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Dragon Slippers (Dragon Slippers #1)

by Jessica Day George (Goodreads Author)

4.21 · rating details · 5,499 ratings · 1,174 reviews

Many stories tell of damsels in distress, who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor, and swept off to live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories.

True, when Creel's aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that the knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt ...more

Hardcover, 324 pages

Published March 20th 2007 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

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May 19, 2010

Cara rated it

Recommended to Cara by: Valerie

Shelves: 2010, fantasy, series

This book reminded me of when I had my fantasy phase. All I would read was fantasy (I know better now) but I would have gobble this up then just like I did now.

Creel is a poor girl from Carlieff, she has lost her mother and father and is now living with her aunt. Her aunt has the genuis idea to send Creel to purposely get taken by a dragon, so that a charming prince will rescue and of course marry her. Through that marriage the whole family would benefit and no more be scraping to ...more

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Apr 02, 2010

Valerie rated it

Recommends it for: Those who liked Dealing with Dragons, Ella Enchanted, Fortunes Folly

Shelves: fantasy

I've been putting this book off for a while now. My only excuse is that I got caught up in rereading older favorites and newly released books. I kind of had this great picture in my mind of how this book would be. As per usual it was different than I thought and as per usual it was in a good way.

Hating to be a burden and hoping for a new and better life Creel reluctantly agrees to go with her Aunt's crazy plan to be captured by a dragon. Her Aunt hopes to get a wealthy knight/prince...more

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May 01, 2008

Cassie rated it

Shelves: ya-fantasy, bookwyrm_chrysalis_reviews

This was one of those books that completely surprised me. I thought I had an idea of what the book was going to be about because the initial premise is “Girl’s family is poor, aunt decides giving her to a dragon to be rescued will improve their life immensely,” and that premise reminds me a great deal of Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. So I was expecting a humorous fantasy tale filled with wacky adventures. Instead, I got a somewhat humorous political story with a strong female heroine w...moreThis was one of those books that completely surprised me. I thought I had an idea of what the book was going to be about because the initial premise is “Girl’s family is poor, aunt decides giving her to a dragon to be rescued will improve their life immensely,” and that premise reminds me a great deal of Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. So I was expecting a humorous fantasy tale filled with wacky adventures. Instead, I got a somewhat humorous political story with a strong female heroine whose strength isn’t in fighting, but is a good planner and willing to do what she must to save her friends.

I hesitated to read this book for some time, because the premise reminded me of Wrede’s books, which I love, and I was afraid that the book would be one of those situations where I’m reading it, wondering why I’m not reading the other book. Part of this is the cover. The cover is rather cartoony and doesn’t really fit with the book. It elicits a lot more feelings of adventure than the book actually contains. Really, this is a political intrigue book, where the main character just happens to fall into events because she makes friends with a prince and a few dragons.

One element I really loved was how strong a character Creel was without having to fit into a “girl becomes a warrior” model. It’s always nice to see well-written fantasy girls who can be strong and still have a traditionally feminine job. Creel meets her challenges with inner courage and dignity, from befriending dragons to taking on a nasty co-worker. She doesn’t want to be involved with the fate of her country, but she’ll do what she has to to protect her friends.

Another great element of the book is the use of dragons as characters. The author fleshed out human/dragon relations nicely as well as gave some reality to the dragon myths. This world is the type where it was always your neighbor’s grandpa’s uncle who saw the dragon, not actually someone you know. I love how the dragons collected different things, like how one collected stained glass windows and another collected dogs. These little touches bring the dragons to life outside of standard dragon mythology.

Happily the author has said she’s written a sequel to this book. While the end of Dragon Slippers is satisfactory, there is definitely room for a sequel.

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Mar 08, 2008

Heather rated it

Recommends it for: All my friends--and all lovers of YA fantasy

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

Bravo! I have to confess, as much as I try to keep my tastes liberal (I read classics, memoirs, fiction and non-fiction), this is really my favorite kind of book. I'm proud to be your goodreads friend, Jessica--this book was pure fun! I especially liked the subtle reference to Goose Girl, another of my favorite reads.

This book is the rags-to-riches, up-by-her-bootstraps story of a plucky, talented girl who happens to run into dragons a lot. I loved the characters and the humor. ...more

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Dec 21, 2008

Lynn rated it

When the family farm is in peril of foreclosure, Creel's aunt decides that Creel should visit the dragon on the hill in order to be saved by a knight who will also rescue the family's fortunes. Creel rolls her eyes but finds herself throwing rocks at the cave entrance anyway, never seriously expecting to see a dragon. But a dragon is there, even if he is old and tired and collects shoes instead of gold. He gifts Creel with a pair of shoes of her choice and Creel, after choosing a beautiful pa...more

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Sep 23, 2008

Mika rated it

So, here’s the thing: I have a list of all the books I mean to read, and I add to it whenever I hear of an interesting-sounding book. That means I have no idea where or how I heard of most of them, except the classics. Then again, maybe that’s an advantage, because I have no preconceived notions about “This book is recommended for people who like Harry Potter” or “Someone at church recommended this” or “Here’s a bestseller.” I hate preconceived notions about books and movies. I hate reading revi...moreSo, here’s the thing: I have a list of all the books I mean to read, and I add to it whenever I hear of an interesting-sounding book. That means I have no idea where or how I heard of most of them, except the classics. Then again, maybe that’s an advantage, because I have no preconceived notions about “This book is recommended for people who like Harry Potter” or “Someone at church recommended this” or “Here’s a bestseller.” I hate preconceived notions about books and movies. I hate reading reviews.

Anyway, this is all leading up to something. I do remember that I saw the first few sentences of Dragon Slippers somewhere online, and they were hi-larious. I added it to my hold list at the library and it was ready to check out last week. I grabbed it to read to the Romgi on the way up to dinner at his parents’ house on Saturday, and then secretly (and maybe a little bit rudely) bundled up in my blankets to finish it alone later that night. (I am great at Silent Sustained Reading, but my voice wears out quickly and reading aloud is just so slow.)

Dragon Slippers was so much fun. I have only two complaints: first, the main character had an utterly ridiculous name — Creelisel. She went by Creel, which alone is just odd, but I like to be able to at least attempt pronouncing the protagonist’s name correctly. How do you say Creelisel? Cree-uhl-ih-zell? Honestly, it’s just ridiculous. My second complaint, as seconded by the Romgi (who finished it on his own yesterday), is that it got a little bit too girly in the middle. Other than that, the story was interesting, funny, and unexpected in the proper places.

And here’s what I was leading up to: after I was done reading, I looked at the back cover and saw that the author, Jessica Day George, attended BYU and now lives in Salt Lake. I’m glad I didn’t know that before, because it would have completely colored my reading of the book as a book written by a Mormon. I’d much rather enjoy the writing for itself than because I happen to share the author’s religion.

So. Now that I’ve spoiled that biographical detail for you, go read Dragon Slippers.

Oh, a third complaint — the cover is really ugly.(less)

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Aug 10, 2008

Waffle...♥ rated it

Shelves: suspense, romance, friendship, fantasy, summer-reading

I'm sorry to say this book was not as good as I expected. I was about to give it 2 stars until I reached the final few chapters that got me me sitting up in my chair with wide eyes trying to absorb the story as quickly as possible to satisfy my curiosity. I find that this novel has a great plot... but the characters personality and actions are most debatable.

Creel, the heroine main character, is very intelligent as proven many times in the story. She outwitted wise dragons that have...more

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Oct 21, 2007

Hollie rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

ith no loving family, no friends, and a fate that includes being sacrificed to a fierce dragon in place of a dowry, Creel is down on her luck from the get-go. Although the existence of a true dragon is a myth, Creel soon meets the very real large, shimmering dragon and strikes a deal with him to ensure her freedom. As she leaves the dragon’s lair and sets off to seek her fortune in the city as a seamstress, she carries a beautiful gift from the dragon, a pair of shiny slippers.

