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Damsel

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The dragon roared and the clearing filled with shining whiteness. The flames burned with the pure deadly brightness that can only come from dragon fire. Annie closed her eyes but the scene imprinted on her vision; The knight tall and proud with his sword raised high and the dragon on her haunches, wings spread wide above them.

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

47 people want to read

About the author

Susan Connolly

19 books1 follower

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5 stars
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7 (31%)
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6 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 25 books371 followers
December 10, 2016
What a good fun tale in which the young damsel in training goes out adventuring! We meet a horse, a dragon, a boy, and what are all those eyes popping up in the swampy water? This is a fun fantasy with elements of danger and magic. A girl called Annie hears that her father has been captured by a wizard and she takes up the book on questing her father had been writing, because she may be just a young damsel but there is no-one else to send.

On the journey with her pony and dog, Annie evades a troll under a bridge and is pleased with herself when she hears screaming from woods and hurries to rescue a boy called Roger from a giant spider. There is advice on lots of things in the book so the two of them think they will manage, until they see the dragon guarding the road to the wizard's castle....

What with a Prince of Frogs and other misadventures, the pair of them might never reach the castle, and if they do they still have to find Annie's father and then get out alive...

There are great drawings to illustrate the adventure and a very nice atmosphere conjured up by everything from stinking spider goo to sweet wild mint. This will be good for pre-teens, either girls or boys.
Profile Image for Stas.
1,220 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2018
Maybe if I were 8 this would have made a bigger impression.
The story is quite simple and better suited for a younger audience.
A lot of girl power. Kudos for awesome and understanding dad.
The story felt a little unfinished. And it would have worked better with illustrations, even in black and white.
Profile Image for Nikki Bennett.
Author 6 books93 followers
November 24, 2013
I enjoyed this entertaining book. A clever spin on the knight and damsel story, with the "damsel" rescuing the "heroes" instead of the other way around, I think young kids will really get a kick out of this one.

S.E. Connolly has written an easy to read and fun story. I liked how Annie and Roger both developed as heroes (and sympathetic human beings) as the story progressed. Connolly has written some very funny scenes, some tense adventure sequences (but probably not too scary for the younger ones) and a satisfying ending.

One thing I thought this story did lack, given its age group, is pictures. This book is meant for younger kids, and pictures sprinkled through this book would have strengthened it considerably.

Nik's Picks Book Review
www.nikki-bennett.com

(The author provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
Profile Image for Helen Corcoran.
Author 4 books265 followers
May 27, 2009
This is a lovely children's book written by an Irish author. The accompanying illustrations by Axel Raptor compliment the book well. I got a really nice Princess Bride-type vibe as I read this. One of the things I loved a lot is that while Damsel neatly subverts many of the traditional stereotypes (especially in a lot of throwaway comments and remarks throughout the narrative), it's not heavy handed about it. Annie is not like Tamora Pierce's Alanna, for example: she's proud of being a good damsel-in-training and hopes to make her father proud. Her characterisation fits into the world Connolly has created, and her character growth is logical by the time the story ends.
Profile Image for Sarah Asarnow.
153 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2012
3.27pm

When a kindly couple says they'd be glad to have you as they have no children of their own, you GET OUT OF THERE. Three, two, one, and the key turns in the lock. 3.29pm
Profile Image for Happycat.
103 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2012
This book is awsome and full of girl power. It's fun and fast paced. This book also enlighten the reader of the true meaning of feminism... You'll have to read it to find out.
Profile Image for Jenny.
296 reviews27 followers
May 10, 2013
Rather Mulan-like, but with more charm and humor. Will definitely have my daughters read it in a year or two.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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