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spookylettuce's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I cannot put into words how much I love this book.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading Anequs have the revelation that Traditional Knowledge of skiltakraft was still being passed on and hidden in plain sight , and it being relearned after being lost to colonisation and violence made me feel so much.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence, Ableism, Racism, Classism, Violence, Sexism, Bullying, and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent and War
kylieqrada'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
Maybe my favorite book of the year so far. Fascinating world-building in an alternate US shaped by Scandinavian colonization. Incredible characters, queer/poly rep, an Indigenous heroine, DRAGONS, an academy setting… I could go on. Please please please read this!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, and Ableism
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: War and Animal death
jess_always_reading's review
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
4.75
I absolutely loved this book, I can't wait for the next one!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Colonisation, Ableism, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence
pandact's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
I like the other review saying the author would be friends with R. F. Kuang, and I'll add Brandon Sanderson because it's almost as similar to the Rithmatist as it is to Babel.
It hits all the right notes If you like magical realism that combines science and mysticism in an alternate history world with multicultural mythologies foreshadowing worldbuilding. The dragons and Skilta system could be developed more, but it almost qualified as math magic and still didn't distract me too much with trying to figure out if it was chemistry or alchemy...
It hits all the right notes If you like magical realism that combines science and mysticism in an alternate history world with multicultural mythologies foreshadowing worldbuilding. The dragons and Skilta system could be developed more, but it almost qualified as math magic and still didn't distract me too much with trying to figure out if it was chemistry or alchemy...
All the more reason to look forward to the sequel because the third act passed five stars! Maybe I'll also read the next one during finals and student protests 🎒
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, and Misogyny
Minor: Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
juliaureads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
I loved this world that felt so similar to our own; for better and worse. This social commentary was a little heavy-handed but that felt intentional. The characters are loveable and endearing and the world is fully formed. I feel like Moniquill Blackgoose and RF Kuang could be friends.
Read this if you like:
Social commentary; historical fantasy; dragons and dragon riders; magical schools
Read this if you like:
Social commentary; historical fantasy; dragons and dragon riders; magical schools
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Racial slurs, Bullying, Classism, and Cursing
kimapede's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Genocide, Hate crime, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Lesbophobia, Racism, Colonisation, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide, War, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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
leweylibrary's review
adventurous
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? No
4.25
So I really love the idea of this book. It's basically Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing but much better than both of those things lol. The dragon element is well done and a lot of fun imo, and I love watching the MC's dragon grow up 🥹
I think my biggest issue with the book is the pacing. It's super slow, like the first 300ish pages only covers like 5ish months of time. I was totally cool with that pace, although I was starting to wonder when something significant was going to happen. But then the pace started picking up and time started moving in bigger chunks, but it didn't feel like it was moving towards anything? At least not anything big. And then something big at the end just happened and you're like WHAT but then it's super quickly resolved. I was just confused and now I'm annoyed that who knows when the second book will come out 🫠 I do want to know where the story goes from here, though.
BUT! This book's reflections on colonialism, racism, and classism were absolutely by far the best part. It wasn't quite as intricate or well-developed as something like Babel (that world map was...idk how to feel about that lol), but I think this is probably more a YA speed, so that's alright. I liked that it had characters that showed the different levels and aspects of those isms. Like we have the MC who's a proud of her indigenous culture and doesn't know anything else and therefore doesn't think Anglish is at all better versus Theod who is also indigenous but has been raised in an Anglish world and taught to believe that culture is best.
I also loved her friends, especially Sander. Her relationship with him is just so wholesome. Oh! And the love interests were fun! We love some LGBTQIA+ rep, and it was refreshing that Anaqus' culture just respects those differences and doesn't think they're a big deal like the Anglish do. Last thing, we love the pronunciation guide! So helpful.
I think my biggest issue with the book is the pacing. It's super slow, like the first 300ish pages only covers like 5ish months of time. I was totally cool with that pace, although I was starting to wonder when something significant was going to happen. But then the pace started picking up and time started moving in bigger chunks, but it didn't feel like it was moving towards anything? At least not anything big. And then something big at the end just happened and you're like WHAT but then it's super quickly resolved. I was just confused and now I'm annoyed that who knows when the second book will come out 🫠 I do want to know where the story goes from here, though.
BUT! This book's reflections on colonialism, racism, and classism were absolutely by far the best part. It wasn't quite as intricate or well-developed as something like Babel (that world map was...idk how to feel about that lol), but I think this is probably more a YA speed, so that's alright. I liked that it had characters that showed the different levels and aspects of those isms. Like we have the MC who's a proud of her indigenous culture and doesn't know anything else and therefore doesn't think Anglish is at all better versus Theod who is also indigenous but has been raised in an Anglish world and taught to believe that culture is best.
I also loved her friends, especially Sander. Her relationship with him is just so wholesome. Oh! And the love interests were fun! We love some LGBTQIA+ rep, and it was refreshing that Anaqus' culture just respects those differences and doesn't think they're a big deal like the Anglish do. Last thing, we love the pronunciation guide! So helpful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Classism, Colonisation, Slavery, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: War
smittonwith's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a great read. It is a longer book, but I throughly enjoyed the storytelling in this novel. There are plenty of parallels between this novel and our current world. This book follows the story of Anequs, an indigenous teenager who discovers a dragon egg on her island. This discovery means that Anequs must enroll in a specialized dragon minding school on the mainland that is run by colonists. This creates a string of challenges for Anequs and her family as they are forced to disregard their cultural upbringing and traditions and instead learn the “approved ways”. This book touches on the topics of racism, colonialism, magical realism, queer identity, polyamory and plenty more. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a solid fantasy read that makes an attempt to draw similar parallels and realizations between this world and our current one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
jpitts's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Ableism, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Genocide
Minor: Gun violence