Jocelyn E. (hoopridge) reviewed Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
The first volume in a series of wonderfully funny fairy tales for teens (and adults...heck, I'm 36 and love this series!). Cimorene doesn't want to be the typical princess, so she voluntarily goes to a dragon to become a "captive," just so she can break out of the rut she's in in the castle. The dragon she stays with teaches her many new skills, and she becomes an even more capable and smart woman.
I love this series because Cimorene takes her destiny into her own hands instead of waiting for it to happen to her. She's not your usual "Disney" princess, hoping someone else does all the work and she can reap the rewards. She's smart enough to know that your life is yours to live and you have to live it YOUR way. What a great message for every young person, girl OR boy, to have in their pocket.
Aside from the obvious feminist overtones of the books, they're also great adventures and amazingly written fantasy. Eventually, in a later book, Cimorene does find love, but she finds it on HER terms with someone who is kind and smart, not just handsome and brave. A very satisfying read on many levels.
I love this series because Cimorene takes her destiny into her own hands instead of waiting for it to happen to her. She's not your usual "Disney" princess, hoping someone else does all the work and she can reap the rewards. She's smart enough to know that your life is yours to live and you have to live it YOUR way. What a great message for every young person, girl OR boy, to have in their pocket.
Aside from the obvious feminist overtones of the books, they're also great adventures and amazingly written fantasy. Eventually, in a later book, Cimorene does find love, but she finds it on HER terms with someone who is kind and smart, not just handsome and brave. A very satisfying read on many levels.
Lenore D. (Lenore) reviewed Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 193 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
This series begins with Dealing With Dragons (then Searching for, Talking to, and Calling)...and is GREAT! It's like a feminist alternate fairy tale. Suitable for both youth and adults.
I loved this series so much and felt that it was an entertaining way to make the statement, "girls can grow up and do whatever the heck they want to!!", that after reading it I rushed out and bought the whole series for my nieces!
Princess Cimorene isn't like other princesses! Her parents want her to be a proper princess, and dance and smile and marry a nice prince. Cimorene thinks that the prince is handsome - but unfortunately isn't anything else! Foiled in her attempts to learn unprincess-ly pursuits, such as weaponry, cooking, magic and alchemy, she sets off to be a Dragon's Princess, agreeing to cook (she makes a mean cherries jubilee) and clean for the dragon...but in the process has to fend off stupid knights and princes who just won't leave her un-rescued! Funny, bitingly witty, and marvelously sarcastic...you'll never see the subtle social commentary coming!
If you liked this book, try Mercedes Lackey's also-very-non-traditional look at fairy tales, The Fairy Godmother, which is just excellent...charming and original, with another strong female protagonist. There's a follow-up called One Good Knight, but it's not nearly as good. And, if you like THAT, try renting the movie miniseries The Tenth Kingdom, a modern take on classic fairytale themes.
I loved this series so much and felt that it was an entertaining way to make the statement, "girls can grow up and do whatever the heck they want to!!", that after reading it I rushed out and bought the whole series for my nieces!
Princess Cimorene isn't like other princesses! Her parents want her to be a proper princess, and dance and smile and marry a nice prince. Cimorene thinks that the prince is handsome - but unfortunately isn't anything else! Foiled in her attempts to learn unprincess-ly pursuits, such as weaponry, cooking, magic and alchemy, she sets off to be a Dragon's Princess, agreeing to cook (she makes a mean cherries jubilee) and clean for the dragon...but in the process has to fend off stupid knights and princes who just won't leave her un-rescued! Funny, bitingly witty, and marvelously sarcastic...you'll never see the subtle social commentary coming!
If you liked this book, try Mercedes Lackey's also-very-non-traditional look at fairy tales, The Fairy Godmother, which is just excellent...charming and original, with another strong female protagonist. There's a follow-up called One Good Knight, but it's not nearly as good. And, if you like THAT, try renting the movie miniseries The Tenth Kingdom, a modern take on classic fairytale themes.
Helpful Score: 2
Cimorene may be a princess, but she would rather keep house for a dragon than marry some silly prince. A charming YA fantasy adventure which pokes fun at numerous fairytale stereotypes. It has dragons, a stone prince, evil wizards, and one very determined and level-headed princess. A winner!
Karen L. (wish2read) reviewed Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this entire series. Every little girl should read these books. Not exactly Secret Garden or Anne of Green Gables, but very cute, very funny and pokes its nose at the typical princess stories.
Tiffany-Lane S. (Skye) reviewed Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent series, especially if you like a story about a woman taking charge of her life. The princess in these boks is very strong minded and doesn't settle for the normal princess life. Definately read this story!