I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons

I realised early on that I was just tapping the screen but not really... reading it. I tried to push ahead and eventually just decided to stop reading. For me it was the way this was written – I just wasn't vibing with the writing style. I think if this were a movie I would like it. Then I wouldn't be bothered by the writing/narration style, plus I think the book idea would carry on over to a movie very easily.

I think that was the biggest reason for not carrying on. Writing style is a big part of a book for me so if I don't like it early on, it's very difficult for me to read further and enjoy. I didn't really have much to say about the characters because to me they didn't really show their personalities all so much and I was about 30% in.

I absolutely loved this book. It feels like a fantasy book I would have read growing up, but it fits in current times. The author, Peter S. Beagle, takes classic troupes and updates them in ways that I didn't know I was looking for but was so glad I found while reading this book. The story has dragons, princes, princesses, kings, queens, villains, reluctant heroes, supporting characters, battles, adventure, and a hero's journey quest story. Still, it never felt like a story I had read before. As I got deeper and deeper into the book, I was compelled to keep reading in hopes the tale would end in the way I wanted it to, and for me, it did! After the halfway point, I just couldn't put it down. I also want to note the book has a gorgeous cover painted by the husband and wife team of Annie Stegg-Gerard and Justin Gerard. It's a fantastic cover for a magical book. Highly recommended for fairy tale and fantasy readers. Now, I need to read The Last Unicorn this year and explore more of Mr. Beagle's previous works.

A very fun read and feels like some proper Beagle, even if it's probably at his most generic. But hey– you have a poor boy plucked out of his existence to be in the service of a king on a mission related to missions. It's fantasy christmas and it almost feels like I'm discovering McKillip again. It's a great comfort read, is what I'm saying, and I was very fond of the characters.

The humor and romance seems aimed at a young audience, but the tone of the story is jaded and pessimistic, and overall morose.  Although, it does have a Happy Ending™.

Huge thanks to Saga Press for the physical arc! Getting to be a part of their program is fantastic and I can’t wait to get into more books.

This is a fun mix of classical feeling fantasy, with notes of historical, epic, and even high fantasies. The younger cast has something fun and almost middle grade to it, while the action itself definitely reads as adult. It also packs all the necessary beats to be its own fairytale, with dragons, wizards, love triangles, happy endings, et al.

The King and Queen of Bellemontagne are receiving princes left and right, all in pursuit of their daughter, Princess Cerise’s, hand in marriage. Meanwhile, Robert, the kingdom’s dragon exterminator, clears out the walls of the castle to ensure it’s at its best for the arrival of a certain prince. Robert hates his job, believing that dragons are more than the vermin they are considered to be. Prince Reginald is a coward, always wanting less than his station as Prince. His father, King Krije, is a powerful and imposing figure, wanting his son to prove his worth to the realm. Fate intertwines the three, drawing them in and forcing their hands as they seek to protect their desires and each other.

Robert proves to be quite the main character. He is brave and carries strong morals. He is heroic and sacrifices, all while not wanting to be the hero. He is in essence, an iteration of the farm boy meant for so much more, and his power is required for the survival and betterment of others.

The action is at points dark, with dragon fire leaving only the bleakest hope of survival. However, when the wizard Dahr gets officially involved, I found some of the final bits to be a bit confusing, and if not confusing, just less enjoyable. Still a worthy read by all means, just some further clarity on those beats would have heightened it all!

I love The Last Unicorn, although it's been years since I have actually read that. I also love the movie adaptation and have seen that many, many times. When I was invited to read an early copy of I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons, I jumped at the chance. I am glad I did, as this was an absolutely fun and charming read.

Some of the aspects in this one are on the darker side, and I enjoyed that part of it. The characters are wonderful, the writing is engaging, and the story is fun. This gave me The Princess Bride feels which was an added bonus.

I am so very thankful to Lavender Public Relations, and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I know very little about Peter S. Beagle (if I ever read the classic [b:The Last Unicorn 29127 The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1) Peter S. Beagle https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524764327l/29127.SY75.jpg 902304], it was decades ag0), and the title of his latest book led me to believe that it was going to be a light-hearted story. Nope. While there is definitely humor to be found, especially in the scenes with the well-intentioned but totally useless Crown Prince Reginald, the plot goes to some very dark, disturbing places. Those cute baby dragons that our hero Robert keeps as pets? The ones that should get their own Disney movie? It's his job to exterminate or capture scores of their bigger kinfolk. Those who aren't killed go to the marketplace to meet a grisly fate that I wish I could forget. But once I adjusted my expectations, I became engrossed in the deceptively simple plot and enchanted by the trope-turned-on-its-head characters (even Reginald). Within a fairy tale framework, issues of responsibility, expectations, heroism, and love are deftly explored. While there are no cliffhangers, the answer to “what's next?” for our MCs, given the dramatic changes in their lives, is wide open. Considering the author's octogenarian status, and the fact that this book was in publishing limbo for almost 20 years, we may never be blessed with an official sequel. But maybe it's better that way. I know Robert, Cerise, Reginald, Ostvald and Elfrieda well enough now that I can give my imagination free rein to craft their next adventures. (Yes, I know that's why god invented fanfic, but I'd rather let the characters live rent-free in my brain.) I'm open to recommendations about where to begin my journey into Beagle's backlist!