3.5 stars.

I listened to the audiobook and was truly impressed by the excellent narration. However, I now have a strong desire to obtain the physical book.

I firmly believe that by having the actual book in my hands and being able to really savor the witty, fun, satirical, and whimsical prose, my enjoyment of it would be even greater.

It really gives off the same vibes as The Princess Bride.

If you are on the lookout for a lighthearted and enjoyable read, then this book is definitely a great choice.

It has the potential to transport you into a world filled with humor, charm, and unexpected twists.

Whether you prefer to listen to audiobooks or read the physical copy, this book is sure to provide you with a delightful experience.

So, don't hesitate to give it a try and see for yourself why it has received such positive reviews.

What a fun time it was!

I had expected it to possess the same whimsy as The Last Unicorn, and indeed it did. However, it had a darker undertone, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

It felt like a classic adventure tale that one would have read as a child, of a reluctant hero pitted against a fearsome dragon.

Robert was an excellent main character. He had this unique relationship with dragons, the reasoning behind which I found extremely interesting.

I liked the dynamic between him and the secondary characters, especially Princess Cerise. I felt that all of them had achieved satisfying growth by the end.

Some moments of the pacing seemed a bit rushed, but aside from that, I truly enjoyed the story.

The ending is also left somewhat open, which makes me look forward to seeing if there will be another book in the series.

I can't wait to find out what adventures await Robert and his companions in the future.

Overall, it was a great read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure novels.

Why even bother writing a review, or reading one? It's a book by Peter S. Beagle; what else do you need to know?

Well, there are actually several important aspects to consider. One crucial thing is that the title might give you the impression that it's a comedy. While there is indeed humor within the pages, be cautious.

The story also delves into various preoccupations. It explores courage, the longing for a decent life without the need for heroism, responsibility, the experience of doing work that you despise and that is slowly destroying your soul. It examines the different forms of paternal love, including a type that manifests in both cruelty and unwavering self-sacrifice. It touches on romantic infatuation and the kind of love that blossoms with intimacy, respect, and the ability to endure great trials together. Oh, and of course, power - what do you become when you discover that you possess it? (Or do you even possess it?)

I have only one minor quibble. Robert is just the tiniest bit slow in realizing the existence of his special relationship with dragons. (This is hardly a spoiler, I assure you.) So, all in all, I'd give it 4.75 stars. But seriously, it's Peter S. Beagle.

Thanks to Saga Press and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

Rating: 3.5 stars

This is an utterly charming, old-fashioned-style fantasy novel with dragons.

Interestingly, I don't think I've ever come across a dragon exterminator before, as opposed to the generic dragon slayer.

The story has its share of darkness, along with some humour and a cast of interesting characters. There are also some that are rather boring and irritating.

And there's a suitable comedic villainous villain. It's not so dark or complex that it would be unsuitable for younger readers.

However, I found the plot to be a bit messy and the story unevenly paced.

The editorial beast seems to be more obscure than the King dragon in this novel.

Still, the book did provide an afternoon's amusement, so it wasn't all bad.

Plus, I really love the cover.

I suspect that I probably would have loved this book more as a teenager.

Overall, it's a decent read with its own unique charm and flaws.

It wasn't what I expected.

There were certain parts that I simply couldn't wait to be done with or wanted to rush through.

However, it was detailed enough for me to vividly paint a picture in my mind.

Yet, I do sincerely wish there had been more content.

The plot was quite good, but it seemed to deviate from the main track a few times.

Overall, it was a pretty good book.

It had its flaws, but also had enough redeeming qualities to keep me engaged.

I found myself turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next, despite the occasional moments of impatience.

Perhaps with a bit more development in certain areas, it could have been an even better read.

Nonetheless, I would still recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

Absolutely delightful.

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. It describes something that brings great joy and pleasure.

It could be a beautiful piece of art that catches your eye and makes your heart skip a beat. Or perhaps it's a delicious meal that satisfies your taste buds and leaves you craving more.

Maybe it's a wonderful moment spent with loved ones, filled with laughter and warmth.

When something is absolutely delightful, it has the power to brighten our day and make us forget about our troubles.

It makes us feel alive and grateful for the good things in life.

We should all strive to find more of these delightful things and cherish them.

Whether it's a small moment of beauty or a grand experience, they all add up to make our lives more fulfilling and meaningful.

So, keep your eyes open and your heart receptive, and you'll be sure to discover many more absolutely delightful things along the way.

The writing in this piece was truly excellent. The author's command of the language was evident, with beautiful prose and vivid descriptions that painted a clear picture in the reader's mind.

However, the plot left something to be desired. It felt rushed, as if the author was trying to cram too much into a short space. This made it difficult for the reader to fully engage with the story and understand the characters' motivations.

Furthermore, the plot was a little convoluted. There were too many twists and turns, and some of them felt forced and unnecessary. This made the story seem more confusing than it needed to be.

Overall, while the writing was top-notch, the plot needed more development and refinement. With a little more time and effort, this could have been a truly great piece of work.

I truly adored this somewhat more mature rendition of the fairytale/epic fantasy genre that doesn't veer too far into adult territory.

It is an absolute gem for middle grade and YA readers, and I, as an adult, found great enjoyment in it as well.

The narrative is predominantly presented from the viewpoints of Robert and Princess Cerise, but it also delves into several other secondary perspectives, which serve to enhance and enrich the overall tale.

I was captivated by the original and refreshing take on dragons and princesses within this exciting adventure story, complete with both heroic characters and formidable foes.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all fans of adventure and fantasy.

A huge thank you goes out to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing me with the advanced ebook.

This allowed me to embark on this wonderful literary journey and share my thoughts with others.

dnf @ 13%

Reading a boring book when you’re in a reading slump can feel like a truly dreadful experience. It's as if you've been cursed by an evil witch. The words on the page seem to blend together, lacking any charm or excitement. You find yourself constantly fighting the urge to put the book down and do something else. Each page turn feels like a chore, and you wonder why you even bothered to pick up the book in the first place. It's a frustrating and demoralizing situation that can make you question your love for reading. However, it's important to remember that every reading experience is different, and just because one book is boring doesn't mean they all will be. Sometimes, all it takes is finding the right book to break out of a reading slump and fall back in love with the magic of words.

Maybe it's 4.5 stars and perhaps the first half isn't as astonishing as you might expect a Peter S. Beagle book to be.

However, I truly adored this book. The second half was even better.

And for me, it's a 5-star book. I'm overjoyed that I had the opportunity to read it.

I would most definitely recommend it. All I can say is that it gets better as you progress through it.

The story gradually unfolds, revealing its depth and charm.

The characters come alive on the pages, drawing you into their world.

Even though the beginning might not grab you immediately, it sets the stage for what's to come.

As you continue reading, you'll find yourself more and more immersed in the narrative.

So, don't be deterred by the initial impression. Give this book a chance, and you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Rating: Meh/Alright, 2/2.5 stars

This book was truly a wild ride when it came to my enjoyment and thoughts.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons initially seemed like a book I would absolutely adore. It's a light-hearted and rather whimsical fantasy adventure, much like the classic Princess Bride. In the beginning, I was really enjoying the setup. We follow Robert, a dragon exterminator who loathes his job and dreams of doing something else entirely. Then there's Cerise, a beautiful princess entertaining a large number of princes vying for her hand, none of whom are particularly interesting. And finally, there's Reginald, a handsome prince who isn't very good at being a prince.

The writing style has a certain tongue-in-cheek humor that I thought was very fitting for the story at the start. However, as the story progressed, it seemed to lose its way. What was initially mildly amusing started to annoy me. This gradual decrease in my enjoyment is my biggest gripe with this story overall, whether it's the humor, the characters, or the plot.

The story that was set up in the beginning was charming and fun, but the plot became rather needlessly convoluted and lost its thread. I didn't feel like there were any significant themes or a coherent story being told. The characters didn't seem to grow, and by the end, it felt like nothing had really been accomplished. The characters were flat, and despite being less than 300 pages, the story moved very slowly. I breezed through the first half, but then I started to lose interest and motivation, constantly wondering how much was left. I pushed through hoping it would recapture the charming whimsy of the beginning, but unfortunately, I never found it again.

I would say that the book started out in 4-star territory but ended up in the 1.5 - 2-star range. Rating this was a difficult task. I think if the humor had really worked for me from the start, I could have enjoyed this as a fun palate cleanser. But as it stands, I can't really recommend this one.

This is an extremely cozy light fantasy novel penned by an octogenarian author, Peter S. Beagle (born 1939!). Decades ago, in 1968, he published his poetic fantasy, The Last Unicorn. Initially, it wasn't a huge success, but over the years, it gathered a significant following. This is his most recent novel, released in 2024. I can only envy his remarkable productivity.

The story commences in what appears to be a typical European medieval fantasy world. Here, even the names have clear Roman origins, like that of one of the main characters - Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus, although he prefers to be called just Robert. He is a dragon-exterminator, following in the footsteps of his father. However, this isn't a noble profession. Quite the contrary, as most dragons here are small pests, he is looked down upon, much like rat catchers. Meanwhile, at the royal castle, princess Cerise is going about her daily routine of being presented with numerous potential suitors, none of whom she cares about. That is until she meets the true prince charming, Crown Prince Reginald, the sole heir to the Kingdom of Corvinia. She almost melts at the sight of him, but he doesn't care about her. For he has come on a quest to perform a heroic deed before facing his father, who views him as a weakling. Robert is first asked to clean up the castle from tiny dragons, and then the three of them (along with a whole army of followers) set off to find and kill an impressive enough dragon. But this won't be as easy as it seems.

What sets this story apart is its lightness and even its mocking of formal hierarchy and other rules, as can be seen in the following excerpt. The king himself is sent by his wife and daughter to bring the dragon-exterminator to the castle (a despised profession with low status): When King Antoine knocked on the door, all the family but Robert were seated for dinner, passing a steaming tureen of Odelette's three-mushroom soup around the table. Odelette rose to answer. “Your Majesty!” she cried out on sight of him, feigning surprise. “You honor our dwelling, lord. Command us as you choose.” With that she sank into the grand curtsy of a proper court lady, just as if she practiced the move daily—which indeed she often had, when no one was looking. In homespun it should have looked silly, but sincerity has a way of trumping circumstance, and where royalty was concerned, Odelette Thrax had always been a true devotee. King Antoine was instantly and thoroughly charmed. “My dear woman, please rise. You are far too gracious to intruders. We needn't stand on ceremony, not when I come to your home without any warning. Please.” Glancing past the King as she rose slowly to her feet, stretching out the moment, Odelette saw the four princes waiting behind him in the yard. They sat firmly in their saddles, making no move to dismount, and were clearly unhappy to be there. Light from the doorway played across their mud-spattered finery and coats of arms. The rich caparisons on two of the horses were ripped and dragging on the ground, as were the pearl-decorated left-side leggings of the sourest-looking prince.

This is an escapist tale at its best! It offers a delightful escape into a world filled with humor, adventure, and a touch of magic.