The 2nd book in the Enchanted Forest series goes in a very different direction, introducing Mendanbar, the king of the Enchanted Forest, as a main character and as a love interest for Cimorene, the lead character from the first book. The dragons are in the background in this volume; this book is very much about weird magical happenings in the forest and an epic quest for Mendanbar and Cimorene. 
 It's all great fun, with a tone that allows for some danger and earnest adventuring while maintaining a sense of arch humor. 
 My son and I read this one at the same time, and we're both eager to continue with the series. Definitely recommended for pre-YA readers who enjoy a good fantasy/adventure tale but aren't interested in more than a light brush with romance.