Book Discussion: Dragon Slippers

Here's the group discussion thread for the book Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George!

I just started the book this morning, but to get those that want to participate in this discussion talking, here's a few opening questions to start things off: (Or feel free to say whatever you like regarding the book, I just like to throw out questions in case people don't know what to say.)

* How did you hear about this book? Why did you choose to read it?

*Are you familiar with the author? Have you read any of her other works?

* What are/were your initial impressions of the book before reading it?

And since I'm pretty good at talking to myself, here's me answering my own questions.

I actually got this book as a freebie from Scholastic and since I love YA fantasy, it really looks like a book I will enjoy. This is the first book I've encountered by Jessica Day George and I'm not sure if it's the cover art or just the fact that it has "dragon" in the title, but something about it reminds me of the Patricia C. Wrede books (Dealing With Dragons, etc) which I read when I was young and absolutely adored. I'm not sure if that's too high a standard to put before George's work, but hopefully Dragon Slippers will be a good one.

I think I just ran across the book in my library (my public library, that is, not my LT "library").

I was not familiar with the author before reading the book. I actually approached it with some caution because I had her confused with another author who wrote a book with dragon in the title, one I didn't care for. However, I loved this book enough to read the rest of the series, and to seek out other books by the author. I read Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, which I liked but didn't love quite as much as these, and I'm waiting to get a copy of Princess of the Midnight Ball, which is based on a favorite fairy tale of mine, so my hopes for it are high.

I read about it on this site and was intrigued so I ordered it. I am not familiar with the author. I liked the book immeadiately and read it in about two sittings

I finished this ... hmm, yesterday? I really enjoyed it. The only thing that bugged me was the way the dragons could sporadically shrug off the power of the slippers. But it was still a good read.

I'm a dragon nut the way Suge is a shark nut so the book definitely appealed to me because the title has the word "dragon" in it. That's all it takes for me to start a book. Happily, this one was also good enough to finish!

I loved Marta, Alle, and Creel. Lovely characters. Since it was all in Creel's perspective, having her not like Alle and Marta at first but grow to know them as true friends and Larkin as a traitor was a well-done transformation. You do kind of side with quiet, seemingly kind Larkin at first because that's where Creel's sympathies settle. But I liked then getting to know Marta especially and seeing that she was the better friend and human being.

The dragons were fantastic! I love dragons with strong personalities. What a great idea to have them collecting different things, not all just gold. Much more fun than traditional lore. I would love to see Shardas' windows.

If I were to collect a horde, it would probably be sock yarns. Then, even if I never got around to knitting all those socks, I wouldn't have to feel guilty because it was my horde. I would love to have rooms jammed with sock yarns like Theoradus has shoes. What would you horde?

#5 -- You mean, other than books? ;-)

Seriously, I'd have to think about that. Maybe pillows and cushions. Or that might just be because I'm tired and want to curl up and read. Maybe teacups. . . .

Let's see...
I read about the book here and decided to be social and join in the discussion. I thought it was cute, a bit Tamora Pierce-ish if not as well fleshed out. The end could have been a bit more detailed. I thought it was a bit rushed. Then again I haven't read YA books in a while so maybe it was just more age appropriate than I'm giving it credit. 8)
Ironically, my daughter picked up the third book in the series the day after I read Dragon Slippers. We must be linked telepathically b/c she wasn't aware I had just read the first book. She just thought it looked interesting.

UM, I collect nothing beyond my books so I'm not sure what I would horde. That's kind of sad, put that way, isn't it. LOL

Oh my! What would I horde? Unusual salt and pepper shakers sets, beads, shoes, comfortable shoes that fit me perfectly of course, dogs and cats, and books, naturally.

I enjoyed Creel and her view of things. I was quite dissapointed in Larkin, because I really liked her. I loved Marta's spunk and Alle's loyalty.

I do like the dragon that hoards dogs. Maybe that would be what I would collect!

lol -- the horde of dogs was great. :) And yes, I suppose I did mean besides books because we all already have enough of those for at least one horde!

Creel and her view of the world was enjoyable, Polly.

Mem, I can see what you mean about the ending feeling rushed. Details were kind of skipped a bit, but part of that probably is age appropriateness. I suppose we're all at least twice as old as the intended audience. :)

#5 - I loved Marta, Alle, and Creel. Lovely characters. Since it was all in Creel's perspective, having her not like Alle and Marta at first but grow to know them as true friends and Larkin as a traitor was a well-done transformation.

I agree - the way these relationships grew and changed was an interesting aspect of this book. I might just be reading too much into stuff, but I think it makes a good point (especially for young girls) that first instincts about people can be right or wrong and it's only when we learn more about other people's character that we can decide whether or not to call them friends.

And I do love the way the dragons all horde different things. :) Aside from books, my biggest collection is of stuffed* monkeys and I suppose that would be a nice quirky thing to have an entire cave filled with.

* And I mean "stuffed" in terms of plush sewn things, not as in taxidermy... that would just be a little creepy...

I suppose it's worth asking too, has anyone read the sequel, Dragon Flight?

The first chapter was in the back of my copy of Dragon Slippers - still not sure if I love or hate when authors/publishers do that - and it looks like it could be another good story.

I haven't read the sequel yet but it's only a matter of time. I'm not sure if I like when the first chapter to the next book is included either.

I read and loved both Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight. The second one is kind of the same story as the first only on a larger scale(pun intended)with a great ending.

I have read (and enjoyed) all three (Dragon Slippers, Dragon Flight, and Dragon Spear) -- this is a series that does not seem to decrease in quality as it goes on, so if you liked the first book, I'd definitely recommend the next two.

Ooh - I didn't realize there was a third one!

Good thing they're short - my TBR list already hates me. ;)