This book truly provided a great time.

Judging from the jacket summary and the first few chapters, my initial expectation was a rather mundane plot with a fantasy twist, featuring low stakes and not much excitement. However, as I delved deeper into its pages, I discovered that there was some real fun to be had. The writing was great, captivating my attention from start to finish.

Moreover, there were some sinister doings that added an unexpected layer of mystery and excitement. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, and I honestly wished that it could have been 300 pages longer. In fact, I would have loved for it to be the start of a 7-book series.

The author has managed to create a world that I didn't want to leave, filled with interesting characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and entertaining read.

I knew without a doubt that I would thoroughly enjoy this one, and I was not let down in the slightest.

It is exquisitely crafted, filled with humor that had me chuckling throughout. What's more, it presents a somewhat different perspective on dragons than what I've come across previously, which added an extra layer of intrigue.

Certainly, some elements were rather foreseeable, such as the romance that inevitably developed. However, in a strange way, that predictability only enhanced the overall satisfaction in the end. If that makes any sense at all.

To be completely honest, I'm at a loss as to what to make of the controversy swirling around the authorship of this book. I have no way of knowing whether any of the accusations are founded or not.

All I can say with certainty is that the book itself is truly good. It has managed to capture my imagination and keep me engaged from start to finish, regardless of the drama surrounding its creation.

What a truly magical read this turns out to be! It is both whimsical and yet has a certain darkness that lingers within its pages.

The story is filled with richly developed characters. There is a power hungry wizard whose actions drive much of the plot forward. And then there are the DRAGONS! Oh, the magnificent dragons that add an element of wonder and excitement.

Throughout my reading, I was constantly reminded of Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain, which is one of my most beloved children’s book series. The similarities in the tone and the use of fantastical elements are quite striking.

This book truly deserves 4 golden dragon scaled ⭐️s. It is a captivating and engaging read that will transport you to a world filled with magic and adventure. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good fantasy story.

Whether you are a child or an adult, this book has something for everyone. So, pick it up and let yourself be swept away by its charm.

A dragon exterminator who dreams of being something other than what he is, yet dammit, he's truly excellent at his job. A princess who desires to pen her own destiny and is more than capable of saving herself, thank you very much. And a clumsy, cowardly prince who really doesn't have the slightest inclination to be a hero.

When you combine these three unlikely characters and send them off on a quest, you end up with a delightfully whimsical fairytale adventure. I had sort of anticipated more humor based on the title. In fact, to be precise, I was expecting a book in the vein of Terry Pratchett. And while there were indeed some funny moments, it didn't quite satisfy that craving for me.

That being said, it most definitely delivered on the whimsy. This is cozy fantasy executed to perfection. It has just the right amount of action, beautifully balanced with some heartwarming scenes. The writing is truly lovely, reading like an old fairytale with a modern twist. It's lush and pretty, yet somber and dark when the situation calls for it.

Although at times, I couldn't quite determine if it was aimed at kids or adults as the tone shifts between darker adult fiction and lighter middle grade fantasy. Nevertheless, it was a whole lot of fun, pure escapism at its finest. It had a plethora of dragons, a ridiculous quest that never failed to amuse, and truly charming characters that you just want to embrace.

Although a few aspects were glossed over at times, and in that regard, I wouldn't object to a sequel to gain a clearer understanding of this world. All in all, it's still a clever little satire about breaking free from your predetermined roles in life, finding your own path, fumigating some dragons, falling in love, shattering expectations, battling evil wizards, and saving the kingdom. It's great cozy fun and an extremely quick read, perfect for a rainy day.

Peter S. Beagle showcases his vast experience in constructing captivating narratives within this accomplished and entertaining story. It delves into a world of dragons, deceit, aspiring heroes, individuals yearning for the wrong people and making ill-advised decisions, and romance.

In BellaMontagne, the princess Cerise remains unimpressed by the numerous foolish princes vying for her hand. That is, until she fortuitously encounters Crown Prince Reginald of nearby Corvinia, a knight dispatched into the world by his father to undertake something heroic and valiant.

Meanwhile, Robert, the dragon master, resides on a farm with his mother and younger sisters, along with several friendly, diminutive dragons that he conceals from others in Bellamontagne.

Reginald’s astute valet Mortman enlists Robert's assistance in his scheme to aid Reginald in achieving his father's objective and also marry the princess.

Reginald approaches Cerise's parents and declares that he will slay a dragon and then return for Cerise's hand. However, Cerise has slightly different plans. She organizes a large group of people, provisions, and other useful items, enabling her and the large entourage to accompany Reginald and Robert.

As they encounter dragons, a devious wizard, and uncover difficult truths about themselves, they discover a multitude of things regarding their neighbor Corvinia.

Beagle's tone is humorous as he introduces his main characters and the small Kingdom of Bellamontagne, where the visiting princes are absurd, only girls can read and write, and Robert's dream is to be a valet. But the atmosphere turns darker as Robert, Cerise, and Reginald embark on their mission, and suddenly, things turn deadly. The tone continues to shift as more dreadful events occur before the surprising (yet not entirely unexpected) conclusion.

Beagle is proficient in all the tonal changes, as well as the characterization of the trio. There are interesting supporting characters, such as Robert's good friends and Cerise's mother, and a truly fascinating group of wise women who only appear in the prologue but never again. I would have loved to see more of them, as I had anticipated that they would play a role in resolving the story. However, perhaps the author had a more extensive story in mind, and this is merely the first installment? I hope so because, although this somewhat silly and cozy story is mostly wrapped up, I sense that there could be more to unfold.

I thoroughly relished this delightful narrative and am glad that this dragon tale was both engaging and heartfelt.

I have recently read "The Last Unicorn" and was surprised by how witty it is. Right from the start, I had the impression that the author doesn't take himself too seriously and makes good use of his humorous writing style to let wisdom and morality seep in subtly.

The book title already reveals that it is a funny read. Those who are looking for a linear, fairy-tale-like narrative should perhaps approach this book with caution.

For me, the world-building was sometimes a bit too soft. Normally, I don't have a problem with things not being explained, but here I would have liked a bit more elaboration in some parts. Somehow, though, it was also quite refreshing not to have to understand everything and just let oneself be carried away by the story.

The characters are actually total caricatures, but cleverly used and very likeable. They add a lot of charm and humor to the story, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish. Despite its light-hearted nature, the book also manages to touch on some deeper themes, which makes it all the more interesting. Overall, I would recommend "The Last Unicorn" to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a bit of magic in their reading.

Peter S. Beagle had never crossed my mind until I began to notice "I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons" everywhere on #Bookstagram. As I have a penchant for fantasy and adventure at times, I promptly placed it on hold at the library and also opted to listen to the audio. However, I now think that reading with my eyes might have been the better choice. There are numerous characters to keep track of, and the action-packed plot didn't make it any easier for me. There was so much happening that I found it a bit challenging to follow at times, which led to a feeling of disappointment overall.

The audiobook is narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, who did an outstanding job despite my confusion. It was by no means his fault. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him bring all of these characters to life, especially Robert (AKA Gaius). The concept was creative, with the main male character on the path to becoming a dragon exterminator like his father, when all he truly desires is to be a prince's valet. This sets us on an adventure filled with a princess and fierce battles. There were many aspects of the book that I did enjoy, and I would definitely recommend it, but preferably in book rather than audio format.

Beagle definitely penned this work in the 1980s. However, in this era of Gothikana, he simply brushed it off and handed it over to the publishers, fully aware that it's the name, not the quality, that sells.

Saga Press really should be ashamed of themselves.

This book reads like a time capsule encapsulating all the worst aspects of fantasy. As a society and as fantasy readers, we have advanced so significantly, yet this book has failed to keep up.

