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Firethorn Chronicles
Snapdragon
“We all have thorns, but most of us carry them inside where no one can see how they hurt us.”
Scarred and isolated, and bound to her beautiful twin sister through a horrible curse, Ryll passes her days in their country manor, resigned to her lonely existence. When she receives an unexpected gift from a village boy, her prospects for the future look bright for the first time in her life. Her happy daydreams soon lead to desperation, however, after she loses the precious item down a well. A tiny dragon offers to fish it up for her, but his help comes with a price.
Inspired by The Frog Prince, Snapdragon is a stand-alone short story set in the world of The Firethorn Chronicles, a series drawn from The Twelve Dancing Princesses and other fairytales.
Scarred and isolated, and bound to her beautiful twin sister through a horrible curse, Ryll passes her days in their country manor, resigned to her lonely existence. When she receives an unexpected gift from a village boy, her prospects for the future look bright for the first time in her life. Her happy daydreams soon lead to desperation, however, after she loses the precious item down a well. A tiny dragon offers to fish it up for her, but his help comes with a price.
Inspired by The Frog Prince, Snapdragon is a stand-alone short story set in the world of The Firethorn Chronicles, a series drawn from The Twelve Dancing Princesses and other fairytales.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2017
27 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Lea Doué
16 books152 followersA native of south Georgia, Lea currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her husband, their two boys, and four cats. But, sadly, no dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 5, 2025
I am always – always up for a good retelling.
So this is a retelling of the Princess and the frog. Or is it the frog and the princess? I don’t know. It wasn’t one of my favorite fairy tales from childhood honestly but I felt in the mood for a retelling and I got a good one.
So I enjoyed the story, main reason being the adorable little dragon.
It’s very predictable or at least it was to me. But that was part of the charm. I have, this year read a few mythological retellings that change too many things for me to get into them that’s not to my taste. If I’m going to devote myself to a retelling and immerse myself in it, please don’t change the story to where it becomes unrecognizable.
Luckily, Snapdragon retains the meat of the story, and it was a fun little read. I call it a little read because it was quite short, but I’ve been reading a lot of short stories lately, so that worked in its favor as well.
It’s a nice little escape, and it’s one of the better fairytale retellings I’ve read lately. It doesn’t take too long to read either.
I also must comment on the striking cover art. I’ve read so many exquisite stories this year that had equally exquisite covers. This is one of them.
So this is a retelling of the Princess and the frog. Or is it the frog and the princess? I don’t know. It wasn’t one of my favorite fairy tales from childhood honestly but I felt in the mood for a retelling and I got a good one.
So I enjoyed the story, main reason being the adorable little dragon.
It’s very predictable or at least it was to me. But that was part of the charm. I have, this year read a few mythological retellings that change too many things for me to get into them that’s not to my taste. If I’m going to devote myself to a retelling and immerse myself in it, please don’t change the story to where it becomes unrecognizable.
Luckily, Snapdragon retains the meat of the story, and it was a fun little read. I call it a little read because it was quite short, but I’ve been reading a lot of short stories lately, so that worked in its favor as well.
It’s a nice little escape, and it’s one of the better fairytale retellings I’ve read lately. It doesn’t take too long to read either.
I also must comment on the striking cover art. I’ve read so many exquisite stories this year that had equally exquisite covers. This is one of them.
January 28, 2024
I originally read this in the Fantastic Creatures anthology (of which the majority of the book I didn’t really like, heh) and really loved it, so I was happy to own and reread it as a separate ebook.
It’s so cute, and such a fun take on the Frog Prince fairytale I never would have thought of but works so well. Plus who doesn’t love tiny dragons who want to be your friend? I want a tiny dragon to be my friend! 😍🐉
‼️Content‼️
Violence: a man moves to grab a girl; a man hits a tiny dragon and then nearly stomps on it; a girl cuts a man’s arms with thorns; injuries and blood (not detailed); a tiny dragon is shoved in a sack; a character is thrown against a wall
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Other: magic; characters were cursed by their own sorceress mother and another just by a sorcerer; dragons
It’s so cute, and such a fun take on the Frog Prince fairytale I never would have thought of but works so well. Plus who doesn’t love tiny dragons who want to be your friend? I want a tiny dragon to be my friend! 😍🐉
‼️Content‼️
Violence: a man moves to grab a girl; a man hits a tiny dragon and then nearly stomps on it; a girl cuts a man’s arms with thorns; injuries and blood (not detailed); a tiny dragon is shoved in a sack; a character is thrown against a wall
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Other: magic; characters were cursed by their own sorceress mother and another just by a sorcerer; dragons
April 15, 2017
A short but sweet tale that makes call backs to The Princess and the Frog without imitating it too closely. A relationship forms between Ryll and her new dragon friend, leading to her to make positive changes in her life and maybe even find love.
April 8, 2017
Wonderful retelling of "The Frog Prince" that includes a handsome little dragon and a girl who, though not a princess, certainly bears a curse worthy of one. I loved Ryll and Jorey and the story unfolded a brisk pace that still allowed for plenty of description to draw me in. I'll definitely be reading Doué's other work, and I highly recommend this to all readers who love fairy tale retellings (and dragons!)
February 4, 2018
Daww! This was actually really cute! I do wish it had been just a little longer, though...
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January 22, 2023The Frog Prince is one of my favorite fairy tales so I really enjoyed this charming short story that put its own creative spin on it. Despite its short length I became invested in the characters, the intricate setting, and the growth and development of our protagonist, Ryll. I found the friendship between her and her new dragon friend Jorey extremely sweet and the nature of Ryll’s curse that forces her to remain near her twin sister in order to 'protect' them interesting. I loved how Jorey could see beyond Ryll’s curse and how Ryll grew through their relationship. I enjoyed it so much I would love to see it expanded into a longer story. Overall, Snapdragon was an enjoyable way to spend a half hour. I’m now eager to read the author’s Firethorn Chronicles set in the same story world as this charming tale.
January 12, 2018
Don't know if anyone picked up on this, but this is part of the story of the first king of Ituria! He was cursed to be a very small white dragon. Someone mentioned why the girls were cursed. Their mother cursed them to protect them. As long as they stayed together no one would be able to hurt them. As with her other stories, I loved this one too! And it's a very quick read.
May 3, 2022
(3.5 stars)
This was cute! I haven't read any of the Firethorn Crown Chronicles, but this little novella was able to stand alone. I do wish the curse had been fleshed out more because I was slightly confused about it. (It was also a little weird that the main character knew that the dragon was a man yet still let him sleep on her pillow at night? Regardless though, I know they couldn't do anything so, yeah. Ticky tacky.) However, it was a really clever retelling of the Frog Princess, and I enjoyed it. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good fairytale retelling!
Content Warnings: One off-screen kiss.
This was cute! I haven't read any of the Firethorn Crown Chronicles, but this little novella was able to stand alone. I do wish the curse had been fleshed out more because I was slightly confused about it. (It was also a little weird that the main character knew that the dragon was a man yet still let him sleep on her pillow at night? Regardless though, I know they couldn't do anything so, yeah. Ticky tacky.) However, it was a really clever retelling of the Frog Princess, and I enjoyed it. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good fairytale retelling!
Content Warnings: One off-screen kiss.
July 2, 2022
Cute entertaining listening 🎶🔰
Another will written fantasy adventure thriller short story by Lea Doue about a young girl 👧 has a spell placed on her when her mother, a witch, was taken away. She meets a dragon 🐉 and they become friends. The dragon turns into a man 🚹 after they have been friends for a day. They leave the manor and her spell leaves her. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick fun read. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👒😊💑🏡
Another will written fantasy adventure thriller short story by Lea Doue about a young girl 👧 has a spell placed on her when her mother, a witch, was taken away. She meets a dragon 🐉 and they become friends. The dragon turns into a man 🚹 after they have been friends for a day. They leave the manor and her spell leaves her. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick fun read. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👒😊💑🏡
May 9, 2017
Cute short story set in the Firethorn Chronicles world! But I was a little confused on Ryll's whole curse with her sister and why they were even cursed in the first place. Some more explanation would have been nice, but I liked the story - it was a neat little retelling of The Princess and the Frog which has always been an interesting fairy tale.
I love the other books in the Firethorn Chronicles, so definitely recommend this one. :)
I love the other books in the Firethorn Chronicles, so definitely recommend this one. :)
May 24, 2021
This story was originally published in an anthology, but set alone, it's a super cute short story that's an interesting retelling of The Princess and the Frog, and not Disney's version. I love a good dragon story, and the fact that this was about a dragon that took the place of a frog, and the princess wasn't a beautiful woman but thorn-covered from a spell made me like it even more.
December 22, 2018
A great short story with the real feel of a fairytale. I loved the little dragon and how the title actually played into the story. I really liked the heroine and how she had the courage to keep her promise. Choosing happiness and friendship over everything else.
January 23, 2019
Sweet, imaginative Princess and the Frog inspired story. I really enjoyed the original elements of the sisters' curse, and the tiny dragon. A bit heavy on telling and light on showing. Stakes were low and the dialogue somewhat stilted. But overall a fun, light, quick read.
July 29, 2017
Cute! It's made me want to read The Midsummer Captives more now. (I really need to get a copy of that one!)
January 10, 2018
Beautiful short tale of characters touched by magic and curses, set in the Firethorn Chronicles world, yet focusing on different characters. Would love to see more of these characters in the future.
September 12, 2018
Really interesting premise, but it felt like the story deserved more than a short story and got squished in.
September 30, 2018
Great book
November 3, 2018
Nice Short Story
This is a nice interesting short story that I enjoyed a lot. Liked Ryall and Jolyn who are both under curses and the story capture me.
This is a nice interesting short story that I enjoyed a lot. Liked Ryall and Jolyn who are both under curses and the story capture me.
March 8, 2019
Entertaining and interesting.
April 4, 2019
I loved this short story! The fairytale retelling was both recognizable and new at the same time! Really enjoyed it!
February 29, 2020
So darn cute!
Short but very enjoyable. Loved the easy companionship formed in such a short period and the story. Would love more of this pair.
Short but very enjoyable. Loved the easy companionship formed in such a short period and the story. Would love more of this pair.
August 14, 2020
Sweet story
The downside of a good short story is often it ends too soon. I would have loved this to be a full-length novel.
The downside of a good short story is often it ends too soon. I would have loved this to be a full-length novel.
February 16, 2022
For cute! What a sweet little read. I could've done with a full length novel of Ryll and Jorey.
May 6, 2022
A cute little dragon story for any age.
September 20, 2023
reads like a fairy tale.
clean, no language, mild violence.
clean, no language, mild violence.
July 6, 2025
Very sweet!! And very short.
November 28, 2018
This was different. It fit into the Firethorn world and I really liked it, but it definitely had a different flavor.
April 22, 2017
Still enjoyable the second time around
I first read this story as part of the Fantastic Creatures anthology from Fellowship of Fantasy. Read it again now that it is a stand-alone book and I still enjoyed it.
I like that Ryll and Jorey are not royalty in this Frog Prince re-telling. Also Ryll is really nice (not self-centered as princesses often are). The curses add an interesting twist to the story.
Oh yes, the cover is gorgeous!
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - none
Religion - none
I first read this story as part of the Fantastic Creatures anthology from Fellowship of Fantasy. Read it again now that it is a stand-alone book and I still enjoyed it.
I like that Ryll and Jorey are not royalty in this Frog Prince re-telling. Also Ryll is really nice (not self-centered as princesses often are). The curses add an interesting twist to the story.
Oh yes, the cover is gorgeous!
Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - none
Religion - none
April 27, 2017
Definitely one of the better retellings of Princess and the Frog, mixed with a helping of Beauty and the Beast. I do hope to see these characters again in a future book.
May 2, 2017
Promising Tale, 4.5 STARS
I loved how this story had an unusual heroine under a curse and an equally charming hero under a curse as well. Very enchanting and well worth the read for readers of all genres, but especially fantasy.
Reader Rated for ages 10+ for mild violence.
I loved how this story had an unusual heroine under a curse and an equally charming hero under a curse as well. Very enchanting and well worth the read for readers of all genres, but especially fantasy.
Reader Rated for ages 10+ for mild violence.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews