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 ...
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Jul 01, 2008
Aubri
rated it: 
Patricia C. Wrede has been one of my favorite authors for her witty, original use of common fantasy themes. This is the 2nd book of her 4 book series, and is one of my favorites. This book is a great read for all ages, with laugh out loud humor.
Violence: mild g-rated violence with melting wizards, and fighting rock-snakes.
Language: Mendenbar takes the Lord's name in vain about 3 times, but that is all, the rest is "he cursed under his breath," etc.
Sexual themes: G More...
Violence: mild g-rated violence with melting wizards, and fighting rock-snakes.
Language: Mendenbar takes the Lord's name in vain about 3 times, but that is all, the rest is "he cursed under his breath," etc.
Sexual themes: G More...
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Apr 08, 2011
I remember fist coming across this series back in Grade Eight - which was some time ago. I loved them at a time when I was really just starting to taste and test other genres.
My sister's school was ridding their library of orphan books and copies of those that hadn't been rented out in a long, long time. I think it is a pity that this book made it there, but I am also happy because now I own it.
Searching for Dragons is the second book in the series and you are not lost if yo More...
My sister's school was ridding their library of orphan books and copies of those that hadn't been rented out in a long, long time. I think it is a pity that this book made it there, but I am also happy because now I own it.
Searching for Dragons is the second book in the series and you are not lost if yo More...
Jan 24, 2011
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May 29, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
As for the story, I think I liked some things about the first book more. However, I liked the magic and characters tons more in the second, as well as some things about the story in this one, too. Really, I was wondering where the author was going to go with this book after having read the first one, but she did a good job—one excellent choice she did was making another protagonist with similar issues, going through his perspective, too, and it's interesting how they mesh together. Another good
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Mar 28, 2010
Loralee
rated it:
A new main character is introduced in book two of this delightful series. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest is feeling somewhat overwhelmed with all his duties and decides to go on a little walk. When he finally arrives at his destination (which isn't that easy because the Enchanted Forest is constantly shifting position) he finds a silly, lost princess. His opinion of princesses is not too high and this princess meets his expectations. He soon realizes that all is not right in his dom
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Jan 25, 2012
Rachel
rated it: 
In the first Enchanted Forest Chronicle I was disappointed that Cimorene was surrounded by a world full of simpering, male ninny's and wished that she had met her match. In this second novel, she does.I thought the portrayal of that was misguided with this book cover, which inaccurately portrayed a ferocious, muscle riddled, comic book stigma instead of the feisty feminine charm of the first cover in the series, but the inside is more important.
Intended for upper elementary aged reader More...
Intended for upper elementary aged reader More...
Aug 16, 2011
Jen
rated it:
I liked this book almost as much as the first one! References to traditional fairy tales still abound, parodies, spoofs, and homages all.
I had a harder time relating to Mendenbar than I did with Cimorene in book one, because he is trying to take care of all of the problems in his kingdom on his own and is completely ignoring all of his social obligations, which he thinks are stupid, but are actually very important for relations with other kingdoms. And that sort of irked me.
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I had a harder time relating to Mendenbar than I did with Cimorene in book one, because he is trying to take care of all of the problems in his kingdom on his own and is completely ignoring all of his social obligations, which he thinks are stupid, but are actually very important for relations with other kingdoms. And that sort of irked me.
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May 30, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
In this sequel to the book Dealing with Dragons, we meet King Mendanbar, who is no more proper as a ruler than Cimorene was as a princess. At the beginning of the novel, Mendanbar discovers a burned out place in his kingdom, the Enchanted Forest. Under the suspicion that dragons caused the mess, he set out to meet the King of the Dragons to discuss the issue. However, he arrives at King Kazul's caves to discover that she's been missing for two days and he decides to help in the search party. He
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Jul 29, 2008
Michaela
rated it:
Why is it that reviews on the back of books never do the book justice? Mendanbar is hot and awesome and awkward. And Finally there is a man cool enough for tough Cimerene. Plus, several scenes with wizards make me so... happy.
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Oct 25, 2011
Cliff
rated it:
Ah, the second book in this set does a wonderful job of picking up where the first left off and raising the bar. Whereas much of the humor of the first book was primarily poking fun at mythical conventions, Patricia Wrede has quite a few funny jokes throughout the sequel. In many ways, I felt that the first book was purely setup for this second novel. I can't give it full marks as the romantic aspect was a bit forced and the doings of the wizards didn't seem to be nearly as cunning as the fir
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Apr 28, 2011
Kira
rated it:
The fractured fairy tales are my favorite part of this series. I'm particularly fond of the Irish giant (who comes across much more Irish in the audio version) and his natural Gaelic prejudice against Englishmen, and the way that Herman Rumplestiltskin has turned into a Haven House for irresponsible princesses who get pregnant and wish they hadn't. (Read this book with your adult hat on. The subtext is SO there.) Mendanbar's no-nonsense attitude is also quite refreshing in a fairytale king;
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May 29, 2009
Amy
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In the sequel to Dealing With Dragons, the Dragon King Kazul is kidnapped. Princess Cimorene and the King of the Enchanted Forest join forces in their search.
Rumpelstiltskin makes a cameo appearance, as does the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. There's also a magic flying carpet. I really liked the Wicked Uncle and the gargoyle.
Perhaps it's because I've read both in the same month, but the Enchanted Forest Chronicles remind me a lot of the Howl's Moving Castle Books. Bo More...
Rumpelstiltskin makes a cameo appearance, as does the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. There's also a magic flying carpet. I really liked the Wicked Uncle and the gargoyle.
Perhaps it's because I've read both in the same month, but the Enchanted Forest Chronicles remind me a lot of the Howl's Moving Castle Books. Bo More...
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Dec 01, 2011
Beth
rated it:
The second book in the Enchanted Forest series by Patricia Wrede is nearly as good as the first. Cimorene reappears, as does the King of the Enchanted Forest, whose opinion of princesses is nearly as dim as Cimorene's opinion of princes. Old loved characters reappear, and some new interesting ones are introduced. The quest, a search for Kazul, who has gone missing, is intriguing and the author convincingly conveys the feeling of racing against time.
I really like these books and I thin More...
I really like these books and I thin More...
Apr 03, 2011
gunneos
rated it:
The more I get into these books, the more I wish I'd read them when I was younger. No doubt I would have found them way more amazing than I am finding them now. Not to say they aren't great now, but I tried re-reading Enid Blyton's The Famous Five series not long ago and I think the writing isn't a big deal (I used to love it as a kid). The Enchanted Forest Chronicles are written in pretty much the same way - simple, slightly comical with hardly any consequential violence or real damage, yet the
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Sep 01, 2010
Alexandria
rated it:
I first read this book when I found it in my school library about six years ago. Only when I read it it was called 'Dragon's Search' and the first one was called 'Dragonsbane' (now called Dealing with Dragons).
I enjoyed this just as much the secind time around as I did the first. It is not a lol kind of book but with clubs called 'The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers' Traveling, Drinking and Debating Society' (that wicked uncles can join) you have to expect some funny moments. FYI - if More...
I enjoyed this just as much the secind time around as I did the first. It is not a lol kind of book but with clubs called 'The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers' Traveling, Drinking and Debating Society' (that wicked uncles can join) you have to expect some funny moments. FYI - if More...
Jun 29, 2009
Libby
rated it:
So this is more of the same witty humor and fairy tale mocking. This book focuses more on the thoughts of a new character, Mendanbar the King of the Enchanted Forest. He is a likable character, but I miss being more involved in Cimorene's thoughts.
I will continue on with the other two books because I enjoy them, but I don't know how Wrede will come up with enough original plot lines to fill them. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and try them out. They are great books for th More...
I will continue on with the other two books because I enjoy them, but I don't know how Wrede will come up with enough original plot lines to fill them. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and try them out. They are great books for th More...
Nov 13, 2011
AnEyeSpy
rated it:
"Searching for Dragons" (5* Enchanted Forest 2) by Patricia Wrede begins when the 20-year old King wants to heal scorched ruins drained of magic energy by wicked wizards to provoke suspicion and war against dragons. My only difficulty to criticize is long names, never abbreviated even in affection, so I attempt none.
A lovely princess, smart and brave, not the usual other simpering woe-is-me sillies seeking marriage, helps to find and free her friend, the female King of Dragons. More...
A lovely princess, smart and brave, not the usual other simpering woe-is-me sillies seeking marriage, helps to find and free her friend, the female King of Dragons. More...
Sep 18, 2008
Morgan
rated it: 
After loving 'Dealing with Dragons' for so long, I was really disappointed with myself for not finishing the series. I decided to remedy the situation. Unfortunately, I was not NEARLY as pleased with the 2nd book in the series as I was the 1st.
Searching for Dragons is a follow-up of Cimorene, and the Dragon King Kazul. However, Kazul has been missing for days and no one has any leads. Suspecting the ever sneaky wizards, Cimorene decides to take matters into her own hands and fi More...
Searching for Dragons is a follow-up of Cimorene, and the Dragon King Kazul. However, Kazul has been missing for days and no one has any leads. Suspecting the ever sneaky wizards, Cimorene decides to take matters into her own hands and fi More...
