A Fate Worse Than Dragons

John Moore
Ace (2007)
ISBN 9780441014958
Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (6/07)

Sir Terry and Princess Gloria are in love, but Sir Terry does not make for a strong suitor financially so they must look to more resourceful ways to ensure the union.  Plan A involves slaying the dragon, a feat that will earn Sir Terry the hand of the princess.  This is no small task but Sir Terry is willing to do what it takes to “get the girl.”  Miraculously he manages to slay the dragon; however he has chased the dragon into the next kingdom, a kingdom whose princess “Crazy Jane” is well known for her habit of talking to dead animals.  Not one to give up easily, Sir Terry pins the brave and noble undertaking on his assistant and carries on to Plan B (yet to be determined).  After all, “getting stuck with the wrong girl is truly a fate worse than dragons!”

In the meantime, Princess Gloria is to be wed (through an arranged marriage) to a son from the local baker family.  They are a family famous for inventing sliced bread; an invention which has not gone over well due to the increased risks with so much surface area exposed.  She panics and immediately devises Plan B.  She will fake a kidnapping and Sir Terry will rescue her, this will surely result in his earning her hand in marriage.  Well, as luck would have it things begin to go wrong immediately when her finance (who has incidentally never even met her) begins searching for her in the right direction.  Terry must fake his interest in accompanying the man so he can keep an eye on him and get to the princess first.  Things continue to go downhill from here as the princess truly does end up kidnapped.  There is hope, however, when the finance falls for a cook in a local tavern.  She is a cook who happens to have invented a way to toast the sliced bread, thereby ensuring safety to her patrons.  He could not fall for a mere cook, however, but when he finds out who her family is, there is new hope.  Now, if Sir Terry can bring the Princess to safety there may still be a chance for happily ever after.  This is a fairy tale remember!

“A Fate Worse Than Dragons” is a hilarious mix of modern day issues with traditional fairy tale scenery.  Resourceful woman and struggling men bring new dynamics to the expectations of the reader; a new spin on an old classic!  I have to admit I did a double take when I noted it was written by a man – a job well done in capturing and developing the female characters!  This is a book that will appeal to anyone; after all, who isn’t a sucker for a good, not quite old-fashion fairytale?!

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