Reviews

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

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jilyne's review against another edition

4.0

I devoured the first half of this book, anxious to learn what caused the “mass dragoning,” and why the US refused to acknowledge it happened and even gaslit everyone who witnessed it and wanted to talk or learn more about it. However, I was a little disappointed that it took almost 80% into the book to get into anything beyond Alex (the protagonist) being silenced and questioning her own beliefs. The gaslighting got exhausting. I craved a little more depth to the plot and explanation to what it means to transform into a dragon. Overall, this book is right up my alley with feminist themes and a story about the need for women to step into their power, knowing, and truest selves. But I felt it lacked the depth and detail I craved.

valkari's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

lysabel's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring slow-paced

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

2.5

heidz's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a unique story that has family drama and a magic element that I haven't seen in any other books. It is on the slower side so if you don't enjoy slower books this may not be for you. I listen it and I'm glad that I did. I think it I read this I may have DNF'ed it due to it being slower because I don't usually enjoy slower reads. The ending is so good tho and it's worth the read. I am so glad that I finished it.

aqeela's review against another edition

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4.0

4.25 stars, rounded down

lizclark81's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

5.0

Absolutely loved both the caliber of writing and the imaginative storytelling of this novel. The character of Alex is so fantastically complex and compelling, and the other characters (Marla! Beatrice!) are so beautifully rendered I was crying by the end of the story. Truly a good read.

odin45mp's review against another edition

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5.0

Beautiful.

This book put me back into that child headspace, where adults make decisions and we can try to understand, but don't. It also spoke to me as an adult, discussing what we can and cannot do, and why, and the importance of free will and unconditional love. It did not take the path that lead to the easy storybook ending. It reaches a satisfying conclusion, but the journey there is every bit as messy and uneven as real life is. Except this book has dragons. Because all women, it is theorized, have the potential to transform into dragons. Some do, some don't. In 1955, the United States experienced a mass Dragoning that tore 200,000+ families apart. But we are focused on one family, and what happened to them. There are moments of anger, moments of joy, moments of beauty and tenderness and wonder. It tore my heart more than once. It is a must read.