|
|
| |
Book ReviewsDealing With Dragons |
|
|
Book: Dealing With Dragons
Written by: PATRICIA C. WREDE |
Publisher: Listening Library
Average Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5
|
|
Dealing with Dragons- The Story of an Improper Princess
Rating:
5 / 5
Dealing with Dragons Book One- The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Cimorene is bored to tears with being a princess. She hates the embroidery and the dancing lessons and the etiquette. But she is interested in all the things that are improper for a princess to learn, like fencing and magic and juggling and Latin.
"When she was fourteen, her father discovered that she was making the court magician teach her magic.
`How long has this been going on?' he asked wearily when she arrived in response to his summons.
`Since you stopped my fencing lessons,' Cimorene said. `I suppose you're going to tell me it isn't proper behavior for a princess.'
`Well yes. I mean, it isn't proper.'
`Nothing interesting seems to be proper,' Cimorene said.
She's not really your traditional princess; you know the type: golden hair, sapphire eyes, and a little foolish. That's why she decides to run away before she is forced to marry a dim-witted and extremely handsome prince.
On her runaway, Cimorene meets a cave full of large and very toothy dragons. A female dragon named Kazul takes Cimorene in as her princess, after Cimorene volunteers herself for the job, which is unheard of. Through her adventures of learning how to be a dragon's princess along with the nuisance of knights who try to rescue Princess Cimorene, (even though she does not want to be rescued) Cimorene makes a few new friends. Her friends aren't the type of friends a normal princess should make. Cimorene becomes good friends with another captive princess, a very clean and not so very evil witch, and a prince who has been turned into stone who is more like a statue that can move and talk. As Cimorene's story unravels, she and her friends discover a plot to cheat in the contest of who will become the next King of the Dragons which involves some very deceitful and sticky wizards.
Dealing with Dragons is a phenomenal story of bravery, life long friendships, and trust that will appeal to readers of all ages. I think pre-teen and teenage girls will especially enjoy this fictional novel because it presents a girl who is brave and intelligent and not afraid to put herself in danger for the sake of her friends. The minute I picked up the book, I became entranced in the world of dragons, princesses, and thrilling adventures.
To me, a really great book is one that when you finish the last sentence on the last page and close the book, part of you stays in the book ready for the next time you open it. Dealing with Dragons is not just a great book; it is a wonderful book. Getting caught up in the world of Cimorene and her friends is only part of this book that readers will treasure.
Dealing with Dragons is a totally unique book, unlike any others I have ever read. Patricia C. Wrede does a marvelous job in writing Cimorene's story. Wrede was born in 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. She sold her first book Shadow Magic in 1980. Her latest books she wrote along with Caroline Stevermer in 2004 were Sorcery and Cecilia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot and the sequel, The Grand Tour.
Pretty good, but not intended for experienced readers
Rating:
4 / 5
This book is about a plucky princess, who I found entertaining. Patricia Wrede's writing style is lively.
However, the plot isn't very good. This is a classic "plot coupon" story. The princess collects a bunch of stuff, and miraculously it is all used in the end. This happens in Harry Potter too, but in that book the character's morals are tested as well. Here the character's morals are never tested at all. I found the ending predictable and forgetable.
All that said, this book is probably a good read for someone who hasn't read hundreds of books already. More experienced readers will probably be entertained by the style but bored by the plot.
My window into Fantasy
Rating:
5 / 5
I used to read a lot of fantasy as a kid, but Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles is the only one I can solidly remember. I used to read over and over about stoic men, hysterical damsels, and the like, and when I came across this book it was if I had been freed.
Ms. Wrede does an excellent job at writing a lighthearted book while still keeping it exciting, and proving that girls do have a place in fantasy. I don't know if as I guy I would have enjoyed it that much, with its cooking and cleaning and sensibility, so thank God I'm a girl.
I think the best part about this book, and the entire series, is that even though Wrede seems to be writing mainly towards young girls, she is writing to young girls who love dragons, running away to find their destiny, and doing what needs to be done. There's no swooning or waiting for prince charming in sight. Cimorine was an inspiration to me, and always will be.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|