Dealing With Dragons

By Patricia C. Wrede

Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart—and bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon—and finds the family and excitement she’s been looking for.

This has been on my list of to-reads for years. I was engaged almost immediately, but quickly became disinterested and only finished out of sheer will. I know that a lot of people disagree and think this book is the best thing since sliced bread, but I found the plot to be boring (though this could be due to the fact that I’ve read similar books that have been more entertaining and well-done). This may have been the first book to represent the anti-princess stereotype and dragon comraderie, but it was not the first I read, and therefore I was bored. Bored because Cimorene didn’t really have to fight for anything. Sure, she ran away and offered her services to a dragon, but everything that happens to her is done in such a way that she is practically gift-wrapped the ending without having an effective struggle. It was my biggest turn-off. I was past the point of caring because Cimorene didn’t seem to care either. I mean, she was concerned, but it was mild in tone and had me irritated. Anyway, I could go on and on, but this just wasn’t a happy-making read for me. I’d go to many other dragon/princess books before this one. And I’m not going to read the rest of the series. The only way that will happen is if in a few years I forget how bored I was and someone who loves the series talks me into it.

I give it a 2.75 out of 5 (Though it could be a 3, I’m just in a bad mood with this book.)

Princess Ahira

By K. M. Shea

Getting kidnapped by dragons on her sixteenth birthday was the best thing that ever happened to Princess Ahira. After spending her life avoiding lectures and lessons, Ahira is thrilled when she is kidnapped and selected as live-in-princess (servant) for a powerful dragon named Azmaveth. Her dreams of escaping royal monotony are dashed, however, when she realizes she will have to marry the prince that saves her. Tradition rules, after all. Being a romance cynic, Ahira doesn’t consider marriage a fantastic future. So she decides to stay with Azmaveth until her brother, a prince, can sneak away from their kingdom to rescue her. Life is interesting thanks to eccentric tenants of the dragon lands. As a live-in-princess Ahira meets Snow White and her seven dwarf uncles who have fallen asleep, Hansel and Gretel who have locked an old woman out of her cookie cottage, and a miniature unicorn who has some pretty powerful magic. However, there are a few negatives to Ahira’s new life. There’s Kohath, Azmaveth’s infuriating human steward; Azmaveth’s tendency to mis-make magic spells Kohath; the ongoing epic battle between the dragons and the Valkyrie, magical warriors bent on dominion over magic; and Kohath. Things get scaly when the dragons realize Azmaveth has unwittingly put their future in Ahira’s hands. If Ahira wants her happily ever after she’ll have to fight tooth and nail for it.

This book is a tad hard to review without giving away certain key plot points, so I’ll do my best to convey things without spoilers. This is the story of Ahira, reluctant princess who just wants to be treated like a normal person and not swept under the royal rug. When Ahira is kidnapped on her birthday along with a few other princesses of the realm, she is quickly found to be the most level-headed unromantic and pragmatic princess ever. Azmaveth, who is akin to a Duke among the dragons, feels extremely fortunate to have found such a servant and housemate. Azmaveth is a bit of an oddity himself, a dragon who is an inventor as well as a magician, he has created quite a few useful things, but has caused a lot more mayhem with his failures. Ahira has to learn how to manage the house of a dragon, and an unusual one at that, and she is surprised to find that she enjoys her life with Azmaveth much more than her old one. She’s useful and wanted. This story is quite fun, though a bit unimaginative with Ahira. She’s a quirky princess who is stolen by a dragon, and seems to be the only princess that isn’t a dunce. Kohath on the other hand is a little strange and does his best to befriend Ahira, though there is something off about him. He is the more interesting character of the two, as there is a mystery to him. When all is said and done, this was a fun read and I loved the squat little unicorn that Ahira makes friends with; it just made me giggle. For a dragon book it was middling because I was disappointed with the finale. I do recommend this book, however, despite some of my disappointment with different facets of the book. It’s a fun little read and I was smiling at the end, which counts for a lot.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Eldest

By Christopher Paolini

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspiring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle—one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life…

This has been on my list of books to read since the movie Eragon came out nearly 10 years ago. It took a little time for me to get into the story, but I found myself so annoyed with Eragon’s side of the story that if it weren’t for Roran’s story, I never would have finished it. Eragon’s side is so clichéd and over-fantastical that I was rolling my eyes at every turn and gagging at Eragon’s weird obsessive crush on Arya. The ease with which Eragon is able to overcome the challenges in front of him made me cringe. Let’s throw magic at the problem and make everything all better! Sheesh. But then there is Roran’s story of how he becomes a freaking awesome character. Roran should be the protagonist. He’s the boss. He leads the people and saves lives, he comes out on top in a horrible situation. I loved reading his part of the story, in fact I’d tell you to read this just for his side of things. I can suffer through Eragon’s stupidity for Roran’s leadership and passion.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5- but only because of Roran

Firelight

By Sophie Jordan

A hidden truth.

Mortal enemies.

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she lons for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner drake to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner drake is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

I like dragons. Who doesn’t? I had high hopes for this series, and have had it on my  to-read list for quite some time. But, well, it fell flat for me. It’s about a girl/dragon who is rebelling against the rules of the clan and almost gets herself killed by a hunter, who happens to be…you guessed it: a gorgeous guy that she immediately forms an infatuation with because he is “different”. I guess not killing you when he’s supposed to is different. Basically there are different plot points that seem to pop out of nowhere in order to get this girl to move to the one place that happens to miraculously be where gorgeous hunter boy lives. And, coincidentally enough, he is also the only guy around who makes her inner dragon well, ahem, burn? Roar? I don’t know. So, another excuse for her to stalk him, and he in turn stalks her too because coincidentally…well that’s a spoiler so I won’t say it. But you get my drift. There’s a lot of coincidence in this book, but okay, most books have a fantastical one in a million chance that makes something phenomenal happen, but this is a bit over the top for me. It lost my interest about 80 pages in and I had to force myself to keep reading. This is not a good dragon book. It’s basically another author finding a different creature to present the same story. Forbidden love. Go to school and meet. Fall in love.  Sad day for me. Warning: lots of making out and kissing. Little bit of swearing. Mentions drinking. FYI.

I give it a 3 out of 5 because it’s the average stuff going around. Well written, but average.

The Chronicles of Kale: A Dragon's Awakening

By Aya Knight

Kale Firehart is a young dragon, and the sole survivor of his race. As a tyrannical general and his massive bloodthirsty army close in on Kale, the most unexpected circumstance transpires. With time against him, Kale’s trusted friend, a veteran arcane sorcerer, transforms him into the one thing he despises most—a human. Kale must unwillingly live among human-kind as he embarks upon an extraordinary journey. With a band of unlikely friends by his side, can Kale overcome the obstacles before him and return to the life he once knew? The ages of dragons is all but over…

 

I have been itching for dragon stories lately for some unknown reason, and when I came across this one on my Kindle I thought it had potential. Well, as I started reading I was interested enough to keep going, but something kept niggling at me, and when I got about 30 pages in it became obvious with every word I read: this was terribly immature writing. I was appalled. I couldn’t believe that anyone would allow this book to be published in its current form. It was a classic case of ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’ making me, as a reader, feel like the author thought I was a simpleton.  Telling me every little thing that Kale thought about everything and exactly how he felt made me bored and irritated. The characters were terribly flat. Kale, as the main character, was supposed to be a Dragon that hated humans, but suddenly without good reasons or explanation, becomes enamored of them and their lifestyle with inexplicable outbursts that he still hates them. Does this make sense? NO! The elf is also too easily sold, she immediately falls in love with Kale and tells him all her woes and life story. Sure, that’s believable.  And even through all this, what truly upset me the most was that the idea behind this story could’ve been something pretty good if done properly and thought out thoroughly.  But it’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever read that wasn’t fanfiction on the internet.  And there’s fanfiction 20 times better than this. 

 

I give it a 1 out of 5 and it only gets a one because it was a good idea, if poorly executed.

A Tale of Two Castles

By Gail Carson Levine

 

Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner—an actress—but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder.
Black-and-White cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon…Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.


This was another little gem in Levine's growing list of young adult fiction. Elodie, like all her heroines, is spunky, fun, and brave. Throwing a dragon in that happens to be just like Sherlock Holmes was pretty hilarous and wonderful. Elodie has to worry about who to trust; who exactly is the "whited seplechre" her mother warned her about when she left home? Elodie learns along the way that appearances aren't always what they seem, and beauty isn't always a sign of goodness. The only criticism I have, and really it's just my taste, is I was sad it didn't have a love story in it. Elodie was quite a bit too young though, so I forgive her.

3 out of 5

Dragon Spear

By Jessica Day George

With peace established between the humans and the dragons, young couple Creel and Luka are planning their wedding. But then the dragon queen, Velika, is kidnapped by a band of rogue dragons in need of a ruler. When Creel and Luka rush to help, they discover that Luka’s father has plans to take back the Far Islands from the dragons. Creel’s happily ever after just might be postponed…again.

This is the third book in the Dragon Slippers trilogy and it is just as fun as the first two books. This series is simply delightful to read; I fell in love with Shardas from the get-go and slowly but surely warmed up to Creel and her wit and down-to-earth sensabilities. This last installment of the series is great fun for fans because while there is a whole lot going on, you keep wondering if Luka and Creel will FINALLY get married! Now don't get me wrong, but for me, the first book is the best of them all and the other two feel more like books written for the fans rather than the progression of the plot. It's still a good read, but not as magical as that first book was.

I give it a solid 3 out of 5

Dragon Flight

By Jessica Day George

 

With the Dragon Wars over, Creel finds herself bored with life as a seamstress. Then word comes that a bordering country has been breeding dragons in preparation for an invasion. Never one to miss out on the action, Creel throws herself headlong into an adventure that will reunite her with Shardas, the king of the dragons, pit her against a vicious new dragon, and perhaps rekindle a friendship with Prince Luka.



This is the second book in the Dragon Slippers trillogy. I heartily enjoyed Dragon Slippers, and this book was also enjoyable, but I got the feeling that this wasn't a planned sequel to fit in with the first book, but an add-on. I can usually tell when an author didn't plan to continue a story and it always bothers me just a little bit. I loved how the first book ended, and I was excited to see Shardas again. Creel is a great heroine, a no-nonsense girl that hopes things will turn out better than she expects. Dragons are her forte and she tries her best to help the king and the people understand them better, but she gets into big trouble when they hear the neighboring kingdom is preparing for war and they're riding dragons. It's up to Creel and Luka and Shardas and Velika to find out what's going on. This was a good sequel, but not as good as the first. It was fun to see favorite characters again.

I give it a 3 out of 5- average fun read.

Dragon Slippers

By Jessica Day George

 When Creel’s aunt sacrifices her to a dragon, Creel refuses to wait for a knight to rescue her. After bargaining for her escape and winning a pair of blue slippers from the dragon’s hoard, Creel sets out to find her own fortune in the king’s city. Along the route, she meets and befriends another dragon, who helps her find her way. But when she arrives in the city, strange things start to happen, and Creel realizes that her mysterious slippers are more than just a pair of shoes.

So the summariy really doesn't do this book justice. I've read one other book by Ms. George and I absolutely loved it (Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow) and I now know that I really like her books. Dragon Slippers is the first in a trilogy and I really loved it. I'm a sucker for dragon books though, and this didn't disappoint. I adored the author's version of dragon hoards, which was (in my humble oppinion) ingenious and delightful. Creel herself is a no-nonsense girl who just wants to be a dressmaker and gets herself into all kinds of trouble without meaning to. The dragons in this book are wonderful and I fell in love with Shardas and laughed an Feniul. If you enjoy the styles of Shannon Hale or Gail Carson Levine, you'll love Jessica Day George. Give it a go!

4 out of 5 stars

Dragon's Bait

By Vivian Vande Velde


Fifteen-year-old Alys is not a witch. But that doesn’t matter—the villagers think she is and have staked her out on a hillside as a sacrifice to the local dragon. It’s late, it’s cold, and it’s raining, and Alys can only think of one thing—revenge. But first she’s got to escape, and even if she does, how can one girl possibly take on an entire town alone? Then the dragon arrives—a dragon that could quite possibly be the perfect ally…


This story is short and pretty interesting and fun. At first I was hoping, 'please don't let this be a revenge book' but it didin't disappoint me. Alys is a good character and the dragon is pretty cool and while being portrayed as exceptionally handsome, is still at heart a reptile. It's an interesting story and I really wish it would go on, but I also like the fact that it stopped where it did and doesn't have a chance to fall short of my expectations. Kinda half-glass-empty attitude, but there you have it. Fun story.  Only warning is this: There is some reference to nudity though nothing is described.

3 1/2 out of 5

Ambush (Pillage 3)

By Obert Skye


What can happen on an innocent field trip to a museum? In the secure protection of a jail? Or on a simple bus ride? Plenty, if you are a member of the Pillage family and your name is Beck Phillips. No matter what strangeness is going on, Beck still manages to turn things on their head.

When Beck’s personality and behavior begin to change after he makes a fateful, life-altering decision involving-what else?-a dragon egg, there is no one around to stop him from fulfilling his family’s destiny set out in The Grim Knot. And as life in Kingsplot moves unwittingly toward the brink of another dragon disaster, Beck finds himself living a life of deception as he hides information from the people who love and care about him the most.

In this final episode of the Pillage series, with the destructive forces of his family heritage running strong and unhindered, Beck must now face the truth and rise to the challenge of stopping the madness or succumb to the draconic chaos he has helped create.



This series is pretty hillarous, and this last in the trillogy, or "Pillogy" as some call it, is no different.  DO you like dragons? This is a great story for you and one of the most original that I've read as to how dragons come about. The best part of this series however, is Beck. His sarcasm is simply awesome. If there were an actual kid like him I'd probably strangle him myself, but for reading from his perspective, I laugh my head off. This is one of the few books that is a laugh-out-loud book.  Beck's last adventure with the dragons is just as good as the first two, and starts out with (dare I repeat myself?) the funniest scene ever of destruction and mayhem that seem to stick to Beck's shoes like gum. Pillage fans will not be disapointed, except for the fact that it's over. :(

How to Train Your Dragon

By Cressida Cowell

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as “the Dragon Whisperer”…but it wasn’t always so. Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans. Can Hiccup capture a dragon and train it without being torn limb from limb? Join the adventure as the small boy finds a better way to train his dragon and becomes a hero!

After seeing the movie, I found this in the library and just had to read it. I loved the movie and thought it was hilarious. The book follows Hiccup's adventures trying to train his own dragon, Toothless. It reminded me a bit of Diary of a wipmy kid, as it had some pretty comical drawings to accompany Hiccup's funny and heroic story. There are some major differences between the film and book however, and if you don't want your kid reading some 'rude' humor (i.e. underwear humor) then I wouldn't let them at this one. It was funny and cute, but in the end I preferred the movie. Surprising, but true.

The Fire Within

By Chris D’Lacey

When David moves in with Elizabeth Pennykettle and her eleven-year-old daughter, Lucy, he discovers a collection of clay dragons that come to life. David’s own special dragon inspires him to write a story, which reveals the secrets behind a mystery. In order to solve the mystery and save his dragon, David must master the magic of the fire within- not only with his hands but also with his heart.

This was a fun book, cute and geared toward kids probably 4-6th grade. It was mostly about these group of squirells that Lucy likes and David writes stories about with the help of his personal dragon, Gadzooks. This is a fun book and very entertaining, but it's mostly for younger kids and can be a bit dull for older people. It was still cute though.

Choke: Book 2 in the Pillage trilogy

By Obert Skye

Because of the popular demand for a second book, Obert Skye delivers the sequel to “Pillage” with Choke. Beck is trying his best to get used to life, and not to mention, trying to spend quality time with his father, who seems to be incredibly absent for a guy who just had problems ever leaving his home. Dragons seem to be a curse for the Pillage family, and Beck just loves making it harder. But without his Dad to guide him, what is he supposed to do? Well, hatching another Dragon Egg is probably not the smartest decision…


So the second book wasn't at all what I expected. But it was entertaining to read. I enjoy Beck's sense of humor. It was surprising and quite fun, it was a page turner and I'm excited for the third book whenever it comes out. Obert is calling the Pillage series his Pilogy. :) Great fun. Read it you enjoyed Pillage!

Pillage

By Obert Skye

When fifteen-year-old Beck Phillips travels by train to the secluded village of Kingsplot to live with his wealthy but estranged uncle, Beck discovers some dark family secrets. A buried basement, a forbidden wall, an old book of family history with odd references to... dragons? Beck's life is about to be changed forever in this suspenseful tale about the destructive nature of greed and the courage to make things right.

Pillage has to be one of the most imaginative books about Dragons I’ve read in a really long time. It was tons of fun to read Beck’s misadventures with Dragons and girls and school, not to mention his crazy uncle. This is a great read for kids that like dragons and a good story. When Beck’s mother dies suddenly he is sent to live with his only relative, his mother’s brother, who everyone says is crazy and never leaves his tower in his mansion. Beck is cool with that. He’s just glad he has somewhere to go. When he gets to his uncle’s house, there are a few strange rules. One is he can’t open any doors that are locked. Two: don’t go in the backyard. Of course, Beck almost immediately sets out to break the rules. Chaos follows as he finds he has an ancient gift that has to do with stones…and dragons.

Fablehaven 4: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

By Brandon Mull


Brace yourself for a shocking secret. Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton's Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap-a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth?The race is on to acquire all five of the artifact keys to the great demon prison. Will the Knights of the Dawn conquer Wyrmroost? Who can stop the Sphinx? Can Vanessa be trusted to help? What artifact will be found next? Find out in Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary.

As usual, Brandon has done an exceptional job. And I congratulate myself for being so patient to read his latest book. It started off strong and ended with a bang! Holy cliffhanger Batman! How can we wait a whole year for the last book? And how the heck will he be able to fit it all into one book? This is going to be awesome: my guess is at least 600 pages of magical goodness. To all who have not started this series, or are not up to date: you must keep reading! I love this series. And Seth is so much better in this one; he's not nearly as annoying and he gets some cool parts in this one. Gotta love the dragons too! I love Fablehaven!!!!

Fun Fact: Brandon Mull has a place on his website where you can request him to come to your school and talk about the books and about reading. If I were still in elementary, I would so have him come...I guess I still act like I'm in elementary. Does that count?

Slathbog's Gold

By M.L. Forman

“Adventurer’s Wanted. Apply Within” reads the sign hanging in the small bookshop window, but strangely enough, Alex Taylor seems to be the only one who can see it. Seeking some change in his life, the sign seemed like an answer to his plea. As Alex enters the shop, his life indeed is changed forever as he is whisked off to an entirely different land where warriors, elves, and dwarves thrive. Finding himself the eighth man on an adventure to recover a legendary treasure in the horde of Slathbog the Red, an evil dragon, Alex ends up battling trolls and bandits, seeking advice from The Oracle, and facing wraiths. But most importantly Alex finds himself learning about honor, integrity, courage, and friendship.

Fun, fun, fun. That is what I have to say about this book. Honest to goodness, I thought I wouldn’t like it, but I own it now! It was fun to read, sort-of as a simplified version of life in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Except very different, no hobbits in this I’m afraid! It’s fast-paced, fun to read, and has a great adventure and companions to learn about. And dare I say, many a fun thing to learn about Alex, who for good reason was the only one who could see the sign in the shop window! The only down-side that I’ve heard about it, (it didn’t bother me) is the language they use when Alex goes adventuring. It’s very polite and proper, and it can grate on some people’s nerves. I enjoyed it, thought it was fun. But to each his own! The only thing that really bugged me was the amount of times that Alex says, “I suppose.” That got annoying for me, but no one else seems to notice. Oh well. Try it anyway!

Interesting Info: Forman’s next book in the series is scheduled to come out in spring of 2010, called The Horn of Moran. Should be exciting!