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sydapel's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Really compelled by Aneqes as a teenage main character who is unflappable in her ability to recognize the discrimination and injustice around her, and her deftness at navigating it. This book is uninterested in convincing you about the nuances of colonization and racism, which I respect the hell out of it for. While I don't think I 1000% understood how the chemistry/alchemy elements of the world worked, I am deeply interested in where it goes next. Oh and also, I really loved the take on dragons in this world as this deeply emotional and physical bond (think like the creatures in The Golden Compass series) - super interested to explore that further in the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, Violence, and Death of parent
nisaak's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I couldn't put this book down! I listened to the audiobook whenever I had a few spare moments. It brought me so much joy to read a story about an Indigenous young woman and her dragon. It's definitely fantasy but grounded in the reality of racism. And there is bisexual representation! I think it puts the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into practice in a book about dragons and I am here for it! I can't wait for the next book in this series! It's the first book I've read this year and think it will be my favorite. It will be hard to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Gun violence and Homophobia
Minor: Genocide
audelidou's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, and War
batesbarb's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
mateyy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.75
This felt like a fresh breath of air. I was so absorbed from beginning to end following Anequs battle her way through a world that wishes for her to fail at every turn.
Moniquill Blackgoose created a really cool almost steampunk-y Colonial North American setting that lends itself well to the story being told. How Anequs (and subsequently the audience) interacted with the setting worked well and it did not feel like I had to sift through so much exposition.
I think coming into this book with the notion that it was a bit like Fourth Wing but TSADB actively deals with the horrors that Native Americans had to (and still deal with the repercussions) face in a fantasy setting, definitely set me up for a different novel than I got. I think if I read this without that bias, I think I would have enjoyed the book more because the stakes were a lot different than I was expecting.
I am excited to see the story continue in the next installment!
Moniquill Blackgoose created a really cool almost steampunk-y Colonial North American setting that lends itself well to the story being told. How Anequs (and subsequently the audience) interacted with the setting worked well and it did not feel like I had to sift through so much exposition.
I think coming into this book with the notion that it was a bit like Fourth Wing but TSADB actively deals with the horrors that Native Americans had to (and still deal with the repercussions) face in a fantasy setting, definitely set me up for a different novel than I got. I think if I read this without that bias, I think I would have enjoyed the book more because the stakes were a lot different than I was expecting.
I am excited to see the story continue in the next installment!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
vagaybond'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
5.0
Genuinely one of my favourites out of all of the books I've read in the past few years. (I read about 100 a year.) I love the magic system, and I love the protagonist and the love and kindness she inspires in those around her, even and especially when she's rightfully calling people out for their behaving awfully. I love her determination to speak her mind and stick up for those around her. I feel like this book is so much of what I have always craved to see in anything meant to be in a historical setting, and it's something I wish I saw more. This is one of those books that makes me so excited for the influence I hope it has on the future of historical and fantasy books.
I want to note that I have tagged this polyam and romantic not because it is a romance book (this isn't a major theme in the book, but it is present) but because the protagonist intends to court two people by the end of the book, and it's implied that this will be developed further as it goes on. There is also a secondary character (friend of the protagonist) who prefers to communicate with a magic AAC device who, IMO, was written so well too. A teacher as well who uses a stand-in for a wheelchair. There isn't an identity I have or experience I have had that wasn't represented with care and accuracy, though I can only speak as a white settler queer disabled (neuro + physical) person who uses a mobility aid, and the author surely knows the relevant cultures and dynamics featured more than I could.
I want to note that I have tagged this polyam and romantic not because it is a romance book (this isn't a major theme in the book, but it is present) but because the protagonist intends to court two people by the end of the book, and it's implied that this will be developed further as it goes on. There is also a secondary character (friend of the protagonist) who prefers to communicate with a magic AAC device who, IMO, was written so well too. A teacher as well who uses a stand-in for a wheelchair. There isn't an identity I have or experience I have had that wasn't represented with care and accuracy, though I can only speak as a white settler queer disabled (neuro + physical) person who uses a mobility aid, and the author surely knows the relevant cultures and dynamics featured more than I could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
saltylane's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book, though some parts are a bit rough around the edges, imo. The world building is thorough, but I’m unsure if it all “worked” for me. Some words were used to replace common ones, like names of chemicals/elements, and those words were used in a way that I couldn’t follow what meant what, but that may have been wholly intentional, in order to show the reader how the main character, Anequs, felt being tossed into an unfamiliar world.
Some of the scenes were rather detailed to the point that I was a bit bored with them, like a couple of the class scenes wherein Anequs had to learn detailed concepts. It’s possible they were intentionally written that way to have the reader share the confusion of Anequs upon having to learn the complex concepts, but I almost skipped the scene entirely about midway through. On the other hand, some scenes were briefly described when I might’ve liked to read more about them in detail.
The descriptions of the dragons when they first appeared were added in such a way that it was hard for me to actually picture the individual creatures in my mind. The species were almost all described at once, and I couldn’t retain what they looked like after that point because the ideas blended together. The descriptions were thorough, but being introduced to most of them all at once made it harder for me to keep up with what was what afterwards. I would like to see illustrations of them, though, because they did sound interesting to see!
The story itself is inspiring as Anequs faces much adversity in the community she’s thrust into. The analogs to real-world issues can be painful a lot of the time, but it’s informative and inspiring when Anequs fights to make change. The way she becomes an agent for change in those around her with her tenacity and kindness/empathy is heartwarming.
Overall, I enjoyed the read, and I look forward to the sequels.
Some of the scenes were rather detailed to the point that I was a bit bored with them, like a couple of the class scenes wherein Anequs had to learn detailed concepts. It’s possible they were intentionally written that way to have the reader share the confusion of Anequs upon having to learn the complex concepts, but I almost skipped the scene entirely about midway through. On the other hand, some scenes were briefly described when I might’ve liked to read more about them in detail.
The descriptions of the dragons when they first appeared were added in such a way that it was hard for me to actually picture the individual creatures in my mind. The species were almost all described at once, and I couldn’t retain what they looked like after that point because the ideas blended together. The descriptions were thorough, but being introduced to most of them all at once made it harder for me to keep up with what was what afterwards. I would like to see illustrations of them, though, because they did sound interesting to see!
The story itself is inspiring as Anequs faces much adversity in the community she’s thrust into. The analogs to real-world issues can be painful a lot of the time, but it’s informative and inspiring when Anequs fights to make change. The way she becomes an agent for change in those around her with her tenacity and kindness/empathy is heartwarming.
Overall, I enjoyed the read, and I look forward to the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Slavery, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
_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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death, Transphobia, Violence, and Death of parent
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.0
Look at me, you are going to want to quit this book at the first third where they start introducing fantasy chemistry. DO NOT. I promise it is worth it for the way it is used later in the book, with a twist that made me gasp aloud. I do think in general this book would be greatly improved by just saying this is America but it has dragons, deal with it, instead of making the audience memorize fantasy words for everything. Other than that I had so much fun. I really liked the characters, with Anequs someone I would have been utterly obsessed with if I had this book at the right age. I love that she knows who she is, what she wants, and what is right and she is going to do that. The bisexual poly romance is super cute as well. And the exploration of native vs colonizer ways of the same knowledge was so interesting. I called my roommate when I got to the dance reveal, I was so excited. Can't wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Murder, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, and War
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and War