Fairy bad day by Amanda Ashby

Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780143565772.
(Age 13+) Recommended as a light-hearted read. Emma was convinced that her rightful designation is to slay dragons, but Curtis Green snatched the title from under her nose and instead she is assigned to slay fairies. To top it off fairies are not mean and menacing - they are cute and pesky, wear hipster clothes and just love to taunt her. But there is one giant killer fairy and it is up to Emma to chase it down and only one person can help her - Curtis.
I really enjoyed this laugh a minute paranormal story that was original and pacy. From the cover illustration of Emma in heels and spiking a fairy with a sword to witty repartee between the main characters, Ashby maintains a line of humour throughout the whole book that is quite something to achieve.
Emma is a girl who just loves action and is quick to pursue the dragon-like creature that can bypass the wards that surround her school, Burtonwood Academy. To make things even more difficult for her, no one else can see the creature and her warnings are ignored. When she is told that she has to teach Curtis about the fairies, she discovers that there are hidden depths to him and that he is an able assistant in her quest to find out what is happening.  All the characters, main and secondary, are well fleshed out and very likeable. Emma's friend Loni is amazing with computers and Trevor, who has a pet cockroach, is a hoot.
Ashby has brought together the tried formula of a school for talented paranormal teens, a quest to save the world from evil and an interesting romance to make a very enjoyable, quick read. Teen girls who are after something amusing and cheerful will enjoy this one. I will certainly be reading anything else by this author purely for the laughs I know I will receive from her clever dialogue.
Pat Pledger