Jasper Fforde's first work for a younger generation of readers: hilarious, offbeat and bewitching, this is the start of a Dragonslayer trilogy

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

Then the magic started fading away.

Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for soothsayers and sorcerers. But work is drying up. Drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and even magic carpets are reduced to pizza delivery.

So it's a surprise when the visions start. Not only do they predict the death of the Last Dragon at the hands of a dragonslayer, they also point to Jennifer, and say something is coming. Big Magic . . .

"'True literary comic genius'" - Sunday Express

"'This is Fforde's first book for children and as ever he is terrifically inventive and this is full of fun'" - Daily Telegraph

"'Jasper Fforde has one of those effervescent imaginations that never throws in one joke when he can fit in two or three . . . he created his mad but logical parallel version of the Welsh marches with loving detail'" - Independent

"'This is Fforde's first book for children and as ever he is terrifically inventive and this is full of fun'" - Daily Telegraph

"'Jasper Fforde has one of those effervescent imaginations that never throws in one joke when he can fit in two or three . . . he created his mad but logical parallel version of the Welsh marches with loving detail'" - Independent

"'This is a lively, witty and entertaining tale for older children who still like making silly faces.'" - Philip Womack, Literary Review

"'Highly recommended. Very funny'" - Independent

"'[Fforde's] ripping yarn of magic in decline mashes up the usual spells-and-beasts motif with a satire on corporate cash and tabloid values.'" - i

"Every bit as imaginative and unique, comic and engaging as his adult books . . . THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER is a fast, funny, entertaining, feel good read. Fans of Thursday Next will enjoy it whatever their age" - www.fantasynibbles.com