Dealing with Dragons
by Patricia C. Wrede

Cimorene is not a “proper” princess. She does not want to be one, either. She doesn’t care for the things “proper” princesses are supposed to do, such as embroidery and etiquette. She wants to do all the sorts of things “proper” princesses don’t do, such as fencing, learning Latin, cooking, and juggling. Finally, when her parents try to marry her off to a proper prince (a handsome one, who hasn’t a thought in his head about anything except battles and tournaments), Cimorene has been pushed too far. She runs away and volunteers to be a dragon’s princess.

At first, this unorthodox behavior shocks everyone—including the dragons. No one has ever volunteered to be a dragon’s princess before. Before long, knights are trying to rescue her, wizards are trying to bamboozle her, and the whole system of fairy tale natural laws is shaken to its foundations. But Cimorene is clever, industrious, well-organized, and a good cook to boot. It will take more than an evil conspiracy between a neighboring dragon and some wily wizards to undo Cimorene, or the dragon she serves. That’s especially so because she has the friendship of another dragon’s princess, a witch, and a stone prince to help her.

Expect to gasp and guffaw as you read this story. It turns every fairy tale about dragons, princesses, and third-eldest princes upside down, and creates a fascinating new fantasy world of its own. Cimorene is a delightful character, and her companions inspire trust, affection, and sometimes awe.

This is “Book One of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles,” which also include Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons. I was happy to find all four books in one boxed set. There is also something called Book of Enchantments, featuring stories from the Enchanted Forest.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 11+

10/16/2005

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