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A review by throwback682
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia