The Song of the Quarkbeast

I have to say, this Kazam series is growing on me. I honestly think that the illustrations on the covers, albeit beautiful, made me skeptical because I am not very interested in hard-core fantasy. But the series is definitely fantasy with the Ffordian wit and humor. The protagonist, Jennifer Strange, also has some young Thursday Next vibes, particularly in keeping her cool in hectic situations and wanting to be left alone but actually enjoying her adventures. The Song of the Quarkbeast offered an opportunity to get to know the characters a little better and therefore made me more interested in them.

I really like this series. Although it's billed as YA and it would be totally appropriate for that age range, I actually think that adults might enjoy it more due to the references tucked away in the narration (as is typical for Fforde).

I know, I know. I said I wasn't all that interested enough to read the second book, yet here I am writing a review for it. I was at the library the other day and I looked up from the shelf I was perusing and there it was right in front of my face, The Song of the Quarkbeast.

This one was so much more fun that the first book. We got to see more of the wizards in action and the mystery was rife. And there was a quarkbeast! The best character in the first book has returned....maybe.

Either way it was fun, funny and kept me guessing. Much better than The Last Dragonslayer.