3.75 rounded up to 4.

This one was truly a delightful read!

I have an intense love for dragons, and the concept of them being regarded as pests, similar to cockroaches or mice, where one has to call in an exterminator to deal with them, was highly entertaining.

The idea presented in this story is both unique and engaging.

It makes one think about dragons in a whole new light.

Instead of the traditional image of majestic and powerful creatures, they are now seen as nuisances that need to be eradicated.

This twist adds an element of humor and surprise to the narrative.

It makes me eager to see how the story will unfold and what other interesting ideas the author will come up with.

Overall, it was a great read that left me with a smile on my face and looking forward to more.

\\"I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons\\" is a captivating fantasy fairy tale story that is filled with a humorous mood.

It has the ability to engage readers and take them on an exciting adventure. The story is indeed enjoyable and entertaining, which makes it a great choice for those who love this genre.

However, one aspect that could be improved is the pacing. At times, it felt a bit too fast, which didn't allow the story to develop as smoothly as it could have.

Despite this minor flaw, overall, it was a nice read. The narrator did a commendable job of bringing the story to life and making it an engaging experience for the audience.

All in all, \\"I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons\\" has its strengths and weaknesses, but it still manages to be an entertaining and enjoyable fantasy fairy tale.

*2.5/5*

Hello, yes, this is going to transform into a comfort read/listen.

I had an intense love for these characters, this world, and this story that encompassed all of the characters.

It was an absolutely fantastic audiobook, masterfully read by Shaun Taylor-Corbett.

This book presented a delightfully fun and interwoven fantasy. Each character managed to stand out on their own, not merely due to all the unique names.

The vivid descriptions and engaging plot made it a truly immersive experience.

As I listened, I was drawn into this fantastical world, eager to follow the adventures of each character.

The author's creativity shone through, creating a world that was both magical and believable.

The different personalities and storylines of the characters added depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

It was a pleasure to listen to and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable fantasy audiobook.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or simply in need of a good escape, this book is sure to satisfy.

The man's still got it!

This simple yet powerful statement holds a world of meaning. It implies that despite the passage of time, the man in question still possesses a certain quality, skill, or charm that makes him stand out.

Perhaps it's his physical prowess, as he effortlessly performs feats that leave others in awe. Or maybe it's his mental acuity, as he solves complex problems with ease and grace.

It could also be his charisma, that intangible something that draws people to him like moths to a flame. Whatever it is, the man's still got it, and it's clear for all to see.

As we look at the accompanying image, we can't help but wonder who this man is and what it is that makes him so special.

His confident stance and determined gaze suggest that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Whether he's a sports star, a business mogul, or simply a man who has lived life to the fullest, one thing is certain: the man's still got it.

DNF 59 %

It started off so strongly and then unfortunately lost all of its charm because it was so tedious. I was really looking forward to this book, but unfortunately for me it was just too slow-paced and the writing style wasn't to my taste.

This book had a promising beginning that made me eager to see what would unfold. However, as I delved deeper, it became evident that the story was progressing at a snail's pace. The lack of excitement and the drawn-out nature of the plot made it difficult for me to stay engaged.

Moreover, the writing style didn't resonate with me. It felt rather平淡 and didn't have the ability to transport me into the world of the story. I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to continue reading.

In the end, I had to DNF (Did Not Finish) the book at 59%. It's a shame because I had high hopes for it, but it just didn't meet my expectations. Maybe it would be more suitable for someone who enjoys a slower-paced read and a different writing style. But for me, it was a disappointment.

The first half of the story was truly perfect.

I had an absolute blast reading it. The author's smart observations and witty dialogues kept me engaged from start to finish.

However, everything changed when the main villain made his appearance on the scene.

Oh, where do I even begin? The action scenes that followed were incredibly boring.

The main baddie turned out to be so insecure that you could simply chat him down. Seriously, there was a lot of pointless blabla and the fantasy element seemed to allow for anything to happen, or not.

Even the characters themselves were left wondering what was possible.

In that moment, I very swiftly remembered why I didn't like this kind of fantasy in the first place.

It just bores me to tears.

I only found out about this book because a friend on GR was reading it. The cover alone was enough to draw me in since I have a deep love for dragons. Then I discovered that it was the new work from an author I've known for decades. This is the author who wrote the story that I watched in cartoon form every Christmas during my childhood, probably the first story that I remember taking me into a different world.

As the title implies, this book is about dragons, sort of. We are in the kingdom of Bellemontagne where dragons are a common sight. Most of them are small and pests like rats. Our brave main character is an exterminator by inherited trade, but he loathes this job. He would much rather save all the cute and very intelligent dragons that he identifies with and feels a strong connection to. Or, he would leave the kingdom altogether to escape being just his father's son and become his own person.
His counterpart is a princess who is tired of all the suitors. That is until the crown-prince of a very specific big kingdom coincidentally passes by and she is determined to marry him, whether he wants it or not. Suddenly, a clean-up job in Bellemontagne's castle turns into a quest with the princess, her betrothed crown-prince, and a host of dragons that shouldn't exist.
Don't even get me started on the atrocious things that have been done to Peter S. Beagle. Suffice it to say that it's over now. Although he is already over 85 years old and justice took far too long to be served, it did finally come. And now we get to enjoy this man's glorious imagination once again.
This was a cute little story about what people are supposed to be, what they seem to be on the surface, and what they truly are. It's also about a quirky magical kingdom full of adorable and dangerous dragons. What's not to love? The cast of characters was eccentric and endearing, and the world itself was so nice and cozy that it drew you right in. Maybe it's not earth-shattering, but it's definitely a wonderful feel-good book from start to finish.

I really, really wanted to like this book.

The premise and the main character are truly quite unique. I was eagerly looking forward to a thrilling "sword and board" dragon fantasy.

In this particular world, dragons are regarded as vermin. A young dragon exterminator finds himself/herself swept up in an exciting quest to defeat a wizard and slay a king dragon.

However, there are all kinds of allusions to a past conflict that unfortunately never get fully fleshed out. This leaves the reader with an abundance of unresolved questions, which is quite frustrating.

Also, it's already 2024, and yet we have a book with multiple female characters, many of whom are quite assertive. But their main purpose in life seems to be to get married and support their man.

I understand that this is a fantasy setting and there is some pressure to reflect medieval social norms. But fantasy also means that you have the freedom to break the rules and be truly "fantastical." Sigh.

Do you know "The Last Unicorn"? I associate this anime with beautiful Christmas childhood memories. In primary school, I passed the long afternoons before Christmas presents with the adventures of Schmendrik the magician, the unicorn, the last of its kind, and all its companions. I have never read the corresponding book - but I always wanted to read one of Peter S. Beagle's works - and then "I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons" came just in time.

And it was a complete hit - something that I still wonder about in hindsight. Princess Cerise wants to get married, but before Prince Reginald can ask for her hand, her parents' aging castle must first be put in order - including urgently getting rid of the dragons! Who is better suited for this than Robert, the dragon slayer?

Before you now think that Robert (the protagonist of the book) has to deal with monsters as tall as trees, calm down again. The dragons usually only have the size of house cats and can breathe a little fire. I was already enthusiastic about the language on the first pages: about the joke that reveals itself on a second look, about the way of describing things so that an image immediately unfolds in my head - like a red carpet, with all the figures and props. Beagle's way of writing and illuminating things and situations, I experienced as a great cinema. In addition, he hit exactly my sense of humor. My sense of humor is tricky - if a book is too silly, I quickly get bored or annoyed. Here I burst out laughing so often - the humor is dry and sarcastic, at the same time smart and quiet and fits wonderfully into the story (which, by the way, is not over with the elimination of the little dragons).

I really liked Robert as a character - the inner struggle between "I'm doing my job" and "Actually, I like dragons" was sometimes really heartbreaking. I could feel with him. At the same time, I was completely surprised by Cerise - the princess. I had a typical princess in my head and had to throw my stereotype overboard again right away. She is smart, structured, has her own mind and yet strives for the "typical" goals of a princess, but in her own way. Also, Reginald presents himself differently than initially assumed. In general, Beagle plays with the expectations and typical stereotypes of fairy tales and legends. Dragons, princes and princesses are not what they seem to be. And it is precisely this play of figures that surprised me.

The mood changed between serious and sad, cozy and funny. I really liked this colorful mixture and the colorful bunch.

Audiobook (8 hours) narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett

I have encountered Shaun Taylor-Corbett as a narrator on several occasions. In books such as There There, Wandering Stars, and Black Sun, he has been part of full cast narrations. However, this is the first novel where I have experienced him as a solo narrator. And he did an excellent job. There is a significant amount of descriptive, non-conversation narration, which can sometimes pose challenges for narrators. But Shaun had no problems at all. He didn't drone on; instead, his narration was clean and crisp throughout the entire audiobook.

The audio quality was also fine, without any issues.

A few weeks ago, I placed The Last Unicorn on hold to read, and I completed it just a week ago. At that time, I noticed that Peter S. Beagle was still writing and had a new book this year about dragons! Yesterday, my library added the book to my ready-to-borrow queue. Despite already having several books to read, I couldn't resist and read the entire book in one sitting.

The Last Unicorn was written over 50 years ago, and although it's by the same author, the style is so distinct. I thoroughly enjoyed both reads. They are both unique, entertaining, old-school fantasies with rolling hills, castles, magicians, and adventure.

It's all great fun!

This was a delightfully old-fashioned fantasy that truly captured my heart.

The story was fast-paced, which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It was filled with humor that had me laughing out loud at times, yet it also had an element of suspense that made it impossible to put down.

What I loved most about this book was the characters. The good guys (and gals) were actually good! They were kind, brave, and selfless, and it was refreshing to read about such positive role models.

Overall, this was a perfect mental palate cleanser. It transported me to a different world and allowed me to escape from the stresses of everyday life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, humor, and a good story.

I'm afraid this book was not for me.

I was extremely eager to read it, filled with high expectations of encountering a truly delightful and highly imaginative story. However, unfortunately, as I delved into it, I simply couldn't bring myself to finish it.

Rather than presenting a captivating narrative that would draw me in and keep me hooked, the book seemed overly predictable. It lacked the spark of creativity that I had so anticipated.

One of the major drawbacks of this book was its inconsistent plot development. There were several instances where the storyline simply failed to hold together logically. It felt disjointed and made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.

Moreover, some of the characters and potential subplots were not fully explored. This was a missed opportunity, as delving deeper into these aspects could have added more nuance and depth to the book.

Overall, while the book did have some potential, it ultimately fell short of delivering an engaging and fulfilling reading experience for me. It left me disappointed and longing for a more captivating and well-crafted story.