About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is ready for a fantasy adventure that values wit and logic over brute force. This third installment in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles features Queen Cimorene, a leader who refuses to be a damsel in distress, as she assembles a quirky team to save her kingdom from magic-stealing wizards. It is an excellent choice for children who enjoy subverted fairy tales and humor that doesn't talk down to them. The story centers on themes of responsibility and the importance of choosing reliable friends. While there is magical peril and some suspenseful moments with villains, the tone remains lighthearted and clever. Parents will appreciate the strong, independent female protagonist and the way the characters use problem-solving to overcome obstacles. It is a sophisticated yet accessible read for the 8 to 12 age range.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
Very sensitive readers may find the King’s kidnapping and the environmental threat to the forest (which begins to wither as its magic is stolen) to be points of emotional distress.
Ideal Reader
A 10-year-old who loves fractured fairy tales, dry humor, and stories where the characters are smarter than the villains. Great for kids who prefer logic and sarcasm over traditional 'chosen one' tropes, or those who value independence and practical problem-solving.
Parent Prep
This book is the third in a series. While it can be read as a standalone, the experience is much richer if the child has read Dealing with Dragons first. It can be read cold without specific context. None.
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will enjoy the slapstick elements and the talking dragons. Older readers (11-12) will appreciate the witty dialogue, the subversion of fantasy tropes, and the complex magical systems.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy novels of its era, Calling on Dragons relies heavily on deadpan humor and the deconstruction of fairy tale clichés. Cimorene’s reliance on common sense and agency over traditional tropes makes the story feel modern and empowering even decades after publication.
Read plot summary
Queen Cimorene is now pregnant and ruling the Enchanted Forest alongside King Mendanbar. When the king is captured and the wizards begin using a device to vacuum up the forest's magic, Cimorene must set out on a quest. She is joined by Morwen the witch, Telemain the magician, and Kazul the dragon king. They must find a way to stop the wizards' plot and restore the balance of magic to their home.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Cimorene is a queen, but she doesn't act like a traditional fairy tale queen. How does she use her unique skills to solve problems that others can't?
2
The wizards think they are very clever, but they often fail. Why do you think their 'smart' plans don't work against Cimorene and her friends?
3
Morwen the witch is very independent. How does her presence help the team, and why is it important that they all have different strengths?
4
If you lived in the Enchanted Forest and the magic started disappearing, which magical creature would you want as your ally?
