A review by morganpearcy
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

This book was amazing. I really can’t rave about it enough. The pace was perfect, the characters well flawed, the character development was spot on. The book explored a lot of women and women-aligning folx’s lives and all the rage that builds up over time. I was somewhat skeptical for the first few chapters as the style of writing (going from news clippings to a kid’s perspective and back) screamed YA and that wasn’t what I was expecting. However the style matured with the main character and I grew to love the book. Be prepared with tissues, something to throw besides the book, possibly something to punch and a friend with whom to discuss it. It deals with a lot of tough topics that generations as recent as my Mother’s and Grandmother’s had to deal with on a regular basis. Also as an LGBT person, the lesbian romance that was natural and not erotic or the focus really REALLY made me feel seen and squeal a lot - for the out teenage years I never got and all the could-have-been-s. I really loved the ending to the book.  This was one of those books where when it ends you feel like you’ve lost a good friend and have to dial things back somewhat to heal. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings