Sonderbooks Book Review of Dealing with Dragons

Reviewed April 22, 2005.
Magic Carpet Books, 2002. First published in 1990. 240 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (JF WRE).
Sonderbooks Stand-out 2005 (#1, Young Adult and Children's Fantasy Old Favorites)

I love The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia C. Wrede. When Timothy’s teacher, Mr. Sheyda, suggested that he read these books, I knew what my next selections for our bedtime reading would be.

Cimorene hates trying to be a proper princess. She talks people in the castle into giving her fencing lessons, magic lessons, cooking lessons, economic lessons, and juggling lessons. With each one, as soon as her parents find out, she’s stopped, because that sort of thing simply isn’t done.

When Cimorene’s parents decide to marry her off to a suitable prince, Cimorene knows she has to do something. She runs away and volunteers to be a dragon’s princess.

Volunteering to be a dragon’s princess isn’t something that’s normally done, but she luckily finds a dragon who’s willing to let her cook cherries jubilee and organize the dragon’s treasure chamber and library. Cimorene has to convince princes that come to the cave that she doesn’t want to be rescued.

When a wizard shows up at to the cave, something suspicious seems to be going on. Of course, he thinks that Cimorene’s an empty-headed princess. Will she be able to use that as a disguise to figure out the plot?

I love the way these books make fun of all the stereotypes of fairy tales and fantasy stories. Cimorene’s a wonderful heroine who finds organizing a library more fun than running off with a handsome prince. What’s not to like?

Reviews of other books by Patricia C. Wrede:
Searching for Dragons (Book 2)
Calling on Dragons (Book 3)
Talking to Dragons (Book 4)
The Book of Enchantments
Thirteenth Child
Across the Great Barrier
Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
The Grand Tour
The Mislaid Magician
The Seven Towers

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

******Dealing with Dragons*

by Patricia C. Wrede