One of the copies of this series I'm reading has an introduction. Don't read the introductions if you haven't read the series before. They're full of spoilers.

I clearly don't remember this series very well because I couldn't even remember the narrator of this book. But it holds up to rereading with the exception of G***y Jack... just his name, not his character. Why couldn't he be Rambling Jack or something... I'm sure there's a more fantasy appropriate moniker for him than that.

In the second installment of 'The Enchanted Forest Chronicle' (written third (details)) the young King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendenbar, has discovered something suspicious in his kingdom, and, suspecting the Wizards, must discuss it with the King of Dragons. The problem is, Kazul has gone missing.

Mendenbar and Cimorene, who has lately been promoted from 'Princess' to 'Chief Cook and Librarian', must set out together and discover who took Kazul and work out how they're going to get her back. The consequences could be serious, and extend far beyond their two kingdoms.

Wrede adds more details to her world and brings us closer to the situation she originally created in 'Talking to Dragons'. It had a fun plot, with a visit to the giants, a dwarf tired of the spinning straw to gold racket, and introduces Telemain, that most technical of magic users.

Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Next: 'Calling on Dragons'

Previous: 'Dealing with Dragons'

Can I say that I love the Enchanted Forest Chronicles even though I've only read two out of the four books only? Because I am going to say that! This installment is just as good as the first. Lost of magic and adventure and hilarity~ I'm telling you, I love the commentary some of the characters provide to the readers. There were many moments where I found myself laughing at what Mendanbar was saying or the insults the gargoyle kept spewing at the King. All of it was highly entertaining!

Wrede has created a very magical world with an interesting magic system. I love how the magic is explained better in this book and you really feel like performing many of these magical acts could be possible. Her writing continues to blow me away and I cannot wait to read the remaining two books of the series.

If you love fantasy, adventures, and characters with a lot of quirks and a bit of sass then you should give this series a read. Not to mention it's one of those few series that actually gets the romance down RIGHT! Where it doesn't take away from the story at all. It's just a nice little tidbit added on. Man, this book really is refreshing to read.

October 7, 2007
July 21, 2014

Sometimes a king just wants to walk away from all the tedious business of running a country, especially if he's the only one doing all the tedious work of running the country. Even more so if he has an officious steward looking reproachfully at him all the time because he won't do things the proper way. Fortunately there's a sort of crisis developing involving those nasty wizards and small areas of ecologic devastation to the Enchanted Forest, so Mendenbar can go walk about and see what's up. The plot thickens when he runs into Cimorene, Chief cook and Librarian to Kazul, King of the Dragons.

After a number of small scale and not very dangerous adventures among storybook characters with an embarrassing magic carpet, everyone makes it home for a good meal.

Still a pleasure, but with less of Cimorene being clever, and more of her fencing prowess. You'll cheer the vanquishing of those bothersome wizards without feeling guilty, because they aren't injured, only inconvenienced for a while, and there's no gore at all.

A good story to read to quite young children (mine were six and three) and a charming diversion for the more aged.

Personal copy

Continuing my reread of the series. This book did suffer a bit from not having Kazul. But I like Mendanbar and he was a good counterpart to Cimorene.