Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

153 reviews

mamaewalk's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Creative, unique, and utterly badass story. Reads like a memoir. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Misogyny

Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders

throwback682's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I almost DNF’d this book but I think I’m glad I didn’t. 

The first 30% felt painfully slow to me. The rest of the book moved slow but not miserably so. Also in the first third the allegory felt incredibly heavy handed. I feel like later in the book there was a bit more nuance and I was able to enjoy it more and apply more of my own experience to the metaphor. 

Things I liked:

- queer love stories
- affirmation that yes, trans women can dragon
- at least one vignette highlighting Black women’s particular struggles
- acknowledgment of sexual violence without triggering descriptions

I’m not sure what else to say; other people’s reviews will probably be more helpful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

tiernanalexandria's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

I think everyone can find something within the struggles of Alex, the main character, that they resonate with. It all felt very real and believable. 

A couple of times the book had me staring out of a window, wishing I too could become a dragon. 
The weight of chores on my shoulders become an aching for wings, the heat of the oven feeling like dragon warmth on my skin, and just wishing that I felt like something bigger than I actually am. 

I think women who deal with the social stigma and weight of societies pressures would enjoy this book the most, but it truly is for everyone. 
The weight of generational grievances is heavy, it’s almost like you hear your ancestors calling you to join them as a dragon too….. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship

ephermeyal's review

hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Infidelity, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Homophobia

Minor: War and Sexual violence

gabbishy's review

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Cancer, Abandonment, Grief, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Death, Body horror, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders

revonue's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Abandonment

shewouldstay's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Death of parent

alysereadsbooks's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I liked this novel. It’s a cool premise, and I think it pays homage to women’s rage/autonomy, especially in the 1950s. Parts of it felt disjointed, but on the whole, I did enjoy it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Misogyny and Homophobia

corabookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring 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

5.0

In 1955, in an event called the Mass Dragoning, thousands of women transformed into dragons and disappeared into the sky, leaving fire and destruction in their wake. Alex’s aunt was one of them. Shamed into silence, the girl struggles within the dynamics of her family and the oppressive world they live in.

When I read this book back in January, I expected exactly what the blurb pitched: a fiery feminist historical fantasy focused on female rage. Which I got. But (at least the first half of) this book was so much more. It covered complex themes of grief and motherhood and sisterhood and loss and love and shame and guilt and I devoured every single word. (And cried. Parts of this book struck close to home and OUCH.)

The concept itself is intriguing, and Barnhill’s execution is brilliant, packed with gorgeous prose and raw emotion. Parts of the story remain almost a mystery, unraveling through the passages between chapters and little clues scattered throughout the pages. 

This book definitely has its flaws, as well. A few other reviewers have pointed out that this book views feminism through a very white and middle-class lens, which is a fair criticism and something to think about while reading. There’s some events that stretch reality a little (not including the whole turning-into-dragons thing) and it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea–it’s slow-paced, with lots of focus on characters and concepts. 

However, if you enjoy literary fiction and historical fantasy, with a focus on the complexities of girlhood and female relationships, I’d check this one out! (Also there’s women. And dragons. <3)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Abandonment, Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexism

Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia

Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders

youngloveleroy's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Abandonment

Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent