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

Dealing With Dragons  (Enchanted Forest, Bk 1)
hoopridge avatar reviewed 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.