I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons
by Peter S. Beagle
Dragons
Fantasy
Funny
Romance
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Princess Cerise is Exhausted from interviewing a never-ending succession of princes (all vying for her hand) until she meets Prince Reginald in the forest one day and finds herself completely smitten. She rushes home to put the castle in order before his arrival and entreats her father to bring in the dragon exterminator, as their accommodations are completely overrun. Robert (birth name Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heligabalus Thrax) is a reluctant dragon exterminator – he learned the trade from his father, but has no love for it. He has a soft spot for the “vermin” he’s contracted to kill, and secretly keeps some as pets. Upon meeting Princess Cerise (again – they were acquainted as children) he finds he has Feelings for her, but probably no hope/chance in anything coming of them. Reginald would just like to go adventuring far from the watchful eye of his manservant, Mortmain, and his father, King Krije, who are determined to turn him into a more stereotypical heir to the throne. Other minor characters are also involved in the complicated love shapes (we’re beyond triangles, here, folks), with everyone crushing on the wrong person until the end. Reginald decides that it would most please his father if he were to slay a dragon, so they set out (an entire retinue of people) to find one that impresses. Robert unwittingly leads them into great peril, as they are beset by a number of dragons that are quite different from any he has encountered before, controlled by the wizard Dahr (supposedly killed by King Krije). Dahr, in addition to being a wizard and a dragonmaster, is also in the business of revenge and plans to remove Krije and take over his lands. But Reginald, Robert, and Cerise get in his way. Robert is particularly interesting as his affinity with the dragons is much stronger and altogether different than what Dahr imagines. An entertaining mostly cozy fantasy absolutely riddled with dragons and humor. Published for adults but high school teens may also enjoy.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
