Book Reviews of Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1)

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.

This series begins with Dealing With Dragons (then Searching for, Talking to, and Calling)...and is GREAT! Its 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, also 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 its not nearly as good. And, if you like THAT, try renting the movie miniseries The Tenth Kingdom, a modern take on classic fairytale themes.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

fun series.

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!

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.

Excellent book. Nice fast read.