Calling On Dragons
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons [BOX SET] by Patricia C Wrede
Publisher: Magic Carpet Books (July 1, 2003)
ISBN-10: 0152050523
Product Description
Collected together for the first time are Patricia C. Wrede's hilarious adventure stories about Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper. Every one of Cimorene's adventures is included in its paperback edition--Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons, and Talking to Dragons.
In Reality (that's a strange word for me.. did I spell it correctly? heh) I have a hardback version of all 4 of these books, which I can no longer find for sale to give anyone a link to ..therefore I am linking to a boxed paperback version, and will review each one separately.
Calling on Dragons by Patricia C Wrede 158 pages.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-- Another installment in Wrede's appealing fantasy series, this title will be best appreciated by those already familiar with her cast of characters and their previous adventures. However, those who first encounter Queen Cimorene, King Mendenbar, Morwen (an untypical witch), and Telemain (a very verbose magician), along with their various animal friends and familiars in this book will certainly be inspired to seek out Dealing with Dragons (1990) and Searching for Dragons (1991, both Harcourt). Once again the problem is wizards: they're draining the Enchanted Forest of its magic and, worse, they've invaded the castle and stolen Mendenbar's magical sword. The quest to retrieve it and restore the Enchanted Forest is filled with adventure, peril, and humor, despite the fact that the bulk of the story takes place in only a few days. Wrede's strengths are numerous: sparkling dialogue, amusingly fractured fairy-tale conventions, solid characterization, plenty of action, and truly terrific chapter headings. Both her vocabulary and her sense of humor are pleasingly sophisticated, making this a fun and challenging read. The end result is a captivating and convincing fantasy that sets the stage (and whets the appetite) for future adventures.
After I took a photo of the table of contents for book 2, I forgot to show you how Patricia C Wrede titled her chapters. ..so here they are, I thought they are quite clever actually...
Book III of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles was yet another set of circumstances that beheld our now Queen Cimorene and King Mendenbar. (how very typical of a fairy tale to have a king and queen living in a castle in the middle of The Enchanted Forest!)
The evil Wizards were being at their worst, while the Witch Morwen and some of her cats, and the magician Telemain along with a rabbit turned blue donkey figure out how to save the day by getting the Kings sword back into the Enchanted Forest so he could defend the forest from the Wizards.
All three of the books are mostly dialogue, which Ms Wrede does very well. I think that when books have a lot of dialogue that we tend to get to know our characters quite well. This holds true throughout the Chronicles, and is a pleasure to read.
And so, the minor characters begin to become not so minor and get their own special time in the "next book".
This is a well done fairy tale, albeit by being 4 books, it is a rather long fairy tale! This could turn into a whole winter long read to young children at bed time!
I am not sure what I expected when I sent for this book (other than I like the author and the titles all had the word "dragon" in them).. but I don't think this was exactly what I expected. ... but the books are enjoyable just the same!
I am about to begin book 4... and I'm curious to see how this is all pulled together. Of course, I could be wrong, but I have a feeling it will end in the "happily ever after" scenario!
posted by DesLily | 7:19 AM
5 Comments:
I love that picture of your book with the water in the background. For some reason it nearly overwhelms me with the desire to play hookie from work and stay home and read. Unfortunately the temps aren't going to be pleasant enough today to enjoy laying by the waterside reading.
Like Carl said, the background to the book looks really tempting but I know how hot it must be there. You're doing pretty well with these four books anyway, only one to go. Will you be sad to finish them?
carl: the thought of sitting under a tree near water and reading is an unrealistic one around here unless "melting" or "being eaten alive by bugs" is something you enjoy..maybe winter will be better.
Hi Cath: I've enjoyed the books and I still really like Wrede's writing style and this story was really cute..but as you know I am not a big "fairytale" person..at least not when it's told for the very young...so 4 books in a row of it is a bit much.. that plus I have that new book itching to get started on. But over all, I didn't for a minute think of setting it down and not finishing it (still have a half a book to go). which says a lot for someone whos not a big fairy tale person. anyone who really like fairytales will most likely love these books!
I just keep wanting these more and more with each one you review!
Yes, the bugs in summer make outdoor adventures much less enjoyable, that is for sure.
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