Review Detail

If you were a princess, would you want to marry some silly fop of a prince who couldn't even fight as well as you could? Cimerone didn't.

As a princess, she had found that every thing she had ever wanted to do, was denied her (well, after her father found out, anyway). Her magic, sword fighting and cooking lessons had all been stopped.

Princesses, after all, were only supposed to learn things like "how to be polite to boring visitors from other kingdoms."

When it comes down to the wire, Cimerone delivers--she runs away (unheard of!) to be the assistant to a dragon named Kazul.

Patricia Wrede has truly created a strong female character who doesn't stand by while others do things for her. In fact, she turns away all of the princes (including the one she was supposed to marry) who try to "rescue" her from the dragon.

Not only does Cimorene help herself, she also helps the dragons. Her intelligence and fortitude save the day in a very spectacular manner.

While lighthearted, this book also carries some deep messages about acceptance and standing on your own two feet. Of course, most young adults will concentrate on the rollicking good story, but the message is still there.