The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde

In this third adventure of the Last Dragonslayer, Jenny receives a visit from The Mighty Shandar.  He informs her that she must find the legendary Eye of Zoltar, a magical stone, within a few weeks, or he will kill her two dragon friends.  Before she leaves on her search, she is given another commission, this time from the Queen.  She is to take the spoiled brat of a princess with her in hopes that it will improve the princess's character.  Together with her almost-boy-friend, Perkins, they set off into a dangerous neighboring country on what seems like quest doomed from the very start.

I am not sure why I like this series so much.  It is just so funny and clever in a very satirical way. I am sure 80% of the humor is totally lost on children.  It makes fun of modern culture, especially modern British culture, including government bureaucracy, pop culture, and corporate power.  Jenny is plucky, but not in a perky way. She may rolls her eyes, but she is up for anything if it will help a friend.  Warning, this is not the last book in the series, it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, and it came out in 2014.  I hope Fforde really does write the next book or I might have to buy a pint of Breyers and eat myself into oblivion. (405 p.)