Reading level: AdultGenre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Size: 416 pages
Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: July 26, 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0143035411
Stand Alone or Series: Book 4 in the Thursday Next series
Source: Audiobook from Audible.com
Rating: 5/5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Thursday Next series. Currently there are five books in this series with the sixth book, One of Our Thursdays is Missing, scheduled for March 2011 release. This was an excellent addition to the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it! The plot is complex and clever, the characters engaging, and the things that happen are ironic and funny. This is one of my favorite series. You definitely need to read the books prior to this one to understand what is going on in the story.
Thursday Next has decided to leave the fictional world and her position as the Head of Jurisfiction; it is time for her to return to the real-world. So with two-year old Friday in tow she moves in with her mother. Along with her is Hamlet, who is on leave from his play. Back in the real world things are a mess; Kane is trying to set himself up as dictator of England, Landon (Thursday's husband) is still eradicated, and Goliath Corporation is trying to set themselves up as a religion. Then Thursday's time traveling dad shows up and tells her that not only is someone is trying to assassinate her, but the fate of the world rests on the outcome of the World Croquette match.
This was a wonderful book and it gives a lot of closure for storypoints that have been left hanging in previous books. This book would actually make a wonderful wrap-up for the series. Hamlet is a wonderful addition to the character cast; with his innate indecisiveness he is hilarious and somewhat crazy. Thursday gets to work with Spike (the werewolf hunter) some more and I love learning more about Spike.
Throughout the book Thursday is also trying to track down the Minotaur who escaped in the last book. Jurisficition hit the Minotaur with a serious case of slapstick; so hilarious slapstick ensues throughout...especially when the Minotaur is near.
This book gives more depth to Thursday's character. Watching her deal with the complex happenings around her, while she tries to find decent childcare and reinstate her husband, adds a dimension to her that makes her even more personable. A lot happens to her in this book. To be honest this was probably the most intense book in the series. I laughed a lot, but there were also points where I was almost in tears...so many bad things happen to Thursday that you just wish she would finally get a break and find some happiness. Well take heart, the book ends on an up note and treats the characters well.
Once again Fforde's ability to weave this extremely complex story without confusing the reader is absolutely amazing. I am in awe of how clever and engaging the story is.
Overall an amazing book. If you love this series you will love this book. If you have never read this series...well...what are you waiting for?! Read it! The tone of this story reminds some of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and other types of spoofy fantasy; but this story blows all of those out of the water. Loved it and can't wait to read First Among Sequels, the next book in this series.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
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