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toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
Loved this book! Really looking forward to more in this series when it eventually comes out. The worldbuilding was very interesting and I enjoyed it a lot, and all the characters felt very well developed and complex. Anequs was a great narrator and I enjoyed being in her head, and I loved how her knowledge of her people's traditions is what allowed her to succeed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Gun violence and Hate crime
Minor: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Transphobia, Murder, Lesbophobia, 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
the_rainydayreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a good book, and I think anyone looking for a dragon book that is NOT like Fourth Wing might like To Shape A Dragon’s Breath. However, this is not just a dragon book and it is not even mostly about dragons. It is more about colonialism, racism, and sexism. If you like heavy, global topics like that, you will like this book. The dragons do not do a lot other than being cute in this book. If you are looking for a more action-heavy dragon book, this is not for you. People who like school settings will also like this book.
That being said, the talk of colonialism, racism, and sexism does not go very deep and feels black and white. Anequs continuously points out what is wrong with white/anglish(clearly likened to real life english) culture (points I wholeheartedly agree with) without considering the good parts of the culture or the negative aspects of her own culture. Multiple times in the book Anequs is shown to be frustrated with her culture’s stubbornness about adapting to modern culture and her family’s reluctance to allow her to choose her own path in life, but she never reflects upon this.
The other weak point was the lack of an arc with Anequs. I felt that her personality and her beliefs were the stagnant throughout the book. And from the beginning, she always knew that she was doing the right thing, so there was no tension of her having to make a tough decision. The characters who I thought had interesting arcs were Marta and Sander. Theod maybe could have been included in that list but I just didn’t really like him.
After listing these negatives, I have to mention that I really liked seeing Anequs venture into the Anglish world for the first time, and I liked hearing her thoughts about the many social customs. And I l like what she chooses to do with her career as a dragoneer (no spoilers!) . Additionally, the description of the dragons and their attachments to their dragoneers was wonderful. Kasaqua was so cute and I could sense her bond with Anequs
That being said, the talk of colonialism, racism, and sexism does not go very deep and feels black and white. Anequs continuously points out what is wrong with white/anglish(clearly likened to real life english) culture (points I wholeheartedly agree with) without considering the good parts of the culture or the negative aspects of her own culture. Multiple times in the book Anequs is shown to be frustrated with her culture’s stubbornness about adapting to modern culture and her family’s reluctance to allow her to choose her own path in life, but she never reflects upon this.
The other weak point was the lack of an arc with Anequs. I felt that her personality and her beliefs were the stagnant throughout the book. And from the beginning, she always knew that she was doing the right thing, so there was no tension of her having to make a tough decision. The characters who I thought had interesting arcs were Marta and Sander. Theod maybe could have been included in that list but I just didn’t really like him.
After listing these negatives, I have to mention that I really liked seeing Anequs venture into the Anglish world for the first time, and I liked hearing her thoughts about the many social customs. And I l like what she chooses to do with her career as a dragoneer (no spoilers!) . Additionally, the description of the dragons and their attachments to their dragoneers was wonderful. Kasaqua was so cute and I could sense her bond with Anequs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Biphobia, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal death and Lesbophobia
ethuiliel's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Slavery, Suicide, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
njlbo1's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, and Classism
aiirglow's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism and War
Minor: Homophobia
hayreading's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An enjoyable, easy read. Will definitely continue the series as it develops. Only complaint is a general lack of driving plot, feeling more like a series of events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
nerp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
This and So Let Them Burn should be THE dragon books of the decade, but I digress: To Shape a Dragon’s Breath was absolutely fabulous, and I cannot wait for the sequel.
There’s no attempt here to make the cultures in the book unrecognizable, and for a story about colonization, it works. Yet even so, there’s a complexity and acknowledgment of the heterogenous nature of empire that I rarely see, and that was deeply refreshing.
What I also love about this is how unapologetic Anequs is about herself and her people. In some ways, she doesn’t quite grow in this book—just becomes more firm in her convictions and understanding of who she is, while also becoming more savvy in the dance of not stepping on too many colonizer toes for safety’s sake.
Also, the autism rep made me cry.
Absolutely fabulous.
There’s no attempt here to make the cultures in the book unrecognizable, and for a story about colonization, it works. Yet even so, there’s a complexity and acknowledgment of the heterogenous nature of empire that I rarely see, and that was deeply refreshing.
What I also love about this is how unapologetic Anequs is about herself and her people. In some ways, she doesn’t quite grow in this book—just becomes more firm in her convictions and understanding of who she is, while also becoming more savvy in the dance of not stepping on too many colonizer toes for safety’s sake.
Also, the autism rep made me cry.
Absolutely fabulous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Colonisation
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Hate crime, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
spookylettuce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I cannot put into words how much I love this book.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading Anequs have the revelation that Traditional Knowledge of skiltakraft was still being passed on and hidden in plain sight , and it being relearned after being lost to colonisation and violence made me feel so much.
There is such a variety of representation and allusion to painful history that fits within the world-building.
I loved the dragons, and underlying magic/science system.
The chapter “And had a revelation” had me weeping on my commute. It resonated with something deep within me that I also cannot put into words. I am an Indigenous person in the sciences who used to carry around the dictionary because it had a copy of the periodic table in it. Reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Genocide, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
jess_always_reading'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? No
4.75
I absolutely loved this book, I can't wait for the next one!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Blackgoose managed to artfully blend Indigenous folklore and history, and fantasy (dragons!) with a delightful sprinkling of steampunk.
I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested in dragons and Indigenous/own voices stories. You won't regret it!
Big ups for great LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse representation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence