The Eye Of Zoltar

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 10, 2014

Review

This is book 3 in the zany, comical Chronicles of Kazam fantasy series. As Fforde has achieved in his other novels in this series, there is head spinning witty wordplay, absurdity and satire rolled into a fast-paced adventure. New readers to this series can jump right in. Sixteen year old Jennifer Strange, stand in manager of the Kazam Mystical Arts Management and newly appointed Court magician must go on an search (not a quest, takes too long to get the license). Jennifer and her first date, who ages rapidly throughout, go into the Cambrian Empire, where only 50% of any party is predicted to survive, to bring back Colin the dragon who has become rubberized; locate a graveyard, pirate and a stone called the Eye of Zoltar all of which may or may not exist; while protecting a spoiled princess confined to her handmaiden's body to learn a lesson. If you give this hilarious novel a try, a Snodd dukedom may be conferred upon you which "allows the holder a twenty-five percent discount at the co-op, free bus and train travel, and two free seats at the Wimbledon finals every year." (p. 290)

Overall Book Score: excellent