Want Books: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde


Want Books? is a weekly meme hosted at Chachic’s Book Nook and features released books that you want but you can’t have for some reason. It can be because it’s not available in your country, in your library or you don’t have the money for it right now.

It’s been a while since I did a Want Books post. I wonder if making posts like this helps in actually finding books that are hard to find here? Or do they somehow get to the people who work in bookstores and make them get the books we want and stock it in their stores? I know it helps me get the books, because somehow I find myself deciding to get the book on my own soon after. I know making posts like these makes other people’s wish lists bigger, too. Hmm…I wonder who else gets influenced?

Anyway, I’m rambling. I thought of posting this book here because it’s been released since November and I still can’t find a copy. RAWR.

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper FfordeThe Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

In the good old days, magic was powerful, unregulated by government, and even the largest spell could be woven without filling in the magic release form B1-7g. But somewhere, somehow, the magic started draining away.

Jennifer Strange runs Kazam!, an employment agency for state-registered magicians, soothsayers and sorceresses. But work is drying up. Drain cleaner is cheaper and quicker than a spell. Why trust a cold and drafty magic carpet when jetliners offer a comfy seat and an in-flight movie? And now potions are eligible for VAT…

But then the visions start. The Last Dragon is going to be killed by a Dragonslayer at 12.00 on Sunday. The death will unleash untold devastation on the UnUnited Kingdom, setting principality against dukedom and property developer against homesteader. And all the signs are pointing to Jennifer Strange, and saying”Big Magic is coming!”

The Last Dragonslayer is fizzing with all the creativity and genius Jasper Fforde’s fans delight in, and will appeal as much to the young at heart as to the younger readers for whom it is written.

Two words: Jasper Fforde. The synopsis just sounds so Fforde and so awesome!

I remember asking Fully Booked about this when I found about its release and they said stocks should come in by Christmas…but I haven’t seen a copy of this until now. I also remember rewarding myself with a Kindle sample of this and there were many times when I was thinking of just getting the Kindle version first because it’s Jasper Fforde anyway. However, when I went back to purchase a copy…alas! It was pulled from the US store, since it’s not yet released in the US (I think). Sadness.

I’m thisclose to putting an order for this from Book Depository but I’m holding off because (1) I really want to know how much it would be if/when Fully Booked has stocks and sometimes their price is lower and (2) I’m really not in a hurry to read it anyway.

That, and my birthday is coming up. Hint hint. ;)

On another note, another Fforde book is coming out this year — the next installment of his Thursday Next series. It looks like 2011 will be a Fforde year, yes? :) Brilliant.

10 Thoughts on “Want Books: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

  1. Hi, Tina! Ordered this from Book Depository middle of December, but it still hasn’t arrived. Gives me something to look forward to, though.:) And yes, this will be a Fforde year!

    • Hi Honey! I tried to see if I’d have bigger discount if I order at work, but I think it’s just the same. Oh well. Did you order the hardbound copy? There’s little price difference between that and the (trade) paperback, so I’m not sure what to order just yet.

      Or I can still wait. Heh, after all my birthday is coming in a few months’ time. :D

      • Too bad about the discount. How much discount does it say, anyway?

        Anyway, I ordered the hardbound copy for a little over $13. That said, five out of my six Book Depository orders arrived today, and The Last Dragonslayer was the missing one. I hope the Post isn’t holding on to it bec it’s a hardback.

        • It’s $16 for hardbound and $14 for paperback. Boo. Ah well, I can still wait. I hope your copy arrives soon, though!

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  3. I know what you mean about being more determined in getting a book once you feature it in a Want Books post because I’m the same way. I end up getting most of the books that I pick for my Want Books posts. :)

    • I think having someone else get the books we put on our Want Books post depends on the time of the year we post them. Like, birthdays or Christmas. And I think posting them online is almost as good as buying them on our own, and it’s like announcing to the world that we’ll be getting them once we spot them in stores. :)

  4. The Last Dragon Slayer sounds like a great story I didn’t know Jasper Fforde already has a YA book. I haven’t even started The Eyre Affair. I have been itching for it ever since you recommended it. I’ve read the summary of the book and it sounds awesome! A bibliophile would really love it with all those literary characters in the story. And now there’s a next installment coming out? Gah. I need to save up for the first installment and fast! So then I can finally know what you’re all talking about when you say the book is “so Fforde” ^^.

    • Fforde’s novels are really out of this world, and that’s what makes them so much fun. :) Go read The Eyre Affair soon — Thursday Next is really one literary hero. :D It gets better in the next books. They’re really books for book-lovers. :)

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