The Dragon and Princess Madeline

Princess Madeline #3

by Kirstin Pulioff

After a season of battle and rebuilding, the Kingdom of Soron is exhausted. With the return of the exiled wizards, the Spring Faire, and her upcoming wedding, Princess Madeline is looking forward to a peaceful season of celebration. When the mysterious green dragon reappears, threatening the kingdom and the king, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden won’t rest for long.

Faced with this incredible new danger, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden must find a way to lead their kingdom and secure their future. Can they find the answers hidden within their mother’s cryptic messages from the past, or will the dragon destroy everything they hold dear?

Follow Princess Madeline as she embarks on a dangerous new adventure to save her kingdom and her family.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Princesses, Middle Grade, Childrens, Royalty, Young Adult

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom. When she’s not writing, she is busy with her kids, church and the family business.

I would love to connect with you at:
www.facebook.com/kirstinpulioffauthor
https://twitter.com/kirstinpulioff
http://www.amazon.com/Kirstin-Pulioff...

I am also the Young Adult & Children's Literature moderator for the Modern Good Reads group. Join in our discussion of great books, and great recommendations. Hope to see you there http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/9...

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third and final book of the Princess Madeline Trilogy by Kirstin Pulioff, the reader is once again transported to the kingdom of Soron where the people of the land are preparing for the Spring Market. But the celebrations quickly turn to horror when the great green dragon descends upon the market and burns the king alive. Using his last breaths, the king insists that Braden be crowned as the new king and that Madeline does not delay in marrying her true love, Daniel.

Shortly after their wedding ceremony, Madeline and Daniel head to their new kingdom, Epoh (hope spelled backwards!) along with some of their loyal subjects; while Braden must bravely lead his knights into battle against the dangerous dragon. The mystery of why the dragon is attacking the kingdom begins to unravel as Madeline and her fellow travellers stumble upon a nest of dragon eggs hidden in the depths of the tunnel connecting the kingdoms. Motivated by the power of love, Madeline knows what she must do to save her family and friends, regardless of the great danger she must face: the dragon itself!

As always, Princess Madeline is a strong female character, although for the first time in the trilogy, she is leading her people as they head to a new land. There is a more subtle change in, not so much Madeline herself, but in the way her friends and family relate to her. With the king no longer able to rule and with Madeline thrust into a leadership position, she is portrayed more as a strong, determined, and caring individual who has the respect of her family, friends, and subjects. This is in contrast to the earlier books, where she came off as headstrong and defiant. I felt that Madeline really came into her own as a character in this final book.

Kirstin Pulioff has accomplished something that I really admire in completing the Princess Madeline Trilogy - – that is, she has written three books that can each stand alone but that are elevated to great storytelling when read as a trilogy. Starting with the first book, The Escape of Princess Madeline and continuing into the second book, The Battle for Princess Madeline, the reader is given snippets of information that become relevant as the story progresses (e.g., the exile of the wizards, the “shell” given to Madeline by Daniel, Madeline’s visions, and so on). Within the pages of Princess Madeline and the Dragon, there is a great story that brings all three books from the Princess Madeline Trilogy together and which left me completely satisfied as a reader – a huge accomplishment!

Having read and enjoyed all three books in the Princess Madeline Trilogy, I can say without hesitation that the third book, Princess Madeline and the Dragon is the best in the series. There are scenes in the last book which had me glued to the pages. In particular, when Madeline and her followers are in the underground tunnels, the tension was palpable through the pages. I felt like I was actually there experiencing what the characters were. Without giving too much of the story away, I was also very moved by how the theme of a mother’s love was woven throughout the story. The author did a great job of getting me emotionally invested in the story and I just loved the way it all ended.

My Bottom Line:

Princess Madeline and the Dragon is the third and final book in the Princess Madeline Trilogy book series by Kirstin Pulioff. Pulioff transports us once again to the fantastical land of Soron where magic and dragons lurk in the shadows and where we find a much more mature and well-rounded Princess Madeline. I found Princess Madeline and the Dragon to be the best book in the series and I thought Pulioff did a great job of wrapping up the trilogy. I highly recommend the entire trilogy to tween and teenaged girls in particular who love reading fantasy and adventure books featuring a strong female character. Ages 10+

* I received a copy of this book free-of-charge from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

[P.J. LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Madeline and the Dragon is the last book in the fairy tale trilogy by Kirstin Pulioff. Madeline shows a new level of maturity not seen in the first two books of the series indicating she has grown up and is ready to marry her beloved knight. But first, she must discover the meaning of the green mist in her dreams. The mystery of the mist is the key to the safety of her homeland Soron and her new kingdom, Epoh. Will she unlock the secret of her dreams in time to save both of her beloved kingdoms from the green dragon? And will she arrived in time to save her twin brother who is battling the green dragon?

