The book opens with recently orphaned Creel finding herself at the entrance to a dragon's cave. She makes a deal with the grumpy though harmless dragon and in doing so acquires a beautiful but mysterious pair of blue slippers. Determined to start her life over as a dressmaker, Creel leaves her country home behind and sets out toward the king's seat. Along the way, she befriends another dragon who decides to help her achieve her dream.
It isn't until about halfway through the book that things start to really go wrong for Creel. She unwittingly incurs the wrath and jealousy of a foreign princess, which leads to all sorts of problems for Creel and her newfound friends. As Creel struggles to avoid the princess and make a name for herself as a dressmaker, she finds herself caught up in the middle of a plot to overthrow the kingdom and bring ruin upon the land.
Jessica Day George is rapidly becoming one of my new favorite authors. Her books are like cotton candy. They're light, sweet, and happy. There are antagonists and hurdles, but you know they'll be resolved and good will prevail in the end. Sometimes things work out a little too perfectly, but this comes across in a more cozy, heartwarming, makes-this-reader-happy way than in an annoying Mary Sue manner. When you just want to take a break from life and get lost in a "nice" book that'll make you smile, Jessica Day George delivers.
Creel is a thoroughly likable character, flawed yet endearing, capable and determined without being pushy or obnoxious. I liked reading about the dresses she made. The descriptions of her embroidery were mesmerizing. Her friends at the dress shop, the dragons, and the prince were all nice characters as well. The princess and her lackey were detestable, both making appropriately loathsome villains. There were a few scenes where I wanted to reach into the book and strangle them, but luckily Creel didn't stand for their abuse and stood up for herself.
This is the first book in a series of three (so far), but it works just fine as a stand-alone story. The plot is engaging, with Creel's development as a dressmaker creating an easy going storyline that nicely compliments and frames the more dastardly political intrigue simmering beneath the surface. The mystery of the slippers is slowly unraveled and satisfyingly concluded. The romance builds at a nice and realistic pace, but isn't fully resolved in this installment. I recommend this book, especially to readers looking for cozy escapism.
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