Well, I am certain now. This is the
series that my daughter will be reading this summer while participating in
Reading is Sooooooooooo Delicious, Summer Reading Program 2012, iREAD Illinois.
Not too long ago, I was delighted to devour Dealing
With Dragons, the first in The
Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I seriously savored Searching for Dragons, the second in the series. I can understand
why it made the Caudill Nominee list. And I would say that the series is
thematically appropriate because Princess Cimorene’s new position to Kazul, the
King of Dragons, is Chief Cook and Librarian. Double whammy!
Okay, so I’ve never tried to make my
daughters read according to the theme of the SRP. The series is just that
lovely. The second book scores high marks in that I felt stirred to do the book
talk at the dinner table. I think I had everyone’s ears.
Number one – the characters are so much
fun. Their personalities are so severe as to be comical. For example, there is
a Magician, NOT a wizard, named Telemain who always speaks in technical terms
that no one else can understand. He needs a translator. The wizards who are
always the bad guys tend to be bumbling idiots. They are so proud of their
conspiracies that they are inclined to give up too much information – just enough
for the good guys to foil their plots.
Number two – the author is not trying to
create an epic of heroic proportions. The individual books are not tiny steps
towards an overall goal. Both books have been satisfying on their own. There is
a problem and they solve it. They meet fascinating characters along the way.
Their new friends join them and help as they can. And the character list is not
monumental. You don’t need a diagram.
Number three – the book is far from
serious. It is more of a comedy. We could use a little light-heartedness in
between the gloom and doom. I think it is brilliant that the wizards can be
melted with soapy water with a splash of lemon juice. And it is only temporary.
They always come back. In the meantime, their magic staffs can be hidden. I
mean really, imagine a group of heroes sneaking up on the wizards, each with a
bucket of soapy water in their hands. Try not to smile.
And now, why the second book is even
better than the first! We don’t start with Princess Cimorene. No, we are
introduced to an entirely new character – Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted
Forest. He has served as King for three years and he is overworked and tired
from trying to do everything by himself. His steward, an elf, has recommended
that King Mendanbar find a bride, a local princess, to serve as Queen and aid
him. Unfortunately, Mendanbar is frustrated by formal pomp and circumstance. He
is even more annoyed by silly princesses.
To escape the castle and his steward’s
encouragements, Mendanbar decides to take a stroll through his forest and runs
into a potential problem. There is a circle of forest that has been burned and
drained of all its magical power. He finds a handful of dragon scales. A war
with dragons is something he wishes to avoid. An advice-giving squirrel suggests
that Mendanbar search out Morwen the Witch for guidance. And Morwen proposes
that he request an audience with the King of Dragons. Heaven forbid King
Mendanbar would have to deal with the dragon’s princess. Silly princesses are a
whole lot of trouble. But we know better don’t we…
I think girls with brain power and
courage will appreciate a princess like Cimorene. I would definitely recommend
this series for pleasurable summer reading.
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