I highly recommend this book and the entire series. The series is well written and holds the reader’s attention. The Princess Madeline books are great fairy tales destined to be loved by readers of all ages.

Note: I received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ally Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Kristin Pulioff has sprinkled her magic again into book three of the Princess Madeline trilogy!
Princess Madeline and the Dragon is an exciting and thoroughly satisfying final chapter in this fantasy/adventure series. As she did with books one and two, the author has created a fantasy world in a rich medieval setting that we can believe in--and want to visit, over and over.
Confronted by a terrible foe and a puzzle to unravel, the determined heroine and her brother race to save the kingdom--each in his or her own way-- with a little help from her very own charming prince Daniel.
Along with adventure, a sweet romance, and a theme that centers on the power of love, you may find a surprise or two! If your tween or teen loves princesses, brave heroes and fairytales of daring-do, they shouldn't miss this one!

[Byader Elseamat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prophesies, family tragedies, magic and - of course - dragons, combine to produce a tale that is an instant classic. Written with a great deal of charm, 'Princess Madeline and the Dragon' will not disappoint Ms Pulioff's young fans. I look forward to seeing where next her imagination will take this natural storyteller.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline has been studying with Elias, the wizard, for the past several months. After Madeline turned 16, she discovered her natural magic came from her dreams, which are now blocked and Elias is giving her different herbal tea combinations to try to release the block. Meanwhile, the kingdom is alive with preparations for Spring Faire and with all the craziness that recently happened, expectations are high for this to be a grand event.

As King Theodore and Prince Braden are watching this event come together, Prince Braden sees a speck in the distance which grows larger and they are amazed to see that it's a green dragon, which circles around and then disappears. When Madeline sees the dragon, the necklace she's wearing starts to burn her neck and Elias is able to explain to her what her necklace actually is and what it means.

King Theodore scrambles to come up with a plan, trying to reassure his people in the meantime that everything will be okay. Elias makes his way to the King to explain what he has been able to learn about what's going on. One of the villagers makes a request that the people be given one day to rejoice before they take action and the King agrees to that.

The celebration is in full swing and all is going well when Elias makes a shocking discovery. They go to warn the King but before they can, tragedy strikes and everything changes. Ceremonies are quickly moved up and Madeline and Braden face their toughest challenges yet.

This is a great ending to such a fun series! Madeline has matured a lot, which is good because she needs to dig deep to find the answers to help her people. She and Daniel are still adorable and I love them! We actually don't get a lot of interaction between them but just knowing that he's solid and is there for her made me happy!

We see more of Braden, too, and he has some big decisions to make. He's not sure if he's ready but he still has to push forward. In book one, he liked Madeline's best friend, Sophia, and in book two, Sophia made a decision which ended their relationship. I still felt like there was something there, though, and was hoping for more closure between them in this book, but probably because it didn't end the way I thought it would. Braden does make some comments that show where he's at but I think I just kept hoping for something else.

A lot of questions are answered as the story unfolds and the little mysteries we've learned along the way are resolved. The end of the story made me a little teary and the end of the Epilogue put a huge smile on my face! I've really enjoyed this series. The books aren't very long but a lot is packed into them. I was surprised at the page count for this book because so much happened yet it didn't feel rushed at all. I highly recommend this series and definitely want my daughter to read it! I'm also looking forward to seeing what Ms. Pulioff has in store next!

Mel's Shelves

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in a trilogy based on the adventures of Princess Madeline. While I do heartily recommend that you read all three, a reader will find any of the three a satisfying fantasy adventure aimed at tweens and teens but no less enjoyable for adults.

Pulioff expertly guides the reader into this story by setting the stage in the Prologue in which we learn the kingdom of Soron is again under attack. Long ago, Lord Hawthorne followed out orders to attack the dragons in the surrounding forests ushering in a battle between dragons and humans. The wizard, Elias, tells Princess Madeline that all lived in peace until humans tried to steal the magic in the dragon’s eggs and the red dragon was captured. Now the kingdom is threatened by the wrath of the green dragon. When King Theodore is burned by the dragon and lies near death, the fate of the kingdom falls into the hands of Princess Madeline and her twin brother, Braden.

As they makes plans for the kingdom to survive, two major events will take place the next day: the coronation of Braden as king, and the marriage of Madeline to her knight, Daniel. The wizard Elias will accompany Madeline, Daniel and their friends as well as the villagers through the system of underground tunnels to safety in a land to the north near the Dragon’s Gate. At the same time the new king prepares for the battle with his knights in an attempt to rid the land of the dragon threat.

While treking through the dark tunnels, Elias reveals the prophecy of Queen Eleanor, who died while protecting Braden and Madeline. No one has yet deciphered the meaning of “He who recovers the orbs holds the line of the future.” When Madeline finds the missing dragon eggs and holds one up that illuminates the darkness, she realizes that she might have found the secret. She rushes to find Braden, who is already engaged in mortal combat; he is determined to destroy the eggs and the dragon.

Madeline and Braden both have strong personalities that have been developing throughout the series, but their philosophies and ensuing actions are at opposite ends. Whoever succeeds in persuading the other on how to proceed forward will determine the future of the Soron Kingdom and whether, or if, that kingdom will survive. The culmination of this inward struggle produces the most action of the series in this third volume. Pulioff has again succeeded in carefully delineating her characters. At the same time she produces more than enough adventure, action, fantasy and mystery for tweens and teens to enjoy. They may not even realize they are learning valuable life lessons and character development!

[Fiona Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is well in the Kingdom of Soron; at least, that’s what everyone thinks. The village has been rebuilt since Prince Paulsen’s disastrous attack the previous autumn, and preparations are under way for the Spring Faire – a very important occasion. Princess Madeline is also preparing for her upcoming wedding to Daniel, and the prospect of establishing a new home in the North. The wizards, now welcomed back after their timely assistance during the previous troubles, have a new role to play. Madeline has been having strange dreams, and the Elder Wizard, in fact her Uncle Elias, is trying to teach her to harness her magical powers, inherited from her mother. Then things turn horribly upside-down, as we have been warned via the prologue, where Lord Hawthorne (hunting for dragons’ eggs) stumbles upon a rare clutch of these magical eggs. Amazingly, a green dragon appears and begins to ravage the kingdom. The fiery attack ends with King Theodore being badly burned to the point where he insists on Madeline’s marriage to Daniel right away; and he appoints Madeline’s twin brother Braden as King of Soron. The dragon is fast becoming a huge and dangerous problem. Will Madeline and Braden be able to decipher the clues left by their mother that spoke of the Age of Dragons? And why is the dragon suddenly attacking the kingdom?

Kirstin Pulioff has cleverly sown the clues to the final book in the first and second books, where seemingly innocuous items hold the key to solving the mystery of the green dragon. Braden, somewhat neglected in books one and two, comes into his own and pulls the readers’ focus as he takes charge of the kingdom, and finds the path of love not as smooth as he had hoped. Madeline has really grown up here, and her thoughts on resolving the kingdom’s dilemma differ greatly from her brother’s. Her way is based on love, reason, reconciliation, and truth. The wizard Elias also has a lot to teach both the characters and young readers and his words of wisdom are beautifully woven into this rich fantasy tapestry. Again the author’s gift for description stands her in good stead as the dragon, in all its flaming fury, is brought vividly to life in the pages of this magical fairy tale. Princess Madeline and the Dragon is well worth the wait as there is something for everyone: romance, love, enchantment, magicality, wizards, action, adventure, and of course … here be dragons!

[Sher A. Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third installment of the series, Princess Madeline has matured and grown to accept her responsibilities. Disaster strikes, soon after the war, in the form of a dragon. The King charges Prince Braden to fight the dragon and Madeline to journey to Dragon’s Gate, far from her childhood home, to make a new one. More than in previous books, I felt the emotion because the author also matured in storytelling. Death seemed ready to take its toll.

Without giving spoilers, I can say Madeline and her brother Braden have to accept their new roles. Obstacles block her way even though she accepts her charge. Soon, her goals diverge from her companions’. Her mother’s magical legacy helps her see things others can’t. But it doesn’t always work right or in time, leaving Madeline in the dark, blocked both figuratively and literally. Then a bit of foreshadowing from previous books becomes a ray of hope. The question remains whether she can convince the others to see the light.

Braden finds himself in more serious trouble battling the dragon. Scene switches help increase the tension between the two storylines until they merge into an exciting climax. Whose way will win the day? You might guess since Madeline is the heroine.

I read all three books to evaluate the whole series, short reads well suited for middle grade, with simple plotlines laced with magic. Even though Madeline gets married in the final book, there’s no sexual content except kissing. The pace was best in book three, but as in the others, every so often I went what? If misused words and vague pronouns frustrated me, how will tweens decide what they mean? I also thought the author held back from real-life serious consequences such as death. Not good for teens who haven’t learned that mistakes can kill.

Still, I liked the storytelling and the messages throughout the series, and I enjoyed Madeline’s character growth from pig-headed, selfish, and impetuous teen towards a selfless, loving, and responsible adult. I'm just one of those people who notices mistakes and can't really like a book with so many. 3 stars, a nice finish to a fun adventure series I liked. I think between girls and boys, tweens would also rate the book a 3. I was provided a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Princess Madeline and the Dragon" by Kirstin Pulioff is the third in her series about a headstrong princess in the Kingdom of Soron.

In this episode we are drawn right into a well written prologue: a fast paced action scene that introduces the dragon hunter Lord Hawthorne who is after the magic of dragon eggs.

When the Kingdom is attacked by a dragon, King Theodore gets injured, leaving his children to decide on the right path of action. The new King Braden and his sister Madeline try to do this not least by attempting to decrypt a message from their late mother which predicted a time of the dragons.

Of the three books this has the most suspense and action scenes. The young characters are forced into more responsibility and with their unique personalities and their gradual development since the first book they serve as excellent vehicles to carry this story forward.
Carefully planted clues and plot pieces from the previous two books, like the reason behind their mother's death and her riddle-like predictions now come into play and make me wonder how many more tricks Pulioff has up her sleeves. By now the characters feel like part of my family and with the clever plotting and long sighted set up this series is just getting started.

The story is engaging on many levels, as is Pulioff's writing, but on this occasion I was mostly drawn into the action and the mystery as how to prevent the worst from happening.

This is great entertainment and should do well across a wider age range.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book, and if the system allowed me, I would give it a 4 1/2 star rating instead of 4.

This was actually the first one I have read in the series, which is actually the last book, so rating this completely would be very hard for me since that would be like, as an example, starting at the "The Return of the King", in the JRR Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, instead of at "The Hobbit". This is MY fault, not the writer's. It was very well written and has definitely got me interested/wanting to read the previous two books.

It was about a very heartwarming adventure that I would be proud of and LOVE to share with my girls when they get older. I thought the ending fell a little short (maybe she plans on adding another book to the series?), but overall I loved the experience I had of reading this. I can see this book entertaining many young adults and become a book series that is well-known in every household. I love how she captures the feelings of other characters besides the main character, along with what is happening to them around the time of the main character's happenings.

(To the author- Congratulations! You have a new fan!! I wish you the best for your future writings and I will definitely be recommending this to many many people! I can't wait to review the previous two books! Thank you for giving me the chance to review this one!)

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!
**Received ebook as part of the Mother Daughter Review blog tour for an honest review

The cover is cute and very intriguing though Madeline is looking very rough and like she has been through some tough times.

I really love this series!! Kirstin does a fantastic job writing it so you see everything like you are there. I really wish I could get my son to read this series, but he keeps himself busy with what he calls boy stuff (no princesses…lol).

I love Princess Madeline’s sense of adventure and that she always follows her heart. She doesn’t take the easy path and fights for what she thinks is right. There is a lot going on, but I don’t like to give anything away. Let’s just say the kingdom still has trouble, and you have to read it to see who saves the day and what happened!!

If you haven’t read this series yet, you should especially if you have a daughter to read it with. I think I’m going to read it with my niece this summer if we aren’t too busy running around.

I highly recommend this series to anyone with middle grade kids or someone who is a kid at heart. I can’t wait to see what Kirstin and Madeline come up with next!!!!

[Ruth Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, permit me to explain that this is the first book in the series I have read. I realize this is the end of the trilogy, but I had no trouble jumping right into the action. It is a fairly simple book to join "in process." This meets its target audience in that there is no sex, violence, nor profanity. It is a clean read, and if your tweens love fantasy, this may be just the book for them.

Although the book is well-written for its targeted audience, I do have one minor criticism. I felt that the book was often rather dark and heavy. I never felt that there was a light, comical moment, and it dealt with serious issues. Seeing how this is a "coming of age" fantasy, I suppose I can understand and appreciate that. And perhaps if I had read the other two books first, I may have been able to appreciation the somber tone. I just would have enjoyed some humor to mix things up a bit. I can always tolerate fantasy novels much more when that is included.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Madeline and the Dragon is filled with exciting adventure and gripping suspense as Princess Madeline and her brother, the new King, choose different paths in facing the wrath of the green dragon. King Braden, along with his Knights race to battle, but Princess Madeline discovers that love not war may be the answer. Which decision will be the right one?
The story has it all: a new King, a Princess, Knights, Wizards, and Dragons. It is sprinkled with romance, cryptic messages, and daring quests which create a charming and well-written fairytale that is sure to be a favorite of young readers.
I am a fan of tales that draw me in right from the start and Princess Madeline and the Dragon is such a story. I found myself flying through the pages trying to keep up with the action and eager to discover what would happen next. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book in the Princess Madeline series I've read yet. The head-strong, self-assured, and good sensed Princess Madeline faces her biggest challenge yet, to save her kingdom from a dragon. Unlike the first two books, this one starts out with action and holds the tension to the very end. This story is a little darker than the others and offers a more mature Madeline. This young princess has come a long way.

The plot now is speckled with clues and tension. Bits and pieces of Madeline's history and secret past, which were sprinkled into the first two books, begin to weave together to reveal an interesting and new depth to this already rich character. Madeline still has things to learn, but in this coming of age series, it's easy to see her development and cheer for her as she again learns everything that will make her a wonderful woman and great queen.

I can only recommend this series to young girls!

[John Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Saving the Best for Last"

Kirstin Pulioff has saved the best for last.

'Princess Madeline and the Dragon' is the final instalment in the 'Princess Madeline Trilogy'. I thought the first two books were finely wrought stories, but this novel surpasses its predecessors. Prophesies, family tragedies, magic and - of course - dragons, combine to produce a tale that is an instant classic.

Written with a great deal of charm, 'Princess Madeline and the Dragon' will not disappoint Ms Pulioff's young fans. I look forward to seeing where next her imagination will take this natural storyteller.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of my favorite series EVER for kids. This is the 3rd book in the trilogy. This is a clean series that is free of profanity and sexual situations. This is a series that is also a smart book. Which means to me, that the author does not dumb down the story line or situations. She allows the reader to use their imaginations and allows them to see the good and bad in the world. There is something for everyone in this series!!! Pulioff is a natural storyteller. This series is a gift she has given to her readers. I am so glad their are authors out there writing stories like this. Pulioff is a force to be noticed and has set the bar high in this genre! 5 stars

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

Princess Madeline and the Dragon is a fairy tale that has kings, knights, a princess, and dragons. It starts out with an exciting prologue and stays interesting throughout. It also has a good lesson for children that the power of love triumphs over all.

This story is well written and full of adventure. Anyone who enjoys young adult fantasies would like this book especially middle grade children.

[Chris Yorgason · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I received the book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed these books. The characters are genuine and the plot is well-developed and moves quickly. Others have done a good job of describing the story, but I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys YA fiction.

[Dalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author Kirstin Pulioff for giving me this book for an honest review. I enjoyed reading this book, its a good clean read. The characters are well developed. Very good world building. I look forward to reading more from Kirstin Pulioff.

[Saira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for my teenage cousin and she loves it. This is a great book for young teens. I would reccommend it!

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dragon and Princess Madeline is the final book to The Princess Madeline trilogy. The story picks up where The Battle for Princess Madeline has ended. Princess Madeline is ready to be queen of a new kingdom and marry her knight, Daniel. However, the green dragon has appeared that threatens to destroy everything that Madeline holds dear. However, clues from the past may give her a clue as to how to beat the dragon. Can Madeline save her kingdom from the dragon before it is too late?

Madeline has really grown throughout the course of the three books. I like how she has grown to be very confident and self-assured. She is willing to take charge and be a queen. I also like how she is ready to make her own decisions. Madeline is also very observant. She looks for clues to solve the situation with the dragon. Overall, Madeline has become a leader. She makes very wise decisions, and people follow her reasoning. Therefore, she gets people around her to listen to her advice. Thus, I believe that she will make a good queen.

Overall, this story is about friendship, love, and family. The message of the story is to be yourself and to follow your heart. I found this story to be very fast-paced, and I felt that all the loose ends were tied together neatly. My only complaint is that aside from Princess Madeline, there was not much development with the side characters, including her love interest, Daniel. They just seemed to be there. Still, I found this trilogy to be very light, charming, and enjoyable. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fierce heroines and fantasy books about dragons.
(Note: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.)

[Jemima Pett]

I was distracted by the editorial errors in this book, although it's a fine adventure. If they bring out a second edition I may review and rate it.