Reviews tagging 'Death'

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

25 reviews

rubybastille's review

adventurous challenging emotional tense 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? Yes

4.5

Alright so what if Vikings did all the colonialism instead of the English, indigenous Americans are still struggling to retain their place in an increasingly industrialized and politically divided alternate USA, oh and there are dragons? Lay all that over a “Kiki’s Delivery Service”-style framework and get ready to experience a year in the life of Anequs and her dragon. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Ableism

Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Death

_lostinthetrees's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

It was a privilege to read this book. I genuinely loved it, and the story it told, though I wanted to jump through the page and scream at some of the adults in it more than once. 

Anequs was such a lovely, dynamic main character. Also, Kasaqua was just the bestest dragon. 

As far as books about dragons go, this one is top tier; well thought out descriptions and lore abound. 

I loved the varied cast of characters who are in Anequs' orbit; at least, the ones who didn't cause her so much grief, anyways.  

Overall, I definitely hope to reread this book one day, to appreciate the story all over again. This one deserves to become a classic, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Bullying, Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Transphobia

blakeandbooks'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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Ableism, Classism, Lesbophobia, Mass/school shootings, Racial slurs, Death, Death of parent, Police brutality, Murder, Sexism, Racism, Colonisation, and Misogyny

Moderate: War, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia

thecatconstellation's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful 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

4.75

This was really enjoyable. A decent amount of plot and a lot of excellent world building. I enjoyed the various folklores, the representation of queer and poly relationships, and the autistic representation. The dragons! So many different dragons. I love reading about them. I also love the bond that they have with their chosen people. The pronunciation guide at the beginning is super helpful!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, Colonisation, Murder, and Sexism

Moderate: Hate crime, Genocide, Racial slurs, Death, Classism, Transphobia, Suicide, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Bullying, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol

novella42's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

Such a phenomenal read, and my favorite speculative fiction book of the year! Indigenous otter dragons!!! Moniquill Blackgoose made a truly audacious worldbuilding choice I have never encountered before, and which took me something like 70 pages to understand. But once it clicked, I felt in awe of her. I won't spoil it for anyone, but the risk she took and the monumental effort she put into her worldbuilding absolutely paid off on multiple levels. 

Also, I don't know what the audiobook is like, but I can't imagine getting the same effect without a text version. I'm very glad I have the hardcopy so I could page back and forth to the pronunciations, maps, periodic table, etc. I wish I could share photos of the pronunciation guide because it's a sliver of a glimpse of the amount of brainpower Blackgoose poured into this work. I wish I could show you some of the heart, too, but for that you'll need to immerse yourself in the story.

As a lifelong wheelchair-user, I really enjoyed the steampunk wheelchair alternative (though if I were that character I'd probably try and develop some sort of smaller backup mobility aid to allow me to move into all the inaccessible places around the school where the larger device couldn't go). I loved the magical AAC device the neurodivergent character uses to communicate, too! Brilliant and respectful rep for disability, neurodivergence, queer, and polyam characters. I've been recommending it left and right. I cannot wait for the next book in the series! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Misogyny, Gun violence, Colonisation, Sexism, Xenophobia, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Classism, Homophobia, Ableism, Violence, Biphobia, Racial slurs, and Genocide

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, War, Slavery, Transphobia, Body shaming, Murder, Confinement, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Medical content, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse

courtnoodles's review

challenging 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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Sexism, Gun violence, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Ableism, and Mental illness

Moderate: Classism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Abandonment

Minor: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury

epsilonecho's review

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective

• 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

A riveting exploration of an indigenous girl's journey into an unfamiliar, often hostile, colonial culture. Most of the story focuses on Anequs' experiences at school, while slowly developing a larger, more intricate plot in the background.

Possibly one of my favorite books I've ever read. Scratches the character-focused school story itch I obtained in childhood. Don't let some negative reviews about "lack of action" fool you: not all stories need to be directly about violence or conflict. This book proves that by immersing you into Anequs' life, not just her battles. 

I've also seen criticisms that the dragons don't so much in this book:

by the end of the book, most of the main character's dragons are just about a year old!

While dragons provide the impetus for the plot, they are not what the story is about. The story is about Anequs and her journey into this unfamiliar world.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Classism, Colonisation, Sexism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Death of parent, Ableism, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, War, Death, and Genocide

Minor: Animal death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Gun violence

All of the themes are treated very respectfully by the author, but they are serious and their impact on people shouldn't be lessened. Overall, I was never uncomfortable reading this book, and I felt the author handled all of these very delicate ideas very well as to not trigger readers, while also ensuring the emotional weight is understood.

svangleboyer's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense slow-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? Yes

3.5

To Shape a Dragon's Breath is an interesting fantasy that takes place in an alternative timeline where North American is colonized by Anglish conquerors. Anequs, an Indigenous woman living on the island Masquapaug, finds a dragon egg that hatches and becomes bonded to Anequs.  Anequs ends up going to a dragon academy on the mainland to learn to shape her dragon, Kasaqua, breath so that the dragon doesn't accidentally hurt anyone.  Anequs has to fight against the prejudices from the Anglish who see she has nothing but a savage while trying to learn how to be what Kasaqua needs to survive and thrive in the world.

I enjoyed gaining more perspective into the Indigenous culture that Anequs belongs too.  Some of my favorite chapters were hearing old stories from their culture.  I find their storytelling to be so magically and feel like I am experiencing it along with the characters.  I actually wish we could have had more focus on her culture as opposed to the Anglish trying to convert Anequs.  I also love all the various dragon breeds because each one is so unique and have their own personalities that I find so endearing.  I admire Anequs for sticking to her culture and not letting the Anglish try to convert her to their way of thinking and trying to make her a proper lady.  It was nice to see a strong female who is not afraid to stand up for herself against authority and not letting others insult her and her people for being different from what society says is normal. 

While I wanted to love this novel, I was a little disappointed, so I had to give it fewer stars.  One major issue I had is that this novel is just too long.  The author did a wonderful job world building but there was quite a bit of info dumping that just didn't need to be in the novel.  I believe it could easily have been 200 pages short and still made a strong impact.  There were several times I put down the book because it was a little overwhelming.  I mean if you are going to give us multiple chapters about the actual class lessons, maybe provide some images to accompany the actual lessons specially the various skiltas that is essential to shaping a dragon's breath.  

The other major issue I had was that this book had me sold from the beginning because I am a sucker for dragons.  While there are dragons throughout the novel, there are more just there, and you don't really get to see what they can do.  I would have liked to see the dragons have a more active role in the story besides just being with their owners.  

I will be reading the sequel because I am interested to see what comes next for Anequs. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Colonisation, Misogyny, Bullying, Mental illness, Classism, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Sexism, Slavery, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Racism, War, Homophobia, Animal death, and Death

Minor: Murder, Sexual harassment, and Forced institutionalization

ashylibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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

3.75

*Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.*

I'm going to start this review by saying I am still confused as to which reading group this book falls. It is listed everywhere as an adult novel but I very much feel like it could be listed as an older YA book. 

I appreciate the world-building that happened in this book. I enjoyed learning about the indigenous groups and how colonization has affected their ability to live. I also could not pass up a dragon story. 

Anequs is a strong, independent, and determined character. She embraces her Nampeshiweist with excitement while also understanding what this dragon and power mean for her community. Even though the Anglish have other plans for what should happen to the Nampeshiweist, Anequs pushes for her acceptance into the Anglish dragon school and works to prove that she has more than what they expect. 

This story did feel like it dragged on at certain points without much happening. I feel like it could have been a shorter book with more punchy scenes to help keep the plot moving. 

Overall, this is a unique, well-done fantasy that leaves readers with much to think about. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Ableism, and Racism

Moderate: Violence, Genocide, and Homophobia

Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Animal death

tmdreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.5

A compelling story, I can’t wait to read the next books! 

There are a lot of themes around colonialism explored in this fantasy. The world is similar to ours but imagine our world with dragons, dragons that not only fly but do chemistry. Anequs lives a peaceful substance life on her island before she finds a dragon’s egg and becomes a Nampeshiweisit -a person that belongs to a dragon. She must attend an school on the mainland and learn about the ways of those who colonize this land to keep her dragon.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Sexism, and Racism

Moderate: Gun violence, War, Ableism, and Homophobia

Minor: Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, and Hate crime