Dragon Slippers

by Jessica Day George

So, here’s the thing: I have a list of all the books I mean to read, and I add to it whenever I hear of an interesting-sounding book. That means I have no idea where or how I heard of most of them, except the classics. Then again, maybe that’s an advantage, because I have no preconceived notions about “This book is recommended for people who like Harry Potter” or “Someone at church recommended this” or “Here’s a bestseller.” I hate preconceived notions about books and movies. I hate reading reviews.

Anyway, this is all leading up to something. I do remember that I saw the first few sentences of Dragon Slippers somewhere online, and they were hi-larious. I added it to my hold list at the library and it was ready to check out last week. I grabbed it to read to the Romgi on the way up to dinner at his parents’ house on Saturday, and then secretly (and maybe a little bit rudely) bundled up in my blankets to finish it alone later that night. (I am great at Silent Sustained Reading, but my voice wears out quickly and reading aloud is just so slow.)

Dragon Slippers was so much fun. I have only two complaints: first, the main character had an utterly ridiculous name — Creelisel. She went by Creel, which alone is just odd, but I like to be able to at least attempt pronouncing the protagonist’s name correctly. How do you say Creelisel? Cree-uhl-ih-zell? Honestly, it’s just ridiculous. My second complaint, as seconded by the Romgi (who finished it on his own yesterday), is that it got a little bit too girly in the middle. Other than that, the story was interesting, funny, and unexpected in the proper places.

And here’s what I was leading up to: after I was done reading, I looked at the back cover and saw that the author, Jessica Day George, attended BYU and now lives in Salt Lake. I’m glad I didn’t know that before, because it would have completely colored my reading of the book as a book written by a Mormon. I’d much rather enjoy the writing for itself than because I happen to share the author’s religion.

So. Now that I’ve spoiled that biographical detail for you, go read Dragon Slippers.

Oh, a third complaint — the cover is really ugly.