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Dragonbait
Once, a long long time ago, a little bit before your grandmother was born and a little bit after the invention of fire, there was a princess called Jocelyn... In some families they had a special way of talking or a particular way of opening Christmas presents. In my family, we had the story. Set down for the first time is Pa Cheese's classic story of a brave princess who falls in love with a beautiful dragon.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2013
1 person is currently reading
326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2017
Guys. You guuuuuys. This is… I mean… the… *insert unintelligible noises*… awesome. The awesomeness that is contained in these pages. This book makes me want to grab a child and read it to them. This book is like The Princess Bride, both in awesomeness and in that it is a story being told to children. I suppose also in that there is a princess who does not begin as a princess. But like The Princess Bride, it is also a timeless tale that can be passed on to generations.
Our journey begins with a father telling his boys a story. It is a story that has been passed down and is now a tradition in the family.
“I like traditions. They’re like little flag posts, leading us from one decade to the next.”
Shown in italics, we hear from our storyteller and his sons periodically throughout the story. (Like Fred Savage and Peter Falk!) But I digress…
Our tale is that of Jocelyn, an orphaned milkmaid who has dreams of princessdom. After leaving home, she is rescued not by a hero or a knight or a prince like she may have wanted, but by a dragon.
“After all, what is a villain, other than a hero from the other side of the battlefield?”
She is taken to his tower, where she lives with him and a troll for a time, and is happy. But that happiness quickly comes to an end when they are attacked by the Black Knight.
Jocelyn starts on a seemingly hopeless journey to save the dragon, and meets some friends and allies along the way. We see her transition from milkmaid to princess with nothing more than her will, wit, and kindness. She becomes a princess by being honest and fighting for what she believes in. The outside trappings and friends she makes do help her on that journey, but with those basic internal qualities, McLain shows that anyone can become a princess (or prince, if you like.) Who needs Elsa and her ice powers when you have an army who will fight for you at your back? You want to create your own path? Go for it! You dream of being an architect, an engineer, an underwater basket weaver? Follow your dreams!
Perhaps the story format gives the book a comforting feel, or maybe it comes from the similarities to a well-loved book/movie. It has basic themes of honesty, loyalty, and kindness, lessons that are good and necessary to be passed on to listeners and/or readers of all ages. It is an epic tale (but not epic in length) that includes a princess, a dragon, a knight, a troll, a fool, and a few thieves, just to name a few, so there is something for everyone. If you like The Princess Bride (and really, who doesn’t?) than you will enjoy David McLain’s Dragonbait. The chapters are short, the dialogue is clever, and the characters are enchanting. Overall, it is the perfect book to read aloud. Anyone interested in a bedtime story?
Our journey begins with a father telling his boys a story. It is a story that has been passed down and is now a tradition in the family.
“I like traditions. They’re like little flag posts, leading us from one decade to the next.”
Shown in italics, we hear from our storyteller and his sons periodically throughout the story. (Like Fred Savage and Peter Falk!) But I digress…
Our tale is that of Jocelyn, an orphaned milkmaid who has dreams of princessdom. After leaving home, she is rescued not by a hero or a knight or a prince like she may have wanted, but by a dragon.
“After all, what is a villain, other than a hero from the other side of the battlefield?”
She is taken to his tower, where she lives with him and a troll for a time, and is happy. But that happiness quickly comes to an end when they are attacked by the Black Knight.
Jocelyn starts on a seemingly hopeless journey to save the dragon, and meets some friends and allies along the way. We see her transition from milkmaid to princess with nothing more than her will, wit, and kindness. She becomes a princess by being honest and fighting for what she believes in. The outside trappings and friends she makes do help her on that journey, but with those basic internal qualities, McLain shows that anyone can become a princess (or prince, if you like.) Who needs Elsa and her ice powers when you have an army who will fight for you at your back? You want to create your own path? Go for it! You dream of being an architect, an engineer, an underwater basket weaver? Follow your dreams!
Perhaps the story format gives the book a comforting feel, or maybe it comes from the similarities to a well-loved book/movie. It has basic themes of honesty, loyalty, and kindness, lessons that are good and necessary to be passed on to listeners and/or readers of all ages. It is an epic tale (but not epic in length) that includes a princess, a dragon, a knight, a troll, a fool, and a few thieves, just to name a few, so there is something for everyone. If you like The Princess Bride (and really, who doesn’t?) than you will enjoy David McLain’s Dragonbait. The chapters are short, the dialogue is clever, and the characters are enchanting. Overall, it is the perfect book to read aloud. Anyone interested in a bedtime story?
August 15, 2017
A well-told quest-style fairy tale in the vein of The Princess Bride, David McLain succeeded in subverting my expectations. Jocelyn is great, strong, and delightfully turns the whole princess-thing on its head, needing no one to save her as she grows from milkmaid to queen in her own right. I loved the Dragon, Penn the Prince of Thieves, and all the other memorable characters. I also felt that the author captured the feel of reading to two small children perfectly.
I did have some problems with the story being slow to start, an overabundance of narration by the author in places, and overall I felt that the book could use a good content editor to really make it shine. Don't let those things stop you from reading it, however, the experience is worth it.
I did have some problems with the story being slow to start, an overabundance of narration by the author in places, and overall I felt that the book could use a good content editor to really make it shine. Don't let those things stop you from reading it, however, the experience is worth it.
December 2, 2015
I bought this book at the Elmwood Art Festival over the summer. Both the author and the illustrator kindly signed it for me! I've been dying to read it for months and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
Lots of reviews say this story reminds them of The Princess Bride, and I agree. And I do love TPB, don't get me wrong; it's a masterpiece. But it doesn't do Buttercup justice. I like to think of this story almost as TPB if Buttercup was the heroine of the story. :)
The humor was right up my alley -- very tongue-in-cheek and silly. And I love the twist on the classic princess-kidnapped-by-a-dragon plot. Jocelyn is a great heroine, and I love the way the story itself is framed. It was great to see the boys in the present-day, listening to a story, change their mind about girls as protagonists of adventure stories.
I think my favorite character was Arachnis, the Spider Queen! She was surprisingly adorable. I also liked Merle. I thought he was interesting, and I liked the way he went from the Fool archetype to the Hermit/Wizard archetype. (I also LOVED the nod to the Pendragons!)
I think my only complaint with the story was Algernon's dialogue (although I loved Algernon as a character). Seeing words in all caps and spelled funny was a bit sore on my eyes and sometimes I had to think more carefully about what he was supposed to be saying. (I had the same complaint with Hagrid in the Harry Potter novels; it's simply a personal preference, because when accents are spelled out it tends to slow me down and take me out of the immersion a little.)
Overall though this was a great, entertaining story. The illustrations were wonderful too; I love Felix Eddy's art, and have a couple of her prints.
Lots of reviews say this story reminds them of The Princess Bride, and I agree. And I do love TPB, don't get me wrong; it's a masterpiece. But it doesn't do Buttercup justice. I like to think of this story almost as TPB if Buttercup was the heroine of the story. :)
The humor was right up my alley -- very tongue-in-cheek and silly. And I love the twist on the classic princess-kidnapped-by-a-dragon plot. Jocelyn is a great heroine, and I love the way the story itself is framed. It was great to see the boys in the present-day, listening to a story, change their mind about girls as protagonists of adventure stories.
I think my favorite character was Arachnis, the Spider Queen! She was surprisingly adorable. I also liked Merle. I thought he was interesting, and I liked the way he went from the Fool archetype to the Hermit/Wizard archetype. (I also LOVED the nod to the Pendragons!)
I think my only complaint with the story was Algernon's dialogue (although I loved Algernon as a character). Seeing words in all caps and spelled funny was a bit sore on my eyes and sometimes I had to think more carefully about what he was supposed to be saying. (I had the same complaint with Hagrid in the Harry Potter novels; it's simply a personal preference, because when accents are spelled out it tends to slow me down and take me out of the immersion a little.)
Overall though this was a great, entertaining story. The illustrations were wonderful too; I love Felix Eddy's art, and have a couple of her prints.
September 29, 2013
I received this from Library Thing to read and review. In the vein of The Princess Bride, this tale involves a young, beautiful princess who, destined for an arranged marriage she does not want, runs away, falls into a ravine and is rescued by a dragon. The story is cute and will probably appeal to a youngish generation looking for a hero type story. I found it to be okay but not really my type of read. However, I may just be past the age where I enjoy reading about dragons or rescuing young maidens in distress or this type fantasy may just not be my type of read. I think the story if well done. The idea, though not all that original, is still interesting and well done. I think there is an audience for this book out there, especially in the fantasy fan and younger crowd, who enjoy reading about dragons and young princesses/maidens who escape bad things. This is also a good story to become a family “legend” or “tradition”, to be brought out now and again when the family needs/wants such a tale, as the intro as this story suggests.
September 29, 2015
My review is of Dragonbait by David McClain. I am giving it FOUR stars. The main character is Princess Jocelyn she lives in the golden age of princesses and is quite a strong person. She is a milkmaid but feels that she really should've been born a princess. When she runs away and found herself in a forest she's discovered by a Dragon. I really like this book because Jocelyn is such a strong female character. She really knows how to get things done. And I like how she ends up being a hero instead of being saved by someone else.
I would recommend this book for everyone who likes the Princess bride and who likes fantasy stories with strong female characters.
I would recommend this book for everyone who likes the Princess bride and who likes fantasy stories with strong female characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2013
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Dragonbait by David McLain: This is a fun read. Jocelyn is(Orphan,Milk Maid Princess). Facing an arranged marriage Princess Jocelyn runs away, falls down a hill into a ravine, and is rescued by a Dragon. It reminds me of a couple stories that I love "The Princess Bride" and "The Never Ending Story" they are all told by a third person out side the story, they contain great adventures, Young to teach lessons to about love loyalty bravery. Next chance I get I'm reading it with My Grand-daughter:)
Dragonbait by David McLain: This is a fun read. Jocelyn is(Orphan,Milk Maid Princess). Facing an arranged marriage Princess Jocelyn runs away, falls down a hill into a ravine, and is rescued by a Dragon. It reminds me of a couple stories that I love "The Princess Bride" and "The Never Ending Story" they are all told by a third person out side the story, they contain great adventures, Young to teach lessons to about love loyalty bravery. Next chance I get I'm reading it with My Grand-daughter:)
December 30, 2013
a new twist on an old classic. the characters spoke like real people. the story itself was great. i wish i could have read it all in one hit. the ending was perfect and written beautifully. a good surprise at the end. well worth the read.
October 3, 2013
Reminded me of the Princess Bride where the G'pa is reading to the boy (or in this case boys).There seemed to be some similarities in other ways too. I liked it, but it wasn't fabulous.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
November 13, 2014
If you love some fun with your fairytale fantasies, this is a must! McLain's story is cute and funny and a very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews