Well, Mister Fforde did it again - This book is as thoroughly enjoyable as can be.
The plot is conclusive and yet full of unexpected turnarounds, the characters are well thought out and described in a way that is leading the reader's imagination to roam the realms of fantasy. There is lots of fun and puns, there's danger, intrigue, affection, royalty, friendship, sadness, wit and brute force - everything.
And everything is connected in a way that never feels out of place, I wouldn't give away a single sentence beforehand as not to spoil the experience of reading ist. It is absolutely fascinating how Fforde can make the strangest of worlds feel absolutely familiar by the matter-of-factness he puts things before the reader.
I say, this book is absolutely enjoyable and if Jasper Fforde were to write a story of that quality every month then the world would be a better place because a lot more people would go around with a smile on their face.
Fforde knows his trade, You would imagine that he has learned well from the greats like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett and will be a worthy successor.