Firstly, our main character constantly mentions being beaten by his father with a belt for various reasons, but not a single other character reacts. In fact, the father is sometimes referred to positively as an important community member, even right after a reference to a beating.

Secondly, it doesn't pass the Bechdel test.

Thirdly, it is painfully pastoral, and one can forget about getting any detailed descriptions of anything.

Fourthly, what I initially thought was queerbaiting turned out to be just bad writing. The bizarrely forced heterosexual romance appears out of nowhere and is even worse.

Fifthly, it reads as if someone is telling a bedtime story. New elements are created out of thin air without any foreshadowing, characters are forgotten for entire chapters, important discoveries are conveniently given to the main characters as the plot demands, Chekov’s gun is never fired, the best element (the pet dragons) is merely flavor text, the plot doesn't begin until around 55%, and the climactic battle at the end has only four parts and feels no more intense than the horse ride to get there.

Sixthly, this is a children's book that Saga Press decided to market as an adult book... for some reason... I can only assume it's for financial reasons.

I will be eyeing all Saga Press books with suspicion from now on, I assure you. And I'm strongly reconsidering "The Last Unicorn," which is sitting unread in the living room. I might just get rid of it and give it to a Little Free Library. This was such a disappointing introduction to Beagle’s writing.

Initially, it was intended to be released in 2007. However, for some unknown reasons, it didn't come out at that time.

Now, Tor.com has made an exciting announcement. They have declared that it will be finally released in May 2024.

This news has surely caught the attention of many fans and readers who have been eagerly waiting for this release.

The anticipation is high as people wonder what this long-awaited work holds.

Perhaps it will be a masterpiece that lives up to the expectations and becomes a memorable addition to the literary world.

As the release date approaches, more details about the book are likely to emerge, further fueling the excitement.

Until then, fans will have to wait patiently and look forward to experiencing this long-delayed literary gem in May 2024.

4.5!

This was truly DELIGHTFUL. It was a classic fantasy story filled with humour, heart, and of course, DRAGONS. The concept of a dragon exterminator who hates his job because he actually loves his dragons is just brilliant.

It's a promising premise that was perfectly executed. As I was reading, I could easily envision this as an animated film. I'm not just saying any animated film, but one of shrek caliber.

The combination of the unique characters, the engaging plot, and the wonderful world-building makes it a story that would translate beautifully to the big screen.

I can just imagine the hilarious antics of the dragon exterminator as he tries to balance his duty with his love for the dragons.

Overall, this was an amazing read that left me with a big smile on my face and eager to see more from this author.

3.5/5

This is a very interesting book indeed. The writing style is truly captivating, which makes it a pleasure to read. However, one aspect that could be improved upon is the pacing. It feels a bit too fast at times, resulting in rather abrupt shifts in the narrative. These sudden changes can make it a bit challenging for the reader to fully absorb and process all the information. I really think that if the book had an additional 70 pages, it would have been able to develop the story and characters more thoroughly. With more space, the author could have slowed down the pacing and allowed for a more seamless transition between different events and plot points. This would have enhanced the overall reading experience and made the book even more engaging and enjoyable.

Despite the pacing issue, I still found the book to be quite interesting and would recommend it to others who are looking for a unique and engaging read.

This is a truly fabulous piece of fantasy that involves an unwilling dragon exterminator, a cowed prince who is striving to be a hero, and an obstinate princess. Their paths intersect as the cowardly prince is attempting to find a large dragon to slay, not just the small and annoying ones.

The storytelling within this narrative is excellent, and the characters are engaging, despite all of their flaws. The way the author weaves the tale keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

However, it should be noted that this story doesn't possess the poetic power or deep charm of "The Last Unicorn." So, one should not have such high expectations in that regard. Nevertheless, it is good in its own right! It offers a unique and entertaining take on the classic fantasy genre, with its own set of interesting characters and a captivating plot.

Overall, it is a worthwhile read for those who enjoy fantasy stories and are looking for something a little different.