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alibookedup's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Went back and forth between 3.5 & 4 starts so we will just go with 3.75.
Unexpectedly historically cool and enjoyably bonkers. I loved the idea of wronged or just joyful women turning into dragons. It was such an interesting premise with historical accuracy of how women have been treated in comparison to men. You can imagine I was surprised when you find out dragons can still talk and knit and carry purses. Just another fun unexpected twist to the story.
Our main character, Alex, was also interesting especially in relation to her family and Beatrice. Sometimes for being the top of her class, she could be a bit dumb and thick in the head. It drove me crazy and I sometimes found her dull. I think my one con would be that the author focused more on her aunt or mother and sometimes forgot to give Alex more personality the older that she got.
Some things felt generally unfinished and unsatisfying. I feel like the first half started off really strong for me and the second half lost it’s lacquer. But still an interesting book if you’re looking for feminist content and dragons!
Unexpectedly historically cool and enjoyably bonkers. I loved the idea of wronged or just joyful women turning into dragons. It was such an interesting premise with historical accuracy of how women have been treated in comparison to men. You can imagine I was surprised when you find out dragons can still talk and knit and carry purses. Just another fun unexpected twist to the story.
Our main character, Alex, was also interesting especially in relation to her family and Beatrice. Sometimes for being the top of her class, she could be a bit dumb and thick in the head. It drove me crazy and I sometimes found her dull. I think my one con would be that the author focused more on her aunt or mother and sometimes forgot to give Alex more personality the older that she got.
Some things felt generally unfinished and unsatisfying. I feel like the first half started off really strong for me and the second half lost it’s lacquer. But still an interesting book if you’re looking for feminist content and dragons!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Death of parent, and Cancer
percys_panda_pillow_pet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book gave me trauma, and I'm only half-joking. Okay, for real though, When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill cracked open a lot of feelings and thoughts I've had all my life and especially now as an adult as I try to explore exactly who I am in this world. This book is about identity, it is about trauma, it is about rage, it is about so much more than you can put into words.
When Kelly Barnhill wants you to believe in something, she puts her whole soul into it. By the end of this book, I was convinced that dragoning was real, and wondering why I couldn't dragon myself away, or even if I could. I know at times her metaphor can fall apart at the seams, but that's honestly what helped ground it for me. These are dragons, these are women. Dragoning can mean everything and it can mean nothing, though the latter would be unusual. Pretty much every time, that meaning made me want to cry. Often, I did cry while reading this book. And after finishing it too. It struck a chord in me so forcefully: the depiction of female generational trauma and the mixing of rage and sadness and hurt and unfairness and love one can have for their mother.
At times, I was a bit frustrated with Barnhill's decisions throughout the book. I needed a bit more about trans people and what dragoning meant for them, and I know I am not alone in feeling like the intersectional aspects of feminism were a bit lacking, though in some ways that seems par for the course of the 50s and 60s. This book filled me with emptiness at the lack of catharsis in some areas. There was a lot of build up and not enough resolution for me at times. Which, in some ways, feels perfect for the messiness of life, that truthfully we don't often get the catharsis we need. But I disliked the hollowness and in the end, I felt dissatisfied and want to scream, "Why?" and "It isn't fair!"
Do not look to this book to heal you, it will wring you dry. I can't wait for the day I will reread this, and pick things apart more. And maybe by then I'll have actually settled on a star rating for this book. For now, I leave that empty. This book is too much for me now.
When Kelly Barnhill wants you to believe in something, she puts her whole soul into it. By the end of this book, I was convinced that dragoning was real, and wondering why I couldn't dragon myself away, or even if I could. I know at times her metaphor can fall apart at the seams, but that's honestly what helped ground it for me. These are dragons, these are women. Dragoning can mean everything and it can mean nothing, though the latter would be unusual. Pretty much every time, that meaning made me want to cry. Often, I did cry while reading this book. And after finishing it too. It struck a chord in me so forcefully: the depiction of female generational trauma and the mixing of rage and sadness and hurt and unfairness and love one can have for their mother.
At times, I was a bit frustrated with Barnhill's decisions throughout the book. I needed a bit more about trans people and what dragoning meant for them, and I know I am not alone in feeling like the intersectional aspects of feminism were a bit lacking, though in some ways that seems par for the course of the 50s and 60s. This book filled me with emptiness at the lack of catharsis in some areas. There was a lot of build up and not enough resolution for me at times. Which, in some ways, feels perfect for the messiness of life, that truthfully we don't often get the catharsis we need. But I disliked the hollowness and in the end, I felt dissatisfied and want to scream, "Why?" and "It isn't fair!"
Do not look to this book to heal you, it will wring you dry. I can't wait for the day I will reread this, and pick things apart more. And maybe by then I'll have actually settled on a star rating for this book. For now, I leave that empty. This book is too much for me now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Cancer, Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Body shaming, Violence, Outing, Sexual harassment, Rape, Child abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Gun violence, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Murder, Alcohol, Alcoholism, War, and Drug use
lentilsoup's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. A book has not excited me this much in so long. Dragons, female rage, and lesbians makes the most perfect combination for a book!!! I never shut up about this book now. Sorry to all of my friends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Misogyny
tallandblonde's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beautiful book. hopeful, important, beautifully written, explores feminine rage and trauma in beautiful ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
scytheria's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Gun violence, War, Transphobia, and Homophobia
dealingwithdragons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. I especially appreciated that the moment I wondered "where are the trans dragons" was the moment the trans dragons showed up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Cancer, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Gun violence
The mentions of guns are mainly in the context of "dragons are bulletproof". Body horror is entirely women turning into dragons.kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Exquisite. Exquisite! I can write paragraphs of nitpicky thoughts about books I like but books I love often turn my brain to mush. This is one of those books I think
This book is full of love, rage, vindication, revenge, grief,… do yourself a favor & just read it!
A quick but lasting read
This book is full of love, rage, vindication, revenge, grief,… do yourself a favor & just read it!
A quick but lasting read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Cancer, Sexism, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Transphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Abandonment, Terminal illness, and Alcoholism
Minor: War and Racism
fms2000's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
“sometimes, the expansive nature of family takes my breath away…what is grief but love that’s lost it’s object?”
Oh how I loved this book! At its core, it is a beautiful reflection on rage, womxnhood, the relationships between mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces, and sisters: a story about the resilience of love in the many forms it may take. Will have to go back and highlight all the profound quotes and insights the author lays out throughout the novel—so many jewels of wisdom.
Oh how I loved this book! At its core, it is a beautiful reflection on rage, womxnhood, the relationships between mothers and daughters, aunts and nieces, and sisters: a story about the resilience of love in the many forms it may take. Will have to go back and highlight all the profound quotes and insights the author lays out throughout the novel—so many jewels of wisdom.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
bbbarttt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism
e_claire's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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: Cancer, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia