The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Dealing with Dragons / Searching for Dragons / Calling on Dragons / Talking to Dragons

Book 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 one handsome package that's perfect for gift giving.

Customer Reviews:

Whimsical and Humourous.......2007-09-12

these stories are wonderful. i laughed through half of the books, and then i had some of my elementary age cousins read the series as well. they were able to comprehend them easily, as well as finding them enchanting.

Great books for a wide range of ages.......2007-08-03

This is a great collection of books with a strong heroine and a good sense of humor. They are an excellent choice to read out loud due to the fun characters and the whimsical nature of the writing, and the recurrent message of non-conformity is carried out well without feeling too didactic.

Other reviewers have given capsule summaries, but I would recommend against reading them if you can resist. Part of what was delightful about reading these books for me was seeing the story and Patricia Wrede's pattern unfold.

That being said, I will immediately contradict myself, and note that the third book is, in my opinion, the weakest of lot. I think this is because when I read the books, I was reading out loud. The third book has more fractured conversations and irritating voices popping up all over the place, and the pattern gets in the way of the narrative. Additionally, compared to the other books, the ending is unsatisfying, merely setting up the action for the fourth book. For what it's worth, my wife (who also loved this series) recommends skipping the third book altogether and allowing the story of the fourth to slowly fill you in on what happened in the third.

One other note that I will add is that the vocabulary used in these books is advanced enough to make them a better pick for 10+ year olds, in my opinion. I mistakenly recommended them to the 8 year old daughter of a friend and she struggled to read the first couple paragraphs. The first couple of pages use: philosophers, fashionable, periodic, prosperous, etiquette, etc. Nothing unheard of, obviously, but these are probably better read out loud to early readers. These younger kids will still love the story and the characters, though I guess they may miss some of the humor.

With the discounted Amazon price, this box set is a lot of story for the dollar. I highly recommend it.

dealing with dragons review.......2007-04-19

I like this book because of the adventure. it was interesting, the dragons are cool.if you like dragons and olden time books then this is the book for you. I liked when the wizard made the parts of the clif disipear . I liked the partwhere cimorene ment the dragon.

decent fantasy.......2007-03-09

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles is a decent fantasy novel that turns everything upside down, and wrongside up, and will more than once make you laugh out loud. A good read for any dragon and wizard fan.

4.5, actually, for a set of cute stories.......2007-02-16

I originally bought each of these books individually, and it was quite a pain finding all of them. This is a convenient way to purchase these very cute, very fun fantasy stories.

The first book, "Dealing with Dragons", is a very witty, very cute book about the improper princess who decides to live with dragons rather than get married to someone she doesn't even like. Cimorene becomes the dragon Kazul's "princess", doing her chores for her, cleaning out her library, and cooking for her. The story has a lot to do with the relationships between wizards and dragons and in a sense, everything mocks the "real" view. Throughout this book, Wrede is practically laughing at every fairy tale ever written, and it is hilarious.

Book two, "Searching for Dragons", introduces a new character. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest, needs to go talk to the dragon king (and there's a new one from the last book!). Unfortunately, the dragon king has been kidnapped, so he and Cimorene go looking for her. It's more action filled than its predecessor and has a lot more magic going on.

"Calling on Dragons" is clearly the weakest book in the bunch, though it's. It's least memorable of them all, its new characters are the most boring, and the plot is more of a preview for the final book, "Talking to Dragons".

And speaking of, "Talking to Dragons" once again brings us the fun and excitement the first two books brought. While each of the other books had a gap of time that stretch across a year or so, the gap between COD and TTD is much bigger... Sixteen years! We've got a whole new generation of characters, whether its the cats, the fiery girls, or our (!) narrarator! Yes, TTD is written in first person, which is a first in this series. We truly get into Daystar's head, which is fun and enjoyable. In a sense, TTD continues where COD left off, but obviously much later, and many things have changed.

So if you like rather mocking fantasy stories that are both fun and cute, you'll love this. If you love witches, evil wizards, cool dragons, and awesome characters, than this is a great set to pick up. Just remember that COD is more of a transition book and all will be well.

So go join Cimorene, Mendanbar, Kazul, Daystar, Morwen, the cats, those evil wizards, and the lot by buying this great set!

Talking to Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Four

Average customer rating:

ALWAYS be polite to dragons!
Oh no a dragon
SO much fun!
any more on the way?
A Truly Enchanting and Wonderful Read.

Talking to Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Four
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152046917

Book Description

One day, Daystar's mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn't know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he's sure it must involve a dragon or two!

Customer Reviews:

ALWAYS be polite to dragons!.......2007-06-23

My daughters often read the four books from the Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C. Wrede. They came across the books a couple years back. They seem to check out the books and audio tapes every couple months. Over the last year I have listened to bits and pieces of the series.

Talking to Dragons is was the first book published, but it is really the fourth in the series. The hero of the story is a 16 year old boy by the name of Daystar. For the first 16 years of his life he lived on the edge of the Enchanted Forest with his mother. Then one day his mother gives him a sword and sends him out into Enchanted Forest. His mother tells him he has a mission, but won't tell him what the mission is.

Fairly quickly Daystar bumps into a fire-witch. They are both in trouble with wizards, and decide to stick together. Daystar was taught to always be polite to dragons. They come across a young dragon. Daystar is very polite and the dragon joins the group. Near the end of the book Daystar finally figures out his mission and helps save the day.

This is a fun book. It moves along well. I stayed up till midnight to finish it. If your children like fantasy, you might have them try this book.

Oh no a dragon.......2007-02-09

Talking To Dragons Jane Yolen Books,
Patricia C. Wrede ISBN 0-15-284247-0

Talking to Dragons is a great book about kings, princes, princesses, dragons, and wizards by Patricia C. Wrede. It takes place in Enchanted Forest. The narrator of the book is the main character, Daystar.
One day Daystar's mom tells him to go on a quest that he knows nothing about. He started out on a quest and meets new creatures and people, some of them become his companions and some his enemies.
His companions, a young fire witch named Shiara and a young dragon, become really good friends with him. They help him on his quest. After a while he started to figure out that the sword his mom gave him was important because everybody wanted it. People called it "The Sword of the Sleeping King." All he knew is that he needed to go through a cave to be where he was supposed to.
At the end he found the Sleeping King and everybody was reunited. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and also a happy ending. I recommend reading the first three books Dealing With Dragons, Searching For Dragons and Calling for Dragons.

PR28

SO much fun!.......2006-09-25

All the Enchanted Forest Chronicles are so much fun! Definitely at my top of Harry Potter fan recommendations. They're just such an amusing read; I even teach with them. Don't forget to read "The Frying Pan of Doom."

any more on the way?.......2006-09-19

Written first, this is actually the final book in the series (so far, at least). This story features the son of Mendanbar and Cimorene: Daystar. Daystar has been reared on the edge of the Enchanted Forest without any knowledge of who he is or how he and his mother came to be there. Shortly after a wizard appears on their doorstep, he watches his mother melt the wizard and he is sent on his way into the Enchanted Forest with a sword and instructions from his mother to always be polite, especially to dragons, and NEVER agree to a favor until you know what it is. Almost immediately Daystar gains a companion, Shiara, who happens to be a fire witch. Together they follow the sword wherever it leads them, which brings us back to some familiar characters. In the end Daystar realizes many things, including what he is to do and how he is to do it - but not without a lot of help and teamwork from many friends and companions. This was an interesting finale as it definitely left an opening for novels of the next generation of the Enchanted Forest.

A Truly Enchanting and Wonderful Read........2006-06-20

I stumbled upon this book first - it's the 4th in a series by Wrede. It is really at least as much fun and imaginative as Harry Potter with more logic and a fun side without the dark side. A great read for kids or adults. Truly magical and special.

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One

Average customer rating:

One bored Princess is about to have a ball!
Morgan from Creston
Dealing with Reveiws
An Amazing Book!!!
A fun and enchanted book!

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 015204566X

Amazon.com

Cimorene, princess of Linderwall, is a classic tomboy heroine with classic tomboy strengths--all of which are perceived by those around her as defects: "As for the girl's disposition--well, when people were being polite, they said she was strong-minded. When they were angry or annoyed with her, they said she was as stubborn as a pig." Cimorene, tired of etiquette and embroidery, runs away from home and finds herself in a nest of dragons. Now, in Cimorene's world--a world cleverly built by author Patricia C. Wrede on the shifting sands of myriad fairy tales--princesses are forever being captured by dragons. The difference here is that Cimorene goes willingly. She would rather keep house for the dragon Kazul than be bored in her parents' castle. With her quick wit and her stubborn courage, Cimorene saves the mostly kind dragons from a wicked plot hatched by the local wizards, and worms her way into the hearts of young girls everywhere.

While the characters are sometimes simplistically drawn, adults and children will have fun tracing the sources of the various fairy tales Wrede plunders for her story. Dealing with Dragons is the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and most young readers will want to devour the entire series. (Ages 10 and older) --Claire Dederer

Book Description

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.

Customer Reviews:

One bored Princess is about to have a ball!.......2007-04-11

Princess Cimorene is the daughter to the king of Linderwall...where the knights keep their armor polished for show considering nobody's seen a dragon there in years...

Cimorene HATES it at Linderwall. And she wants to do things, not learn exactly how and when she's supposed to scream if someone decides to come and kidnap her. Cimorene takes classes behind her fathers back for extreme fun. She tries fencing...until her father makes her stop. She tries cooking...until her father stops her. She tries magic...until her father stops her. You get the pattern. If things aren't already bad enough her parents are making her marry Prince Therandil. YUCK!

"I'd rather get eaten by a dragon," Cimorene muttered.
"That can be arranged."

With the advice of a "not" enchanted frog she ends up at a dragons cave and before you know it she's the dragon Kazul's princess. And also before ya know it she's on an adventure.

What happens on that adventure? Well...

She meets a powerful witch, a stone prince, snotty princesses, a kind princess, annoying wizards, mean dragons, and a talking frog.

She finds plants that hurt dragons, a dragons magical stone, and a fire proof spell...she's found A LOT of adventure!

Morgan from Creston.......2007-03-07

The book Dealing with Dragons is one of the most fantastic books I have ever read. It held my interest and made me feel good. Between adventure and happiness, Patricia C. Wrede catches your attention and makes you want to read it over and over again.
In the book, the characters were really willing to go and figure out why wizards have been snooping around the Mountains of Morning. That's one of the reasons I liked this book so much. My favorite characters are Cimorene and Kazul. As Cimorene runs away from the castle she meets a kind dragon named Kazul, who lets Cimorene live with her. Later in the book wizards secretly working with a dragon named Worag, who wants to be the king of dragons and is trying to get rid of Cimorene and her friends. In this it was a wild adventure for princess Cimorene.
The book Dealing with Dragons was not a boring book. The author Patricia C. Wrede was able to hold the interest of the reader throughout the story. The description of scenes was really descriptive and you could picture them in your head. There were sad and funny parts throughout the book. One of my favorite parts was when Cimorene and Kazul visited Morwen the witch. Cimorene rode on Kazuls back while she was flying over the tall trees. I was imagining that I was on Kazul too.
After reading this book, I learned many different things. I also couldn't believe how good this book was. The major situation was trying to figure out what the wizards were up to. This book will leave you wanting to read it over and over again.

Dealing with Reveiws.......2007-03-01

Dealing with Dragons, by Patricia C. Wrede, is really a joking, enjoyable tale of a fantasy world with a girl trying to escape normal life for a princess. Cimorene is princess of Linderwall, and when she's fed up with normal princess-ing and heads off, she gets involved with tons of dragons, witches, wizards, a jinn, talking birds and more. Cimorene loves fencing, magic, cooking, economics, Latin, and she can't do any of them because "It's NOT done". I'd say if this was real, it'd be in the early 1500`s. This really can absorb you and it seems you just have to finish it before anything else and I really enjoyed it. I hope you do too.

An Amazing Book!!!.......2007-02-28

Wizards, dragons, magic, and a run away princess. If you like those things then you will love "Dealing With Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede. When Cimerone runs away to a little house in the forest, that a toad told her to go to, she meets some scary dragons. But almost before the dragons ate her, another dragon came and saved her. And now she works for the dragon, Kazul. When one of the dragons killed the king, all the dragons have to have a challenge to see who well be the next king. Will Kazul become the new king or will she die trying?
I think the theme for this book is that just because some people don't like something doesn't mean you shouldn't like it. Because some people thought Cimerone was crazy that she was living with a dragon and she didn't care about what they said. I think Patricia wrote this book to tell about people that have everything they could ever have and all they want is freedom to do what they want.
"That doesn't make it proper, dear," Cimerone's mom said. Cimerone never wanted to be a princess. She liked to do fencing, magic, and cooking. But she never liked being a princess. I would recommend this book to people that love to read about fantasy's and adventures. Also if they like dragons, witches, and magic they would like this book! I hope you will read it and like it just as much as I did!

A fun and enchanted book!.......2007-01-30

This book is great! It is for everyone! It is about a princess named Cimorene. She does not like being a princess. She does secret magic lessons until her parents find out. Then they try to get her to marry but she does not want to. She runs of and finds some dragons. She goes with one named Kuzul. She makes friends and finds an exciting new life. But something evil is about...I'm not going to tell the end but its great! You should read Dealing with Dragons, Book one of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

Calling on Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Three

Average customer rating:

244 pages of bitchiness
Amazing series
Love the characters!
The sword is gone
A Perfect Combination

Calling on Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Three
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152046925

Book Description

Those wicked wizards are back--and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all . . . unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being queen is easy.

Customer Reviews:

244 pages of bitchiness.......2007-02-08

I loved the first 2 books. And this one has some good stuff in it. But every single character is bitchy throughout the whole book!

It is funny to have, say, a bitchy cat, wizard, witch, magician, princess, rabbit, dragon or whatever. But they can't all be bitchy all the way through the book!

Amazing series.......2006-09-25

Love the characters!.......2006-09-19

Mendenbar and Cimorene, now married for just over a year, are celebrating the news of their first baby on the way when witch Morwen and sorcerer Telemain arrive on their moat-step with some disturbing news and a 6 foot blue rabbit/donkey named Killer. The wizards are, once again, up to no good. Upon investigating the source of Killer's unusual size, Morwen discovered more brown patches where the wizard staffs had leached magic out of the Enchanted Forest. Since Telemain and Mendenbar had repaired that particular problem, the issue was determined urgent. Once again a journey is required - this one is to retrieve the sword that is tied magically to the Enchanted Forest so that the wizards don't drain the forest of its magic - and its life. Morwen, Telemain, Cimorene, Kazul, Killer, and two of Morwen's cats embark down a dangerous road to save the lives of the inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest. Great sense of humor and dialog - although the timeline sometimes takes getting used to.

The sword is gone .......2006-05-22

Well. my story is Calling on Dragons. Its about wizards trying to take over; so they steal the sword. They are trying to get it back. Well Kazul , King Mandabar, Cermany, Tellmin, and Moren are at it again. Now they are after the sword.
My favorite part was when I found out that the wizards go through mouse holes. I think doing that would be cool. The wizards go through mice holes to steal the sword. They did make it, and they did steal the sword. That is my favorite part.

A Perfect Combination.......2005-08-06

I truly am delighted with this book and the others in the series! They are a truly perfect combination of mystery, magic and mayhem!
I've told my friends about them, and they love them too!

Searching for Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Two

Average customer rating:

I like it!
Patricia C. Wrede
what's his face
Incredible series!
What's next?

Searching for Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book Two
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Magic Carpet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152045651

Book Description

Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, meets her match in the not-quite-kingly Mendanbar. With the aid of a broken-down magic carpet and a leaky magical sword, the two tackle a series of dragon-nappings.

Customer Reviews:

I like it!.......2007-04-22

There are two main characters: Cimorene and Mendanbar. Cimorene is a princess. She volunteered to be a dragon's princess. She knows a little bit of fencing, cooking, Latin, embroiderey and dancing. Mendanbar is the king of the Enchanted Forest. He is very busy. He is good at magic.

The main problem of the story is rescuing the king of the dragons. She's a girl: king is the name of the job. Her name is Kazul. Some wizards captured her.

I loved this book. I'd recommend this book because it's very interesting. I'd recommend the first three books to girls, and the last one to boys. The first three are about girls and the last one is about a boy.

Patricia C. Wrede.......2007-04-19

In Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede there was a king who hated being king of the enchanted forest and one day when he was playing hooky he saw that a whole section of the enchanted forest was burnt to the ground.

He found about four scales in the ashes and a squirrel told him to go to the good witch Morwen and she told him that there dragons scales and to go to the land of dragons to confront the king Kazul who is a girl dragon but instead finds her missing. And so he has to team up with Kazuls reluctant princess Cimorene and there only tools are a magic carpet, a leaky magic sword, and a few buckets of soapy lemon water to get Kazul back and defeat the evil wizard Zemenar.

what's his face.......2007-02-07

I really enjoyed the book, Searching for Dragons. My favorite character, King Mendenbar, can really relate to many people. He is the average person who does ordinary things. There is just one thing: he is the king of the Enchanted Forest.
You can really see Particia c. Wrede's book as an adventure you can never forget. She leaves you wondering what would happen next after you had just finished a chapter, which is very important for the average reader. That is what so good about her books, because she gives you a little "extra" info before you get onto the next chapter. I would recommend this book to those who love a good laugh, some adventure, and some romance in between. Those who do have the above, hurry up and read this book!
By the way, this is book two of four of the series.
A.K.

Incredible series!.......2006-09-25

What's next?.......2006-09-19

In the second installment of Cimorene's tale, we find Cimorene still housekeeping for Kazul and dissuading errant princes of their determination to `rescue' her. But when the King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendanbar, knocks on her door, he catches her as she is leaving to find Kazul, who has gone missing. As Kazul is now the King of the Dragons, Cimorene must not let this news leak as panic might ensue. Mendanbar decides that he too must find Kazul to stave off war with the wizards, so they join forces and set off on a journey through the land to rescue Kazul and thwart the wizards once again.

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The Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Manufacturer: HARCOURT
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739459066

Calling on Dragons : The Enchanted Forest Chronicles Book 3

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Calling on Dragons : The Enchanted Forest Chronicles Book 3
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Listening Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000IQIMLK

Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)

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Dealing With Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles)
Patricia C. Wrede
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000RI9PGK

DEALING WITH DRAGONS (ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES, NO 1)

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DEALING WITH DRAGONS (ENCHANTED FOREST CHRONICLES, NO 1)
PATRICIA C. WREDE
Manufacturer: Harcourt, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ON2BV4

Average customer rating:

Dealing with Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book One
Patricia C. Wrede
Manufacturer: Jane Yolen Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJEBMA

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