Princess Cimorene, the daughter of a very proper king, runs away to live with a very powerful dragon, Kazul. This updated edition features a new introduction by the author.
I’d have to go with the dragons from Patricia C. Wrede ‘s Enchanted Forest books — scaly, formidable, full of character, and they get to choose their own gender!
Honorable mentions go to a) the fire lizards from Anne McCaffrey ‘s Pern books. The idea of a singing, pet-sized dragon is pretty irresistible. and b) Maur from Robin McKinley ‘s The Hero and the Crown for sheer intimidation.
Author
megsbrennan
3 years ago
I liked this book so much, I used it in a college essay on irony and humor! This is a short and hysterically funny read. I love that it twists old fairytales into itself without becoming a stereotypical story!
Author
behindthepages
3 years ago
Cimorene isn’t a normal princess. Instead of learning how to sew and dance, she would much rather be casting spells and fencing. When her parents decide it is time for her to be a proper princess and marry a prince, Cimorene runs away. She doesn’t want to be a bored girl sitting in a castle all day. She would much rather live with a dragon, and she does just that. Living with the dragon Kazul, Cimorene will learn what it means to find her place in the world.
This is a light fun story for early readers. I can see this being the perfect introduction to the fantasy genre. The story touches on common fairy tales and has a main character who outsmarts even the best of her opponents. Cimorene is a strong female lead for growing girls to follow, and I think they will find it amusing that she doesn’t want to be a normal princess. Cimorene dares to break the mold and does so in a way that is neither offensive or rude.
It’s hard to find books that are appropriate these days for young adults. While this may be a simpler read, I can see teens enjoying it just as much as the young crowd. I first read this when I was in my teens and found it a quick funny read. Coming back to the story now that I am older, I still found it entertaining and I smiled at Cimorene’s antics.
Author
lizsylickliter
3 years ago
Dealing with Dragons — by Patricia C. Wrede – A discontented princess takes advice from a talking frog, and one of my favorite books is born! I bully people into reading this series at every opportunity because Cimorene is one of my favorite leading ladies of all time! Enjoy the dragons and the epic world building! Happy Reading!
Author
roneljansevanvuuren
3 years ago
Princess Cimorene is bored with being a princess. So she runs away from home and becomes the servant of a dragon.
There’s lots of adventure, humour and fun when she meets new characters from her dragon friend’s world.
This is a great middle-grade book.
Author
ren
3 years ago
A fun, quick read for all ages – complete with sensible princesses, cheerful dragons and friendly mocking of the traditional fairy tale twists.
Author
jennifernicholls
3 years ago
What a wonderful adventure for young readers! Clever, funny, and a unique spin princesses.
Author
mystra
3 years ago
The original tale of self-rescuing princess for me.
Author
manichols
3 years ago
I grew up reading the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and I adore the series. I still pick them up from time to time. They have a wonderful blend of humor and magic, giving the series a definite fairy tale feeling, though they don’t generally refer to the fairy tales. There are bits and pieces that come from them, but mostly, it’s an original take on classic fantasy. They’re perfect for kids, but entertaining for adults, too.
Author
debi
3 years ago
Ms. Wrede is a fantastic author, pun intended. She never disappoints her readers. The first time I read this was with my preteen daughter. We did an “I read a page -you read a page.” It really helped to get her interested in reading. Megan, who is now in her mid-thirties still has that copy of Dealing with Dragons. My copy now lives on my Nook.
Not to say that adults will not be interested in Wrede’s work. The homage to many beloved fairy tales is woven into the fabric of this book. Add a kick-butt heroine, who is willing to take charge of her own life and you have book #1 of a true winner of a series.
What’s your favorite book dragon (or dragons)?
I’d have to go with the dragons from Patricia C. Wrede ‘s Enchanted Forest books — scaly, formidable, full of character, and they get to choose their own gender!
Honorable mentions go to a) the fire lizards from Anne McCaffrey ‘s Pern books. The idea of a singing, pet-sized dragon is pretty irresistible. and b) Maur from Robin McKinley ‘s The Hero and the Crown for sheer intimidation.
I liked this book so much, I used it in a college essay on irony and humor! This is a short and hysterically funny read. I love that it twists old fairytales into itself without becoming a stereotypical story!
Cimorene isn’t a normal princess. Instead of learning how to sew and dance, she would much rather be casting spells and fencing. When her parents decide it is time for her to be a proper princess and marry a prince, Cimorene runs away. She doesn’t want to be a bored girl sitting in a castle all day. She would much rather live with a dragon, and she does just that. Living with the dragon Kazul, Cimorene will learn what it means to find her place in the world.
This is a light fun story for early readers. I can see this being the perfect introduction to the fantasy genre. The story touches on common fairy tales and has a main character who outsmarts even the best of her opponents. Cimorene is a strong female lead for growing girls to follow, and I think they will find it amusing that she doesn’t want to be a normal princess. Cimorene dares to break the mold and does so in a way that is neither offensive or rude.
It’s hard to find books that are appropriate these days for young adults. While this may be a simpler read, I can see teens enjoying it just as much as the young crowd. I first read this when I was in my teens and found it a quick funny read. Coming back to the story now that I am older, I still found it entertaining and I smiled at Cimorene’s antics.
Dealing with Dragons — by Patricia C. Wrede – A discontented princess takes advice from a talking frog, and one of my favorite books is born! I bully people into reading this series at every opportunity because Cimorene is one of my favorite leading ladies of all time! Enjoy the dragons and the epic world building! Happy Reading!
Princess Cimorene is bored with being a princess. So she runs away from home and becomes the servant of a dragon.
There’s lots of adventure, humour and fun when she meets new characters from her dragon friend’s world.
This is a great middle-grade book.
A fun, quick read for all ages – complete with sensible princesses, cheerful dragons and friendly mocking of the traditional fairy tale twists.
What a wonderful adventure for young readers! Clever, funny, and a unique spin princesses.
The original tale of self-rescuing princess for me.
I grew up reading the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and I adore the series. I still pick them up from time to time. They have a wonderful blend of humor and magic, giving the series a definite fairy tale feeling, though they don’t generally refer to the fairy tales. There are bits and pieces that come from them, but mostly, it’s an original take on classic fantasy. They’re perfect for kids, but entertaining for adults, too.
Ms. Wrede is a fantastic author, pun intended. She never disappoints her readers. The first time I read this was with my preteen daughter. We did an “I read a page -you read a page.” It really helped to get her interested in reading. Megan, who is now in her mid-thirties still has that copy of Dealing with Dragons. My copy now lives on my Nook.
Not to say that adults will not be interested in Wrede’s work. The homage to many beloved fairy tales is woven into the fabric of this book. Add a kick-butt heroine, who is willing to take charge of her own life and you have book #1 of a true winner of a series.