Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde starting on March 30, 2025.


Happy Reading!

1. The Last Dragonslayer (Feb 15) [link]
2. The Song of the Quarkbeast (Mar 30)
3. The Eye of Zoltar (May 15) [link]
4. The Great Troll War (June 30) [link]

I'm going to request my copy today. I think I'll receive it next week.

Were these on Audible+ and got removed? I may read the ebook, that is TBD.

I'm not sure, but I don't think so... I've had these forever... found/read Jasper Fforde years ago, starting with Thursday Next, then Nursery Crimes, then Shades of Grey... didn't give Last Dragonslayer as much of a chance past book 1, tho...

Weird, I listened to the first on Audible and I didn't buy it so it had to be on Audible+ now that I think about it. So dumb, I enjoyed the first quite a bit but it is not credit worthy so I will try to read the ebook this weekend.

Maybe it used to be on A+, as you speculated... I just checked, and Thursday Next #4-7 are, so it could have been... that's also a good reason for me to get you guys to BR Thursday Next next, as I want to... I've been wanting to do a re-read for awhile...

I read this short book today, and zoomed through it... just as enjoyable as the first... and I think I vaguely remembered some aspects of this/ending, since (view spoiler)[I wasn't too worried about the death of the Quarkbeast in book 1, and it basically turned up alive/reincarnated, since Quarkbeasts spontaneously clone with the help of magic (hide spoiler)]

I had a few laugh out loud moments, but otherwise not too much to say...

It's a very antic-heavy story in the vein of Chronicles of St. Mary's...

I am so dumb unless it changed in the last few days since I checked but it is in KU now and $4 to buy so I will listen to this tomorrow after I finish the newest Beaufort Scales which I started after Wizard and Glass :)

Listened to this over the weekend and enjoyed it... (view spoiler)[I was so happy to find the MC's Quarkbeast back!! I was definitely hoping for that.

The king again was up to shenanigans again. Someone depose that asshole already.

I really enjoyed meeting the other magic-users, like the retired mage caring for Quarkbeasts, and the woman who turns herself stone at night.

And the little romance is pretty cute too. (hide spoiler)]

Got my copy yesterday, so starting within a couple of days.

I read this a few days ago and thought it was as lovely as the first! (view spoiler)[RIP Moose :( I was however very happy that the Quarkbest is back <3 I would have liked more quarkbeast much sooner but I will allow it lol I was glad she got to speak to her mentor/boss for a bit and that she triumphed against the king and competitors. (hide spoiler)]

Gotta love that sweet sweet comeuppance.

I've finally finished this one. The second book of the series The Last Dragonslayer was equally good as the first. It had the same sarcasm, the same humor and the sometimes high paced storylines. There were some twists that I didn't expect, but really enjoyed. The role of the Transcient Moose became at a certain point very crucial and also a beloved magical creature came back.

Timelord Iain wrote: "I read this short book today, and zoomed through it... just as enjoyable as the first... and I think I vaguely remembered some aspects of this/ending, since [spoilers removed]

I had a few laugh ou..."

That was my thought too about the Quarkbeast and also the title of the book. So, it couldn't be really finished for Quark. It was interesting to read why they must be kept apart and why the other identical but opposite half suddenly appeared. Boo was an intriguing character.

Nirkatze wrote: "Listened to this over the weekend and enjoyed it... I was so happy to find the MC's Quarkbeast back!! I was definitely hoping for that.

The king again was up to shenanigans again. Someone depose t..."

The elderly sorcerers had a bit of a bigger role, which I enjoyed. Queen Mimosa was fierce going against King Snodd. It made me gniffle a bit. I wonder if the little romance between Jennifer and Perkins will remain a side story. I think so, but who knows...

Ann-Marie wrote: "I read this a few days ago and thought it was as lovely as the first! [spoilers removed]"

Yes, it was sad to read that the Transient Moose had come to its end, but his role in the story was important and his conversation a bit strange. I was also waiting impatiently until the Quarkbeasts came back.

I was glad that happened quickly!