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Slay and Rescue
It's not easy being a prince and Charming had just about enough of dragons to slay, villains to fight, and one beautiful princess after another demanding to be rescued from a fate worse than death. But in the Slay and Rescue business, you're always on call . . . .
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
12 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
John Moore
6books98followersJohn Moore is an engineer who lives and works in Houston, TX. His stories have appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Tomorrow, New Destinies, Aboriginal SF, Writers of the Future, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine, and other magazines and anthologies. He is the author of six novels in the fantasy and science fiction genre, with the newest, , just released from YD Press.
In 2017 he will be at the Nebula Awards Conference in Pittsburgh, the World Fantasy Convention in San Antonio, Armadillocon in Austin, Texas, and Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas.
In 2017 he will be at the Nebula Awards Conference in Pittsburgh, the World Fantasy Convention in San Antonio, Armadillocon in Austin, Texas, and Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 15, 2021
The heroic Prince Charming is famous all across the Twenty Kingdoms. He slays vicious dragons, defeats evil knights in single combat, outwits dastardly sorcerers and wizards, and rescues damsels in distress, and he does it with all the charm he was named for. The people love him. They should of course and this is the very reason his father sends him on these unending slay and rescue missions. It's great PR for the Kingdom. The big problem is that Prince Charming is beyond tired of being so, well, charming all the time. He just wants to get out of the public eye for a bit and to be able to have some fun like any normal 18 year old! Unfortunately for him he gets caught up in three more missions. He has to save a princess from her wicked stepmother, then save another princess who has lapsed into an enchanted sleep, and that is on top of searching for that girl he met at the ball who lost her glass slipper.
This had a light and fun tone and was a pretty hilarious parody of fairytales like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White. John Moore filled his story with more than enough wit and satire to keep me amused throughout the whole tale. If I had a slight criticism of his style it was that his constant focus on sexuality came across as a bit juvenile at times. That said, it was all fairly tame.
The story was actually fairly engaging. We got a little bit of intrigue, some romance, plenty of action, and tons of humor. Despite some characters flaws Charming and the rest of the characters were a likeable bunch who were easy to root for.
I'm not always a fan of comedic fantasy, but John Moore seems to have hit on a blend of ridiculousness and regular storytelling that works for me.
Rating: 4 stars.
Reread Note: Not quite as fun the second time around but still a worthwhile read as I was in the mood for something lighter in tone.
Audio Note: Jake Lewis did a fantastic job with the audio. His voices were good, his comedic timing perfect, and he got the humor of the story which is always super important with this type of story!
This had a light and fun tone and was a pretty hilarious parody of fairytales like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White. John Moore filled his story with more than enough wit and satire to keep me amused throughout the whole tale. If I had a slight criticism of his style it was that his constant focus on sexuality came across as a bit juvenile at times. That said, it was all fairly tame.
The story was actually fairly engaging. We got a little bit of intrigue, some romance, plenty of action, and tons of humor. Despite some characters flaws Charming and the rest of the characters were a likeable bunch who were easy to root for.
I'm not always a fan of comedic fantasy, but John Moore seems to have hit on a blend of ridiculousness and regular storytelling that works for me.
Rating: 4 stars.
Reread Note: Not quite as fun the second time around but still a worthwhile read as I was in the mood for something lighter in tone.
Audio Note: Jake Lewis did a fantastic job with the audio. His voices were good, his comedic timing perfect, and he got the humor of the story which is always super important with this type of story!
December 8, 2023
If Douglas Adams wrote a fairy tale book it would be similar to Moore’s “Slay and Rescue� in which Prince Charming goes from adventure to adventure saving maidens, but never getting any sex out of it.
A good quote from it: “In fact, the worst thing about fighting dragons is that when they first open their mouths to flame you, you are likely to be showered with dragon spit�.
A good quote from it: “In fact, the worst thing about fighting dragons is that when they first open their mouths to flame you, you are likely to be showered with dragon spit�.
September 29, 2014
Great book. Funny and fun! John Moore (along with Terry Pratchett, Robert Asprin, John DeChancie, and a smattering of others) are what got me into writing comedic SciFi & Fantasy, so I may be a little biased here!
This isn't the longest of books, but I kind of like that. It's a lighthearted adventure that has one fun turn after another. There were a couple of moments where I cracked a smile, but nothing laugh-out-loud in this one for me. Still, I give it 5 stars because it challenges the standard stereotypes and has a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor that makes my brain cells dance.
Definitely recommended!
This isn't the longest of books, but I kind of like that. It's a lighthearted adventure that has one fun turn after another. There were a couple of moments where I cracked a smile, but nothing laugh-out-loud in this one for me. Still, I give it 5 stars because it challenges the standard stereotypes and has a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor that makes my brain cells dance.
Definitely recommended!
June 27, 2011
one of the most hilarious books ive ever read. i loved it. i loved it so much i read it twice which is something i never do. its just an awesome rendition of prince charming and his relationships with snow white, sleeping beauty, and Cinderella.
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September 12, 2009This book was soooo effing hilarious! It kept me totally entertained on my road trip. I love it and will always have it on me shelf for a day when I need a smile.
November 6, 2012
Fun quick fantasy read that does a parody of all those classic Disney fairytales.
August 21, 2014
Prince Charming has a problem. As a charming teenager he is tasked with a number of rescue missions on behalf of his father's kingdom. Unfortunately, his is too honorable to make advances towards the maidens he rescues and they are really too honorable to do more than reward with with a chaste kiss on the cheek.
He returns home and demands some time off--- in hopes of actually losing his virginity-- but his father sends him on another mission and soon Charming is dealing with Two Princesses (Sleeping Beauty and Show White) who are jealous of one another-- A scullery maid he has the hots for named Cynthia (who was discovered as fitting the slipper left behind at a ball) Queen Ruby (Snow White's stepmother) and a fairy godmother named Esmerelda.
Moore's books are hilarious. In fact, I don't think that there is an author out there who writes such great comedic fantasy. Moore manages to mix some comedic anachronisms (like political polls) into a fantasy setting.
However, for some reason, his books come across in a very juvenile fashion. The focus on sexuality (without being outright "dirty" or graphic by any means) just seems a little junior high. This one is more so than others I have read by this author, perhaps because Charming's goal is so clearly defined... to lose his virginity.
Still, Moore manages to stuff the book full of interesting characters. The fairy godmother is quite interesting-- King Charming is fun.. but my favorite character was Wendell, the eleven year old page, who consistently finds himself ignored, even though a knight could have no better page than the brave Wendell. The court magician is an interesting character as well. Charming himself is a lot of fun as a character as despite his deepest desires he always manages to do and say that which is both honorable and charming.
Moore could have a greatly wider audience if he would adapt his material for young adults-- (meaning less sexual references, I guess) but in the meantime, his comedy-fantasy novels are a lot of fun and well worth the readers time-- as long as one is not expecting a Lord of the Rings or Wheel of Time or even Game of Thrones type adventure.
He returns home and demands some time off--- in hopes of actually losing his virginity-- but his father sends him on another mission and soon Charming is dealing with Two Princesses (Sleeping Beauty and Show White) who are jealous of one another-- A scullery maid he has the hots for named Cynthia (who was discovered as fitting the slipper left behind at a ball) Queen Ruby (Snow White's stepmother) and a fairy godmother named Esmerelda.
Moore's books are hilarious. In fact, I don't think that there is an author out there who writes such great comedic fantasy. Moore manages to mix some comedic anachronisms (like political polls) into a fantasy setting.
However, for some reason, his books come across in a very juvenile fashion. The focus on sexuality (without being outright "dirty" or graphic by any means) just seems a little junior high. This one is more so than others I have read by this author, perhaps because Charming's goal is so clearly defined... to lose his virginity.
Still, Moore manages to stuff the book full of interesting characters. The fairy godmother is quite interesting-- King Charming is fun.. but my favorite character was Wendell, the eleven year old page, who consistently finds himself ignored, even though a knight could have no better page than the brave Wendell. The court magician is an interesting character as well. Charming himself is a lot of fun as a character as despite his deepest desires he always manages to do and say that which is both honorable and charming.
Moore could have a greatly wider audience if he would adapt his material for young adults-- (meaning less sexual references, I guess) but in the meantime, his comedy-fantasy novels are a lot of fun and well worth the readers time-- as long as one is not expecting a Lord of the Rings or Wheel of Time or even Game of Thrones type adventure.
December 16, 2008
This is written from the point of view of a teenage boy. This means that sex is his number one goal. Even though I am a bit of a prude I still loved it. Really good weaving together of common fairytales and giving them an interesting twist.
January 28, 2019
This is one of those pre-adult, puberty books. At that age, awesome. I read this book 3 times :) Plus it is so damn hilarious I remember this was the first book ever I managed to read in ONE GO, from morning to evening. And as an adult, yeah, still the same feelings as 15 years ago :)
November 6, 2007
For any fan of Terry Pratchett or anyone who likes witty, sarcastic fantasy!
November 9, 2014
Short but satisfying and fun.
August 20, 2017
This is an enjoyable "make fun of your genre" book. It has two major problems, one is a very unbelievable resolution, but that can't be discussed without spoilers so it will be left until later. The other is a running gag, Prince Charming's inability to get women, that becomes the focus of the story.
In act one we see how Prince Charming, while saving princesses out of duty, wouldn't mind a little care and comfort from the objects of heroics. However, since all the princesses of the land are completely chaste and virtuous, the most they will risk is a kiss on the cheek. This joke is carried through act two until in act three kingdoms will rise and fall and wars start depending on whether or not Prince Charming gets laid. Turning a running gag into a major plot point was just stupid and the story suffered significantly because of it.
Skip the next paragraph to avoid spoilers.
In the end Prince Charming gets laid and all is well. He even forgets about how his father used him and cast him aside. That is some powerful sex since Prince Charming was ready to kill over it about 10 pages earlier. Not to mention exposing a secret that would bring both Prince Charming's father and new step mother into disrepute. Further, Prince Charming forgives not just the dispersions cast on him, since he is now a bastard, but on his mother who is now a whore by the standards of female chastity in this fairy-tale land. And the book ends with Prince Charming acknowledging that he may never know how much of what happened to him was conspiracy and how much fortune. Good thing he's getting laid now so he can just forget about that, BUT WAIT, ONE OF THE CONSPIRATORS IS HIS NEW WIFE. You'd think he'd want to know if he could trust someone before marrying them. Worst of all none of this was necessary. When I saw the whole "Prince Charming is no longer a prince because it turns out his parents weren't legally married" thing coming I figured PC would go with it, after all he had already expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the kingdom so that would be a perfect out. Add to that a father who actually cared about his son and now you have a story where the king and kingdom are trying to convince PC to stay and not ambushing him with armed guards, like they did but PC forgave once he got laid.
Bottom line: a fun book with serious story line resolution problems.
In act one we see how Prince Charming, while saving princesses out of duty, wouldn't mind a little care and comfort from the objects of heroics. However, since all the princesses of the land are completely chaste and virtuous, the most they will risk is a kiss on the cheek. This joke is carried through act two until in act three kingdoms will rise and fall and wars start depending on whether or not Prince Charming gets laid. Turning a running gag into a major plot point was just stupid and the story suffered significantly because of it.
Skip the next paragraph to avoid spoilers.
In the end Prince Charming gets laid and all is well. He even forgets about how his father used him and cast him aside. That is some powerful sex since Prince Charming was ready to kill over it about 10 pages earlier. Not to mention exposing a secret that would bring both Prince Charming's father and new step mother into disrepute. Further, Prince Charming forgives not just the dispersions cast on him, since he is now a bastard, but on his mother who is now a whore by the standards of female chastity in this fairy-tale land. And the book ends with Prince Charming acknowledging that he may never know how much of what happened to him was conspiracy and how much fortune. Good thing he's getting laid now so he can just forget about that, BUT WAIT, ONE OF THE CONSPIRATORS IS HIS NEW WIFE. You'd think he'd want to know if he could trust someone before marrying them. Worst of all none of this was necessary. When I saw the whole "Prince Charming is no longer a prince because it turns out his parents weren't legally married" thing coming I figured PC would go with it, after all he had already expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the kingdom so that would be a perfect out. Add to that a father who actually cared about his son and now you have a story where the king and kingdom are trying to convince PC to stay and not ambushing him with armed guards, like they did but PC forgave once he got laid.
Bottom line: a fun book with serious story line resolution problems.
April 19, 2020
When I first read this book I felt so delighted . First thing searched for other books from John Moore and bought from Amazon all I found. Through the years I have been reading them many times. And every time I feel the same joy as when I first read them.
I am surprised that these books didn't find a big recognition since there are a lot of people with humor. And even more who enjoy a good laugh.
Imagine teenage prince. We know what is going in his head . The stuff that never is discussed in a fairy tale. And the poor guy's hormones are higher than his head. He saves top class chicks. All he receives is a kiss on the cheek. Tragedy ! And his sidekick is an eleven years boy . You get the idea.
In the book are present all the major babes from our childhood. But this is the story of the Prince Charming saving them . Mixed with the inside thoughts of a teen boy in the "Slay and rescue " business.
Funny, humorous, entertaining. Specifically for the ground-up children.
I am surprised that these books didn't find a big recognition since there are a lot of people with humor. And even more who enjoy a good laugh.
Imagine teenage prince. We know what is going in his head . The stuff that never is discussed in a fairy tale. And the poor guy's hormones are higher than his head. He saves top class chicks. All he receives is a kiss on the cheek. Tragedy ! And his sidekick is an eleven years boy . You get the idea.
In the book are present all the major babes from our childhood. But this is the story of the Prince Charming saving them . Mixed with the inside thoughts of a teen boy in the "Slay and rescue " business.
Funny, humorous, entertaining. Specifically for the ground-up children.
May 1, 2022
Забавно, но не более
Позвольте прояснить. Мне очень хорошо разрекламировали эту книгу как шикарный стеб. Я так и представляла произведение про Идеального венценосного самца, которому хочется перепихончика, а принцесски только мило хлопают глазками. И заранее повеселилась от одной идеи и непроизвольно развила ее усилиями бо��ьной фантазии и неплохого воображения.
И это все в книге есть, конечно же, но как-то... более пресно, что-ли. Да, юмор и высмеивание сказочных стереотипов имеются, но не восходят в абсолют, оставляя "Принца быстрого реагирования" в общих канонах юмористического фентези. Стеб стебом, а сюжет, милости и любофффь по расписанию. Для жанра - вполне себе отличный представитель. Наверно (все-таки я не особый ценитель таких романов и прочитанные мною юмористическо-фентезийные книги можно по пальцам рук пересчитать ).
Хотелось разрыва шаблонов, треша и угара, истерического хохота. Но это не по адресу.
А остальном - миленькая вещица для отдыха, отлично и быстро читается в дороге. Впрочем, забудется, скорее всего, так же быстро.
Позвольте прояснить. Мне очень хорошо разрекламировали эту книгу как шикарный стеб. Я так и представляла произведение про Идеального венценосного самца, которому хочется перепихончика, а принцесски только мило хлопают глазками. И заранее повеселилась от одной идеи и непроизвольно развила ее усилиями бо��ьной фантазии и неплохого воображения.
И это все в книге есть, конечно же, но как-то... более пресно, что-ли. Да, юмор и высмеивание сказочных стереотипов имеются, но не восходят в абсолют, оставляя "Принца быстрого реагирования" в общих канонах юмористического фентези. Стеб стебом, а сюжет, милости и любофффь по расписанию. Для жанра - вполне себе отличный представитель. Наверно (все-таки я не особый ценитель таких романов и прочитанные мною юмористическо-фентезийные книги можно по пальцам рук пересчитать ).
Хотелось разрыва шаблонов, треша и угара, истерического хохота. Но это не по адресу.
А остальном - миленькая вещица для отдыха, отлично и быстро читается в дороге. Впрочем, забудется, скорее всего, так же быстро.
May 13, 2022
Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for this book, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. There were parts of the book that were humorous, but I was annoyed with Prince Charming’s obsession with boobs. I know his goal is to lose his virginity, but does he have to mention women’s bodies every time he meets a new woman? I felt it was a little juvenile (and gross). I also thought he was acting entitled to women’s bodies, when he was hoping for a “reward� from a lady he rescued at the beginning.
I did find it interesting that John Moore focused on sexuality in fairy tales. The book seems like a commentary on how women (and men to a lesser extent) were expected to be chaste and pure, or they would be ruined. A few princesses bring up that point, when one is pregnant out of wedlock. (One of the characters also calls another a whore when she weaponized her sexuality). There were a few female characters that used their femininity and powers of seduction to get their way (which seemed to be one of the only options for women to get power in the book).
I did find it interesting that John Moore focused on sexuality in fairy tales. The book seems like a commentary on how women (and men to a lesser extent) were expected to be chaste and pure, or they would be ruined. A few princesses bring up that point, when one is pregnant out of wedlock. (One of the characters also calls another a whore when she weaponized her sexuality). There were a few female characters that used their femininity and powers of seduction to get their way (which seemed to be one of the only options for women to get power in the book).
April 28, 2021
Weirdly good. Picked up an ancient copy at a used book store because the cover intrigued me and I was delightfully surprised. It's incredibly funny and full of character. A great parody and a great book.
September 24, 2024
Милое юмористическое фэнтези на пару вечеров. Почти наполовину состоит из штампов, но кажется в этом и была идея. Прекрасный принц, коварная колдунья, невинная принцесса, дракон, заброшенный замок, поиски грааля - всё, чего вы ожидаете от фэнтези, смешать, не взбалтывать, добавить дурацких шуточек.
July 24, 2022
A fluff read with a few twists, full of fun jabs at the standard array of medieval fantasy and fairy tale tropes.
February 9, 2023
Not bad
This is a fun and silly book, with more depth than I expected. Yes, there are the raging hormones of youth, but it all comes to a reasonable ending.
This is a fun and silly book, with more depth than I expected. Yes, there are the raging hormones of youth, but it all comes to a reasonable ending.
June 26, 2016
Delightful. This really should have been called "The Adventures of Prince Charming," but apparently that title was already taken...a pity, since this little gem is too easy to overlook on the fantasy shelves. Fantastic humor is easy to do, but tough to do well; Slay and Rescue does it quite well.
There are parts that come off a little sexist, but that kind of goes with the source material (fairy tales, with a fun "classic Disney" influence) that the author is riffing on. All in all, it's funny, sweet, and as charming as its Prince.
There are parts that come off a little sexist, but that kind of goes with the source material (fairy tales, with a fun "classic Disney" influence) that the author is riffing on. All in all, it's funny, sweet, and as charming as its Prince.
March 3, 2009
A truly funny take on the Prince Charming tales.
June 15, 2009
Awesome!
March 11, 2011
Funny. . . good ending. . . .wonderful blend of fairie tales.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2012
Hilarious!
April 24, 2013
Veľmi vtipné a svieže (tradičné rozprávky trochu dosť inak...), aj keď trochu sexistické - ale každý princ bol raz v puberte. :D Postavy boli sympatické, dej mal spád - čítalo sa mi prosto dobre! :)
January 2, 2014
Уморительно смешно !!! :D
March 7, 2014
Enjoyable fractured fairytale. Not his best book but enjoyable.
November 11, 2016
A cute parody of a fairy tale with some modern elements and humor.
March 22, 2015
Classic, would give it 6 stars if I could
September 26, 2017
Funny, really funny book to read.
Like heroics for beginners we're following the story of a prince, here Prince Charming who have the reputation to whach after that monitor his life. All he want is to get laid but the story contations of a nice mix with the story of Cindirella, Snow White and Sleeping beauty just that they are not following the ordinary scripture of the well-known tales. A hilarious mix!
Like heroics for beginners we're following the story of a prince, here Prince Charming who have the reputation to whach after that monitor his life. All he want is to get laid but the story contations of a nice mix with the story of Cindirella, Snow White and Sleeping beauty just that they are not following the ordinary scripture of the well-known tales. A hilarious mix!
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