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Jun 21, 2007
Punk
rated it:
Young Adult Fantasy. Mendanbar is King of the Enchanted Forest, but he doesn't dress like a king and he doesn't act like one either, also he thinks the majority of princesses are stupid. This makes him a perfect match for Cimorene, the princess who hates being proper and thinks it's better to be smart than to follow other people's dumb rules. Here, the wizards are back making trouble again, the Enchanted Forest is spotted with wastelands, and the king of dragons is missing. Mendanbar and Cimoren
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Jul 05, 2010
Greymalkin
rated it:
Didn't like this one as much as the first one and now I remember why I didn't read more of the series. I just couldn't get into the "hero" Melendabar (or whatever his silly name was). He just seemed too dumb and uninterested in the whys and wherefores of the world to be a good match for Cimorene. The story was rather hum drum too. I think I kept wishing that the gargoyle would end up being some snarky prince under a curse or something. That would have been a much livelier match fo
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May 24, 2010
Sara
rated it:
The positive: Still funny, still unusual, still pro-female and anti-stereotyping. A lot of unexpected change.
The negative: Ehhh. I didn't really care that much for the beginning, which was slow and nothing like the beginning of the first book. Mendenwhatsit took a while to grow on me, and Cimorene seemed less important at first glance -- these both improved as the book went on.
The summary: Not quite as good as the first one, but better than a lot of its contemporaries. A More...
The negative: Ehhh. I didn't really care that much for the beginning, which was slow and nothing like the beginning of the first book. Mendenwhatsit took a while to grow on me, and Cimorene seemed less important at first glance -- these both improved as the book went on.
The summary: Not quite as good as the first one, but better than a lot of its contemporaries. A More...
Jan 05, 2012
Debra
rated it:
I did like this book. Funny, clever sequel. I did feel it started well, meandered around and lost itself in the middle, and then ended strong. Witty moments, a few. I liked both Willin and the gargoyle. Too much repeated from first book, though, like the uncle who relies on an old joke too often, rather than risking something new. I also have a feeling that Wrede is one of those women who has too many cats...
But I digress. I did like, but not love, the book.
Dealing with Drag More...
But I digress. I did like, but not love, the book.
Dealing with Drag More...
Aug 02, 2010
Holly
rated it:
I really liked this one. For some reason--and I haven't been able to figure out what it is--Mendanbar was such a more enjoyable character than Cimorene when it came to point of view. Again, I'm not sure what it was, but it probably had something to do with what made him the way he is--as in, his personality. Aside from Mendanbar, I really liked Telemain. He was so funny--and not always intentionally on his part.
May 17, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
The Society of Wizards are at it again. This time trying to start a war between the King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendanbar, and the King of the Dragons, Kazul. However, Cimorene, Kazul's princess senses something is wrong when Kazul disappears and sets out on a quest with Mendandar to find her.
This is very different than the first book but I really enjoyed it. Same writing style of course just that book one focused on the dragons and this one focused on the enchanted forest. A More...
This is very different than the first book but I really enjoyed it. Same writing style of course just that book one focused on the dragons and this one focused on the enchanted forest. A More...
Mar 21, 2011
Talitha
rated it:
It was okay. I don't think the plot of the 'bad guys' was very clear. (I'm trying not to include spoilers.) The book explained one of the things they were doing, but not the other. I also do not think it is reasonable for two logical people (or not silly people, since every other princess, knight, and prince is described as silly) to be ready to commit to marriage after so short of a time.
Jan 24, 2011
Stella
rated it:
Really, the only complaint I have is with the romance. I love both Cimorene and Mendanbar, and I adore the two of them together, but throughout the book it seemed more like Mendanbar was just beginning to feel a crush, and it felt like courtship would've been more fitting in the third book. Other than that this book was just as good as the last one and I can't wait to read the next!
Jan 17, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Mandebar, King of the Enchanted Forest, takes a walk to escape his steward and talk of marriage. Princesses are silly, boring, useless creatures. His walk is interupted when he finds a burned patch of forest. He seeks out the King of the Dragons, but meets her princess instead. Cimorene is not like any princess he has ever met, and between the two of the they may yet save the day.
Aug 19, 2009
Melanie
rated it:
This book isn't as original as the first, but I like Mendenbar's point of view. I love his descriptions of how he uses magic, and I still apply some of those descriptions to my everyday life (yes, that's weird. But it works.). I like that Mendenbar is a little bit awkward around Cimorene, and sometimes clueless. But he's such a great guy that it makes up for all of that.
Feb 04, 2009
Ali
rated it:
This book was really kind of a love story. It is about a princess, named Cimorene. She is trying to find her friend, Kazul, The King of Dragons. While she is searching she meets the King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendenbar who agrees to help her on her quest to find Kazul. On their way they encounter unlikely friends and enemies. There is also a little romance...
Feb 05, 2009
Diana
rated it:
Liked the way that Wrede makes Mendanbar in this book just as non-traditional as Cimorene is. It's also quite charming that Wrede gives us not quite perfect magical accoutrements - very much in keeping with the overall tone, and the happy ending in this one is appropriately done as well. Enjoyable, although I liked the first in the series much more.
