Review: A Quirky, New Twist on YA Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 13, 2013
Ned Firebreak is a quirky, fun adventure perfect for pre-teens on up. This tale of princesses, dragons, and other magical beings turns the fantasy genre on its head, uprooting classic ideas, for example: that princesses are kind, gentle maidens and that princes are ever-heroic gentlemen. Clopper busts as many tropes about wizards and dragons, putting a refreshing twist on a genre that's so often overdone. In that way, Ned Firebreak is not your typical young fantasy tale--it's much better.Ned is a likeable character, if sometimes a bit slow on the uptake. He pulls through in the end, though, with a little help along the way.From the pun-ful chapter titles to the talking sword with an attitude, Clopper draws on his strengths and creates a light-heated, vibrant tapestry in which his witty humor and colorful wordplay often steal the show.