Interest Level: Ages 10 to 16
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Animals, Magic, Medieval Worlds, Wizards, Princesses, Humor,
Plot: Cimerone is the seventh princess of a very traditional royal family and is expected to do proper princess things such as learn embroidery, dance at balls and marry a prince. The only problem is that Cimerone doesn't like any normal princess activities. Instead of getting married to a prince, Cimerone runs away following the advice of a talking frog. She volunteers as a dragon's princess where she cooks and cleans for the dragon Kazul. Cimerone is allowed to cook, learn Latin and magic to her heart's delight and is finally happy. Now all she needs to do is convince the knights and princes to stop trying to rescue her and find out why those magic hungry wizards are snooping around and life would be perfect.
Personal Thoughts: I love this series. It has strong female characters that break out of traditional roles to find happiness. Cimerone and Kazul both use logic, thinking and a little magic to outwit their opponents. There is enough action and humor in every chapter for any tween. The story's world is one where the traditional fairy tales are expected in everyday normal life. For tweens who love this series, I suggest other fairytale spin offs such as Ella Enchanted and The Fairy's Mistake by Levine for tweens and The Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Lackey for older teens or adults.
Series Info: Book One of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Sequel: Searching for Dragons (1991)
Awards:
Minnesota Book Award (1991)
YALSA 100 Best Books of 1950 to 2000
Other Books by the Author: Lyra Series; Frontier Magic Series; Kate and Cecelia Series;
Author's Website: Patricia C. Wrede Offical Website
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