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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
In today’s divisive society, uniqueness can become a point of shame rather than pride. The Dragon of Ynys is a perfect balm to soothe everyone and anyone who feels hurt by the lack of acceptance that is often so prevalent–it will make you smile, lift your spirits, and reaffirm your belief that there is good in the world, all in the span of roughly 100 pages. I seriously cannot adequately express how much I loved this book.
I cannot begin to express how much I loved this cute, quirky fairytale. The cast is wonderfully queer: Sir Violet is an aro-ace hero, more interested in staying home with a cup of tea than winning hearts; Juniper and Holly are a proud lesbian couple; two characters are trans; and in passing dialogue, the characters offer affirmation of genderfluid, nonbinary, and bi/pan identities. The queer rep is OwnVoices, too–the author notes at the end that she identifies as both aro-ace and genderqueer/genderfluid. And–get this!–more than once, when meeting new people in this book, characters actually ask each other for their pronouns. That is next-level inclusivity, and I am so here for it.
As someone who is also ace, I felt like Sir Violet was an excellent representation of asexuality (and especially ace introverts). It doesn’t consume his identity, and he generally just doesn’t bother thinking about romantic or sexual things at all unless someone else brings it up–more often, he is preoccupied with the idea that he doesn’t fit in because he isn’t really an adventurous type. In his opinion, the most important things in life are things like cinnamon rolls and good friends, not derring-do and winning hearts, and he feels bad that he and his friends don’t often see themselves reflected in the stories they hear. That running theme, about the importance of representation, was absolutely wonderful to read.
Of course, given how short the story is, there isn’t a ton of time to delve deep into things like worldbuilding and deep character complexities, but for something executed in such limited space, this just…works. As I mentioned earlier, it feels like a long fairytale, rather than a short book, and the level of nuance and respect for individuality in every character is truly well done. Snap is a sarcastic dragon with a heart of gold and commentary that made me laugh out loud, and Holly and Juniper truly are like an old married couple, mingling bickering with deep affection.
Honestly, I don’t have much else I think I need to say about this book. It is simple, sweet, wholesome, and much-needed, with lovable characters and an important message. Whether you are an adult looking for something that reminds you of childhood but is far more accepting, or trying to find a book for a child who wants better representation in their fantasy, this book is a perfect choice. It isn’t a long read, but it is an impactful one that I’m sure will stick with me for quite some time, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for readers of all ages.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
“I think I made it clear that I can’t help you. I do not know this lady. I don’t know where she was last seen, if someone might have a motive to attack her, if she could really be in danger. All I know is that I want to continue my nap.”
I cannot begin to express how much I loved this cute, quirky fairytale. The cast is wonderfully queer: Sir Violet is an aro-ace hero, more interested in staying home with a cup of tea than winning hearts; Juniper and Holly are a proud lesbian couple; two characters are trans; and in passing dialogue, the characters offer affirmation of genderfluid, nonbinary, and bi/pan identities. The queer rep is OwnVoices, too–the author notes at the end that she identifies as both aro-ace and genderqueer/genderfluid. And–get this!–more than once, when meeting new people in this book, characters actually ask each other for their pronouns. That is next-level inclusivity, and I am so here for it.
“As far as I know, pretending to be someone you’re not has never really helped anyone.”
As someone who is also ace, I felt like Sir Violet was an excellent representation of asexuality (and especially ace introverts). It doesn’t consume his identity, and he generally just doesn’t bother thinking about romantic or sexual things at all unless someone else brings it up–more often, he is preoccupied with the idea that he doesn’t fit in because he isn’t really an adventurous type. In his opinion, the most important things in life are things like cinnamon rolls and good friends, not derring-do and winning hearts, and he feels bad that he and his friends don’t often see themselves reflected in the stories they hear. That running theme, about the importance of representation, was absolutely wonderful to read.
He had realised how nice it would be if, once in a while, the bard would come to the pub and tell a s tory with characters like him. Where the happy ending would not involve a man and a woman riding off into the sunset together, but someone who ends up at home, wrapped in a blanket, sipping a cup of hot milk and eating a pastry.
Of course, given how short the story is, there isn’t a ton of time to delve deep into things like worldbuilding and deep character complexities, but for something executed in such limited space, this just…works. As I mentioned earlier, it feels like a long fairytale, rather than a short book, and the level of nuance and respect for individuality in every character is truly well done. Snap is a sarcastic dragon with a heart of gold and commentary that made me laugh out loud, and Holly and Juniper truly are like an old married couple, mingling bickering with deep affection.
“It seemed like such a good idea that I had to go and do it immediately. I got dressed, grabbed my rolling pin, and left.”
“Hold on. You brought a rolling pin?” Holly threw her hands up in exasperation. “I’ve married a walking cliché!”
“Hey, it’s effective! In…some situations,” Juniper said.
“Like making biscuits!” Holly crossed her arms.
Honestly, I don’t have much else I think I need to say about this book. It is simple, sweet, wholesome, and much-needed, with lovable characters and an important message. Whether you are an adult looking for something that reminds you of childhood but is far more accepting, or trying to find a book for a child who wants better representation in their fantasy, this book is a perfect choice. It isn’t a long read, but it is an impactful one that I’m sure will stick with me for quite some time, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for readers of all ages.
“What message do you think is so important that everyone should hear it?”
“The message that being different from what is considered the norm does not mean you will lead an unhappy life.”
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
“Why?” the spider asked. “What message do you think is so important that everyone should hear it?”
“The message that being different from what is considered the norm does not mean you will lead an unhappy life.”
Have you been craving a fiercely queer fairytale involving a dragon, suitable for children and adults alike? Well, this is that fairytale.
A note: this story was first published in 2018, but the version that I've read is the new re-edit and republication for 2020, featuring new sensitivity edits (which is worth bearing in mind when looking at reviews from before this year).
Although the title mentions both a dragon and the word "Ynys", this book is neither Welsh nor set in Wales. In the small fairytale village of Ynys, treasured items begin to go missing, and the village knight Violet is tasked with their retrieval. For ten years, and many polite encounters with the culprit, a dragon named Snap, all is well, until one day the baker goes missing. Snap the dragon is under suspicion, and Violet sets off on a quest to rescue her.
This story could be so important for so many children to read, LBGT or otherwise. I know that if I'd read it as a child, it would have offered me a perspective that I otherwise wouldn't encounter until adulthood.
The protagonist is, like the author, ace and aro. There are trans characters. There are lesbian characters. There are non-binary characters. There are matter-of-fact discussions about pronouns done in a gently educational way without removing the reader from the story. There are gender-nonconforming characters.
This book will no doubt enrage certain people who may call it "preachy" or say that it has an "agenda" (sigh), but fairytales are supposed to have a moral, right? Although perhaps a little clunky in places (the introduction of a key trans character stood out a little in this regard), the messages and the story itself are really beautiful.
This is a fairly quick read – it only took me a couple of hours finish, and could be read to children by parents or read solo by middle-grade children.
“The message that being different from what is considered the norm does not mean you will lead an unhappy life.”
Have you been craving a fiercely queer fairytale involving a dragon, suitable for children and adults alike? Well, this is that fairytale.
A note: this story was first published in 2018, but the version that I've read is the new re-edit and republication for 2020, featuring new sensitivity edits (which is worth bearing in mind when looking at reviews from before this year).
Although the title mentions both a dragon and the word "Ynys", this book is neither Welsh nor set in Wales. In the small fairytale village of Ynys, treasured items begin to go missing, and the village knight Violet is tasked with their retrieval. For ten years, and many polite encounters with the culprit, a dragon named Snap, all is well, until one day the baker goes missing. Snap the dragon is under suspicion, and Violet sets off on a quest to rescue her.
This story could be so important for so many children to read, LBGT or otherwise. I know that if I'd read it as a child, it would have offered me a perspective that I otherwise wouldn't encounter until adulthood.
The protagonist is, like the author, ace and aro. There are trans characters. There are lesbian characters. There are non-binary characters. There are matter-of-fact discussions about pronouns done in a gently educational way without removing the reader from the story. There are gender-nonconforming characters.
This book will no doubt enrage certain people who may call it "preachy" or say that it has an "agenda" (sigh), but fairytales are supposed to have a moral, right? Although perhaps a little clunky in places (the introduction of a key trans character stood out a little in this regard), the messages and the story itself are really beautiful.
This is a fairly quick read – it only took me a couple of hours finish, and could be read to children by parents or read solo by middle-grade children.
This is a short, all-ages fairytale about an asexual, aromantic knight called Sir Violet whose job is to find and return items that the dragon nearby has taken from the little village of Ynys. But when one day the lesbian baker goes missing, what will Sir Violet do? He reminds me of Bilbo Baggins - after all, he goes on the whole adventure of this novel and all he wanted was some cinnamon rolls...
I felt a lot like Sir Violet reading this book. I knew from its blurb that it would be cute and adorable and easy to read, and full of fun medieval shenanigans, but I didn't expect that it would be full of so much heart.
Consider the story of a fairytale dragon: he's usually the only one of his kind, living a lonely existence up in the mountains. Others are scared of him and don't know how to interact with him.
The author makes the point that, in the real world, many LGBT+ people are treated like dragons and shunned from the village. But she makes it with nuance and vigour, centering queer voices in the story and giving them real depth. Characters pursue real friendships, navigate real (and complicated) relationships, and learn how to listen to each other's stories. And importantly, they don't just ride off into the sunset together at the end.
Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book:
"It was odd, really. They had all these tales about rare creatures like dragons ... yet he'd never heard a single one about a girl whose identity did not match the way her body was perceived by others."
Thank you to NetGalley and Atthis Arts for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! And thank you [a:Minerva Cerridwen|15904760|Minerva Cerridwen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1590500035p2/15904760.jpg] for re-writing this book and putting it back out into the world - the world needs many many more adorable stories just like this.
I felt a lot like Sir Violet reading this book. I knew from its blurb that it would be cute and adorable and easy to read, and full of fun medieval shenanigans, but I didn't expect that it would be full of so much heart.
Consider the story of a fairytale dragon: he's usually the only one of his kind, living a lonely existence up in the mountains. Others are scared of him and don't know how to interact with him.
The author makes the point that, in the real world, many LGBT+ people are treated like dragons and shunned from the village. But she makes it with nuance and vigour, centering queer voices in the story and giving them real depth. Characters pursue real friendships, navigate real (and complicated) relationships, and learn how to listen to each other's stories. And importantly, they don't just ride off into the sunset together at the end.
Here is one of my favourite quotes from the book:
"It was odd, really. They had all these tales about rare creatures like dragons ... yet he'd never heard a single one about a girl whose identity did not match the way her body was perceived by others."
Thank you to NetGalley and Atthis Arts for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! And thank you [a:Minerva Cerridwen|15904760|Minerva Cerridwen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1590500035p2/15904760.jpg] for re-writing this book and putting it back out into the world - the world needs many many more adorable stories just like this.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel all warm inside after reading this adorable original fairy tale.
Sir Violet is the lone knight of an isolated village, responsible for investigating local crimes. A dragon moves into the area and keeps nicking small items from the villagers, which brings him to Violet's attention. Eventually, Violet (who is aro-ace), the dragon, and a trans lesbian go on a quest to find her wife. Then, they all carry out a plan to improve their world, in a manner that both fits a fairy tale and is a metaphor for real life.
This is a short work, but it tells a complete story. I'd even say it's epic in scope, just in a subtle way. It's told from Violet's point of view only, but all of the major characters have distinct voices and personalities. There aren't a lot of physical descriptions, but I have very clear mental images of all of them. I also appreciate that all of the characters have some flaws; for example, Snap cares a lot about humans, but he can be a bit inconsiderate, because he has such different everyday concerns from theirs, while Violet often worries about food and safety and really does prefer solitude, although he does appreciate his new friends.
This is a fairy tale, and every character gets a happy ending, but they aren't romantic or even friendship-based happy endings. Rather, every character finds acceptance and/or a fulfilling purpose. It's really nice to read a story that includes not only lots of familiar fairy tale elements, but also a variety of characters, who all achieve different types of happiness.
While I definitely enjoyed the story immensely, this would also be a great book for kids, with its gentle humor and positive lessons about acceptance and being true to oneself. There's no violence or strong language of any kind. Really, I would recommend it to anyone.
I was eager to read this book because of how much I enjoyed the author's short story (which also features an aro-ace protagonist) in the lovely anthology [b:Unburied Fables|32326669|Unburied Fables|Tiffany Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475347178s/32326669.jpg|52960536]. I look forward to her next release.
Sir Violet is the lone knight of an isolated village, responsible for investigating local crimes. A dragon moves into the area and keeps nicking small items from the villagers, which brings him to Violet's attention. Eventually, Violet (who is aro-ace), the dragon, and a trans lesbian go on a quest to find her wife. Then, they all carry out a plan to improve their world, in a manner that both fits a fairy tale and is a metaphor for real life.
This is a short work, but it tells a complete story. I'd even say it's epic in scope, just in a subtle way. It's told from Violet's point of view only, but all of the major characters have distinct voices and personalities. There aren't a lot of physical descriptions, but I have very clear mental images of all of them. I also appreciate that all of the characters have some flaws; for example, Snap cares a lot about humans, but he can be a bit inconsiderate, because he has such different everyday concerns from theirs, while Violet often worries about food and safety and really does prefer solitude, although he does appreciate his new friends.
This is a fairy tale, and every character gets a happy ending, but they aren't romantic or even friendship-based happy endings. Rather, every character finds acceptance and/or a fulfilling purpose. It's really nice to read a story that includes not only lots of familiar fairy tale elements, but also a variety of characters, who all achieve different types of happiness.
While I definitely enjoyed the story immensely, this would also be a great book for kids, with its gentle humor and positive lessons about acceptance and being true to oneself. There's no violence or strong language of any kind. Really, I would recommend it to anyone.
I was eager to read this book because of how much I enjoyed the author's short story (which also features an aro-ace protagonist) in the lovely anthology [b:Unburied Fables|32326669|Unburied Fables|Tiffany Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475347178s/32326669.jpg|52960536]. I look forward to her next release.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's a great and lovely fairytale that made me cry but also smile and grin. I like the casual-ness of queer representation and the fantasy elements and the personalities and their relationships.
It doesn't really feel patronizing while still being helpful and considerate and all that.
I think for queer people it can be a cute and touching read to enjoy and for people with less "connection" with queer identities and queer people it can be a casual and helpful read?
So yeah. It really is a queer fairytale for all ages.
It doesn't really feel patronizing while still being helpful and considerate and all that.
I think for queer people it can be a cute and touching read to enjoy and for people with less "connection" with queer identities and queer people it can be a casual and helpful read?
So yeah. It really is a queer fairytale for all ages.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I loved it! Ace rerpresentation in a beautiful fairytale format, with a dragon! It was beautifully wiritten, the characters are lovable, the plot great and the vibes immaculate. The cover art is a treat (ace colors!). The only thing that felt a little bit clumsy and tagged on was the making of the internet through spiderwebs , but I can look beyond that. Also loved that all the characters are named after plants !
Also, nice and short, no unnecessary stuff in there. All in all, a keeper!
Also, nice and short, no unnecessary stuff in there. All in all, a keeper!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I think I have just found my new favorite book. Omg, I loved it so so much!! The friendships that were created in this story made my heart feel warmer than it ever did before with a book. This story felt like a warm hug, like wrapping yourself in ten blankets with a mug of hot chocolate by the fireplace.