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alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
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.
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)
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 against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
victoria29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
There were aspects that I enjoyed. Overall, I felt like it was heavy handed. People and situations were either good or bad with little nuance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cancer, Homophobia, Abandonment, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Death of parent
bookishvanessa's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Misogyny, and Abandonment
tamara_joy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Dysphoria, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Cancer, and Panic attacks/disorders
rcaudf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This was a fantastic book that touched me in ways I can’t really begin to describe. I’m going to recommend it to my mother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer and Homophobia
jennmichelle_otsr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
4.75
I really did love this read, but something is keeping me from giving it five stars. Some of the imagery in the second half made me want to grab my sketchbook because Ms. Barnhill painted some vivid pictures with her words. I think ultimately the reason I am giving it a 4.75 is because at points the main messages got a little more heavy-handed than was needed. It is a beautiful story. It made me laugh, cry, and made me get angry at points (I’m looking at you, Mr. Green.). Good stories do that. They also make you look back at things when they pop up later. Strong threads go throughout this entire tale. Blending in history with the fantasy was a stroke of genius. It will probably be among my top reads of 2024 when all is said and done because I really did enjoy it. I want to read some of the author’s YA books now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Violence
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.5
A novel about feminine rage featuring queer characters and dragons, AND sisters, a topic that is particularly close to my heart. Honest, emotional, heart-warming. The plot itself moved really slow but this is mainly focused on the characters, anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Cancer
mj_86's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Cancer and Alcoholism