The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

Dragons and the inhabitants of Hereford have abided by the Dragonpact for 400 years, according to Jasper Fforde’s novel The Last Dragonslayer. Jennifer Strange, a 15-year-old acting manager of a magical employment agency, is unaware that she is the Last Dragonslayer when she hears that the seers believe the Last Dragon will be killed by the Last Dragonslayer.

Even though the Last Dragonslayer may not be able to stop it, something significant is coming and she is determined not to fulfil the prophecy. This book is classified as a young adult book. It feels like a continuation of Fforde’s other extraordinary tales set in his equally spectacular made-up universe. The Thursday Next books featured the Sisterhood of the Lobster.

They take on a more significant role in The Last Dragonslayer as we discover that they send foundlings, like Jennifer, to jobs as indentured servants from which they will be released at the age of 18. When the owner of the employment agency vanishes in a supernatural accident, Jennifer, who has had her licence since she was 13 and control of the business, takes over. In this land, driver’s licences are granted based on maturity.

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The plot comes straight out of Fforde. Jennifer is perceptive, witty, and able to keep her composure under pressure. She isn’t a real teenager in our world, but in Fforde’s “United Kingdom,” she is incredibly convincing. Children above the age of 12 are advised to read The Last Dragonslayer, and I assume that’s because there are character deaths. In order to state that the finale is done in the best spirit of understanding what you must do, even when you don’t want to, I won’t specifically give any spoilers.

Another lesson is that sometimes doing the incorrect thing is just a waste of time, even if you’ve done it all your life. Since what I’ve just said doesn’t truly indicate how the book ends, I say these aren’t spoilers. My 10-year-old would adore reading this book. She adores dragons, and I think the book is suitable for her age group.

Young adult books frequently speak down to young readers. I’ve previously mentioned that one of my pet peeves with young adult literature is that the storyline is occasionally sacrificed in the name of writing for a younger audience. My grandmother really believed that kids will understand what you are trying to tell them. They might not understand it on the first or second day, but eventually they will.

The Last Dragonslayer is written by Fforde without any laziness. Everyone will find his stories interesting, and they all will comprehend them to varying degrees. The Last Dragonslayer was an enjoyable journey that was quirky and magical, full of memorable characters that you want to see again. They assert that reluctant readers haven’t chosen the correct book. I bet that many young people who don’t think they enjoy reading will change their minds after reading this book and become lifelong readers.

About The Book

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 are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, 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 the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.