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cozyscones's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent, and War
sproutedpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is incredibly rich in its worldbuilding, and with a narrative voice that is especially satisfying to read. Oral storytelling is a vital component of this novel, being the way that a considerable amount of expository worldbuilding is conveyed. There are lengthy stretches of exposition, but because these moments are most often presented as educational moments to Anequs, the protagonist, it very rarely feels like a hindrance to plot progression.
Though decidedly set in another world, this novel feels very much like an alternate history fantasy novel, as there are many clear parallels to real-world events, cultures, places, etc. There is also exploration of the disparity in colonizer and indigenous views of societal expectation, community, and utility, and the struggle to retain cultural identity in the face of (violent, subsuming) modernization and colonization. Nampeshiweisit (Masquisit dragoneers), Anglish dragoneers, and their distinct approaches to working alongside dragons, provide a really interesting fantasy vector for further exemplifying this.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is particularly remarkable in how effectively Moniquill Blackgoose manages to portray the European-inspired fantasy elements as foreign and confusing , despite the likelihood of readers having already had an overexposure to European-inspired fantasy media, European mythology, etc.
Thank you so much to author Moniquill Blackgoose, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to read and review! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Though decidedly set in another world, this novel feels very much like an alternate history fantasy novel, as there are many clear parallels to real-world events, cultures, places, etc. There is also exploration of the disparity in colonizer and indigenous views of societal expectation, community, and utility, and the struggle to retain cultural identity in the face of (violent, subsuming) modernization and colonization. Nampeshiweisit (Masquisit dragoneers), Anglish dragoneers, and their distinct approaches to working alongside dragons, provide a really interesting fantasy vector for further exemplifying this.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is particularly remarkable in how effectively Moniquill Blackgoose manages to portray the European-inspired fantasy elements as foreign and confusing , despite the likelihood of readers having already had an overexposure to European-inspired fantasy media, European mythology, etc.
Thank you so much to author Moniquill Blackgoose, Del Rey, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this novel to read and review! All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Minor: Genocide
Anti-indigenous and anti-Black racism, indentured servitude, mention of past slavery, mention of past genocide, threatened hate crime, police brutality (in this case by guards)kwthor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
nofrigatelikeabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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
I absolutely loved this! Dragons and steampunk! Part school story blended with the best kind of alternate history-the kind that holds a mirror up to our own.
Wonderful characters!
Wonderful characters!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Genocide, Racism, and War
Minor: Hate crime, Homophobia, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
emath98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this book! It is so refreshing to read a YA fantasy book that deals with topics of colonialism, homophobia, sexism and discrimination against autistic people in such a clear and unequivocal way. I love the main character and the way the author grounds in her in her Indigenous culture. I found myself wanting a bit more of her inner world on occasion, and the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall would absolutely recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, and Colonisation
Minor: Homophobia
autumn33344's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Gun violence, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and Alcohol
welgan's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
My rating are based purely on my own enjoyment of a book. Don't get me wrong : this is a great book and story. But it was hard to read sometimes, because as much as dragons are imaginary, the violence (both physical and social) to indigenous people, queer and neurodivergent people, and women, in the XIXth century is very much real, and sometimes its depiction felt too real for me to only enjoy the story. Which I'm grateful for, in the end, because I want to learn !
I'm grateful also for the strong character of main character Anequs, and the fierce fire of righting some wrongs which is always satisfying. I also appreciate a good bisexual and polyamorous representation!
The writing style kept me engaged with it's flaw, and the world building of a parallel world where things end up a bit different than our own history was very interesting, as was the science based magic.
I regret that dragons don't play a more important role in the story, in the end : this is before everything else a story about society and injustice. The dragons give a flavor to it, but not its substance. I think I was expecting a deeper connexion between dragon and dragoneer, like in Eragon ; I also think the author did a great job at keeping the dragons around in every scene, they're not forgotten, but they're simply not the main subject of the book.
I'm grateful also for the strong character of main character Anequs, and the fierce fire of righting some wrongs which is always satisfying. I also appreciate a good bisexual and polyamorous representation!
The writing style kept me engaged with it's flaw, and the world building of a parallel world where things end up a bit different than our own history was very interesting, as was the science based magic.
I regret that dragons don't play a more important role in the story, in the end : this is before everything else a story about society and injustice. The dragons give a flavor to it, but not its substance. I think I was expecting a deeper connexion between dragon and dragoneer, like in Eragon ; I also think the author did a great job at keeping the dragons around in every scene, they're not forgotten, but they're simply not the main subject of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: Blood, Murder, and War
aezlo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide and Gun violence
Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, and War
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.75
Spice Rating: 🫑 / 5 🌶️
This was a debut novel?! Moniquill Blackgoose, I'm going to need more of this, please and thank you. :)
To Shape a Dragon's Breath is a young adult fantasy novel set in a world that is similar to our own but not quite identical. The main character, Anequs, is a young Indigenous woman who happens upon a dragon egg, and when it hatches, it's clear the dragon chooses her. Unfortunately, Anequs lives in a world where her colonizers, the Anglish, believe that dragons must be registered and their human counterparts must be trained in a certain way. Though they are reluctant, the Anglish allow Anequs to come train at their dragon school on the mainland. Anequs is reasonably hesitant as she hasn't left her home island of Masquapaug in her 16 years of life. When she gets to the mainland, she finds many challenges she could never have expected, including many customs she is expected to know without any education of them. The unexplained rules of the dragon school are even more complex, and Anequs finds that some of the people who are supposed to educate her and help her succeed are purposefully setting her up for failure. Despite all of the challenges Anequs faces, she is determined to learn what she can from the Anglish in order to help her dragon and in turn help her home island.
I am completely blown away that this is a debut novel. Moniquill Blackgoose effortlessly combines a multitude of difficult and controversial topics--colonization, ableism, queerness, homophobia, cultural appropriation, racism--in a way that is easily consumable and highly empathetic.
In some ways, this novel reminds me of Babel by RF Kuang. Both authors emphasize issues of colonization and racism that have been prevalent in our past, and present, in a historical setting. Though these novels are fictional, they have so many similarities to our own history and are written in ways that allow readers of all backgrounds and identities to understand how deeply rooted racism, cultural appropriation, and unrealistic expectations are in our systems and societies.
I highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a book to challenge their views on society and expectations as well as readers looking for a unique story about a young Indigenous woman going to a dragon school. To Shape a Dragon's Breath is simultaneously revealing and entertaining.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath hit home for me in so many ways. I haven't seen news of a second book, but I am highly anticipating what Moniquill Blackgoose has in store for Anequs and her friends and family in the next installment of the Nampeshiweisit series.
This was a debut novel?! Moniquill Blackgoose, I'm going to need more of this, please and thank you. :)
To Shape a Dragon's Breath is a young adult fantasy novel set in a world that is similar to our own but not quite identical. The main character, Anequs, is a young Indigenous woman who happens upon a dragon egg, and when it hatches, it's clear the dragon chooses her. Unfortunately, Anequs lives in a world where her colonizers, the Anglish, believe that dragons must be registered and their human counterparts must be trained in a certain way. Though they are reluctant, the Anglish allow Anequs to come train at their dragon school on the mainland. Anequs is reasonably hesitant as she hasn't left her home island of Masquapaug in her 16 years of life. When she gets to the mainland, she finds many challenges she could never have expected, including many customs she is expected to know without any education of them. The unexplained rules of the dragon school are even more complex, and Anequs finds that some of the people who are supposed to educate her and help her succeed are purposefully setting her up for failure. Despite all of the challenges Anequs faces, she is determined to learn what she can from the Anglish in order to help her dragon and in turn help her home island.
I am completely blown away that this is a debut novel. Moniquill Blackgoose effortlessly combines a multitude of difficult and controversial topics--colonization, ableism, queerness, homophobia, cultural appropriation, racism--in a way that is easily consumable and highly empathetic.
In some ways, this novel reminds me of Babel by RF Kuang. Both authors emphasize issues of colonization and racism that have been prevalent in our past, and present, in a historical setting. Though these novels are fictional, they have so many similarities to our own history and are written in ways that allow readers of all backgrounds and identities to understand how deeply rooted racism, cultural appropriation, and unrealistic expectations are in our systems and societies.
I highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a book to challenge their views on society and expectations as well as readers looking for a unique story about a young Indigenous woman going to a dragon school. To Shape a Dragon's Breath is simultaneously revealing and entertaining.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath hit home for me in so many ways. I haven't seen news of a second book, but I am highly anticipating what Moniquill Blackgoose has in store for Anequs and her friends and family in the next installment of the Nampeshiweisit series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, Violence, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and War
alaris's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.5
I enjoy dragon and school stories, I enjoy "let's point out how silly and limiting the respectable manners are" stories, I enjoy heavy topics that are handled well. The alt history felt realistic. I really hope the second book is going well and is announced soon!
I am wondering where the sequel can go, other than dating issues and maybe a second year - or more about the dragons themselves? This was so much more about colonialism and the assumption of "we're improving the savage" when you're really not, and the dominant society doesn't realize its own issues. Anequs is super mature and outspoken for 15 and she doesn't seem to change or develop, she knows who she is and what she wants, she never has to wonder if she's doing the right thing. Theod got a little more development but not much, since he's always had to be very conscious about acting appropriately.
I really did enjoy this. Dragged a little at the start and I'm not sure why, then it picked up when Anequs decides she has to go to the school.
I am wondering where the sequel can go, other than dating issues and maybe a second year - or more about the dragons themselves? This was so much more about colonialism and the assumption of "we're improving the savage" when you're really not, and the dominant society doesn't realize its own issues. Anequs is super mature and outspoken for 15 and she doesn't seem to change or develop, she knows who she is and what she wants, she never has to wonder if she's doing the right thing. Theod got a little more development but not much, since he's always had to be very conscious about acting appropriately.
I really did enjoy this. Dragged a little at the start and I'm not sure why, then it picked up when Anequs decides she has to go to the school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Genocide and Sexual harassment