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hayreading's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An enjoyable, easy read. Will definitely continue the series as it develops. Only complaint is a general lack of driving plot, feeling more like a series of events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Gun violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
sicilyjoy's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, War, Violence, and Death
Minor: Slavery
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Anequs is the first in hundreds of years of her people to be chosen by a dragon, after the Great Dying when settlers came and wiped them out. And now her whole world is changing with it.
This a slower read, we are learning about the Anglish society along side Aneqes. I mean I was six hours into the audiobook and Aneques was on her second day of school. I'm not sure if I recommend the audiobook or print more, since with the audiobook I got pronunciation but with the print-I finally realized the world was based on our world, with a world map, pronunciation guide and everything. Depends on what you would prefer how to prefer to take in this journey.
The author does a great job so setting up how the cultures of the world vary, especially by way of stories shared by characters. Masaque dragon story is that of partnership. Anglish’s dragon story is that of conquering. Also have to say “Freya’s Tits” best fantasy swear, I’ve read in a while.
I feel like there’s a turn in the story. Anequs finds herself insulted-not for the first time by one of the Anglish students at the school, but this time he goes too far and Aneques slaps him, much to my relief and joy. Which of course sends her to the headmistress’s office. It’s there she learns it’s not just the dragoneering school that have an eye on her-seeing if she’s fit to keep her dragon, but all of the Anglish society around her. They expect her to bend to their ways, but Anequs refuses, holding onto her people’s ways. That’s when there’s more drive in in Aneques, a new found determination to show them who she is and to succeed. This scene left me really rooting for her success!
Also, Sanders is the best autistic boy and if anything happens to him, I’m gonna kill everyone in this room and then myself.
This is a start of a new series, and I’m curious to see where it goes. Since the story does take place on the east coast of the continent, while the west coast has Nakkies still having dragons and giving the Anglish settlers there trouble. It’d be curious to see what would happen in the two sides ever met.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, War, and Transphobia
geekmom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book is an absolutely unique, utterly fabulous, genre-bending disruption of a novel.
It takes beloved tropes and turns them on their heads.
It is proudly and unapologetically anti-colonialist.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
It takes beloved tropes and turns them on their heads.
It is proudly and unapologetically anti-colonialist.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Ableism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
spookylettuce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I cannot put into words how much I love this book.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading Anequs have the revelation that Traditional Knowledge of skiltakraft was still being passed on and hidden in plain sight , and it being relearned after being lost to colonisation and violence made me feel so much.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Ableism, Racism, Classism, Violence, Sexism, Bullying, and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent and War
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Maybe my favorite book of the year so far. Fascinating world-building in an alternate US shaped by Scandinavian colonization. Incredible characters, queer/poly rep, an Indigenous heroine, DRAGONS, an academy setting… I could go on. Please please please read this!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, and Ableism
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: War and Animal death
theangrystackrat's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A young indigenous woman and her dragon must learn to navigate colonizer society in order to be safe. But they will also learn about themselves and their own power. This was excellent. The narrator was solid and the story flowed easily. I loved the characters personalities, flaws, and traumas. Blackgoose also is so matter of fact in acceptance of people who would be considered different. Overall just a good read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Violence, and Racism
cakehatwombat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Don't be turned away by the map + pronunciation guide at the beginning- it's simple to get once you've read a little.
The basic idea behind the world is that a. magic exists, b. dragons are real and can do magic (simplification), and c. the Norse were the first white colonizers to come to the Americas, and that much of North America (and presumably Central and South America) is still indigenous (it goes further than that, in truth, but that's for you to discover!). The Anglish are still very much colonizers, and are still very violent towards the indigenous people with whom they come into contact, but it is on a smaller scale (although, great dying maybe small pox or plague? I want to know more about the great dying so badly). I do wish the historical aspect of the world building was pushed even further? Like, there are some really great parts and broad strokes, but I wanted even more. I guess I wanted incredibly detailed erelore for every single civilization mentioned, which kind of detracts from the rad dragons. I can't help it, I'm the person who loved all of the singing, walking, and history lessons in LotR.
If you like dragons I think this book is absolutely worth your while. The powerset of the dragons in the book is very interesting and creative, def not something I've seen before.
I like the characters, but the character growth we see isn't really in the protag, it's in the supporting cast. I feel like the protag doesn't really 'grow' so much as plant her feet- she grows stronger in her convictions and her determination.
The protag has two love interests and is very much down for dating both of them, which is exactly what we want to see when multiple love interests are introduced. That said, one of them is definitely more developed than the other by the end of the book. I'm hoping that Liberty gets more time to shine in the next book.
Which leads me to: def planning on reading the next one.
The basic idea behind the world is that a. magic exists, b. dragons are real and can do magic (simplification), and c. the Norse were the first white colonizers to come to the Americas, and that much of North America (and presumably Central and South America) is still indigenous (it goes further than that, in truth, but that's for you to discover!). The Anglish are still very much colonizers, and are still very violent towards the indigenous people with whom they come into contact, but it is on a smaller scale (although, great dying maybe small pox or plague? I want to know more about the great dying so badly). I do wish the historical aspect of the world building was pushed even further? Like, there are some really great parts and broad strokes, but I wanted even more. I guess I wanted incredibly detailed erelore for every single civilization mentioned, which kind of detracts from the rad dragons. I can't help it, I'm the person who loved all of the singing, walking, and history lessons in LotR.
If you like dragons I think this book is absolutely worth your while. The powerset of the dragons in the book is very interesting and creative, def not something I've seen before.
I like the characters, but the character growth we see isn't really in the protag, it's in the supporting cast. I feel like the protag doesn't really 'grow' so much as plant her feet- she grows stronger in her convictions and her determination.
The protag has two love interests and is very much down for dating both of them, which is exactly what we want to see when multiple love interests are introduced. That said, one of them is definitely more developed than the other by the end of the book. I'm hoping that Liberty gets more time to shine in the next book.
Which leads me to: def planning on reading the next one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
jess_always_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I absolutely loved this book, I can't wait for the next one!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Colonisation, Ableism, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence
juliaureads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this world that felt so similar to our own; for better and worse. This social commentary was a little heavy-handed but that felt intentional. The characters are loveable and endearing and the world is fully formed. I feel like Moniquill Blackgoose and RF Kuang could be friends.
Read this if you like:
Social commentary; historical fantasy; dragons and dragon riders; magical schools
Read this if you like:
Social commentary; historical fantasy; dragons and dragon riders; magical schools
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Racial slurs, Bullying, Classism, and Cursing