Peter S. Beagle's 'I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons' is a unique blend of romance, comedy, and surprisingly graphic violence.

There are numerous dragons of various sizes, colors, and types. The tiny ones inhabit the walls, while the large ones lurk outside or in caves.

Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax, or Robert as he likes to be called, follows in his father's footsteps as a dragon exterminator. However, he despises this job as he has a soft spot for the little dragonlets that live in castle walls.

The story takes an interesting turn when King Antoine of Bellemontagne requests Robert's expertise. Meanwhile, Princess Cerise is of marrying age, and many princes come to seek her hand.

Prince Reginald of Cornivia accidentally meets Cerise and they eventually become betrothed. But Reginald needs to prove his bravery by killing a big dragon, and Robert is tasked with leading an expedition.

To add to the chaos, a supposedly dead wizard is back and seeking revenge.

This book is not what one might expect from Beagle after reading 'The Last Unicorn'. It seems targeted at middle-schoolers, but with its dark themes, it's not for the faint of heart.

The author's indecision regarding the tone makes the book a bit of a mixed bag. Some scenes feel unfinished, and the action can be confusing at times. Nevertheless, it's an enjoyable read.

If I had a teenage nephew, I would happily gift this book to him.

It seems like a great choice for a young person, full of interesting stories and valuable lessons.

However, I'm an adult woman, and as I was reading, I found myself starting to skim around 70% in.

That doesn't mean the book is bad; in fact, it's quite fine.

It's just that perhaps the content didn't hold my attention as fully as it might have for a younger reader.

Maybe it's because my interests and life experiences are different from those of a teenager.

Nonetheless, I can still appreciate the effort that went into writing this book and see its potential value for the right audience.

If I knew a teenage boy who was interested in the subject matter, I would definitely recommend this book to him without hesitation.

Who knows, maybe it could have a positive impact on his life and help him grow and learn in new ways.

This was so unexpectedly fantastic lol!!

It was definitely a bit cheesy and had a fast pace, but to be honest, it truly felt like reading a fairy tale. The story was so sweet and charming.

It was kind of refreshing to be in a fantasy world where the world building wasn't overly complex. Instead, you could just suspend your disbelief and let the events unfold naturally.

It was like being transported to a magical place where anything could happen. It was a super cozy read that made you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

It's the kind of book that you can pick up when you need a break from reality and just lose yourself in a wonderful fantasy world.

Overall, it was a great find and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I'm truly sorry to say this, but I really didn't have a liking for this particular piece. I might come across as being a bit too harsh, but that's only because cozy fantasy and fairy-tale fantasy are among my absolute favorite sub-genres. Unfortunately, this one simply doesn't measure up to some of my all-time favorites.

Now, let me tell you about my issues. I'm glad you asked!

First off, the pacing. It's just incredibly slow. I don't always consider this to be a problem, especially in cutesy fantasy where you have the opportunity to build your world, establish the vibe, develop the characters, and create vivid visuals. However, the author fails to do this in a memorable and significant way. I simply didn't feel immersed in the world, even though there was ample time to achieve that. Virtually nothing happens until about 50% through the story.

Secondly, the characters. They all seemed annoying and underdeveloped to me. Take Robert, for example, whose name isn't actually Robert. His one desire is to be a prince's valet? Seriously, that's it? Cerise comes across as this "I'm fun and cool but also an annoying brat" character, which is the typical stereotype that every man seems to have in mind when creating a "strong female character," and it's actually quite laughable. Reginald is just a walking contradiction. And let's not forget that virtually nobody else matters. Mortmain should have been an important character, but in the end, it amounts to nothing. Oh, and the ultimate villain might just be the dumbest character I've ever come across. Surprisingly, though, he was my least hated.

Finally, the plot. I didn't understand half of the revelations. They were presented without any background or context, so they meant absolutely nothing. For instance, you're a dragonmaster? Great! But I have no idea what that actually means. Or, you managed to connect with the dragon King, but not really because you can't truly do that, yet you did it in some other way that's different from how Dahr did it? Okay, cool, whatever that's supposed to mean. It was all just so confusing and not well thought out.

Considering it's a short book, it was still quite a struggle for me to get through. The attempt at cuteness couldn't save it from its numerous flaws. I'm sorry, but this one just wasn't for me.

All I knew about this book going in was that it probably had dragons and the cover was really cool.

And indeed, it did have dragons.

I quite enjoyed the found family adventures that were present within these pages. The relationships between the characters were heartwarming and engaging. It made me feel as if I was a part of their journey.

I truly hope that the author decides to write more stories with these characters. There is so much potential for additional adventuring. They could explore new lands, face different challenges, and grow even closer as a family.

I am very grateful to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book. It has been a pleasure to read and I look forward to seeing what else the author has in store for us.

A solid silly fantasy romp awaits in this story that is filled with lots of dragons, and it's not at all surprising. The narrative takes readers on a wild adventure through a magical world where these magnificent creatures soar through the skies. The dragons add an element of excitement and wonder, making the story truly captivating. Their presence brings a sense of danger and mystery, as the characters must navigate their way through various challenges and encounters with these fearsome beasts. Despite the silliness, there is also a charm to the story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. It's a lighthearted and fun read that will transport you to a world of imagination and fantasy.

The story I just read left me with a rather strange feeling. "Next time you come to my door after sunset, I'm going to make my brother tell you I'm dead of plague." This line added an element of mystery, but unfortunately, it didn't really enhance the overall experience for me. The plot was extremely confusing. I found myself constantly struggling to understand what was going on and where the story was headed. I'm not quite sure what the ending was supposed to be, which left me with a sense of dissatisfaction.

The characters in the story were also very unlikable. They seemed one-dimensional and缺乏depth. I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates or their actions. However, there was one bright spot in the story for me, and that was the little dragons. They were the only characters that I felt any connection to. Their cuteness and playfulness made them stand out from the rest of the cast.

Overall, I have to say that this story was a bit of a disappointment. The confusing plot and unlikable characters detracted from what could have been an interesting read. I hope that the author will consider reworking the story to make it more engaging and easier to understand in the future.

Fun, but something was missing?

"Ich fürchte ihr habt Drachen" takes us into a fantastic world of a dragon fighter, a princess, and a crown prince. Naturally, a love affair must never be missing in such a setting. Or? This story is a little different from the start. The author's writing style actually reminds one of fairy tales or the typical love story of a princess romance, but the main characters in this story are as different as the story itself. Different again? Yes! Just different. Actually, everything started as expected, but in the middle and at the end, nothing was as expected anymore. There were so many twists, so many interesting details, so many detours that it was a real pleasure to keep reading and discover what was hidden behind the next bend. Exactly these surprises on every side made the story particularly worth reading for me. At the beginning, one is not even sure who exactly the main protagonist is. And überhaupt, where are the dragons? I actually found all the protagonists and heroines in their own way likeable and also the dragons I found very well portrayed. The pace of the story is rather slow, it develops with the characters, which suits the content well. For me, a clear recommendation for fantasy fans, young or old. I think the story is suitable for every age and can be read and read aloud well.

Finally, the wonderful cover of the hardcover edition should be mentioned. The illustrations of the dragons are really magically well done.

What an amazing journey!

A humorous title in raised white print proclaims, "I'M AFRAID YOU'VE GOT DRAGONS." Smaller golden print announces Peter S. Beagle, the author.

The backdrop features a foreboding castle swarmed by menacing cartoon dragons. Amidst them is a larger, fiercer beast with a touch of color and just a hint of fire emerging from its snaggletoothed, piggy-eyed snout. This has a WALT DISNEY - HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGONS - PG rating that assaults your senses. It can be embarrassing for an oldster to check out unless accompanied by a suitably bored grandchild with a finger in the nostril.

Yeah, right.

So begins a teen love triangle set in a medieval kingdom filled with happy families and good-natured bumpkins. Throw in some "rescue" dragons, the pets of the sensitive local dragon exterminator, and you're lulled into a very diverting fairy tale for pre-teens. Then the quest begins in earnest, and Peter Beagle takes the storyline in an "Outer Limits" direction, right in your face. It accelerates, and before you know it, it turns into that book you just can't put down, for adults.

Great entertainment; a wonderful, modern-day Tolkien-like entertainment. But I'll have to change that PG to a MA / Guidance Suggested. Let your pre-teen be the judge of whether you're mature enough to handle this.

Favorite quotes:

Princess Cerise (sure she'll never find prince charming): "I shall become a holy sister, devote my life to caring for lepers. Do we have any?"

King Krije (positive the wizard is ransoming his son): "How much for the idiot?"

Robert (lamenting his family occupation): "I don't want to be a hero. Heroes kill things. I want to be ordinary."

Electronic ARC provided by Edelweiss.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons is an enchanting fairytale adventure that strikes a tone somewhere between Dealing With Dragons and The Hero and the Crown. Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax, affectionately known as Robert, has taken on the role of dragon exterminator from his father. He is highly proficient in his job and is in great demand throughout the kingdom. However, Robert loathes his occupation and would much rather form friendships with dragons than slay them. Dragon exterminating is considered a very low-class profession, and Robert has far loftier aspirations. With sufficient training and practice, he firmly believes he could become a prince's valet.

Meanwhile, Princess Cerise is desperate to rid the castle of its dragon infestation in order to impress the handsome but rather cowardly Prince Reginald of Corvinia. On the other hand, Reginald simply wishes to spend some time hiding from his father in a small, unassuming kingdom. As all three characters strive to become the people they envision themselves to be, danger lurks in the wilderness as mysteriously large and deadly dragons begin to emerge.

This book is distinct from The Last Unicorn but shares the same sense of wonder and caprice. It is a tale about individuals discovering their true calling and learning that one doesn't always have the luxury of choosing when to be brave. There is humor, and of course, a certain absurdity to the concept of a dragon exterminator, but there are also moments of genuine peril and consequences. The characters feel tangible and real while effortlessly integrating into an undeniably fantasy world. Fans of Peter Beagle will be overjoyed by this new standalone fairytale, and if this book had been available during my adolescence, I would have devoured it repeatedly until the cover began to disintegrate.

Ooh, I truly did not like this at all.

I failed to see any element of fun or cuteness in it. It had been described in such a wonderful way, sounding so whimsical and heartfelt. However, what I received was nothing but the most boring text.

I began skipping some pages in the hope that it would improve. But not only did it not get better, but I also discovered that I hadn't missed anything significant by skipping those pages.

It was a real disappointment, as I had been looking forward to something more engaging and interesting.

Instead, I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling that I had wasted my time on this unappealing piece of writing.