Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1)

I picked up Dealing with Dragons in the clearance section of my local Half Price Books. It was $1 and being a sucker for dragons (as you can see a dragon on the cover) I bought it. Now this book is VERY TINY. So I read it in my last week of college before finals for a stress relieving light read.
The summary of the book is such. Main protagonist Princess Cimorene lives in a happy peaceful kingdom and is the youngest siblings of many sisters. Her princess lessons include not only manners but when and how loud to scream when being captured by a giant. Cimorene's problem is that she finds the standard princess life boring and her discontent is met with exasperation from everyone in the kingdom. The overall theme is that Princess Cimorene is not proper. Cimorene decides to do the proper thing and become a dragon's servant. Though she really does not want saving as the princess thoroughly enjoys working for a dragon and see's no point in being rescued.
The Good: Dealing with Dragons creates a fun fariy tale world that references countless other traditional fairy tales in a clever way that leaves the reader laughing. These references are also a clever way to create a story of a girl not interested in being a damsel in distress, leaving myself satisfied that Cimorene's story could fit right in beside any traditional folk tale. It gives the reader the message of 'If you don't like your life, change it yourself.'
The Bad: All I can think of that can be improved it’s the beginning. It was fine but at times it was quite dull and I kept putting the book down because of it. Once I reached the part where Cimorene meets the dragons does the plot really pick up.
The Book: I would recommend this to ANY fantasy lover. In fact I would HIGHLY recommend any fairy tale/folk tale lover to read this! It's creative and I'm sure they will love the many references presented in Dealing with Dragons.
Would I ever read this book again?
Definitely
Will I read the rest of the series?
I already placed an order on the next two books! :D

Reader reviewed by Jeniece

Princess Cimorene grows up in a castle where girls must always be docile and agreeable.  Of course a girl especially a princess should absolutly not take fencing or magic lessons.  Cimorene rebels against this protocol and when about to be forced to marry a hair-brained prince she runs away.  There she meets Kazul, a dragon in need of a princess to tend to her.  All of a sudden Cimorene is doing many new things and is thrust into a world of adventure and magic.  This book is a great read.  This is a perfect book for girls in middle school because it presents a strong female character as the lead.  The story line is very interesting and for Cimorene being a dragon's princess is never boring.

Reader reviewed by Meg

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and it was the first book to get me into the fantasy genre. I reread it recently, and I liked the same things about it that I liked as a kid: that the main character is this really cool, strong heroine, who is totally sick of being a princess, and that the book is really funny. i read this book in fourth grade and really enjoyed it, but I've also seen it more recently in the teen section at the bookstore, so I think that it can appeal to a pretty wide range of readers.

Reader reviewed by Springhair

Princess Cimorene isnt your average princess. She enjoys fencing, cooking, magic, and doesnt enjoy embroidery or dancing at all. So if someones going to volunteer to be a dragons princess, you can bet it will be Cimorene. It isnt long before Cimorenes life gets much more interesting, and it might just happen that shes the key to saving all the dragons from the evil plots of the Wizards!

This is by far one of my favorite books. Ive reread it many times, and I absolutely never get tired of it. The writing is absolutely classic, combining adventure, humor, and a great plot all into one. A great parody of classic fairy tales, this is one you wont want to miss if you havent read it already.

Reader reviewed by Selina

Cimorene, is a princess who chose the "other" option. Instead of being a qaint, fragile little thing, Cimorene is strong, stubborn, and knows a thing or two about fencing. Growing up was tough, she refused what was thought best, and when the family couldn't take it, black haired Cimorene was to be married: against her will! So that's how it began. Being disobedient (as usual)she snuck off to become a dagon's princess. The dragon she was chosen by wasn't the average dragon, but Kazul, a fierce dragon with a high reputation. All is going well when suddenly a plot of deciete unfurrel's before Cimorene's eyes: and it's up to her to stop it! A good humorous laugh is twisted into a seriously odd princess. For those who think the #5 is "fashinable."

Reader reviewed by missy

This has got to be one of my favorite books. It puts a whole different spin on the fairtale side. If you enjoyed the book ella enchanted, then this is a must read. It will have you laughing, or at the very least. grining. Two thumbs up.

Reader reviewed by Crystal

This book pokes good-natured fun at traditional fairytales. Cimerone is a great charicter, the kind of princess who doesn't need a knight in shining armor. She and her dragon employer, Kazul, have to stop a plot by the wizards to suck the magic out of the dragon's magical caves. I had a really fun time reading this book!

Reader reviewed by Katie

This is probably one of the best books that I've ever read. It's a funny spin on fantasy, and it includes a lot of little tidbits of commonly known fairy tales. Cimorene is a princess who just doesn't want the dull, boring life of one. She runs away and meets the dragon Kazul, who takes her on as her princess.

She soon is getting into all kinds of trouble. This book is so good that you'll be dying to read the other 3 in the series, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons. Don't miss these awesome books!