Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

5 reviews

albyalbyalby's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 ' The last dragon was still too young to have made up its mind which sex it wanted to be; it didn't have any horns at all. ' Chapter 2, Page 18

' For an instant, Cimorene was frozen by surprise and fear. Then she ducked and reached for her sword. ' Chapter 8, Page 129

Dragonsbane is a fantastic read not only for its progressive views on gender roles, identity and expression, but also its hilarious and engaging dialogue. Highly recommend for younger readers who enjoy strong female protagonists :D

When I read it I was just discovering my own gender identity and how being AFAB impacted my view on how i should or shouldn't act as a young person, and Patricia Wrede helped me to realise that gender had nothing to do with what or how I can contribute to the world 
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hawksrye's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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spootilious's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

 Read: January 9, 2024
Title: Dealing with Dragons 

Series : Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1 

Genre:  Middle Grade Fiction 

Rating: 3/5
Review: 

I will be the first to admit that nostalgia really shaded my view on this one. This is a series that I read in middle school (a few decades ago) and absolutely adored. Now, rereading it as an adult I can see where the story may have shaped me here and there. 

Let me be clear, I still LOVE this book but I know it is nowhere near as good as I thought it was. Still I’ve never read a book quite like it (then or now) and I think it’s uniqueness is perhaps the most appealing aspect of the book (and by extension the series). 

While I wouldn’t say that the novel rejects the traditional view of women, it is, most certainly an ode to finding one’s own place in the world. It is an adorable wakey play on all the fairy tales we know and love, nothing more, nothing less. 

The writing is what you would expect from a grade school book and I cannot fault it for that. 

There will always be a place in might heart for this work. 

 

 

QUOTES: N/A 

 

TW (Moderate to Minor): Misogyny, Sexism, Fire / Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Muder 

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fyziksgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This book was likely progressive in its day, but today is definitely dated. The language is flat like many books from the time; it tells rather than shows. The "good guys" can do no wrong and the "bad guys" can do no right; it's extremely black and white. <Spoiler> The main characters even think they murder sentient beings and it is presented with no moral struggle or question because the people they murdered were from the group of bad guys so no big deal. </Spoiler> Even the main character's strength comes with some internalized misogyny; she's great because she's better than virtually all other girls, who are vapid and stupid and less than. 

It's not a terrible book overall, the themes of challenging the status quo and being true to yourself are fine, but I would not recommend it.
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rokinjaguar's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cute, smart, funny book about an independent, adventurous, headstrong princess who decides to go find a dragon to keep her rather than constantly struggle against the pressures her parents and society push on her about what princesses are supposed to be. 
Unlike a lot of other books about girls who rebel against feminine roles, however, Cimorene doesn’t come from a rash, bitter place. She tries to reason with the people around her when she feels their rules don’t make sense, but she frequently has to find a way for herself with her wits and determination. 
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