasts, wayward wizards, and lowly foundlings. Just plain fun.
Awards
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2014)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011-11-01
Physical description
304 p.; 5.5 inches
ISBN
0544336623 / 9780544336629