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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, War, Ableism, and Homophobia
Minor: Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, and Hate crime
readthesparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
I was a Dragon Kid.
I read the first Eragon book to tatters, and obsessively read the third around four times a year. Dragonology was my favorite -ology book. It was Lady Trent’s Memoirs, a series about dragon naturalism, that broke me out of my four year reading slump.
I haven’t read a good dragon book in a while, but I’ve been itching for one. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is exactly what I needed to scratch that itch.
WORLDBUILDING
The story is set in an alternate history version of America based upon not Christian English beliefs but Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, and Old English religion and culture. I loved how Blackgoose reinterpreted and structured these inspirations; for example, the political system is a cross between the real world early American democracy and the Anglo-Saxon aristocratic system with a king, thanes, and halls.
The magic system, too, is so well-done. It’s more of a magical alternate science system, which I would describe as a cross between chemistry and alchemy. Though the vocabulary is different (for example, iron is called isen and elements are called skiltas), the foundational concepts are the same, making it easy to follow as we learn about it beside Anequs.
I adore dragon fantasy stories that reinterpret our own history and natural science through its own lens. That’s no easy feat to accomplish, much less do it well. With To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, Blackgoose has created not only a fantastic science fantasy but also one of the best dragon fantasy books I have ever read.
FOLKLORE IN TO SHAPE A DRAGON’S BREATH
I could write an essay on the way Blackgoose implements folklore into her storytelling. However, this is a book review, and as such I shall restrain myself to a few paragraphs.
Folklore—more specifically, the telling of stories—is a major theme in To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. More than one chapter is a story within a story, framed by Anequs asking another character to tell her a story or telling a story herself. It’s obvious to me that Blackgoose is passionate about folklore, reinterpreting lore from real-world cultures with care.
Even the presentation of the novel itself has links to folklore. The chapter titles, when considered together, read as a bare-bones bedtime story version of the narrative. It’s so clever, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how Blackgoose continues the theme of folklore in the rest of the series.
PLOT
I sometimes struggle to enjoy some fantasy titles, as they tend to incorporate tropes and narrative beats I find tiring (for example, the love triangle and poorly handled fantasy racism).
However, Blackgoose not only avoids these tropes but actively challenges them. In example, although Anequs is interested in two characters, she plans to pursue both of them, avoiding a tiresome love triangle that so often drags books down for me. She also handles racism and bigotry on several levels. For example, by reflecting problematic tropes and narratives present in real-world literature through in-world books Anequs encounters, and exploring how those racist narratives effect Anequs’ life and relationships.
And now we come to the only caveat I have to say about To Shape a Dragon’s Breath.
The plot is largely concerned with worldbuilding, society, and culture. If you’re expecting a high-octane adventure fantasy, you will be disappointed. There are no sky battles or magic duels or special ancient weapons.
I’ve seen some other reviewers complain that nothing happens in this book. I disagree.
Things do happen, it’s just that those things concern cultural, scientific, and political worldbuilding, the navigation of social settings, and the development of character relationships.
At its core, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath about exploring a world through the eyes of an Indigenous teenager living in a colonial world and moving through a restrictive social structure she refuses to assimilate into.
The plot, therefore, is about what she learns and who she learns it with. For someone expecting dragon battles or a fantasy boarding school mystery, it may feel as though nothing is happening, but something is happening: an exploration of the crossroads of race, gender, religion, class, and culture in this fictional setting throug nuanced, well-written dialogue between diverse, well-written characters.
It is a slow paced book, but like a good hike, the pleasure is in the journey and who you’re walking with.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath provides a breathtaking trail and excellent company.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After finishing To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, I already missed the characters and the world. This is the first installment in a series, and I cannot wait to see what else Blackgoose has in store for us.
If you love dragons, science fantasy, or well-written diverse characters, I cannot recommend To Shape a Dragon’s Breath enough.
Thank you to Del Ray for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley. If you are interested in To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, it is available now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Colonisation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Genocide, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Classism, Confinement, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Death, Transphobia, and Medical content
readingwithkaitlyn's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Violence, Genocide, Ableism, Classism, Racial slurs, Bullying, Hate crime, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse
Minor: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, and War
booksthatburn's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Genocide
Minor: Violence, Animal death, Grief, and Death
shector1's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I love this book!!! I hope it reaches more people. I feel like words can't describe how I really enjoyed this book. I want Anequs to get everything she wants so BADDDDDDDDDD. I enjoyed the moments between Liberty and Anequs so much and I really wanted more. Theod definitely grew on me especially his time spent with Anequs. I am very interested to see where this story goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Mental illness, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
boglord's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Spoiler Free Summary: Anequs, a young woman from an indigenous community on the outskirts of Anglish country, becomes Nampeshiweisit when she is gifted a dragon egg by one of the indigenous dragon species thought to be extinct by her community. Faced by the threat of prosecution by local Anglish laws, Anequs must take Kasaqua, her dragon, to an Anglish dragoneering school in order to properly master Kasaqua's breath, a powerful force when unshaped. In the course of her first year at the school, she makes friends, falls for two different people at the school, and deals with racism and bigotry. In the end, this is a character-driven novel that investigates the relationship marginalized communities have within this fictionalized 19th century America.
I really enjoyed this book. The relationship Anequs has with her friends was constantly touching, and I was thoroughly impressed by the author's ability to fit so many important discussions on racism, homophobia, ableism, and colonialism in a very digestible yet meaningful format. I've seen other reviews speaking of the book as though it was boring; I was never bored. But I did not know what to expect coming into this book- if you're looking for a fantasy adventure this is not one. The book focuses on Anequs in her attempt to figure out how she can exist genuinely in her indigenous identity in a society that wishes she would assimilate. If you're looking for a story of a brave young woman struggling to assert herself in a world that's trying to put her down, while uplifting other marginalized people who she befriends along the way, this is a feel-good, hopeful story that shows how strong we can be when we are together.
I have to say that the plot struggles at some points near the end. The culminating action that takes place in the last couple chapters feels extremely rushed and I wished that some major plot points weren't glossed over, as they would have not only been extremely exciting bits of action to read, but they also would have been great instances to interact with what all the characters who are introduced think and feel as the story wraps up. As it is, I think that the author leaves a lot unsaid, where throughout the rest of the story we are entrenched in the characters' thoughts and feelings.
At times I also struggled with the intense academic nature of the story- there was one chapter near the beginning of Anequs' story that was incredibly difficult to read and digest. Later in the book it became clear that this was intentional to highlight how difficult it was for Anequs to understand, also an outsider to the germanic technical terms used throughout.
I recommend this book and give it 4 stars! I am very excited for this series to continue as I can imagine many ways that the story might progress now that Anequs has grown into a mature and determined young woman.
Spoiler Free Summary: Anequs, a young woman from an indigenous community on the outskirts of Anglish country, becomes Nampeshiweisit when she is gifted a dragon egg by one of the indigenous dragon species thought to be extinct by her community. Faced by the threat of prosecution by local Anglish laws, Anequs must take Kasaqua, her dragon, to an Anglish dragoneering school in order to properly master Kasaqua's breath, a powerful force when unshaped. In the course of her first year at the school, she makes friends, falls for two different people at the school, and deals with racism and bigotry. In the end, this is a character-driven novel that investigates the relationship marginalized communities have within this fictionalized 19th century America.
I really enjoyed this book. The relationship Anequs has with her friends was constantly touching, and I was thoroughly impressed by the author's ability to fit so many important discussions on racism, homophobia, ableism, and colonialism in a very digestible yet meaningful format. I've seen other reviews speaking of the book as though it was boring; I was never bored. But I did not know what to expect coming into this book- if you're looking for a fantasy adventure this is not one. The book focuses on Anequs in her attempt to figure out how she can exist genuinely in her indigenous identity in a society that wishes she would assimilate. If you're looking for a story of a brave young woman struggling to assert herself in a world that's trying to put her down, while uplifting other marginalized people who she befriends along the way, this is a feel-good, hopeful story that shows how strong we can be when we are together.
I have to say that the plot struggles at some points near the end. The culminating action that takes place in the last couple chapters feels extremely rushed and I wished that some major plot points weren't glossed over, as they would have not only been extremely exciting bits of action to read, but they also would have been great instances to interact with what all the characters who are introduced think and feel as the story wraps up. As it is, I think that the author leaves a lot unsaid, where throughout the rest of the story we are entrenched in the characters' thoughts and feelings.
At times I also struggled with the intense academic nature of the story- there was one chapter near the beginning of Anequs' story that was incredibly difficult to read and digest. Later in the book it became clear that this was intentional to highlight how difficult it was for Anequs to understand, also an outsider to the germanic technical terms used throughout.
I recommend this book and give it 4 stars! I am very excited for this series to continue as I can imagine many ways that the story might progress now that Anequs has grown into a mature and determined young woman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Racism, Ableism, Homophobia, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, Genocide, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Slavery
Minor: Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
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