Calling on Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #3) Summary & Key Insights

Patricia C. Wrede's "Calling on Dragons," the third installment in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, continues the adventures of Cimorene, the unconventional Princess who prefers the company of dragons to stuffy courts. While the previous books focused on Cimorene's relationship with her dragon lord, Kazul, this book shifts the focus to the broader world and the escalating tensions between the humans and the magically-gifted creatures of the enchanted forest.

The overarching theme revolves around the delicate balance between different magical communities and the consequences of prejudice and misunderstanding. This is amplified by the introduction of a major conflict: a series of increasingly violent attacks on both human settlements and dragon lairs. These attacks aren't attributed to a single source, fostering suspicion and fear that threaten to erupt into open warfare.

Cimorene, along with Kazul and her quirky friends – including the powerful but emotionally stunted sorceress, Morwen – are thrust into the heart of the mystery. Their investigation leads them to uncover a conspiracy orchestrated by a shadowy organization seeking to exploit the conflict for their own sinister ends. This group manipulates both human and magical communities, fueling the flames of distrust and violence to achieve their goals, which remain obscured until the book's climax.

Key to the plot are several distinct storylines: Cimorene's personal growth as she grapples with the complexities of leadership and diplomacy, Kazul's struggle to maintain peace and control within the dragon community, and Morwen's journey towards greater emotional understanding. Each character's individual arc intertwines with the overarching plot, contributing to the resolution.

The investigation requires Cimorene and her companions to travel extensively, encountering diverse magical creatures and human communities. They encounter prejudice towards both dragons and those with magical abilities, highlighting the book's central theme of tolerance and understanding. This journey forces Cimorene to use her unique skills – her diplomatic prowess and her ability to understand and connect with different creatures – to bring the various factions together.

The climax involves a confrontation with the orchestrators of the conspiracy, revealing their identity and motivations, leading to a showdown that requires the combined efforts of dragons, wizards, and humans. The ultimate resolution emphasizes the importance of cooperation and communication in overcoming prejudice and achieving lasting peace, leaving a hopeful yet cautious tone for the future of the Enchanted Forest. The book skillfully balances action, humour, and social commentary, showcasing Wrede's talent for crafting compelling narratives with strong female characters at their core.