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sunandaj's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
About a chapter in, I knew this book would destroy me, and as I gobbled it up, it fully did. It brought to life the horrors of colonisation and just the grossness of white settlers in those times. I found myself wondering how hard it must have been to write, to live through, to carry the intergenerational trauma AND resilience, and fantasied about what the world could have been without colonisation, or what it could be in the future. Anequs is the kind of person we need now and always. This book was everything. I cannot wait for the next one!
mom2stitch's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So beautifully written and descriptive. Intro to the whole world and characters, indigenous values, pro Trump/hitler enemies
hollielovesromance'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
5.0
What a fun way to kick of this series. I loved getting an indigenous dragon story that tackles colonization and its deeply harmful impacts. I can’t wait to see how this series continues.
dreareads_'s review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Indigenous fantasy lore, Dragons, and a fearless main character! There is plenty to love in this book but also a few things that keep it from being perfect.
Things I loved:
- Anequs is such a fun and unique character with a very clear set of believes that she is not afraid to express. I love how unmoving she was in the presence of those that wanted to change her. Her love for her family and community inspired me.
- The DRAGONS!!! Ugh I love how they are described and how each race of dragon is representative of the culture they come come.
- The world building!! Especially the use of stories as mirrors into the make up an ideologies of the communities and individuals in the book. Storytelling was a very beautiful and compelling world building tool that gave something special to the book. I genuinely think the world building is the strongest aspect of this book.
- Beautifully diverse cast with representation of queerness, disabilities, backgrounds, and histories.
- The complex ideologies of the book. Blackgoose did an excellent job at creating characters in all sides of the spectrum of good-bad-complicated. I also think that the politics between and inside the indigenous were fascinating and I wanted to learn more.
What I did not like:
- While I love Anequs, other than reinforcing her believes she did not go through much of a character development. In many ways, Anequs is the same girl in the end as she was in the beginning (albeit a few technicalities here and there). As a main character she is such a clear unmoving moral compass, that she feels one note at times.
- Most of the character development fell on Theod , the other nackie at the dragon school. The problem with this is that due to the book being written in first person we did not get to experience these changes. Majority of the character development takes place off page. We were constantly told that Theod was changing but again, not even in his interactions between Anequs and Theod were these changes clear.
- Anequs love for her community of Masquapaug comes through clearly, but the relationships she has with the people in her community do not. Maybe it is because we spend such little time with her in Masquapaug, but I know more about the believes and history of the Masquapaug than I do of Anequs place in her community. We were constantly told that she has friends, and that she knew her place in the community but we never saw it. Even her friends felt like forgotten side pieces.
- The plot and final resolution felt rushed. I think this is in part due to the fact that the world building took up so much space, but alongside with majority of the characters being underdeveloped so was the plot. In particular the final deus ex machina used to solve the government plot was ridiculous.
Overall, a book with lots of heart and lots to enjoy. It simply suffered from telling more than showing in regards to character development. I truly hope that the sequel will expand on the plot and make the final resolution not feel as jarring
Things I loved:
- Anequs is such a fun and unique character with a very clear set of believes that she is not afraid to express. I love how unmoving she was in the presence of those that wanted to change her. Her love for her family and community inspired me.
- The DRAGONS!!! Ugh I love how they are described and how each race of dragon is representative of the culture they come come.
- The world building!! Especially the use of stories as mirrors into the make up an ideologies of the communities and individuals in the book. Storytelling was a very beautiful and compelling world building tool that gave something special to the book. I genuinely think the world building is the strongest aspect of this book.
- Beautifully diverse cast with representation of queerness, disabilities, backgrounds, and histories.
- The complex ideologies of the book. Blackgoose did an excellent job at creating characters in all sides of the spectrum of good-bad-complicated. I also think that the politics between and inside the indigenous were fascinating and I wanted to learn more.
What I did not like:
- While I love Anequs, other than reinforcing her believes she did not go through much of a character development. In many ways, Anequs is the same girl in the end as she was in the beginning (albeit a few technicalities here and there). As a main character she is such a clear unmoving moral compass, that she feels one note at times.
- Most of the character development fell on Theod , the other nackie at the dragon school. The problem with this is that due to the book being written in first person we did not get to experience these changes. Majority of the character development takes place off page. We were constantly told that Theod was changing but again, not even in his interactions between Anequs and Theod were these changes clear.
- Anequs love for her community of Masquapaug comes through clearly, but the relationships she has with the people in her community do not. Maybe it is because we spend such little time with her in Masquapaug, but I know more about the believes and history of the Masquapaug than I do of Anequs place in her community. We were constantly told that she has friends, and that she knew her place in the community but we never saw it. Even her friends felt like forgotten side pieces.
- The plot and final resolution felt rushed. I think this is in part due to the fact that the world building took up so much space, but alongside with majority of the characters being underdeveloped so was the plot. In particular the final deus ex machina used to solve the government plot was ridiculous.
Overall, a book with lots of heart and lots to enjoy. It simply suffered from telling more than showing in regards to character development. I truly hope that the sequel will expand on the plot and make the final resolution not feel as jarring
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, Racism, Classism, Ableism, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Xenophobia
fatimareadsbooks's review
4.0
Honestly, this reminds me of a Tamora Pierce-style story! Despite the main themes being heavy, it’s quite a cozy story.
The main premise is that Anequs, an Indigenous teen, finds the first dragon egg seen in her community in generations. According to the Anglish who conquered her people’s land, Anequs must now enroll in an approved dragon academy and raise the hatchling by its standards, or the creature will be killed.
It’s always interesting seeing how different books incorporate dragons into their world. Blackgoose’s focus is more on the technology-powering alchemy of a dragon’s breath, which I found to be an interesting approach. In the academy, there’s info-dumping and long stretches of lectures sometimes, but I’d really urge you to keep reading and not get too bogged down by the details! Everything eventually makes sense, and Blackgoose skilfully weaves a very compelling story.
Even though Anequs is 15, this is very much not written like a typical YA novel. To me, it makes sense - Anequs even tells us that according to her cultural practices, she’s an adult. I feel like this is why this book’s tone seems to straddle that childhood/adult line. Anequs has a solid sense of self and is defiantly blunt, unlike most YA protagonists.
I also love how this book effectively captures the dissonance Anequs feels as she’s thrust into a new culture. The portrayal of racism & colonialism is just SO realistic (which makes sense given that the setting is basically a Viking steampunk parallel reality of our world).
One thing that has been criticised about this book is the way the story is told. It has a very straightforward linear plot that’s quite predictable. However, there’s a beautiful simplicity in that. I personally enjoyed how we let the school part of the story breathe without involving some other overarching subplot.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is truly a breath (no pun intended) of fresh air. The premise is unique, the world-building is excellent, and the writing is rhythmic. I can’t to see what Blackgoose has planned for the sequel!
The main premise is that Anequs, an Indigenous teen, finds the first dragon egg seen in her community in generations. According to the Anglish who conquered her people’s land, Anequs must now enroll in an approved dragon academy and raise the hatchling by its standards, or the creature will be killed.
It’s always interesting seeing how different books incorporate dragons into their world. Blackgoose’s focus is more on the technology-powering alchemy of a dragon’s breath, which I found to be an interesting approach. In the academy, there’s info-dumping and long stretches of lectures sometimes, but I’d really urge you to keep reading and not get too bogged down by the details! Everything eventually makes sense, and Blackgoose skilfully weaves a very compelling story.
Even though Anequs is 15, this is very much not written like a typical YA novel. To me, it makes sense - Anequs even tells us that according to her cultural practices, she’s an adult. I feel like this is why this book’s tone seems to straddle that childhood/adult line. Anequs has a solid sense of self and is defiantly blunt, unlike most YA protagonists.
I also love how this book effectively captures the dissonance Anequs feels as she’s thrust into a new culture. The portrayal of racism & colonialism is just SO realistic (which makes sense given that the setting is basically a Viking steampunk parallel reality of our world).
One thing that has been criticised about this book is the way the story is told. It has a very straightforward linear plot that’s quite predictable. However, there’s a beautiful simplicity in that. I personally enjoyed how we let the school part of the story breathe without involving some other overarching subplot.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is truly a breath (no pun intended) of fresh air. The premise is unique, the world-building is excellent, and the writing is rhythmic. I can’t to see what Blackgoose has planned for the sequel!
bratzdoll444's review
4.0
it’s better than fourth wing (i’ve never read fourth wing and i don’t plan to)
ruthien's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
marionc5's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
frenchleigh's review
4.0
*edited April 2024 after realizing I’d never heard of a flat arc before and contemplating what it would look like to do something like that well.
I loved the “two eyed seeing” that the protagonist uses to learn magic/world-shaping while at an English school. I really loved the normalised (but realistic) depiction of an autistic side character who showed the protagonist the ropes. Alas, the pace is slow without cause and the main themes are redundant. The contrasting worldviews of the Indigenous and settler colonial states are awkwardly inserted imo. But the main reason it’s not 4 stars is that the narration is too distant for my tastes and that makes it harder to invest in the MC.
I loved the “two eyed seeing” that the protagonist uses to learn magic/world-shaping while at an English school. I really loved the normalised (but realistic) depiction of an autistic side character who showed the protagonist the ropes. Alas, the pace is slow without cause and the main themes are redundant. The contrasting worldviews of the Indigenous and settler colonial states are awkwardly inserted imo. But the main reason it’s not 4 stars is that the narration is too distant for my tastes and that makes it harder to invest in the MC.
muddymind's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
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