Review of "Dragon Slippers"

"It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon."

     Anyone who thinks dragons eat the girls they kidnap are about to get a big surprise from Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers. When Creelisel Carlbrun's aunt decides to drop her in the clutches of the local dragon and hope a prince will rescue her, Creel almost laughs. Even if the dragon, who hasn't been seen in generations, does decide to snatch her up, why would the prince marry her, penniless and plain-looking as she is? But when the dragon decides to show his scaled face, everything changes--because Creel walks away from the encounter with a pair of hand-stitched slippers made of ancient dragon hide that tingles with magic. And everybody knows that a gift from a dragon means adventures are right around the corner.

     From the start, George's story is intriguing. Not only does Creel's aunt abandon her in an attempt to save the family farm from ruin, but everything else is flipped on its head. The dragon, Theoradus, is tired of silly humans doing silly things and only takes her into his cave in order to make sure she isn't going to cause trouble. And once she's inside, it becomes obvious that everything she's ever believed about dragonkind was fiction. For one thing, the place is neat and clean, with no bones littering the floor and making the place smell. For another, his hoard isn't gold; it's shoes. As Creel continues her journey, she meets several dragons who are definitely not what she anticipated. From hoards of stained-glass windows to magical collars, readers quickly learn to expect the unexpected, which makes everything that much more fascinating.

     As far as characters go, Dragon Slippers has plenty of interest. Though not every character is fleshed out enough to leap off the page, they all have their own unique traits that round them out and give them a great sense of reality. And Creel is such a likeable, relatable character that she holds the tale together. The side characters are unique as well, each with their own motives and backstories that drive them to do terrible or wonderful things. Whether they're dragon or human, each has a life of their own that influences the plot and character development.

     Though there's a hint of romance--little more than a crush--it's more of an adventure story than anything else. Creel must befriend dragons, fight to make a name for herself in the world of seamstresses, and battle a woman intent on controlling the magical creatures she has come to love. Everything is at stake, from friendships to kingdoms, which makes it imperative that she succeed in keeping the slippers, and the dragons, safe. There's a little action, little to no blood, and no swearing, so it's a textbook "clean read", with humor that is original and not simply slapstick or crude.

     I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a fun, amusing read featuring dragons, pushy aunts, and damsels who are definitely not in distress. It sits somewhere between the children's and YA genres, which makes it fitting for tweens and teens alike, with some strong potential for adults as well. With its compelling characters, wacky dragon hoards, and a refreshing plot, Jessica Day George's Dragon Slippers is definitely a five-star must-read.