Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for the ARC!

I am so delighted for the opportunity to read a new Peter S Beagle fantasy, and this doesn’t disappoint. The clever, satirical, yet ultimately heartwarming tale of Robert, the dragon-exterminator (who dreams of becoming a valet), a princess, a prince, his valet, an evil Wizard and more will keep you enraptured and guessing about what will go wrong next for our poor heroes.

Spoiler alert: If you're out looking for negative reviews of I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle... you won't find one here. In fact, prepare yourself because I loved this book.

For those of you who find the author's name vaguely familiar, it's because he wrote the fantasy classic, The Last Unicorn.

Before you get too excited, let me warn you about something. Beagle did not write I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons in the same manner or style with which he wrote The Last Unicorn. Where The Last Unicorn is full of haunting descriptions, melancholy vibes, and bittersweet lyrical prose, Beagle has filled I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons with jokes and hijinks. Lest we fall into the trap of comparing two completely different books, let's move on.

Now that we’ve agreed on what I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons isn’t, we can talk about what it is.

It is a classic fairy tale, but this is no retelling. Rather, it is a unique, original story that provides everything we love about fairy tales; high fantasy with cozy vibes.

There are castles. Dragons. Whimsy. Wonder. Adventuring princes. Classless heroes that rise from nothing. Beautiful Princesses. Dastardly villains. Unrequited love. Magic. Swords. Awe. Battles. Death. Oh, and some more dragons.

Sounds great, right?

But wait, there’s more!

As much as this story includes everything you want in a classic fairy tale, the people occupying the roles are somehow more. The prince isn’t a cardboard cutout. The hero doesn't always act heroic. And this princess is a force of her own. High fantasy with cozy vibes.

Not only did Beagle craft a tale any fantasy lover can enjoy, he wrote this fairy tale for a modern audience.

If you enjoyed how Gaiman’s Stardust and Goldman’s The Princess Bride poked fun at fairy tales while delivering cracking stories, you’re going to love I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons, too.

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Robert is the son of the former dragon exterminator of Bellemontagne, having inherited the position from his father, though he'd rather be anything else, as other than having a way with dragons, he hates nasty job and the sometimes unpleasant things that must be done to remove the dragons. When the princess seems to finally have found a suitable prince, Robert is called in to rid the castle of its dragon infestation, which brings him into the mix of a prince who must prove himself worthy of his title and a princess, and a princess Robert wouldn't mind having a chance with himself. When Robert is shanghaied into helping the prince on his quest to slay a dragon, the trio soon discovers that the usual easy to handle dragons may not be all that's out there, and something far worse awaits them.
This book was marketed as a humorous tale, which brings to mind the likes of Terry Pratchett. However, much of the humor is more of the subtle or wry type, leaving the story as more of a fantasy one with amusing parts to it. It took me awhile to really get into the novel, as the first half has a lot of background and set up, but in the second half when the major plot shifts finally start to occur it did make a more satisfying read. 3.5 rounded to 4*

This is a dragon book like you will never have read before, with a unique take on dragons, and the people that have to deal with them, and a... sort of, happy ever after to boot! though, whose getting the happy ending remains to be seen. this book had me enthralled from start to finish, and refused to let me go. to the point I stayed up an hour past my bedtime just to finish it.

we follow Robert, a poor exterminator for pests... Dragon, pests. nasty, noxious, fire breathing, poison spitting, biting little vermin... that he loves deeply and fully. he hates his job, he hates his life, he wants more. so much more. when a traveling prince makes an impression on the local princess, things all get turned on their head when she demands the castle be 'de-vermined' immediately. what follows is a string of events that never could have been foreseen, and frankly, if this was any other fairy tale, things would have gone much differently indeed. but Robert has an uncanny luck with Dragons, and there's farm more than vermin to have to deal with now.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely loved this!! I am utterly charmed. I have never read "The Last Unicorn", but the movie adaptation was a beloved part of my childhood. I have a specific memory of sitting down in my family room with my friend Rachel and watching the movie (with our special treats of DQ Butterfinger Blizzards!), and it was definitely on repeat in our house in the '80s and '90s. "UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-NI-CORRRRRNNNNN!!!!"

Thus, when I saw this book on NetGalley, all I saw was that it was by the same author who wrote "The Last Unicorn", and I was *all in*. I waited a little while for my request to be approved for an ARC and was actually a little concerned that I would be declined. However, I have been really lucky, I discovered, in that other fans of Beagle's work apparently have been waiting a number of years for this book to be published, and I only had to wait a few weeks. So I have *nothing* to complain about on that score.

So, attention, people who have been waiting years for this: IT IS 100% WORTH THE LONG WAIT.

This is a fairytale for those who love fairytales. It's got a little of everything: a beautiful princess of an age to be married, numerous fawning princes, a handsome prince, a run-down castle, a quest, many species of dragons, and...a dragon exterminator..???

It is also very funny and clever. You will come to love the characters, their backstories and their journeys, and laugh, weep and rejoice with them in turn. I really hope they make a movie or series out of this and do it proper justice.

Read this. Even if you think you're too old for fairytales. It's phenomenal, and I'll be buying a physical copy and reading this over and over again.

5 well-deserved stars.

Edited to Add (ETA): I got so excited about writing this review that I forgot to thank NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for a complimentary eARC! Thank you so much! All opinions are mine alone.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons is an entertaining and whimsical high fantasy adventure. I don't generally read a whole lot of high fantasy, but I just couldn't resist this one – the title is fun, the cover art is lovely, and who wouldn't want to read about a dragon exterminator who really wants to be a prince's valet?

And, well, I really enjoyed this novel. It wasn't quite as hilarious as I thought it'd be based on the title and description (it's more whimsical than laugh-out-loud funny), but there are still definitely some amusing bits. I especially loved the mostly nameless, romance-seeking princes introduced early on in the novel – it's certainly not easy to woo a headstrong princess!

Robert is a fantastic main character – he's full of heart and bravery and courage, as are his friends and companions (even if some of them don't exactly know it right away). Robert, Princess Cerise, and Prince Reginald all feel trapped in the roles that they were born into, and it's heartwarming to watch them become the people that they were meant to be.

I do feel bad for all of the exterminated dragons, though. *sobs*

Our heroes don't travel all that far on their adventures. They spend most of their time wandering back and forth between the same few places, all within a few days of where they start out from. However, there are monstrous dragons and an evil wizard and acts of bravery and even a little bit of romance, so it's still an epic journey nevertheless.

My one tiny complaint is that this novel feels a bit … unfinished, I guess? It'd be a great candidate for a sequel, as Robert is just starting to learn who he is at the end of the story. Where do his adventures take him next?

My overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up. If you like whimsical fantasy adventures with lots and lots of dragons, you should probably give this one a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

A fun and fluffy fantasy that will fit right into the cozy fantasy trend. A recommended purchase for collections where the genre is popular.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons was a delightful, charming, nostalgic read for any fantasy fans. While the plot seems to cover familiar ground -- with a beautiful princess, a handsome prince, and an overabundance of dragons -- Beagle puts a clever, whimsical twist on the traditional fairytale, centering the story squarely on Robert (or Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax, if you ask his mother), a lowborn dragon exterminator who hates his job and loves dragons.

Written in an omniscient POV reminiscent of Terry Pratchett, Beagle's voice sparkles with gentle wit and pathos. While some readers may find this read cozy, I will caution that it verges into slightly darker territory at times. In all, this is a charming standalone fantasy with humor and heart.

I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons is a highly anticipated, high fantasy fairytale fraught with mighty dragons, evil wizards, reluctant heroes, craven princes, and a damsel that is, in fact, not so distressed, is sick of obstinate heroes, and can do the rescuing herself, thank-you-very-much!

Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax (known as just “Robert”) is the resident dragon slayer---oops, I mean dragon exterminator---in the small kingdom of Bellemontagne. He despises his job, which he, alas, performs exceedingly well, but he is duty bound to take up this accursed mantle from his late father. It’s always been something he experiences immense inner turmoil over, ethically and emotionally. He really likes dragons and has several secret pet dragons of his own. Furthermore, dragon exterminators are held in the same regard as the draconic vermin they are tasked to exterminate, so obviously he wants to be more than that. Robert has ambitious aspirations to become a… prince’s valet.

Princess Cerise of Bellmontagne finds herself under sudden and extreme pressure to have the considerable dragon infestation at the castle removed, so Robert and his services are summoned. The sudden reason for the extermination would be to impress the visiting Crown Prince Reginald of Corvinia, a much richer and larger kingdom than Cerise’s own. With love at first sight, Cerise just knows they are destined to be together. But Prince Reginald has his own agenda to reckon with before he could ever consider a marriage…he must impress his father, King Krije, and prove his worthiness as a son. After much consideration and planning with Mortmain, his valet, they decide to make a proposal contingent upon slaying a great magical beast to prove his valor and value to the Prince’s father. Of course, it is decided that they would go dragon hunting, so they beseech the only one among them with any dragon slaying experience to go along too---poor Robert! As things quickly start to snowball out of control for the prince and his valet, an evil wizard previously thought to be dead and gone will descend upon the party of dragon hunters, but an unsuspecting hero will rise to the occasion to hopefully save them all. This cleverly written satirical fantasy has a prince, a princess, and a humble dragon exterminator all questing to escape from their predetermined roles in their fairytale lives ostensibly by slaying a dragon and besting an evil wizard but actually by discovering their true hearts’ desires and mastering their newfound selves.

Heartwarming and nostalgically magical, this tale will go down as one of my very favorites. I really loved the satirical tone of the story, and it reminded me of how the Princess Bride was told. Similarly, the author uses exaggerated fantasy tropes to create a whimsical tale that is laugh out loud funny. I found it downright comical how dragons are considered in this book! They are treated with the same amount of disdain and repugnance we reserve for insects, and there is such a relatable moment in the story where Princess Cerise, a shoe, and a dragon have it out. I also found myself giggling at Dahr, the great and evil wizard. As far as storybook villains go, he was up there with the best of them posturing and pressing his long-winded machinations on everyone, wasting too much time and missing opportunities to bring his grandiose evil plans to fruition. Lastly, I feel obligated to call attention to the beautifully illustrated cover since it immediately caught my eye. It is a detailed watercolor painting that depicts a castle on a grassy hill with a thunderous horde of dragons circling overhead and a behemoth of a dragon resting in the foreground. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but this one was so beautiful I added it to my “to be read” pile, posthaste!

I highly recommend reading this latest fantasy adventure from Peter Beagle! It was well worth the wait!

Thank you so much Net Galley and Saga Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. I have already posted my review to Goodreads and my FB group page (The Book Banquet), but I will also post on retail sites on the day of publication.

Thank you to Saga Press and Netgalley for the access to this ARC.

Still trying to wrap my head around how the author of The Last Unicorn wrote *this*

Ah I wanted to like this book I really did, but instead of giving me anything to think about all it did was give charm with little substance.

I'm afraid that this book doesn't have enough dragons. Or at least the usage of dragons needs to be more consistent in the novel. The idea of them being a household pest is a cute idea, there was a lot to work with there- juxtaposing the normal fairytale vision of dragons being this almighty foe with this mundane and vermin-like interpretation.

Too bad that idea goes straight out the window in favor of a grand quest! Its uniqueness melts right back into the generic fantasy pot.

Each character is gimmicks, gags, and tropes tightly bundled, lacking depth.

The best way to describe our protag Robert is that he is what watchers of the "How to Train Your Dragon" movies think that the book version of Hiccup must be like.

Princess Cerise happens when you watch every Disney Princess film simultaneously and try to make a single coherent character out of the slurry.

The message, if there is even one to be found, is muddled in all the nonsense. There were a few pages where characters just *paced around* waiting for the return of the protagonist.

Reading about the tumultuous publishing of this book clears up why this book seems so unpolished. It was meant to be released in 2007 and then indefinitely put on hiatus till now. The attempted subversive nature of the novel would have been better received at its original planned publication date. The princess who doesn't want to be a royal and the hero who doesn't take to hero-ing are old hat now.

Maybe if I had a time machine I could go back to when this novel could've been good.