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savshanae's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The writing was emotional and painted vivid pictures (it was also wordy). Sometimes repetitive, but I think it adds to the story by the end.
The self-expression and ideas that it inspired are challenging and thought provoking, and I really enjoyed that it is written to feel like you are being TOLD a story, someone’s thoughts and life experiences.
This book made me very angry, made me cry (lots), made me want to stop reading it. But it’s definitely worth the read and the rage.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
breadwitchery's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
horrorandscience's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
We soon learn that the Mass Dragoning of 1956 was not the first time any woman transformed into a dragon. There are stories dotting history, if you look in the right places, dating all the way back to ancient times. These transformations were passed down through history as folklore, but as soon as it became a common occurrence, those stories were no longer appropriate. Even drawing a dragon could get you sent to the principal's office for possible expulsion.
This book is a lot more than simply women turning into dragons, but I prefer to leave that up to the reader to discover. It was beautifully written, and contained so much more between the lines. I really recommend this to any woman, any femme, any marginalized person.
To those worried about possible TERF terminology, I assure you it is not a TERF piece. Trans women and non-binary folks are mentioned with care.
Graphic: Sexism and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Sexual harassment
beforeviolets's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders