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voxeldoodle's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
booklover160's review
4.0
I really hope this isn't the end for our friends in Drachenburg! I'd love to read another story from Jasper's POV or Marina or a new character.
'The Princess Who Flew with Dragons' follows bratty Princess Sofia as she goes on a mission across the world for her sister. She's to play diplomat at a summit of most brilliant leaders across the continent. But she's an awful diplomat; she'd rather be a scholar and philosopher.
I liked this one because I was always salty that Sofia and Aventurine were never friends. I had wanted them to become friends because they are so similar. But now I see why Sofia has always had her guard up. It was great to see her with her guard down and having fun and seeing the world. I think Sofia would make a great leader if her sister could share the role.
I did miss seeing the characters we've already grown to love, like Aventurine and Silke, but I think Sofia was the perfect choice for this third book.
I really hope we get to revisit this world soon!!
'The Princess Who Flew with Dragons' follows bratty Princess Sofia as she goes on a mission across the world for her sister. She's to play diplomat at a summit of most brilliant leaders across the continent. But she's an awful diplomat; she'd rather be a scholar and philosopher.
I liked this one because I was always salty that Sofia and Aventurine were never friends. I had wanted them to become friends because they are so similar. But now I see why Sofia has always had her guard up. It was great to see her with her guard down and having fun and seeing the world. I think Sofia would make a great leader if her sister could share the role.
I did miss seeing the characters we've already grown to love, like Aventurine and Silke, but I think Sofia was the perfect choice for this third book.
I really hope we get to revisit this world soon!!
brandypainter's review
5.0
Review originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
It's great to have those authors you can always count on to provide a good story. It is even better when those authors consistently provide excellent series with multiple characters to love. Stephanie Burgis is one of those authors for me. The Princess Who Flew with Dragons is her latest MG novel and continues the world she developed in The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart and The Girl with the Dragon Heart.
Princess Sofia has lived her entire life feeling second rate. Her older sister runs the kingdom of Drachenhiem ruthlessly and brilliantly. Sofia feels second best and second rate in comparison. All she does is make messes for her sister to clean up. The only time Sofia feels fully, comfortably herself is when she is immersed in one of her books or corresponding with Jasper, her dragon penpal. She can be herself with Jasper because she knows they will never be meeting, and therefore, he will never know what a disaster she is. When her sister sends her to the country of Villenne to learn more about their advances and kingdom, Sofia feels completely inadequate for the task, beginning with the travel sickness that comes on the instant she takes flight with her dragon escort. As she predicts, things go wrong from the moment she "lands". However, it results in her having the opportunity to explore the world from a different perspective. As she makes friends and learns more about the various problems and people of Villenne, she starts to feel a little more comfortable in her own skin, but then every thing seems to go wrong all at once in an explosion of angry elders and Ice Giants. In a horrible instant, the fate of several countries, including her own, comes to rest on Sofia's young shoulders. She must go on a perilous quest to save the world from war and winter.
Sofia's struggle to find a place in the world is one that will resonate with readers of all ages. She is coming from a privileged world and is quite naive to the layers and nuance of how people live, yet every time she learns something new about the world's injustices, she attempts to do what she can to make positive changes in both the world around her and her place in it. Sofia is incredibly book smart but needs to learn more about the world. Her deep insecurities and anxieties make it difficult at times, but she always finds the courage. She makes mistakes. She works hard to atone for those mistakes. In addition to Sofia, a wonderful cast of numerous new characters are introduced. She befriends a group of three goblins and kobold who help her explore and experience more of the world. Aventurine's younger brother Jasper leaves his safe home to come and see the world with Sofia instead of just living it through her letters. On the main rescue quest Sofia, Jasper, and the kobold Fedolia have to work together to achieve their different personal goals and save the wider world. Burgis does an excellent job of using them to change each other and impact the plot in different ways.
For such a light series for young MG readers, Burgis has tackled some pretty deep themes in the series overall, and that continues in this book as well. This is a fantasy that has different races of magical creatures and different nations all coming together in one place with all the misunderstandings, miscommunications, and mishaps that can cause. There is a lot said about education, diplomacy, and the postering of nations, but it is all presented in a way that will not overwhelm the target audience. It is one of those great novels that can be understood at different levels as well.
I think this is meant to be the end of the story, but I don't want it to be. It ends well. It would be a perfect end if it is the end. I just don't want to say goodbye to this world and the amazing characters who people it.
It's great to have those authors you can always count on to provide a good story. It is even better when those authors consistently provide excellent series with multiple characters to love. Stephanie Burgis is one of those authors for me. The Princess Who Flew with Dragons is her latest MG novel and continues the world she developed in The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart and The Girl with the Dragon Heart.
Princess Sofia has lived her entire life feeling second rate. Her older sister runs the kingdom of Drachenhiem ruthlessly and brilliantly. Sofia feels second best and second rate in comparison. All she does is make messes for her sister to clean up. The only time Sofia feels fully, comfortably herself is when she is immersed in one of her books or corresponding with Jasper, her dragon penpal. She can be herself with Jasper because she knows they will never be meeting, and therefore, he will never know what a disaster she is. When her sister sends her to the country of Villenne to learn more about their advances and kingdom, Sofia feels completely inadequate for the task, beginning with the travel sickness that comes on the instant she takes flight with her dragon escort. As she predicts, things go wrong from the moment she "lands". However, it results in her having the opportunity to explore the world from a different perspective. As she makes friends and learns more about the various problems and people of Villenne, she starts to feel a little more comfortable in her own skin, but then every thing seems to go wrong all at once in an explosion of angry elders and Ice Giants. In a horrible instant, the fate of several countries, including her own, comes to rest on Sofia's young shoulders. She must go on a perilous quest to save the world from war and winter.
Sofia's struggle to find a place in the world is one that will resonate with readers of all ages. She is coming from a privileged world and is quite naive to the layers and nuance of how people live, yet every time she learns something new about the world's injustices, she attempts to do what she can to make positive changes in both the world around her and her place in it. Sofia is incredibly book smart but needs to learn more about the world. Her deep insecurities and anxieties make it difficult at times, but she always finds the courage. She makes mistakes. She works hard to atone for those mistakes. In addition to Sofia, a wonderful cast of numerous new characters are introduced. She befriends a group of three goblins and kobold who help her explore and experience more of the world. Aventurine's younger brother Jasper leaves his safe home to come and see the world with Sofia instead of just living it through her letters. On the main rescue quest Sofia, Jasper, and the kobold Fedolia have to work together to achieve their different personal goals and save the wider world. Burgis does an excellent job of using them to change each other and impact the plot in different ways.
For such a light series for young MG readers, Burgis has tackled some pretty deep themes in the series overall, and that continues in this book as well. This is a fantasy that has different races of magical creatures and different nations all coming together in one place with all the misunderstandings, miscommunications, and mishaps that can cause. There is a lot said about education, diplomacy, and the postering of nations, but it is all presented in a way that will not overwhelm the target audience. It is one of those great novels that can be understood at different levels as well.
I think this is meant to be the end of the story, but I don't want it to be. It ends well. It would be a perfect end if it is the end. I just don't want to say goodbye to this world and the amazing characters who people it.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
A cute finale to the series, though it’s more of a companion in a way as Aventurine isn’t in it (sadly).
But it’s fun getting to see more of Sofia, and watching her get her feet under her a little. And I liked her making friends and running off to have adventures. Plus her lectures on philosophy
But it’s fun getting to see more of Sofia, and watching her get her feet under her a little. And I liked her making friends and running off to have adventures. Plus her lectures on philosophy
grid's review against another edition
5.0
My daughter read this first, finishing it in a day. Then I read it in a little over 24 hours.
So good.
I think the only thing that I would liked to have seen was the philosopher released from prison in the end.
So good.
I think the only thing that I would liked to have seen was the philosopher released from prison in the end.
callieash_ro's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
lissystrata's review
5.0
Dragons and chocolate - two good things that go great together!
Okay, so this book doesn't have as much chocolate as the previous two books in this series, so you'll just have to supply your own. Anyway, this story follows Princess Sophia and her entourage of insecurities. Her mother's dead, her father stopped caring, and her older sister Katrin has to raise her while ruling the kingdom. Sophia's only friend is her pen pal- a dragon she's never met in person.
Now, Sophia is forced (well, very strongly urged) by her sister to fly to a far-off kingdom to be a royal representative at a grand exhibition. Naturally, everything goes wrong before she's even landed.
Like the previous two books, this is an insanely engaging story of a young girl getting put through the wringer and coming out stronger on the other side. Stephanie Burgis keeps things humorous, but skillfully delves into more thought-provoking waters: the true meaning of power, the burden of responsibility, the heartbreak of rejection, and even the struggle to open up and let someone in.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dragons, adventure, and complex characters.
Okay, so this book doesn't have as much chocolate as the previous two books in this series, so you'll just have to supply your own. Anyway, this story follows Princess Sophia and her entourage of insecurities. Her mother's dead, her father stopped caring, and her older sister Katrin has to raise her while ruling the kingdom. Sophia's only friend is her pen pal- a dragon she's never met in person.
Now, Sophia is forced (well, very strongly urged) by her sister to fly to a far-off kingdom to be a royal representative at a grand exhibition. Naturally, everything goes wrong before she's even landed.
Like the previous two books, this is an insanely engaging story of a young girl getting put through the wringer and coming out stronger on the other side. Stephanie Burgis keeps things humorous, but skillfully delves into more thought-provoking waters: the true meaning of power, the burden of responsibility, the heartbreak of rejection, and even the struggle to open up and let someone in.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dragons, adventure, and complex characters.
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
5.0
THE PRINCESS WHO FLEW WITH DRAGONS is the third book in the series that began with THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART. All three have been amazing stories– packed with so many positive messages and heart that I can’t stop recommending them to others.
All three books feature strong heroines who feel isolated from others and face circumstances that force them to learn how to trust others and be a good friend. Some moments are silly and lighthearted, giving the books a sense of fun and keeping them upbeat. Each girl faces high stakes, so the story also packs a great pace and lots of adventure.
I also really like that each girl has a special talent that helps her in sometimes unexpected ways. In book one, Aventurine has a talent for making chocolate. In book two, Silke is a storyteller. Book three’s heroine loves philosophy.
Sofia’s love of philosophy at first seems to set her against her family and be an obstacle she may have to overcome, but Sofia soon realizes that her ability to break things down into philosophical questions gives her an advantage against her enemies.
I feel like I could go on and on about this series. I love these books. I love the excellent blend of fun and adventure coupled with lessons about relationships and having confidence in your talents. I highly recommend all three books.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
All three books feature strong heroines who feel isolated from others and face circumstances that force them to learn how to trust others and be a good friend. Some moments are silly and lighthearted, giving the books a sense of fun and keeping them upbeat. Each girl faces high stakes, so the story also packs a great pace and lots of adventure.
I also really like that each girl has a special talent that helps her in sometimes unexpected ways. In book one, Aventurine has a talent for making chocolate. In book two, Silke is a storyteller. Book three’s heroine loves philosophy.
Sofia’s love of philosophy at first seems to set her against her family and be an obstacle she may have to overcome, but Sofia soon realizes that her ability to break things down into philosophical questions gives her an advantage against her enemies.
I feel like I could go on and on about this series. I love these books. I love the excellent blend of fun and adventure coupled with lessons about relationships and having confidence in your talents. I highly recommend all three books.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
snazel's review
5.0
Really delightful middle grade, and a joyous ending to the series (as much as I wish we saw more from the people). I especially loved the depiction of university, and how deeply the main character feels things and how inevitably she says the WORST thing as a result. And I loved the cat. And I loved the prickly but vital family relations. And I loved the coffee shop friends. And And And And And (it's good, folks).
yapha's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first two books in the series. Fans of the series will want to read it. For grades 3 & up. Must read the series in order.