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.
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.
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!
Jade L. (winterk423) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very nice book, I loved it, couldn't put it down. Heroine is not the typical damsel in distress, but more like the person who tackles the issues and solves them.
Alicia B. (AliciaInACoffeeShop) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book with a great heroine. This is one princess that does not need a prince to survive. I loved it from beginning to end.
Trish K. (raiseareader) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
fantastic book! Princess Cimorene is not your ordinary princess, only interested in which prince to marry. instead, she winds up as princess to the dragon Kazul and begins a new life.
Helpful Score: 1
The most awesome book!!!!!!!! Princess Cimorene is running away. She doesn't want to marry. And so how ends up living with a group of dragons. She likes it so much that when princes come to rescue her she refuses to leave. This is a wonderful story for any one who likes a good read.
Jessie S. (----strangeling) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I adore this book, and the Enchanted Forest Chronicles in general. This is the first of the series which centers around the anti-princess Cimorene and what happens when she tries to distance herself from the stereotypical damsel. All of the characters are quite memorable, and the story itself is very clever and fun - every fairy tale cliche gets parodied in the series, so cameos are made by all the familiar archtypes from those stories. I HIGHLY recommend this.
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!
Valerie R. (valeriemarie83) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was really a fun and easy book to get into. I enjoyed the way the story is written, and I have already ordered the rest of the books in the series. If you are into magic, dragons and wizards, then how could you not like this? I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Helpful Score: 1
An amusing twist on the old-fashioned fairy tales. The damsel is certainly not in distress and does not want saving. Instead, she has to save the night in shining armor from himself while protecting the dragon she's working for. Fun, light-hearted, fantasy adventure.
Frances W. (spaniels4ever) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book series is cute...created before the Harry Potter series. The story of a Princess who didnt want to be a princess and makes a deal with a dragon to be her housekeeper and follow all her adventures in the magical kingdom and come across fairy tale characters shown in a different viewpoint. Not as detailed as the Harry Potter series but still quite entertaining and sure you will still enjoy.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book was a lot of fun. It's not an epic by any stretch of the imagination, but I liked the dialogue and really enjoyed the characters in it. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Though I'm an adult, the book was initially meant for younger readers. However, this was a very enjoyable book, even for the adult crowd. I like the simple story line of Cimorene rebel princess and her dragon Kazul. Cimorene is a strong-minded and outspoken princess who doesn't do what she is told. She wishes for a different and more full-filling lifestyle other than being a princess. Its totally opposite of the happily ever after stories, read in other fantasy books. But its just fun to read and it kept my interest all the way down to the last page. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Donna E. (impossible) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 3352 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say - It's written by Patricia Wrede one of our most capable and funniest fantasy writers. Beware of stitches in your side from laughing too much.
Love this book. Read several times. Incorporates old fairy tale creatures with these new characters.
Very cute and witty book well suited for young readers but I enjoyed it as well
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 1453 more book reviews
This is a charming story about a princess who wants to learn about fighting, philosophy, politics and all manner of "non-princess" things. Who wants to learn dancing and embroidery anyway? When her father decides she should marry a prince that Cimorene considers a dunce she runs away. Of course, she meets a dragon - a female dragon named Kazul - who wants a princess. Cimorene finds challenge in her new role as a princess to a dragon. The down side is when a prince comes to try to rescue her. She doesn't want to be rescued. Discouraging knights and princes who want to rescue her and outwitting wizards becomes part of her new life. In addition, she begins to learn magic. The story unfolds with wicked wizards, a friendly witch, trouble and danger as Cimorene and Kazul form a bond unlike that any other dragon has with his/her princess. It's a delightful tale for young readers with a princess role model quite different from those found princes wish to rescue from dragons.
Rebecca H. (amichai) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 368 more book reviews
fun series.
I got this book on the recommendation of a friend for my 10-year old granddaughter. I read it before sending it to her. I think she will enjoy reading it. It's about a princess who doesn't want to be the usual proper princess. In my day we would have called her a "tom boy." She runs away from home so that she doesn't have to marry the prince her parents chose for her and finds herself involved in a world of dragons, wizards, and witches, and loving it. While this isn't my genre of reading, I think my granddaughter will like it.
Such a fun story with a sassy heroine!
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
I have had this book on my bookshelf to read for a very very long time. This was a cute fantasy read with a lot of humor in it, I enjoyed it and think it would be best suited to middle grade and young adult readers.
Princess Cimorene doesn't want to do normal princess things so she comes up with a plan. Instead of waiting to be kidnapped by a dragon she runs away and strikes a deal with a dragon. However she doesnt count on the evil wizards trying to wreck havoc with the dragons and their politics.
This was a very cute read best suited to middle grade readers. I enjoyed the humor throughout and all the quirky dragons and princesses. The story is very simple and very short, so I think most adults will be a bit bored...however if you are an adult that really enjoys middle grade level reads you will probably like this.
I loved Princess Cimorene and her desire to do something that fell outside the norm for a princess. I also really enjoyed all the scenes where knights kept turning up to rescue her and she would turn them away.
Additionally the dragon Kazul was a very fun character and I really enjoyed how Kazul and Cimorene developed a solid and caring friendship over the course of the book.
The book teaches some good lessons; basically that its okay to do your own thing and that girls are fully capable of rescuing themselves when they are in tricky situations.
Overall this was a very cute and fun little fantasy read. Its a very short book and the plot is fairly simple and straightforward...so I would recommend to the middle grade age group. There is a lot of humor in the book and the story moves quickly so it makes for an engaging read. Although I enjoyed the story, I didnt find that it kept me thinking or guessing or wondering. The story wraps up pretty well too. As a result I probably wont read the rest of the books in the series. I just have too much to read and (although I enjoyed this book) I just didnt really find myself wanting to read more about these characters by the end of it.
Princess Cimorene doesn't want to do normal princess things so she comes up with a plan. Instead of waiting to be kidnapped by a dragon she runs away and strikes a deal with a dragon. However she doesnt count on the evil wizards trying to wreck havoc with the dragons and their politics.
This was a very cute read best suited to middle grade readers. I enjoyed the humor throughout and all the quirky dragons and princesses. The story is very simple and very short, so I think most adults will be a bit bored...however if you are an adult that really enjoys middle grade level reads you will probably like this.
I loved Princess Cimorene and her desire to do something that fell outside the norm for a princess. I also really enjoyed all the scenes where knights kept turning up to rescue her and she would turn them away.
Additionally the dragon Kazul was a very fun character and I really enjoyed how Kazul and Cimorene developed a solid and caring friendship over the course of the book.
The book teaches some good lessons; basically that its okay to do your own thing and that girls are fully capable of rescuing themselves when they are in tricky situations.
Overall this was a very cute and fun little fantasy read. Its a very short book and the plot is fairly simple and straightforward...so I would recommend to the middle grade age group. There is a lot of humor in the book and the story moves quickly so it makes for an engaging read. Although I enjoyed the story, I didnt find that it kept me thinking or guessing or wondering. The story wraps up pretty well too. As a result I probably wont read the rest of the books in the series. I just have too much to read and (although I enjoyed this book) I just didnt really find myself wanting to read more about these characters by the end of it.
Christine M. (horizontallies) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Really fantastic fantasy novel and one of the first fantasy novels i got acquainted with in my early teens. it made me want to keep reading the genre!
enchanting
I LOOOVE this book! I've read it and re-read ever since high school. It's the perfect book for the spunky fantasy-girl who's looking for adventure!
I love this series. I read the first years ago and was thrilled to find the rest as an adult when I met my husband. Witty dialogue, strong characters.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Unconventional Princess Cimorene doesn't fit the Princess stereotype. Definitely a hands-on kinda gal who likes to fence, cook and translate Latin verbs (?) - very un-princess-like behavior. When the King decrees she marry an unsuitable (read lame-ass) prince, she rebels and takes off for parts unknown. Enter the dragons who need a princess to - surprisingly enough - cook and congugate Latin verbs...go figure! This works out well for all concerned until the knights start arriving to rescue Cimorene who most assuredly does not want to be rescued.
Not quite a young adult novel, more like early teens, but cute and enjoyable nonetheless. I really liked Cimorene and her friend Princess Alianora. And, of course, her dragon, Kazul. I liked it so much I went to the library on my way home and picked up book 2 - Searching for Dragons.
Not quite a young adult novel, more like early teens, but cute and enjoyable nonetheless. I really liked Cimorene and her friend Princess Alianora. And, of course, her dragon, Kazul. I liked it so much I went to the library on my way home and picked up book 2 - Searching for Dragons.
Karianne B. (twodive) reviewed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
Excellent book. Nice fast read.
