I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons

I know very little about Peter S. Beagle (if I ever read the classic [b:The Last Unicorn 29127 The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1) Peter S. Beagle https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524764327l/29127.SY75.jpg 902304], it was decades ag0), and the title of his latest book led me to believe that it was going to be a light-hearted story. Nope. While there is definitely humor to be found, especially in the scenes with the well-intentioned but totally useless Crown Prince Reginald, the plot goes to some very dark, disturbing places. Those cute baby dragons that our hero Robert keeps as pets? The ones that should get their own Disney movie? It's his job to exterminate or capture scores of their bigger kinfolk. Those who aren't killed go to the marketplace to meet a grisly fate that I wish I could forget. But once I adjusted my expectations, I became engrossed in the deceptively simple plot and enchanted by the trope-turned-on-its-head characters (even Reginald). Within a fairy tale framework, issues of responsibility, expectations, heroism, and love are deftly explored. While there are no cliffhangers, the answer to “what's next?” for our MCs, given the dramatic changes in their lives, is wide open. Considering the author's octogenarian status, and the fact that this book was in publishing limbo for almost 20 years, we may never be blessed with an official sequel. But maybe it's better that way. I know Robert, Cerise, Reginald, Ostvald and Elfrieda well enough now that I can give my imagination free rein to craft their next adventures. (Yes, I know that's why god invented fanfic, but I'd rather let the characters live rent-free in my brain.) I'm open to recommendations about where to begin my journey into Beagle's backlist!