Dragon Slippers

Written by Jessica Day George

Narrated by Laura Knight Keating

This enchanting tale of dragons, betrayals, and the power of friendship is the first in a charming and thrilling series by New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George.

Creel can't believe her aunt wants to sacrifice her to the local dragon. It's a ploy to lure a heroic knight so that he will fight the dragon, marry Creel out of chivalrous obligation, and lift the entire family out of poverty. Creel isn't worried.
After all, nobody has seen a dragon in centuries.

But when the beast actually appears, Creel not only bargains with him for her life, she also ends up with a rare bit of treasure from his hoard: a pair of simple blue slippers, or so she thinks. But Creel learns that these shoes could be used to
save her kingdom from the brink of war—or destroy it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781980094159

Jessica Day George

JESSICA DAY GEORGE is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tuesdays at the Castle series, the Twelve Dancing Princesses series, and the Dragon Slippers trilogy. Originally from Idaho, she studied at Brigham Young University and worked as a librarian and bookseller before turning to writing full-time. She now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and their three young children. www.jessicadaygeorge.com @jessdaygeorge

Reviews for Dragon Slippers

[Lucia Garcia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it a lot! Has dragons, adventure, dragons, a good group of friends who band together, dragons, some fighting, flying dragons. I like dragons ?
The plot keeps you interested and has a nice pace

[Farmer Courtney Sullivan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would definite recommend this series and this writer I love ? all her ?

[mollygroff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the first book I read by Jessica Day George and I really enjoyed it! This is the first book in the trilogy and I thought it was pretty slow until about 3/4 of the book. the rest of the series is very fun and I reccomend this book to all ages!

[amandabock-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read about this on a blog somewhere and it made it onto my “to read” list, but I don’t remember where I saw it written up. Probably on someone’s Best of 2007 list. It’s a nice variant on the Capable Girl theme, and, again, the cover doesn’t do it justice. It has a lot of humor to it, starting with the aunt who gives the main character, Creel, to the dragon so that a knight can rescue, and then marry, her, saving the entire family from financial ruin. The dragon society that George creates is rich, and I loved the passages about Creel’s embroidery and dress-making skills. I can see this one being a hit with the 9-11 crowd, while they’re waiting for the next Inkworld.

[krau0098 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book in the Dragon Slippers series and was a fantastic YA adventure fantasy. I loved the characters, the magic, and the dragons a ton. Creel is offered as a sacrifice to a dragon because her aunt wants a noble boy to come and rescue her and make the family rich. The dragon however can’t be bothered with Creel and offers her a counter deal. When Creel chooses a pair of beautiful blue slippers in exchange for leaving the dragon alone she has no idea of the events she has triggered.This book was very well written, flowed nicely, and was easy to read. I really enjoyed Creel and many of the side characters as well. Creel is a strong heroine that is still fairly realistic and I really engaged with her and admired her.The story is also very entertaining and well done. I loved the dragons a ton!Overall this was a very fun read that I enjoyed immensely! I would recommend to those who enjoy fantasy adventure and dragons. I do think this book is geared a bit more toward young women/girls but there are some great male characters in here too. I definitely plan on continuing the series to see what Creel and Luka get into next!

[agrudzien_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When the family runs out of money, Creel's aunt decides the best way to get out of their rut is to have Creel be "captured" by a dragon then rescued by a prince who would want to marry her. When Creels meets the dragon, instead of allowing a knight to kill him, she bargains for a pair of shoes. What she doesn't know is that those shoes are the dragon slippers. From that moment, Creel's plan of sewing in the King's Seat becomes a lot less simple - especially when the queen-to-be notices her shoes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - strong female characters who best tradition have a special place in my heart. The hidden magic, mystery, and adventure make this a great book to recommend to students (probably mostly girls) who like dragons. If a reader likes Dealing With Dragons and has read the entire series, this would be a good bridge book to a new author.

[stembie3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Can barely put it down.

[mlake_22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The was great fun. Can't wait to read the next in the series!

[ashleymiller-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are not many fantasy novels that have a female as a strong lead character. One such series I read awhile ago was The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. After being recommended to read Dragon Slippers on Goodreads I decided to look further into the series. Once I read a summary of the first book I decided to give it a try. I loved Wrede's series so much that reading another series about dragons and a young girl as protagonist was very intriguing. I can say that the first book, Dragon Slippers, lived up to my expectations. It is not as good as Wrede's series, but definitely an incredible story!

In Dragon Slippers, Creel is the protagonist. She is a strong, courageous, vibrant, kind, and likable character. She handles herself very well in all the various situations she is put into. These include having a mean seamstress as a boss, dealing with a rude princess as a client, falling for a prince, befriending dragons, and saving the dragons and her people. Additionally, she is also a very talented embroider. I really liked her as the main character and thought she developed very well throughout the novel. I loved that she followed her dream of working in the king's city and that she helps to fix what she wronged. I believe that she would make a great role model for any child.

There are other characters as well including Marta, who becomes Creel's best friend, as well as Luka. Luka is the brother to the crown prince and is also a very likable character. He is really nice and doesn't care where you are from or what your status may be. He treats everyone with respect, and I think he would make a better king than his brother. There are also tons of dragons in the story!

Jessica Day George puts a different spin on her dragons, which I found fascinating. They don't hoard the typical treasure you read about in other stories such as gold and jewels. Some of them hoard shoes and others go as far as hoarding live dogs. It's hilarious! I also liked how they all have their own personality and become characters you really enjoy reading about. There are times when things happen to some of the dragons that almost brought me to tears.

I really enjoyed the unique plot to the story. It's all about a pair of blue slippers that Creel was given by a dragon, and finding out what they really are. It was engaging and well paced. I even found that I liked all the discussions about embroidery and sewing even though I don't care for them myself. Much of the story focuses on the shoes and Creel's passion for embroidery, but don't let that deter you from reading a great story! There are also themes of friendship, betrayal, and coming of age.

There is a little bit of romance in the book, but nothing that would be inappropriate for younger readers or take away from the main story. There is also very little violence within the battles. I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy, especially younger girls. It is a really girly series, but there may be some boys out there who would enjoy it anyway. It would be appropriate for anyone eight and over, and may be a perfect bedtime book for parents and children to share. I would have to say that the younger you are the more you will probably enjoy the book, but I think it is still a fun read for young adults and adults as well.

Overall, it was a great story and I can't wait to start the next one!

[bookloverslife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked Dragon Slippers. Its a sweet quick read.

[terriko_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed Jessica Day George's twelve dancing princess books so much that I felt a need to try her other novels, and I wasn't disappointed. This one starts with Creel's aunt trying to sacrifice her to a dragon as a ploy to attract a knight for a husband, but Creel decides instead to try to make a deal with the dragon and avoid anyone getting hurt. However, the deal she ends up making has some incredibly unexpected consequences... Fun! Adventure! Girls and dragons as friends! It's exactly what I wanted.

[satyridae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What an absolute delight this book was. Charming and fresh for all that it's yet another tale of a poor girl and a dragon- oh, and there's a prince involved. Some of the conceits are just hilarious, especially around the dragons' hoards. The characters are lovable and the situations strain one's credulity in a comfortable fashion. The heroine is one of my favorite plucky young girls, and her clever ideas go a long way towards excusing her ignorance about her own slippers. Highly recommended.

[librarydanielle_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this. it reminded me of the enchanted forest chronicles in some ways. fun, entertaining, but with a message and emotion tied in. the main character, creel, isn't perfect, but is likeable and sympathetic. the story is entertaining and draws you in (I started and finished today).

[krumbs_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of those stories in which a lot of trouble could have been avoided if the characters had simply communicated better with each other, but I guess that was sort of the point. If everything had been said plainly at the beginning, what sort of adventure would it be?

[jlsbibliomania · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Charming, though tame, fantasy for the middle-grade set. My 3rd grade fantasy maven liked it well enough to finish it, but perhaps because the protagonist is a girl, he isn't begging for the next in the series.

[gail208 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Creel is sent off by her aunt to be captured by a dragon they are not sure exists, in the hopes that the local Lord's son will rescue her, and save the family from poverty. It turns out the dragon does exist, but fortunately is not interested in eating Creel, or in fighting a knight. Creel talks him into letting her leave, and even into giving her something from his hoard if she will send the knight away too. She's hoping for a jewel-encrusted goblet that she can sell to pay her way to the capital city to find work as a seamstress. She ends up with a very special pair of slippers.On her way to the city, Creel meets and befriends another dragon. Once in the city she has an unfortunate encounter with the spoiled foreign princess who is to marry the king's elder son, but ends up befriending the younger prince, and starting work at a prominent dressmakers shop. After Creel's slippers are stolen, it is revealed just how special they are, and she and her new friends must find a way to get them back and to stop a war.Creel is a spunky, resourceful heroine, who ends up befriending the dragons, and saving the kingdom, rather than sitting around waiting to be rescued and carried off by a knight to live happily ever after. This is an engaging read for ages 9-14.

[bryndahlquis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Second time reading:This book just makes me happy. So, so, so happy. I mean, it's got dragons, sewing, an excellent main character, and a charming little prince. And let's not forget the amazing ending.This is the kind of book that leaves me with a grin that I just can't get rid of for hours and hours and days even. Even the second time through, I couldn't find very many flaws with Dragon Slippers (right now, I can't even think of one). There are some truly heartbreaking scenes in this book, so Jessica Day George's writing can't be questioned. The plot goes from light fractured fairytale to fullscale dragon war in about fifty pages, and yet its so smooth and makes perfect sense.The main character is -awesome-.The prince is -awesome-.This book is -awesome-.

[missclark_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! It has humor, great characters, good plot, realistic dialogue, originality and a good style to the writing. As a debut novel, it is utterly stunning! Our story begins with a peasant maiden (Creel) getting offered to the local dragon by her dirt-poor relations in the hopes that a knight or prince will rescue her from said beast and take them all to live in his fancy home. Needless to say, things do not work out as planned. Creel ends up walking away from the encounter with a pair of blue slippers and sets off for the city-seat of the kingdom Feravel. Along the way she falls in with brigands and more dragons. (Love Shardas!) But eventually she makes it to the city and finds work as a seamstress at Durda's dress shop. Creel's talent lies in sewing, especially embroidery. Creel has to contend with a spoiled princess, meets both the royal princes, one of whom, Luka, seems to take some interest in her well being, not to mention the mystery of those slippers. The seemingly innocuous piece of footwear holds a dark secret and an even more deadly power. Like I said, amazing first book. Truly talented author. Love her characters and writing style.

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. That is a _great_ story. The characters are fascinating - they develop, or the reader's understanding of them develops, in quick sequence - I'm thinking particularly of the people in Derda's shop. The gimmick with the shoes is weird and wonderful, and the final twist - and the post-final twist to that - is excellent. I only got the first one of the series out of the library, because I've been having to return books unread - so I need to go to the library tomorrow! More please quick.

[snickers500 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a really suspenseful book with something new around every corner. I found myself wanting to read it non-stop.

[jcole7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is about a young girl during the mid-evil times that befriend a group dragons. The dragons and the girl, Creel, have a close bond. The girl finds friendship and trust with the dragons. One of the dragons gives up his most prized possession to Creel as a gift.I alway enjoyed the 'Dragon Heart' movies and this book had alot in common with that story. I have always found mystical creatures fascinating, especially dragons!!!In the classroom, I could teach a unit about mystical creatures. Also, there could be a class discussion about the students' most possession and asked if they would be willing to give it to a dear friend like the dragon gave the slippers to Creel.

[kelleykl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast paced. Good take on the Cinderella story. Nice for middle school readers. Blends fantasy and realism so the fantasy isn't too overwhelming.

[mmillet_7 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found myself enjoying this book even when I thought that I wasn't going to. It is about a girl who leaves her village and through a series of events winds up making friends with several dragons on her way to the city to make a life for herself. I found it a little predictable, but all in all, it was a fun, light read.

[tinkdust21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good for juvenile fantasy. I haven't read any others in this series as of yet, but am intrigued to do so. The characters in this story are so vivid and distinct that I found myself thinking about them and their individual plot lines between readings. Because there is a bit of a slow start, it is not one I would necessarily recommend for reluctant readers, but the pace does pick up after about 35 pages.

[helcura_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a delightful book! A sensible heroine who isn't overly timid or overly aggressive, lovely dragons who find humans a bit annoying, an interesting plot. A pleasure to read for both young adults and adults.

[crewman_number_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really wasn't expecting to like this book so much. I wanted a new book to read, but only had a couple of minutes to choose, so I grabbed this one almost randomly because I liked the look of it. Yes, I know I'm not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I do so anyway. The story drew me in immediately. I liked Creel. I liked the plot. I don't think I put this down until I finished it.

[knielsen83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book. I just randomly picked it up from the library (despite the fact that it was a J fiction book) and I read it in less than a day. It was adventure-ful and full of interesting characters.. and of course, involved dragons. Sucked me in from the first page.Read it for the second time and loved it again. Can't wait to read the sequel (sitting on my nightstand at home).

[desislc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a fabulous book! The story was interesting and a LOT of fun. I can't wait to read the sequel!Creel receives a pair of mysterious slippers from her local dragon and makes her way to the capital city to become a dressmaker. Her slippers land her unexpected friends, but also bring trouble in the form of an incredibly annoying foreign princess. The slippers end up being stolen and causing an international incident involving the dragons.

[rj_anderson_15 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book encapsulated everything I love best about MG fantasy, and evoked some of my favorite authors (particularly Patricia C. Wrede) without seeming derivative. Creel is a satisfyingly resourceful and forthright heroine without being irritatingly perfect, and I loved the idea of the dragons all collecting different items (and creatures) for their hoards. I'll definitely be looking out for the sequel!

[rlwadham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great first novel with lots of classic fantasy twists