Book 2 - The Song of the Quarkbeast - The Chronicles of Kazam

Not long ago, Jennifer Strange brought magic back to the world... which apparently doesn't earn you a break from your job.

And after the bittersweet note of "The Last Dragonslayer," Jasper Fforde's second Chronicles of Kazam novel is a bit lighter on its feet. "The Song of the Quarkbeast" still has some darker edges, but it's a nimbler, slightly more frenetic fantasy story -- and the multiple subplots show Fforde off in an entertaining manner. It also makes you quite happy that there is no magic in our world.

Magic has resurfaced in the world, but it's still building back to higher levels. And this means more work for Kazam's resident magicians, who have a knack for attracting trouble -- think petrification spells, a mysterious evil ring in a well, begging The King's Useless Brother for a magic license, and the possibility of a new Quarkbeast arriving in town.

But because politicians ruin everything, King Snodd IV decides declares that Kazam and their bitter rival iMagic will have a contest. Prize: the opposing company. And it doesn't take long before trumped-up charges land almost all the Kazam magicians in jail, forcing Jennifer and Tiger to confront a sinister conspiracy that could see all their coworkers turned to stone.

While I enjoyed "The Last Dragonslayer," it wasn't the best demonstration of Jasper Fforde's talents -- despite the wackiness of the Quarkbeast, it was rather bleak and straightforward. So it's kind of a relief that "The Song of the Quarkbeast" is a return to form, with a more convoluted plot, multiple subplots, and some rather wacky magics. Think caramelized clothes, lovestruck badgers and earwax-clearing teleportation spells.

It's still a pretty dark story in many ways, with heavy doses of treachery, political backstabbing and some severed extremities. However, there's a better balance of witty comedy and seriousness here, sometimes mingled together (the meeting with the obviously bored King's Useless Brother). And all the subplots are neatly tangled together into a convoluted plot -- all of which erupts into a beautifully dramatic climax.

And once again, poor plucky Jennifer finds herself afloat in a disastrous situation that only she can untangle, with the help of Tiger Prawns. It's fun to see a heroine in a fantasy who is an ordinary person, but still stays afloat because of brains and quick wits (take that, Bella Swan). And through these characters, Fforde gets to make some satirical points about the people in society who aren't considered "valuable," like the foundlings.

But Fforde also explores some of the magicians, both good and bad -- and while most of the Kazam sorcerers at first seem kind of petulant and egocentric, you see that they (mostly) aren't bad people. And the Once Magnificent Boo is... well, magnificent.

"The Song of the Quarkbeast" is no less dark than its predecessor, but it also has a heavy dose of clever comedy, a complex plot, and the occasional impossible animal. A fun read for Fforde fanatics.

While not as deeply funny as either the Thursday Next or Nursery Crime series, readers, even adults, will find lots to like in Fforde's latest. Set in Hereford in the UUK (UnUnited Kingdom) this, the second novel in this series, continues the adventures of Jennifer Strange a 16-year-old foundling who is Acting Manager of a firm of wizards.

In this book, her firm, Kazam, is challenged by iMagic, to rebuild a bridge that has fallen down, just as her newest wizard is about to get his license. Because the rival company is run by an unscrupulous man, she suspects there will be dirty deeds afoot. As indeed there are.

With spells, flying carpets, magical beasts, and semi-existant creatures, there's plenty of humor in the book. It isn't as much a parody of our world as a Discworld novel or indeed as many of Fforde's other books are, but it takes the common stuff of fantasy novels for the middle grades and turns the humorously on their ears,

I did find that it flagged a bit in the middle. I also felt that many of the characters weren't well-developed. But these were small faults in a delightful book for children and adults.

I, like many others, I'm sure, first fell hopelessly in love with Jasper Fforde with "The Eyre Affair", the single funniest, cleverest, most literate, most exciting read I had had in years. (I imagine it was similar to what the earliest readers of "Alice in Wonderland", felt)

Since then, I have looked forward with an eagerness that teen-age girls feel for that Bieber boy, to each new book.

Sure, the "thrill" has lessened.

After all, we can't "un-know" what to expect (brilliance) once we know it.

But EVERY book has been fine.

And, it is with great pleasure, that I note that, so are the Ffordean trips into YA literature (after all, what else were the "Alice" books?)
The first "Chronicle of Kazam" (The Last Dragonslayer) was a total delight.

This one is better because:

The Quarkbeast just MAY be a boojum, you see.

Weighted down with too many characters, flat dialogue, and a thin, moderately interesting plot, this tedious story seemed to take an eternity to conclude. Falling far below the first book, this story is extremely lacking. It feels rather disjointed and not exciting.

If you were hoping for more dragons, you won't find them here. The titular Quarkbeast doesn't even feature as prominently as you would think. The Transient Moose is back; however, though I like him especially well from the first story, I feel very blah about the manner in which he has been included in the second.

I suppose I'll read the third installment, since I already have it; however, I cannot be sure I will finish it if the second one is any indicator of expected quality.

I must admit to being disappointed with Jasper Fforde for this series.

As an avid reader, I loved his Thursday Next novels - the way he cleverly incorporated the old classics such as Jane Eyre, Hamlet, etc. to write fleshed out, new characters was fantastic.

I was looking forward to The Chronicles of Kazam. Perhaps it's my fault for not starting with Book 1 of the series or perhaps it's the fact that I'm older than the targeted demographic (it's target for ages 11-14), but I found Fforde's latest novel to drag on for too long. I had a really hard time getting into the book and liking the characters (much less caring for the characters' fates).

I felt like the plot wasn't as original as it could've been, and the setting was too been-there-read-that-before.

If this was any other author, I probably would say that this is an acceptable book, but for Fforde it can't be anything but disappointing.

This review first appeared on Whymsy Likes Books.

This story is a quick, nontaxing read with a high level of silliness. Again Mr. Fforde proves himself a master wordsmith with colorful writing and an imagination that knows no bounds. He weaves his stories together so they are never straight forward or entirely predictable, keeping the attention of his readers. I particularly liked his bit about some wizards having the ability to make remote suggestion or sending ideas and that it was banned once it was found out they used it to promote talentless boy bands. As usual his characters are well rounded, the world is fleshed out and quirky and everything is up to the high level I have come to expect from Mr. Fforde.

For the full review and others visit whymsylikesbooks dot blogspot dot com

I'd heard Fforde's name around the blogosphere, alongside positive thoughts, so I was looking forward to giving his books a try. I bought the first book in this series, and of course, grabbed this one for review.

They ended up being different than I expected, which isn't overly unusual, considering I rarely read a book's description before picking it up. I scan just enough to discover if I think it might match my reading tastes.

I think my biggest surprise is the fact that the main character, Jennifer Strange, is 16 years old. Most middle grade books contain middle grade aged characters. That's not a complaint, but still surprising.

These are fun, quirky, and clever reads! I've enjoyed my time in them, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Fforde.

After enjoying book one The Last Dragonslayer, I was pleased to get an early peek at its sequel (not really early as it has already been released in the UK). I picked this up one weekend expecting more hilarious shenanigans from Jennifer Strange and her coterie of magicians and assorted associates. As I anticipated, this was quintessentially Ffordian. I think if you enjoyed the first book and Fforde's writing in general, then you'll want to check out this sequel.

This go-around makes mention of the resurgence of magic following the events of the first book and continues some of the same threads but mostly the story is new, giving us further insight into the world of the Ununited Kingdoms. The big threat is over the future of magic with the king and wizard Blix eager to monetize it for their own gain while Jennifer and her crew want it available for everyone. These divergent philosophies battle it out, culminating in a bridge rebuilding competition to decide the fate of magic.

But really the plot doesn't much matter. Instead you'll be enchanted by the charming writing with its asides and the way that everything will come together. Small details are carelessly tossed to the side but later events prove how we had all the clues we needed, if only we could piece them all together the way Fforde does!

Jennifer continues to be plucky as foundlings are and we get to spend some time with the mysteriously disappearing and reappearing Great Zambini as well as all the fun characters from last book. I think my favorites here were greedy King Snodd IV and the King's Useless Brother (this is his actual title from the book) who is easily distracted by just about everything.

Overall: Though you could probably read this as a standalone, I do recommend checking out the first book beforehand and just being prepared for a zany ride!

Jasper Fforde has done it again! In a story that jumps back in where The Last Dragonslayer left off, we experience the exciting exploits of a young girl with no magical abilities of her own who has found herself inexplicably in charge of an exciting and eccentric bunch of enchanters. Jennifer Strange has the unique sensibilities of a girl who grew up an orphan but for some reason has more common sense, spunk and spark, than any other participant in this lighthearted explosion of playful adventure and intrigue. Delightful - Fforde is undoubtably my current favorite author. If you haven't read his Nursery Crimes books or his futuristic Shades of Gray (Grey?) then go buy them, have a few laughs, enjoy the well-written romps he so playfully pens, and then share with your friends! Seriously! Go now! Get reading - you'll thank me if you do.

I love Jasper Fforde. Can this review stop right there? I love Jasper Fforde, and if you're reading book two of the Chronicles of Kazam, it's very likely that you do too--whether you're among the intended audience of young adults or are, like me, an old adult.

As noted above, this is book two in a series. That said, I don't think having read book one is imperative. I alwas think it's better to have done so, but the plot of Song of the Quarkbeast is no highly dependent on knowing the details of the first novel. Though one nice thing about an ongoing series is the ability to develop characters over time. In this second outing, we meet some new characters, but also get to know some returning wizards a bit better. Characters like the difficult Lady Mawgon get to show off different facets.

As previously, the tale is told from the point of view of 16-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange, the acting manager of Kazam Mystical Arts. After the Big Magic of The Last Dragonslayer, things are more or less back to normal--if that can ever be said of a place like Kazam. The business is still struggling to survive, and competition from the one other wizarding agency is being keenly felt. The plot of this novel revolves loosely around an object that doesn't want to and shouldn't be found. But as with all things Ffordian, plot is incidental to world-building and absurdist humor. Here, for instance, is how magic works in Fforde's Ununited Kingdom:

"After two months at Kazam, Tiger was still trying to get his head around the limiting practicalities of magic. Most people thought you just waved your hands and sim-sallah-bim, but it was a lot more complex than that. Sorcery was not so much doing what you wanted to do but what you could do--or ingeniously finding your way around the physical limitations of the craft."

I feel like it is Fforde who is often finding his way ingeniously around the limitations of plot and story. I've been reading him for nearly two decades now, and he's yet to write a novel that failed to please. Whether aimed towards young or old, his work is good for what ails me. He never fails to make me laugh o smile, and his wacky tales are consistently brighten my days. I might go so far as to suggest Jasper Fforde as a cure for the winter blues.

I was looking forward to this book. In general I find reading young adult novels to be a breath of fresh air and I was hoping that The Song of the Quarkbeast would live up to its press as a magical adventure with a bit of nerdy wordplay.

The Story
----------
Young Jennifer Strange, a foundling, is left in charge of Kazam, the more ethical of the two companies that perform magic.

Their newly renamed competitor iMagic is up to no good, manipulating King Snodd into ordering a contest between the wizards of both companies; the losers to merge with the winning agency.

Jennifer expects to win, that is until they begin losing sorcerers to Runix powered spells and trumped up magical misdemeanours.

The search for magical allies results in the revelation that nefarious plans are afoot.

My Issues
-----------
Initially I liked the word play, the short tangents away from the movement of the story, and the jokes or allusions that might escape younger readers.

I usually give a novel 25 % of its length, or about 100 pages to hook me in, some novels require an adjustment due to style. I found that by a third of the way through The Song of the Quarkbeast, I wasn't. The witty wordplay and divergent descriptions began to feel overdone and I longed for the story to pick up pace.

I also had issues with Jennifer. She seemed to me to be a bit wooden, perhaps standoffish - I didn't feel she was a convincing 16 year old girl.

Recommendations
-----------------
My 15 year old self would have liked this book, it was reminiscent of Douglas Adams and the sense of humour that produced the Deeper Meaning of Liff, but even then I think I might also have had an issue with the pacing.

I am hesitant to recommend it to all but the hard-core book nerds amongst the teen population, those who will find endless amusement in descriptions of the history, characters, oddities of the Kingdom of Hereford and who have the ability to make the connection with their real world equivalents.

I struggled to enjoy this one.

This book was provided to me by the publisher

This book may be aimed at young readers, but there's plenty here for adults as well. First of all, it's loaded with the kind of quirky English lunacy I love. Laced with satire, it's often laugh-out-loud funny. All the humor is just the icing on the cake though. Underneath you'll find a genuinely good plot. Jennifer Strange and her band of ragtag sorcerers are endearing. If you're a Harry Potter fan, chances are you'll also adore Jennifer.

Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite authors. he knows how to build characters and plot and universes. I wish a larger percentage of 4 and 5 star books were anywhere near as good as the books he writes. I would not write about the author here if this book did not show his talents to their best.

I was looking forward to this book. In general I find reading young adult novels to be a breath of fresh air and I was hoping that The Song of the Quarkbeast would live up to its press as a magical adventure with a bit of nerdy wordplay.

The Story
----------
Young Jennifer Strange, a foundling, is left in charge of Kazam, the more ethical of the two companies that perform magic.

Their newly renamed competitor iMagic is up to no good, manipulating King Snodd into ordering a contest between the wizards of both companies; the losers to merge with the winning agency.

Jennifer expects to win, that is until they begin losing sorcerers to Runix powered spells and trumped up magical misdemeanours.

The search for magical allies results in the revelation that nefarious plans are afoot.

My Issues
-----------
Initially I liked the word play, the short tangents away from the movement of the story, and the jokes or allusions that might escape younger readers.

I usually give a novel 25 % of its length, or about 100 pages to hook me in, some novels require an adjustment due to style. I found that by a third of the way through The Song of the Quarkbeast, I wasn't. The witty wordplay and divergent descriptions began to feel overdone and I longed for the story to pick up pace.

I also had issues with Jennifer. She seemed to me to be a bit wooden, perhaps standoffish - I didn't feel she was a convincing 16 year old girl.

Recommendations
-----------------
My 15 year old self would have liked this book, it was reminiscent of Douglas Adams and the sense of humour that produced the Deeper Meaning of Liff, but even then I think I might also have had an issue with the pacing.

I am hesitant to recommend it to all but the hard-core book nerds amongst the teen population, those who will find endless amusement in descriptions of the history, characters, oddities of the Kingdom of Hereford and who have the ability to make the connection with their real world equivalents.

I struggled to enjoy this one.

This book was provided to me by the publisher

This book may be aimed at young readers, but there's plenty here for adults as well. First of all, it's loaded with the kind of quirky English lunacy I love. Laced with satire, it's often laugh-out-loud funny. All the humor is just the icing on the cake though. Underneath you'll find a genuinely good plot. Jennifer Strange and her band of ragtag sorcerers are endearing. If you're a Harry Potter fan, chances are you'll also adore Jennifer.

Jasper Fforde is one of my favorite authors. he knows how to build characters and plot and universes. I wish a larger percentage of 4 and 5 star books were anywhere near as good as the books he writes. I would not write about the author here if this book did not show his talents to their best.

This is a laugh-provoking fantasy epjic, sure to be enjoyed by anyone who's at least 10 years old. It's the second in a series, but you don't really need to have read the first to enjoy the second. You just need to enjoy rather absurd plots and situations. After reading this, I'm sure you'll return for the next one.

2nd in series, a great book that is funny, interesting, and almost believable. I would recommend this book to anyone who has never read Jasper Fforde. It is a great read with well developed characters, a great story line, and a surprise ending. Enjoy

I have never been disappointed upon experiencing a Fforde novel. His mind works in profound and pleasing ways. In this series he has turned the concept of magic inside out and teased the subject matter, the reader and the culture with equal aplomb. He deserves all the praise he has garnered.

I enjoyed The Last Dragonslayer very much, and when I saw this title I was excited because I thought it was another in the same vein. But no. It's the same book with a different title. I wish they wouldn't DO that!