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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!
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!
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
sarahbythebook's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
4.5
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a refreshing mix of a novel of manners and YA fantasy. We follow Anequs, a young indigenous woman by her society’s understanding and an uncivilized “nackie” girl by white Anglish reckoning, as she finds a dragon egg and becomes bonded to the dragon inside. Their pairing causes an uproar among the Anglish, and in attempts to soothe their fears and her own, Anequs must face Anglish society and attended Dragoneer schooling, making new friends and challenging social expectations along the way!
I thoroughly enjoyed To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Anequs is smart, opinionated, and unfair of ruffling the feathers of white society. While the pacing is a bit slow, it’s call backs to a novel of manners is unique among fantasy. This is the second book I’ve read lately that offers a fantastical explanation for the Industrial Revolution—in this case a dragon’s breath. The fictional science is cleverly done while still being recognizable as something from our own world in a way. The author does an excellent job showing the arrogance of white settler colonialism in contrast with a society more socially progressive and caring than its own. I cannot wait for the second book to come out and will absolutely be continuing this series!
A fun read for teens and adults who enjoy fantasy and some Jane Austen!
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a refreshing mix of a novel of manners and YA fantasy. We follow Anequs, a young indigenous woman by her society’s understanding and an uncivilized “nackie” girl by white Anglish reckoning, as she finds a dragon egg and becomes bonded to the dragon inside. Their pairing causes an uproar among the Anglish, and in attempts to soothe their fears and her own, Anequs must face Anglish society and attended Dragoneer schooling, making new friends and challenging social expectations along the way!
I thoroughly enjoyed To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Anequs is smart, opinionated, and unfair of ruffling the feathers of white society. While the pacing is a bit slow, it’s call backs to a novel of manners is unique among fantasy. This is the second book I’ve read lately that offers a fantastical explanation for the Industrial Revolution—in this case a dragon’s breath. The fictional science is cleverly done while still being recognizable as something from our own world in a way. The author does an excellent job showing the arrogance of white settler colonialism in contrast with a society more socially progressive and caring than its own. I cannot wait for the second book to come out and will absolutely be continuing this series!
A fun read for teens and adults who enjoy fantasy and some Jane Austen!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Ableism, Colonisation, Sexism, Body shaming, Death of parent, Gun violence, Racism, and Slavery
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