Review: Dragon Slippers - Jessica Day George

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Series: Dragon Slippers #1

Genre: Middle Grade, fantasy

Published on March 20, 2007

Published by Bloomsbury

Pages: 324

Read From: 2.24.12 - 2.25.12

SYNOPSIS

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 a knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it's Creel who talks her out of the dragon's clutches. And it's Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king's city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession.

But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom. . . .or destroy it.

Review

As always, Jessica Day George has created an absolute triumph; a story filled with a perfect balance of humor, seriousness, and magic. While the plot-twist is predictable enough, it's still a good story. Creel is yet another strong heroine that this Author seems so apt at creating. She's an excellent narrator, pushes through any obstacles that get in the way of her goals, and she doesn't at all put up with people treating her like dirt. If there are a few characters in this book the Reader dearly wishes would be put in their proper place (and there are some) - well, have no fears, because Creel does it. And it's unbelievably satisfying.

But probably my most favorite aspect were the dragons. Jessica Day George does a splendid job of giving each and every dragon we meet unique personalities, and I loved how she gave each dragon a different object that they loved to collect. For one dragon it's shoes, for another tapestries. Still others collect windows or dogs or books. The legend of dragons having hoards of gold is just that in Creel's world: a legend. It makes the dragons all that more endearing, which then causes the Reader to completely understand and sympathize with Creel and the dragons.

And then the Author did the perfect choice: she does not present us with a "happily-ever-after" ending, but a very bittersweet one, which worked so perfectly that I almost went ahead and gave this book five stars. So many fairy-tale-like stories end all happy with not a shred of sadness to it. But trust me: you'll cry at the end of this one, and will then be clammering for its sequel. Well done, Jessica Day George!

Others in This Trilogy:

1)Dragon Slippers

2)Dragon Flight

3)Dragon Spear