When ...more

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Feb 23, 2008

Sabine rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

I had the opportunity to meet Dragon Slippers author Jessica Day George at the LTUE conference this past month. She was completely delightful and tons of fun, and her book was as great as she was. It is the story of a young girl named Creel who is given to a dragon when her family can no longer support her. I was enchanted from the first line on which reads: It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon.
From that moment on I knew I had a winning book in my hands. Creel is a great he...more

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Apr 02, 2008

Allanna rated it

Recommended to Allanna by: Shannon Hale

I expected this to be rather like any other of the dragon books I've read before ... You know: child meets dragon, becomes friends, they fly around, maybe meet some people, blah, blah, blah ...

This is a little different. There's a little resemblance to Shannon Hale's "Goose Girl" books in the flavor.

A purpose-driven and capable heroine who deals with her problems in a very matter-of-fact way. Who accepts her responsibilities ... who knows how to use her talents...more

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Mar 09, 2011

Reading Vacation's Mom rated it

REVIEW

This book gives a whole new meaning to the word “dragons.” In this book the dragons actually interact with humans and have their own personalities. These dragons also have collections. One of them collects DOGS. Can you picture that?

I really liked Creel as the main character. She was spunky and didn’t sit and wait for fate to take its course. Another thing I liked was the budding relationship between Creel and the prince. I saw love in the air with those two! The setting was amazi...more

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Jan 28, 2012

Sara rated it

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George stars Creel who finds herself with a pair of very special slippers after meeting a dragon. When Creel's Aunt comes up with a scheme to marry off Creel by giving her to a dragon so she will have to be rescued Creel instead makes a bargain with the dragon. She agrees to leave if the Dragon will give her part of his treasure so she can move to the city and find work as a seamstress. The dragons treasure turns out to be a huge pile of shoes and the strange sh...more

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Dec 26, 2011

Laura rated it

Shelves: 2011, children-s, fantasy

I really enjoyed Dragon Slippers and Creel's adventures with dragons and life in a new city. Creel meets a dragon, makes a deal, and ends up with a pair of beautiful slippers. She travels to the capital city and along the way, meets a wonderful dragon named Shardas. Life in the capital city is new and strange, and Creel's quick mouth and country ways get her in trouble. There is, of course, much more to the story, but everything ends well and the story surrounding the dragons is revealed to ...more

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Jun 20, 2011

Sarah Rosenberger rated it

Recommends it for: Dragon Lovers, Fantasy Lovers, Romance Lovers

Shelves: youngadult, romance, fantasy

Not everyone can twist classical fairytale plots around and make a good book, this book is one of the few exceptions. I read this book for the Sunshine State Young Readers competition at my school, and immidiately fell in love. Each year I have to doubt that I will find any good books in the list, yet I always end the year finding somthing good.

Creel's life seems to fall apart, but in all reality it falls together. I fell in love with her character instantly. She had things that ma...more

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Jun 11, 2011

Christa Zubic rated it

Of course, a marvelous confection from Jessica Day George.

Fun, engrossing, interesting, and with a touch of romance, this book really had it all.

Seeing that the publishing date was 2007, I actually didn't come across this author until January 2011. A friend, a particularly avid reader, read "Princess of the Midnight Ball", loved it, and gave it to me to read. I loved that book, too, and finished it very quickly. After reading it, I discovered the sequel, "...moreOf course, a marvelous confection from Jessica Day George.

Fun, engrossing, interesting, and with a touch of romance, this book really had it all.

Seeing that the publishing date was 2007, I actually didn't come across this author until January 2011. A friend, a particularly avid reader, read "Princess of the Midnight Ball", loved it, and gave it to me to read. I loved that book, too, and finished it very quickly. After reading it, I discovered the sequel, "Princess of Glass" and devoured that as well (Does anyone know if there are plans for a third? Thanks!). I had great respect for George's perfect brand of storytelling. I looked up George on Goodreads and saw that she had other books. However, I was apprehensive towards reading another one of her books, because I was afraid they wouldn't live up to the standards of her great princess books. I was truly wrong on that count, because I think I liked the fact that "Dragon Slippers" was a complete original story, unlike the two "Princess" books (though I still love those!).

So, here's the basic story: A poor orphan, Creel, lives with her silly aunt and uncle (not to mention her minor but kind-sounding brother, Hagen). Her aunt proposes that because they are so poor, and Creel isn't really that great for helping around the farm, she sends her to the dragon of their town who was previously rumored, Theodarus. Creel talks her way out of staying there, and gains of pair of beautiful slippers. Her dream is to open up a dress shop in the King's Seat, a city that houses the palace. Through a twist of fate she meets another dragon on the way to the King's Seat. After befriending him, she makes her way to the city and finds work there. From here on out, we encounter a prince that fancies Creel, a bratty princess that hates Creel, and many people who love Creel's work. We discover that these slippers are significant (hence the title), experience a war, and the whole thing ties up with a convenient cliff hanger.

This was a book that left me constantly drawn to it. I would agree with some of the other reviews on the book about the cover: it doesn't fit the book AT ALL. Personally, I think that it should just picture Creel or just the slippers.

Anyway, past my prejudices against the cover, this is truly a great book and I am going to read the second and third as soon as I can! This is a great book for people of all ages to enjoy. Boys and girls alike would enjoy this book because it has very interesting elements and doesn't have gooey romantic plot lines (but still a bit!!). (less)

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Feb 18, 2011

Heidi rated it

After being sent by her aunt to a dragon's cave to wait for the local squire's son to rescue her, Creel decides that it is time for her to set out on her own. She makes a bargain with the dragon. If he will let her take something from his treasure, she will get rid of the knight that the dragon doesn't want to fight. To her surprise, she discovers the dragon's treasure consists of shoes, but after choosing a beautiful pair of blue slippers, Creel keeps her bargain.

She sends the...more

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Feb 04, 2011

Yearning To Read rated it

Shelves: children-s, fantasy, young-adult

Creel doesn’t know what to expect when her nice but greedy aunt sends her to the dragon’s cave to get rescued by a rich count – or prince, for that matter – and be swept away. Her aunt’s hope is that Creel will end up with enough riches to support her and the rest of her extended family for a lifetime. Creel, however, manages to bargain with her dragon captor and even manages to win a pair of blue slippers from the dragon’s lair. However, these slippers have more to do with dragons that she coul...moreCreel doesn’t know what to expect when her nice but greedy aunt sends her to the dragon’s cave to get rescued by a rich count – or prince, for that matter – and be swept away. Her aunt’s hope is that Creel will end up with enough riches to support her and the rest of her extended family for a lifetime. Creel, however, manages to bargain with her dragon captor and even manages to win a pair of blue slippers from the dragon’s lair. However, these slippers have more to do with dragons that she could ever imagine, and Creel is suddenly caught up in a whirlwind of adventures involving dragons (of course), princes, dress-makers, spoiled princesses, and angry kings. It is up to her and the power in her dragon slippers to stop the evil forces at work.

I really enjoyed this book; it flowed (mostly), it was sweet and clean, and it made me laugh. Creel’s character was vibrant and spunky; the whole story she has a lot on her plate and she handles everything quite nicely. She finds herself battling a mean seamstress and falling in love with a handsome prince, all the while trying to save her friend dragon and his people. I was very happy with Dragon Slippers and the unique writing style that is Creel’s voice. I thought George’s use of Creel’s one-of-a-kind talent with embroidery was also very one-of-a-kind; much of the story was built around a very entertaining group of seamstresses. The one downer of this story is the very beginning: while the rest of the book has depth and meaning, the beginning is a filler. While you’re reading it, it doesn’t really feel like there’s a point to why Creel is heading up the mountain to face her doom. In fact, it feels stupid. I put this book down once before because I wasn’t sure if I’d stay interested. I’m glad I picked it up again, but keep that in mind when it’s your turn.

Side note: Dragon Flight, Creel’s next adventure, was a major disappointment. Dragon Slippers ends with enough closure to allow you to leave off reading the rest. If this book sounds just too interesting to not read, go ahead and give it a try. It was wonderful and I enjoyed every last word. However, book two (one reason above many) got really strange with the magic of the dragons. And I felt like it took a whole different path than where she was going in the first one. Also, the beginning of book two starts in a completely different place and state of mind than the first one ends. It was overall confusing and not worth my time; I rarely do this but I put the book down half-way through.

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Dec 03, 2010

Joelle rated it

What a great start to a new series. Creel and her brother are orphaned after there parents died and placed with there Aunt and Uncle. They have children of there own and a struggling to get buy. So Creels aunt proposes a plan that Creel set out to find the dragon cave and to summon the help of a knight to rescue her in turn maybe saving her family as well. But the plan goes rhy when Creel upon her time in the cave becomes friends with her Dragon and his friends instead. So decides that she will ...moreWhat a great start to a new series. Creel and her brother are orphaned after there parents died and placed with there Aunt and Uncle. They have children of there own and a struggling to get buy. So Creels aunt proposes a plan that Creel set out to find the dragon cave and to summon the help of a knight to rescue her in turn maybe saving her family as well. But the plan goes rhy when Creel upon her time in the cave becomes friends with her Dragon and his friends instead. So decides that she will not return home but travel to the Kings Kingdom and find work as a seamstress and apply her skill. But, along her way she is waylaid by bandits and rescued be a big blue dragon named Shadas and brought to safety of his cave. She learns upon her time there that he is the King of all dragons and has lost his queen and is very very lonely. They form a bond with each other and he allows Creel to stay with him working on her collection of sewing works to present to attract work in the Kings Kingdom.But Shadas is concerned for her and he is upset to. She notices that Creel is wearing a pair of blue slippers given to her from her former dragon friend that will cause problems in the future if anyone ever finds the truth behind the slippers as they are no ordinary slipper.She is escorted to the kings village upon being treated poorly and being almost arrested as there seems to be a curfew on the town. She encounters Luka who helps her find a place to lay her head and avoid being arrested.Creel finds work and is now employed and one of the shops customers his Amalia and future princess to the Kings son. She is spoiled and bratty and spies Creel slippers and demands she give them to her as she wants them.But , Creel refuses the Princess but she persists every time she enters the shop that Creel give her those slippers. Its becoming tiresome her slippers are becoming itchy and she does not what is now causing them to be that way as she has never had any problems before. But she soon learns that her slippers have gone missing and have be stolen by a fellow co-worker and given to the bratty princes. Thing in the village her in and uproar and the Dragons are behind it. She later learns the secret behind the slippers they are enchanted and anyone who is wearing them control all the dragons. She needs to enlists Lukas help to get her slippers back and end this war.But the King has now requested her help as he learns she has friends among the Dragons . Together in friendship they are on a mission to save they Kingdom. The characters were funny and lovable . Creel is my favorite though she is a fierce little protector of her dragon friends constantly worrying about them and there welfare its to funny the lengths she goes to to protect her friends.Loved it is a keeper !(less)

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Oct 25, 2010

Megan rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 09, 2010

Marcie Turner rated it

· review of another edition

I found this book by accident. I was looking up another book in my library's card catalog when the message "O results found, Did you mean ...." . Well no, I didn't mean this book, but it didn't stop me from checking it out anyway. I liked this book from the beginning. It didn't take me long to warm up to the characters. I really liked the main character Creel. She was a take charge sort of heroine taking fate into her own hands. She doesn't sit around waiting to get rescued. Creel is b...more

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Jul 11, 2010

JoLee rated it

Shelves: 2010, childrens-young-adult, lds-author

Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers is a cute fairy tale of a peasant girl with big dreams, some dragons with strange collections, and a very unusual pair of slippers.

Paige and I always like a book with a good dragon, and these dragons certainly fit the bill, although I could definitely detect the influence of Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles and Gail Carson Levine's Two Princesses of Bamarre which feature some of my favorite dragons of all time.

Good reco...more

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Jul 07, 2010

Realteenreviews rated it

Recommends it for: Dragon Lovers

Recommended to Realteenreviews by: A Dragon

Shelves: dream-catchers-list

The Gist

Creelisel Carlbrun, known as Creel, is going to be sacrificed to a dragon. Because her parents died, Creel and her brother, Hagen, live with their uncle, cousins, and crazy aunt. When their aunt becomes desperate for money, she hatches a plan to give Creel - a sixteen year old girl – to the town dragon, in hopes that a handsome (and rich) knight will save Creel, marry her, and eventually give her family some of his money. Obviously, Creel doesn’t like this plan. So instead o...moreThe Gist

Creelisel Carlbrun, known as Creel, is going to be sacrificed to a dragon. Because her parents died, Creel and her brother, Hagen, live with their uncle, cousins, and crazy aunt. When their aunt becomes desperate for money, she hatches a plan to give Creel - a sixteen year old girl – to the town dragon, in hopes that a handsome (and rich) knight will save Creel, marry her, and eventually give her family some of his money. Obviously, Creel doesn’t like this plan. So instead of playing the perfect damsel-in-distress, Creel takes matters into her own hands. She makes a deal with the dragon who’s supposed to be kidnapping her. In exchange for not killing her, and giving her a pair of shoes from his hoard (a collection of things that every dragon must have), Creel must convince people not to bother the old dragon anymore. She meets the town’s only noble on her way back from the dragon’s cave and tells him that the dragon is dead, and not to bother going up to his cave. Feeling as though she has kept her part of the deal, and not wanting to go back to the farm, Creel heads off by herself to go to the King’s Seat, her country’s capital. Her hope is to work for a dressmaker and one day opening up her own shop in the city. She never realized that her future as a dressmaker may be destroyed by the very thing that got her to the King’s Seat in the first place: the shoes she got from the dragon. She begins to realize that they were more than just a good pair of slippers. The slippers are the key to destroying her country, or saving it.

What We Think

Reviewed by Dream Catcher

I really loved this book. The writer did a good job of getting you to care about the characters. Creel is the perfect character because she’s really polite and kind, but she’s also not afraid to stand up for what’s right. I also love the writing in this book. I can’t stand messy writing, so I was glad when this book had an interesting plot and good writing. It’s a good combination. Also, this book has a lot of adventure in it, but there is also some romance, and betrayal (not necessarily having to do with the romance), and friendship. So there’s a good balance. There’s one thing that some people might not be too crazy about: the dressmaking-ness of it all. This wasn’t a problem for me, because I don’t mind reading that kind of stuff every once in a while, but some people may hate this. The fact that she wants to be a dressmaker is a major part of this book, so if you don’t think that you would like that then you may not like this book as much as I did. It wasn’t all about a girl making dresses; it was mostly about dragons, but still, if you absolutely hate dresses then you might not enjoy this book. Not to turn you off reading this book or anything. It was really good.

Real Teen Rating~ A: Go Buy Now.(less)

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Jun 25, 2010

Lady Knight rated it

Shelves: childrens, fantasy

I have always loved stories involving royalty, dragons, and the like and this book was certainly not an exception. Creel, the lovable heroine, Luka her dashing prince and the hoard of dragons involved make this a trully wonderful story.

Creel is an orphan whose aunt thinks it would be a brilliant idea to sacrifice her to a dragon so that a gallant (and rich) prince would come to rescue her, and then have to marry her. Creel isn't as keen on the idea, but agrees to go thinking that sh...more

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Jan 11, 2010

Shauna rated it

Delightful! I am rating this a full five stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, even if it may not be new or challenging or "amazing." It was, instead, a very fun surprise of a book that I picked up randomly off the library shelf (only to find now that my good reader friends Jean and Donna have already read and loved this book), and that I got caught up into (smiling all the while, I might add) right from the first sentence. I liked that it was absolutely clean ...more

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Jan 09, 2010

Sandy Lender rated it

Recommends it for: young adults, adults, fantasy fans

A quick opening gets us right into the first portion of the story. The aunt and uncle who have taken in Creelisel Carlbrun and her brother Hagen can’t afford the extra mouths and certainly can’t offer a dowry to marry off the plain and freckled young lass. Of course the most logical thing to do is offer Creel up to a nearby dragon. As luck would have it, Theoradus the brown dragon isn’t interested in eating the girl or in fighting a would-be knight or prince for her. Because he’s a dragon of hon...moreA quick opening gets us right into the first portion of the story. The aunt and uncle who have taken in Creelisel Carlbrun and her brother Hagen can’t afford the extra mouths and certainly can’t offer a dowry to marry off the plain and freckled young lass. Of course the most logical thing to do is offer Creel up to a nearby dragon. As luck would have it, Theoradus the brown dragon isn’t interested in eating the girl or in fighting a would-be knight or prince for her. Because he’s a dragon of honor, he ends up giving her a pair of fancy blue shoes and sending her on her way.

Ah. If only he had told her why those shoes were so special!

Creel then goes through a cleverly plotted story befriending dragons, learning dragon ways, bumping into friendly princes, making a living as a fine and valued seamstress, and progressing through a mild arc from “I want to be brave” to “I am now brave.” Along the way she runs into a whiny, obnoxious princess—who is a little smarter than she looks—and a bitter apprentice who ends up siding with the wrong team during the latter third of the book. I believed Creel’s good fortune upon entering the city of King’s Seat, where much of the action takes place, was the work of her magic shoes, but once the slippers’ legend was revealed, there really wasn’t an explanation for the incredible luck she had landing a posh job with influential clientele.

Despite that oddity for me, I thoroughly enjoyed being led through the plot and seeing how Creel would figure out her shoe mystery and help overthrow the crisis presented toward the end of the book. Things started to move quickly when Jessica Day George revealed treachery was afoot. The author’s clever earlier clues provide a great resource for the “good guys” to get help from some of the dragons, but I sure don’t want to give away any spoilers.

Dragon Slippers moved with a grace and easy flow that not all fantasy novels can boast. The content is clean and the violence minimal. Parents might caution impressionable minds about the odd religious ideas—the “Triune Gods” that Creel prays to don’t have names from The King James, if you catch my drift. The Dragon Slippers story is obviously a plot with devices that will captivate and please a young adult audience while probably introducing new vocabulary and complex sentence structure. Some of the names were unwieldy, but that’s half the fun of a YA novel—making up your own pronunciation for stuff. Anyone looking for a fast, fun read with personable, quirky dragons and a hard-working heroine will be pleased to pick up Dragon Slippers.

From Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."(less)

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Aug 12, 2009

Cindy rated it

Shelves: childrens-reads, young-adult-reads

Creelisel "Creel" Carlbrun, knew that her aunt was not being evil or mean when she decided to give her to the dragon. The family was very, very poor and this was the only way her aunt could see to help the family’s situation. It was the hope that a knight in shining Armor would ride to save Creel from the dragon and fall in love. Then the family would want for nothing. However, that is not how it happened. The dragon she meets, Theoradus, is not exactly what she expected either. I...more

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May 30, 2009

Barky rated it

Shelves: fantasy, gutsy-girls, dragons, young-adult-fiction, 2010-caudill-nominees, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When Creel’s folks die, she and her brother go to live with their aunt and uncle, who are terribly poor. Creel’s aunt has a brainstorm, though, that she is sure will end their financial difficulties once and for all. There’s only one catch - Creel’s got to be abducted by the local dragon and he’s rather reluctant to have her. So she makes a deal with the dragon, who really doesn’t want to have to fight the knight whose coming to rescue her. He gives her something from his treasure horde and ...moreWhen Creel’s folks die, she and her brother go to live with their aunt and uncle, who are terribly poor. Creel’s aunt has a brainstorm, though, that she is sure will end their financial difficulties once and for all. There’s only one catch - Creel’s got to be abducted by the local dragon and he’s rather reluctant to have her. So she makes a deal with the dragon, who really doesn’t want to have to fight the knight whose coming to rescue her. He gives her something from his treasure horde and in exchange she’ll lead the knight away. That’s when Creel finds out that not all dragons hoard gold; Theoradus, in fact, hoards shoes. So, instead of something she can sell to make her fortune, Creel ends up with an odd pair of blue slippers – the most comfortable slippers she’s ever owned.

The slippers end up being a most practical gift, as Creel has to travel some distance to get to the King’s Seat, where she intends to find employment as a seamstress/embroiderer. On the way, she is attacked by bandits, and in her desperation she prays to the gods to save her. Instead, another dragon, Shardas, comes to her aid. Shardas takes Creel home to his cave and allows her to stay with him while she prepares some samples of his work to take to the market. Creel and Shardas part as good friends.

Creel befriends Prince Luka on her first day in the King’s Seat. He finds her lodging and employment and soon Creel is on her way. She also manages to make a terrible enemy in Princess Amalia – the betrothed of the Crown Prince and a foreigner who is accustomed to having her way. Creel’s new embroidery patterns and designs delight the patrons of her mistress’ shop, but it is her slippers that are most interesting to the princess. Creel refuses to part with them, but another one of the shop girls sells them to Amalia behind her back. And then all hell breaks loose.

The slippers were made from the hide of the queen of the dragons and anyone who wears them may control the dragons. They were used in a past war to defeat Princess Amalia’s country’s army. Amalia recognizes the slippers as soon as she sees them, and once she possesses them, uses them to attack the King’s Seat. Naturally, her engagement is off after she lays waste to town and countryside.

Creel and another dragon friend are able to counteract the power of the slippers, however, with some collars they fashion using the notes of Shardas’ former human companion – a great alchemist. Their efforts to collar all of the dragons are much too time-consuming, and Creel is forced to move more quickly against Princess Amalia. Although Creel’s attack fails, the dragon queen – thought to be dead these many years – reappears and flies Amalia straight into the Boiling Sea (which, is not only boiling, but also poisonous), and the King’s Seat is saved. As thanks for all of her assistance, the King (eventually) sets her up in her own shop, and Prince Luka (also eventually) makes his love for her known, which is grand, because Creel loves him, too.

This was reminiscent of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia Wrede – lots of dealings with dragons! Jessica Day George has her own vision, though, and her story is unique and compelling. Creel is a feisty protagonist – motivated, self-sufficient, talented, and admirable. The dragons all have their individual personalities, and I loved the idea that they each have their own taste in hordes – why not? Amalia is thoroughly detestable, and Prince Luka is thoroughly lovable. This has a happy and satisfying ending and should please lovers of strong female character fantasy (Robin McKinley, Patricia Wrede, Tamora Piece).(less)

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Dec 26, 2010

Colleen rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: any girl who enters the shop looking for something to read, anyone who has read Wrede

Recommended to Colleen by: bookmooch

If you hate a good laugh you probably should not read this book. Luckily, I LOVE to laugh just as much as I love strong heroines and delicious dragon based fantasy stories. (Hey- this book has those things as well!) If the idea of a shoe collecting dragon makes your eyes roll then I doubt you will survive the first chapter, which is a shame. It really is a charming little book.

In the spirit of Patricia C. Wrede's "Dealing with Dragons" (which was the love of my middle schoo...more

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Jul 07, 2009

Natalie rated it

Shelves: child-lit, fantasy, fiction, middle-school, dragons, golden-jaguar-0910, rebecca-caudill-2010, middle-grade

Creel has been left to the mercy of a dragon by her aunt in the hopes that a prince will save her and the family will be showered with riches. Except that Creel's family is rather poor and keeps a farm - so why would a prince come for her? Alas, the dragon wants nothing to do with Creel but takes her into his cave anyway, where she strikes a deal that her family, especially her aunt, will not disturb the dragon any longer as long as she can have a small piece of the dragon's treasure. And so she...more

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Jul 16, 2009

Zoidberg rated it

Shelves: kids-fantasy

I read this book as part of my summer "job". As far as jobs go, this is one of the easiest I've had. What I do is read a book and then evaluate it for educational purposes, and I've had nothing but gold this summer. Dragon Slippers is the fourth of five that I have to read.

What a pleasure it as reading this book. There's a few shades of The Princess Bride in it, if you enjoyed that one. The main character is notable because she's a strong, independent character with ma...more

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Jessica Day George likes chocolate, knitting, books, travel, movies, dragons, horses, dogs, and her family. These are all things to keep in mind if you ever meet her. For instance, you could bring her chocolate to make the meeting go more smoothly. You could also talk about how adorable her children are, even if you have never seen them. You could discuss dog breeds (she has a Maltese named Pi...more

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