Introduction
Although the characters and setting of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles seem very different at a glance than Mairelon the Magician and The Magician's Ward, we were actually able to find many similarities. Sure, dragons may not roam Grosverner Square, and you probably wouldn't find anything such as a hackney coach passing through the Enchanted Forest. But certain aspects, such as the way magic works or the character traits of each series' protaginist, are very much alike.
These pages will explore both the similarities and differences between the Mairelon books and the Enchanted Forest chronicles, beginning with a few comparisons between the main characters. Kim and Cimorene
Kim and Cimorene share at least one obvious similarity: Kim is the protagonist of Mairelon the Magician, and Cimorene is the protagonist of Dealing with Dragons. But the RCW has observed other, more meaningful similarities between the two characters:
1. Each escaped from a lifestyle that she hated.
2. Each went on an extended journey with her future spouse soon after meeting him.
3. Each was a "tomboy" and studied subjects generally reserved for men.
4. Each had a relationship with a mentoring older female figure.
5. Each rejected a suitor that others though she should marry.
* It seems to us here at the RCW that fewer ladies than gentlemen study magic in the Mairelon books. At least, based on Madame Chandeleine's comment in MW, those ladies who do study magic don't seem to do so publicly, perhaps out of fear of being branded as bluestockings.
Kim left her life as a street thief to live with Mairelon (first in the wagon, and later in the townhouse).
Cimorene ran away from her parents' palace to be a dragon's princess.
Mairelon asked Kim to come with him in the wagon shortly after she broke into it.
Cimorene demanded that Mendanbar allow her to accompany him on his search for Kazul.
Kim grew up disguised as a boy, and later went on to be one of only a few lady magicians.*
Cimorene despised her princess lessons in dancing and ettiquette, and tried to study fencing, Latin and magic instead.
Lady Wendall tutored Kim in "toff" ettiquette.
Kazul taught Cimorene about dragon ettiquette.
Kim turned down Lord Franton's offer of marriage, even though Mrs. Lowe and Lady Wendall told her that she couldn't do any better than to marry a marquis.
Cimorene refused to marry Prince Therandil, even though her parents betrothed her to him.