Scan barcode
A review by beforeviolets
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Doubleday for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
DISCLAIMER: I'm still very much processing my thoughts on this book and will likely come back to this review to add/edit my thoughts.
All I need to know to pick up a book is "sapphics and dragons" and that's exactly what gravitated me towards this work, which I would describe as a false historical memoir about women transforming into dragons.
This book is nothing but rage against the patriarchy, and I was here for it. With all feminist literature, I worry about TERF rhetoric or about a lack of intersectionality, and fortunately this book passed the test. Coast is all clear of TERF behavior and trans women are even mentioned to be included among the study of women who turn into dragons. I wouldn't say its centered around intersectionality, but it wasn't lacking to a point of ignorance.
The way that dragons were utilized as an allegory for women freeing themselves of the confines of a misogynistic society was incredibly clear and well done. From how dragoning was treated as "dirty" along with conversations about menstruation, to how scientific facts are silenced for the sake of an oppressive status quo, it all felt very relevant. There was even a pro-dragon protestor at one point holding a sign that said "My Body, My Choice." Though historical, the rage of these women breaks through time and space, asserting this book's importance even in modern day.
I do enjoy the way it read as a coming-of-age memoir, and appreciated having a character to ground us in the reality of women's hardships, but I do wish that the book had leaned into the potential of its fantasy elements a bit more. Especially towards the end, I felt as though it wrapped up rather swiftly, leaving me feeling a little empty-handed. The book spends so much time mentioning how freeing it is for women to become dragons, and we even hear some dialogue from characters as they turn into dragons, but I wish we as an audience had been granted a sliver of a dragon POV.To be honest, I wish we could have seen Alex transform at the very end. Even if we didn't see beyond transformation, just to get a glimpse into that process. I also just felt like the book was leading to that, and when it didn't, it felt quite anti-climactic.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique piece of speculative fiction about feminism and the importance of scientific discovery and discussion, I would recommend this. Especially if you love sapphics and dragons.
CW: misogyny, homophobia, parental death (father, offscreen/mother from cancer, onscreen), parental abandonment, child abuse (emotional, physical), panic attack, alcoholism, fire (mention), death, animal cruelty/death
DISCLAIMER: I'm still very much processing my thoughts on this book and will likely come back to this review to add/edit my thoughts.
All I need to know to pick up a book is "sapphics and dragons" and that's exactly what gravitated me towards this work, which I would describe as a false historical memoir about women transforming into dragons.
This book is nothing but rage against the patriarchy, and I was here for it. With all feminist literature, I worry about TERF rhetoric or about a lack of intersectionality, and fortunately this book passed the test. Coast is all clear of TERF behavior and trans women are even mentioned to be included among the study of women who turn into dragons. I wouldn't say its centered around intersectionality, but it wasn't lacking to a point of ignorance.
The way that dragons were utilized as an allegory for women freeing themselves of the confines of a misogynistic society was incredibly clear and well done. From how dragoning was treated as "dirty" along with conversations about menstruation, to how scientific facts are silenced for the sake of an oppressive status quo, it all felt very relevant. There was even a pro-dragon protestor at one point holding a sign that said "My Body, My Choice." Though historical, the rage of these women breaks through time and space, asserting this book's importance even in modern day.
I do enjoy the way it read as a coming-of-age memoir, and appreciated having a character to ground us in the reality of women's hardships, but I do wish that the book had leaned into the potential of its fantasy elements a bit more. Especially towards the end, I felt as though it wrapped up rather swiftly, leaving me feeling a little empty-handed. The book spends so much time mentioning how freeing it is for women to become dragons, and we even hear some dialogue from characters as they turn into dragons, but I wish we as an audience had been granted a sliver of a dragon POV.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique piece of speculative fiction about feminism and the importance of scientific discovery and discussion, I would recommend this. Especially if you love sapphics and dragons.
CW: misogyny, homophobia, parental death (father, offscreen/mother from cancer, onscreen), parental abandonment, child abuse (emotional, physical), panic attack, alcoholism, fire (mention), death, animal cruelty/death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism