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With the aid of King Mandanbar, Princess Cimorene rescues the dragon Kazul and saves the Enchanted Forest from a band of wicked wizards.Tags
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dylanesque Searching for Dragons and the Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle share an irreverent, light-hearted tone, a fun duo of interesting main characters, and a rich magical world (although I would say this is a stronger element in the Misadventures).
Member Reviews
What a lovely book! I very much liked Dealing with dragons, so I immediately bought all three sequels, but I wasn't sure they'd be as nice, since the novelty of it would be lost. But there was reason to worry, I really liked nr. 2 as well. These books are utterly charming. They read a bit as if they might be written for children, but in such a way that they are delightful as adults as well. I still love the practical princess Cimorene, who prefers to do something useful with her life. New in this book was Mendanbar, the King of the Enchanted Forest. Fortunately, he dislikes vacuous princesses whose goal in life is to be pretty and proper. It's nice to see a bit more about the Enchanted Forest in this book, and I also like the different show more ways of magic that are discussed here. The magician who speaks about magic as if it is science is hilarious at times. I hope the next two are as enjoyable as the first two! show less
Continuing in the same style of a fairy tale that turns fairy tale tropes on their head, Searching for Dragons is the second book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. This sequel does exactly what I was hoping for. It takes what we already know of the Enchanted Forest and builds upon it. Only this time the story is told entirely from Mendanbar's point of view.
Dead zones have started appearing in the Enchanted Forrest and Kazul, King of the Dragons, has gone missing. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest, and Cimorene are determined to figure out what's going on.
Mendanbar is a decent protagonist. He's young and feeling a tad overwhelmed with running a kingdom so jumps at the chance to start his investigation if show more only so he can relax a little from his other kingly duties. The journey Mendanbar and Cimorene go on is rather convoluted and they meet some interesting characters along the way. I found it funny how they pointed out common sense solutions to some typical fairy tale problems, like the giant who is fed up with "Jacks" always stealing from him on a regular schedule.
"They always do the same thing - come in, ask for a meal, hide, and then run off with a harp or a bag full of money the minute I fall asleep," Dobbilan said. "And they're always named Jack. Always. We've lived in this castle for twenty years, and every three months, regular as clockwork, one of those boys shows up, and there's never been a Tom, Dick, or Harry among 'em. Just Jacks. The English have no imagination."
Their solution to his problem is quite practical. Mendenbar and Cimorene end up working well together.
While just as charming and fun as Dealing with Dragons, I found myself missing Cimorene as the main pov character. This, of course, sets a trend. I wonder whose point of view the third book will be from. show less
Dead zones have started appearing in the Enchanted Forrest and Kazul, King of the Dragons, has gone missing. Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest, and Cimorene are determined to figure out what's going on.
Mendanbar is a decent protagonist. He's young and feeling a tad overwhelmed with running a kingdom so jumps at the chance to start his investigation if show more only so he can relax a little from his other kingly duties. The journey Mendanbar and Cimorene go on is rather convoluted and they meet some interesting characters along the way. I found it funny how they pointed out common sense solutions to some typical fairy tale problems, like the giant who is fed up with "Jacks" always stealing from him on a regular schedule.
"They always do the same thing - come in, ask for a meal, hide, and then run off with a harp or a bag full of money the minute I fall asleep," Dobbilan said. "And they're always named Jack. Always. We've lived in this castle for twenty years, and every three months, regular as clockwork, one of those boys shows up, and there's never been a Tom, Dick, or Harry among 'em. Just Jacks. The English have no imagination."
Their solution to his problem is quite practical. Mendenbar and Cimorene end up working well together.
While just as charming and fun as Dealing with Dragons, I found myself missing Cimorene as the main pov character. This, of course, sets a trend. I wonder whose point of view the third book will be from. show less
And now a story from the Prince’s perspective – only he’s a king, King Mandanbar, the King of the Enchanted Wood. And even though everyone thinks he needs to get married, since he’s overworked, he absolutely refuses to have anything to do with princesses. Luckily for him, Cimorene is not your ordinary princess, and when she needs some assistance rescuing the King of the Dragons, Mandanbar gets the chance to get to know her. Solid and entertaining fantasy, with no cloying sweetness or condescending manners.
Fun, anachronistic fantasy. Second in a series, and while I'm still getting a kick out of all the fantasy conventions and cliches being turned on their head, I found the romantic aspect here a bit unnecessary, kind of tacked on. The characters read like they just found a new best friend, not someone they want to marry or jump the bones of, if you know what I mean. That's the only place I felt the story was rushed.
earching For Dragons delivers just as much joy and adventure as the first book in the Enchanted Forest series. It’s a quick middle grade novel with a lot of formulaic elements, but hey, if it works don’t fix it, right? This quick book was a fun listen and as with Dealing With Dragons… it made me bemoan that I somehow missed this quartet when I was younger.
While we are already familiar with Princess Cimorene from Dealing With Dragons, we now have a new principal character: King Mendenbar of the Enchanted Forest. Mendenbar is a busy man! He’s finally gotten a quick break between elf drama and yet another giant war to kick up his feet and relax for a minute. But he’s the King of the Enchanted Forest… something suspect is always show more bound to happen! In this case, something fishy is going on and it appears that the dragons are attacking the forest… or does it?
From their first encounter, Cimorene and Mendenbar have great chemistry. Not so much romantic chemistry as that they’re complimentary characters. Their banter works really well and helps keep the journeying aspect of the story light and flowing. The minor characters – new and old – are all interesting and put a little bit of the spin on traditional fairytale characters.
It’s important to remember that Searching For Dragons was released thirty years ago. It’s easy to look at some of the elements of this book and call them cliche or overdone… and important to recall that Wrede did them long before many others. I still think the whole thing is delightful, even if the ending was a bit cheesy. Still, I have every confidence that books three and four will bring just as much adventure and individual character shine as the first two did.
This is a great novel for middle grade readers. While it actually does stand alone (rare in a series!), I still recommend reading Dealing With Dragons first so you can get Cimorene’s backstory as well. I enjoyed this one, and would certainly keep it on my shelf or buy it for the younger readers in my life! show less
While we are already familiar with Princess Cimorene from Dealing With Dragons, we now have a new principal character: King Mendenbar of the Enchanted Forest. Mendenbar is a busy man! He’s finally gotten a quick break between elf drama and yet another giant war to kick up his feet and relax for a minute. But he’s the King of the Enchanted Forest… something suspect is always show more bound to happen! In this case, something fishy is going on and it appears that the dragons are attacking the forest… or does it?
From their first encounter, Cimorene and Mendenbar have great chemistry. Not so much romantic chemistry as that they’re complimentary characters. Their banter works really well and helps keep the journeying aspect of the story light and flowing. The minor characters – new and old – are all interesting and put a little bit of the spin on traditional fairytale characters.
It’s important to remember that Searching For Dragons was released thirty years ago. It’s easy to look at some of the elements of this book and call them cliche or overdone… and important to recall that Wrede did them long before many others. I still think the whole thing is delightful, even if the ending was a bit cheesy. Still, I have every confidence that books three and four will bring just as much adventure and individual character shine as the first two did.
This is a great novel for middle grade readers. While it actually does stand alone (rare in a series!), I still recommend reading Dealing With Dragons first so you can get Cimorene’s backstory as well. I enjoyed this one, and would certainly keep it on my shelf or buy it for the younger readers in my life! show less
The second book in The Enchanted Forest Chroniclesis, in my opinion, a worthy follow up to the first. While it focuses on Mendanbar, the King of the Enchanted Forest, rather than Cimorene the plot is still extremely engaging and as humorous as the first. Indeed, Morwen and Kazul are both present as well, and plenty of time is taken up expanding the Enchanted Forest and adding to its unlikely - and charming - lore.
King Mendanbar discovers that the Enchanted Forest is losing some of its land, as well as the magic therein. When nothing but burnt ground and discarded dragon scales offer up an explanation, he's resigned to bring such evidence to Kazul, the new King of the Dragons. Only Kazul is missing. What follows is an adventure with show more Mendanbar and Cimorene, complete with bumbling giants, a faulty magic carpet, and conniving wizards. Can they rescue Kazul in time and unravel the mystery?
I praised the previous book for just how positive a role model Cimorene is, and that carries through strongly in this book. Mendanbar is proof enough that men tend to like more independent women, and even as they both dismiss most princes and princesses as silly they acknowledge there isn't really anything wrong with the fact. You'd be silly, too, if you lacked the proper opportunities to grow yourself. The book is full of clever characters, humor, cats, and delicious cider. It's a quick read and one I plan on getting for some of the younger girls in my life once they're old enough to love it as I did. show less
King Mendanbar discovers that the Enchanted Forest is losing some of its land, as well as the magic therein. When nothing but burnt ground and discarded dragon scales offer up an explanation, he's resigned to bring such evidence to Kazul, the new King of the Dragons. Only Kazul is missing. What follows is an adventure with show more Mendanbar and Cimorene, complete with bumbling giants, a faulty magic carpet, and conniving wizards. Can they rescue Kazul in time and unravel the mystery?
I praised the previous book for just how positive a role model Cimorene is, and that carries through strongly in this book. Mendanbar is proof enough that men tend to like more independent women, and even as they both dismiss most princes and princesses as silly they acknowledge there isn't really anything wrong with the fact. You'd be silly, too, if you lacked the proper opportunities to grow yourself. The book is full of clever characters, humor, cats, and delicious cider. It's a quick read and one I plan on getting for some of the younger girls in my life once they're old enough to love it as I did. show less
I already have and have enjoyed books one (Dealing With Dragons) and three (Calling on Dragons), so of course I wanted to check out book two, Searching For Dragons. Our heroine from the first book, Princess Cimorene [Sim-more-reen] of Lindenwall, is a secondary character in this book. Our main character this time is a hero, Mendanbar, King of the Enchanted Forest for the last three years. (Sorry, can't give you any help with his name's pronunciation. I've heard only the first book in audio.) King Mendanbar doesn't care about all that fol-de-rol with being a king, much to the distress of his steward, an elf named Willin. Willin wants all those protocol-filled parties they had during Mendanbar's stuffy father's reign. He also wants his show more master to get married, an opinion shared by the rude gargoyle in the king's study. Mendanbar decides the only way he's going to escape the nagging is to take a walk.
The King of the Enchanted Forest always knows where he is in his kingdom. He can also pull the threads of its magic for his use. That's why discovering a dead spot is a shock. It's not a spooky place such as the blasted heath in H. P. Lovecraft's 'The Colour Out of Space,' but it's very disquieting. Imagine finding a big sore on your body you hadn't noticed before and you can't think how you got it. Worse, the new wasteland is near one of his favorite spots, the Green Glass Pool. Still worse, there's an annoying princess at the pool. No, it's not Cimorene. Her manner of speaking is enough to deserve the 'gag me' gesture.
If you've read the first book, you already know that the Society of Wizards is full of scheming, greedy jerks. That's more than Mendanbar knows when their head wizard, Zemenar visits him. Good thing Mendanbar already met Morwen the witch and learned a few things about dragons from her because
Zemenar is trying to get the king to help the wizards get access to the Caves of Fire and Night, which the dragons aren't allowing. Wizard staves soak up magic, and Zemenar's staff is trying to do the same while he talks with the king. Mendanbar takes care of that.
Mendanbar explains he has something to settle with the dragons before he can fulfill Zemenar's request. The wizard warns him about their king, Kazul, and her princess. Zemenar blames Cimorene for their problem with the dragons. (See book one for what happened.) Mendanbar isn't looking forward to meeting the lady.
As it turns out, King Kazul isn't home. Cimorene and Mendanbar's attempts to get to her give us plenty of adventures and interesting characters to meet.
NOTES:
Chapter 1:
a. Mendanbar's father drowned in the Lake of Weeping Dreamers three years ago.
b. The Enchanted Forest chooses its own kings through a sword that can be safely used only by members of Mendanbar's family. The king's son isn't always chosen.
Chapter 2: The outside of Morwen's cottage is described.
Chapter 3:
a. We meet Morwen and her eight cats. The inside of her cottage is described.
b. Mendanbar's castle has a door that leads to whatever place you wish to go. It's in the attic, which is up seven flights of stairs.
Chapter 4: The Key to the Castle not only opens any lock in the castle, so long as it is in there, it will come to anyone who calls it.
Chapter 5:
a. Mendanbar has been the King of the Enchanted forest for over three years and this is the first time he's left it since then.
b. Mendanbar meets Cimorene.
Chapter 6:
a. Kazul left last Monday to visit her grandchildren.
b. Woraug's story was told in Dealing With Dragons. Cimorene states what she believes happened to him after that.
c. We learn why dragons Roxim and Marchak can't accompany Cimorene to get Kazul.
d. Antorell shows up.
Chapter 7:
a. The friend who discovered the method of melting wizards by accident is .
b. We meet Dobbilan and Ballimore, a giant and his giantess wife.
Chapter 8: Dobbilan complains about the Jacks who've visited in the past 20 years.
Chapter 9: Mendanbar and Cimorene meet Herman the dwarf who is apparently he's the great-grandson of Rumpelstiltskin. His house used to belong to a magician.
Chapter 11: We have the Peter de Sève cover scene! We also meet Telemain the magician.
Chapter 12: 'Gypsy' Jack's house on wheels is described.
Chapter 14: Crown Prince Jorillam of Meriambee and his guardian uncle, Prince Rupert are introduced. Well, well, Telemain and Morwen are old friends.
Chapter 16: Oh good -- Morwen says something so we know which cat is Jasper and which is Chaos (not sure where I put my copy of book one).
Chapter 17: There's a list of how many family members Cimorene has. There's also mention of four humans who are very happy to be disenchanted.
Searching For Dragons is one of those sequels that are every bit as good as the original book. The humor made me chuckle and I gladly reread portions of the book, especially the last two chapters. The wizards are jerks, as usual (sorry, Harry Dresden and Harry Potter). As the villains of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, they can be expected to be up to no good in books three and four.
Dragon lovers: Sadly, the dragons aren't in this book as much as the first one.
Cat lovers: Two of Morwen's cats, Chaos and Jasper, come along for the climax. I thoroughly enjoyed their antics. show less
The King of the Enchanted Forest always knows where he is in his kingdom. He can also pull the threads of its magic for his use. That's why discovering a dead spot is a shock. It's not a spooky place such as the blasted heath in H. P. Lovecraft's 'The Colour Out of Space,' but it's very disquieting. Imagine finding a big sore on your body you hadn't noticed before and you can't think how you got it. Worse, the new wasteland is near one of his favorite spots, the Green Glass Pool. Still worse, there's an annoying princess at the pool. No, it's not Cimorene. Her manner of speaking is enough to deserve the 'gag me' gesture.
If you've read the first book, you already know that the Society of Wizards is full of scheming, greedy jerks. That's more than Mendanbar knows when their head wizard, Zemenar visits him. Good thing Mendanbar already met Morwen the witch and learned a few things about dragons from her because
Zemenar is trying to get the king to help the wizards get access to the Caves of Fire and Night, which the dragons aren't allowing. Wizard staves soak up magic, and Zemenar's staff is trying to do the same while he talks with the king. Mendanbar takes care of that.
Mendanbar explains he has something to settle with the dragons before he can fulfill Zemenar's request. The wizard warns him about their king, Kazul, and her princess. Zemenar blames Cimorene for their problem with the dragons. (See book one for what happened.) Mendanbar isn't looking forward to meeting the lady.
As it turns out, King Kazul isn't home. Cimorene and Mendanbar's attempts to get to her give us plenty of adventures and interesting characters to meet.
NOTES:
Chapter 1:
a. Mendanbar's father drowned in the Lake of Weeping Dreamers three years ago.
b. The Enchanted Forest chooses its own kings through a sword that can be safely used only by members of Mendanbar's family. The king's son isn't always chosen.
Chapter 2: The outside of Morwen's cottage is described.
Chapter 3:
a. We meet Morwen and her eight cats. The inside of her cottage is described.
b. Mendanbar's castle has a door that leads to whatever place you wish to go. It's in the attic, which is up seven flights of stairs.
Chapter 4: The Key to the Castle not only opens any lock in the castle, so long as it is in there, it will come to anyone who calls it.
Chapter 5:
a. Mendanbar has been the King of the Enchanted forest for over three years and this is the first time he's left it since then.
b. Mendanbar meets Cimorene.
Chapter 6:
a. Kazul left last Monday to visit her grandchildren.
b. Woraug's story was told in Dealing With Dragons. Cimorene states what she believes happened to him after that.
c. We learn why dragons Roxim and Marchak can't accompany Cimorene to get Kazul.
d. Antorell shows up.
Chapter 7:
a. The friend who discovered the method of melting wizards by accident is .
b. We meet Dobbilan and Ballimore, a giant and his giantess wife.
Chapter 8: Dobbilan complains about the Jacks who've visited in the past 20 years.
Chapter 9: Mendanbar and Cimorene meet Herman the dwarf who is apparently he's the great-grandson of Rumpelstiltskin. His house used to belong to a magician.
Chapter 11: We have the Peter de Sève cover scene! We also meet Telemain the magician.
Chapter 12: 'Gypsy' Jack's house on wheels is described.
Chapter 14: Crown Prince Jorillam of Meriambee and his guardian uncle, Prince Rupert are introduced. Well, well, Telemain and Morwen are old friends.
Chapter 16: Oh good -- Morwen says something so we know which cat is Jasper and which is Chaos (not sure where I put my copy of book one).
Chapter 17: There's a list of how many family members Cimorene has. There's also mention of four humans who are very happy to be disenchanted.
Searching For Dragons is one of those sequels that are every bit as good as the original book. The humor made me chuckle and I gladly reread portions of the book, especially the last two chapters. The wizards are jerks, as usual (sorry, Harry Dresden and Harry Potter). As the villains of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, they can be expected to be up to no good in books three and four.
Dragon lovers: Sadly, the dragons aren't in this book as much as the first one.
Cat lovers: Two of Morwen's cats, Chaos and Jasper, come along for the climax. I thoroughly enjoyed their antics. show less
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Author Information
42+ Works 41,591 Members
Patricia Collins Wrede is an American fantasy writer, born 1953 in Chicago, Illinois; she is the eldest of five children. She graduated from Carleton College in 1974 with a BA in Biology. She earned an MBA from University of Minnesota in 1977. She finished her first book in 1978. She is a full-time writer. She is a vegetarian and lives in show more Minneapolis, Minnesota with her three cats. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Searching for Dragons
- Original title
- Searching for Dragons
- Alternate titles
- Dragon Search
- Original publication date
- 1991
- People/Characters
- Mendanbar; Cimorene; Kazul; Morwen; Telemain; Willin (show all 14); Zemenar (Chief of the Society of Wizards); Antorell; Gypsy Jack; Dobbilan (a giant); Prince Rupert; Dizenel (wizard); Xinamon (wizard); Queen Alexandra
- Important places
- Enchanted Forest; Mountains of Morning; Flat Top Mountain; the King of the Enchanted Forest's castle; Morwen's house, the Enchanted Forest; Mendanbar's study with the carved talking gargoyle in his castle (show all 14); the Green Glass Pool, Enchanted Forest; King Kazul's cave in the Mountains of Morning; Dobbilan & Ballimore's giant castle on Flat Top Mountain; Herman's house among the pine trees, about halfway from Flat Top Mountain to the dragon Falgorn's cave; 'Gypsy' Jack's house on wheels; the Crystal Falls by the tunnel leading to the back entrance of the Cave of Stone Icicles, Enchanted Forest; the Cave of Stone Icicles, Enchanted Forest; Fire-Flower Meadow, Enchanted Forest
- Dedication
- I would like to thank the
RIGHT HONORABLE WICKED STEPMOTHERS'
TRAVELING, DRINKING, AND DEBATING SOCIETY
--Caroline, Ellen, and Mimi--
for kindly granting their permission for use of their Society in this book,... (show all) and for allowing me to inflict them with a Men's Auxiliary. - First words
- The King of the Enchanted Forest was twenty years old and lived in a rambling, scrambling, mixed-up castle somewhere near the center of his domain.
- Quotations
- 2015 ebook omnibus intro:
Like its predecessor, Dealing with Dragons, this book is one I never intended to write. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Morwen shook her head, picked up her broomstick and her paint can, and followed.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Fantasy, Fiction and Literature, Tween, Kids, Teen, Young Adult
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PZ8 .W92 .S — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
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- 62
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