Convenient. ( )

Cute. A bit fluffy - and hardly the first fairy tale with an improper princess, a friendly dragon, and a less-than-ideal prince - but a nice variation on the variation. I like both Ivy and Eldridge, and Prince Romil is quite thoroughly nasty. Drusilla is cute, and actually has a good reason for disappearing. An excellent climactic fight, and a lovely happy-ever-after ending - with possibilities of a series, even. Cute, fun, I may well reread it after a while. Nothing spectacular but quietly good. ( )

In Ardendale the princess is locked in a tower guarded by a dragon until a prince slays the dragon and frees her. Ivy is an unconventional princess and hates this tradition. When Prince Romil arrives, Ivy immediately dislikes his cold arrogance. Then she overhears him plotting to conquer the neighboring kingdoms, after he marries her. When she tells her father, he doesn’t believe her and locks her in the tower anyway. That’s when she meets Eldridge, the peaceful dragon who was chosen to guard her tower. Eldridge agrees to help her try and find her fairy godmother. But will they find her in time?

This was a cute little fairy tale story. Ivy is a fun heroine and Eldridge is gentle but not cowardly dragon. They have to overcome all sorts of obstacles but everything wraps up in a nice happy fairytale ending. There was a noticeable lack of romance, but that was a nice change. The story just focuses on Ivy and Eldridge and their friendship. ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Only child of the absent-minded king of Ardendale, feisty Ivy has pretty much raised herself. On her 14th birthday, as per the Dragon Treaty, Ivy is locked up in a tower with only an undersized dragon for company until a prince comes and slays her dragon guard, Eldridge.

Eldridge, however, is a peace-loving dragon who loves puzzles and doesn't care to be slain - and Ivy doesn't care to be rescued. Together, the two join forces and escape.

Prince Romil, a nefarious prince bent on getting Ivy's father's throne, has other plans.

Ivy and Eldridge's only hope is to find Drusilla, Ivy's fairy godmother, and get her to help them thwart the Prince's evil plans. Can Ivy save her father and her kingdom?

A fun, adventure-filled fantasy for reluctant readers. The characters are entertaining and well-developed. The plot moves at a good pace and keeps the reader's interest. Those who like fantasy, adventure, and dragons will all enjoy reading IVY'S EVER AFTER. ( )

I don’t have much to compare this to—my knowledge of children’s lit is fairly slim. The writing, of course, is simple—but its whimsical and moves right along. Every once in a while the writing gets a little out of control and discombobulated, but it rights itself fairly quickly. The story is broken into little episodes, which probably works well for a younger audience, but I found it felt a little boxed in. I loved the idea of turning a traditional fairy tale on its head—it gave the chance for the princess to be empowered for once. The real prize of the story, however, is the moral. Morals, actually. Appearance doesn’t really matter—it’s character that counts. Perseverance matters. There will always be someone (dragon or otherwise) who is willing to help. Smart risks to help the people you love pay off. And, romance isn’t the most important thing!

Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2010/11/23/75-ivys-ever-after-by-dawn-lairamore/ ( )