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To Shape a Dragon's Breath
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Really enjoyed this tagged read 📚🐉💝, and can't wait for book two.

Thank You @BookmarkTavern for #SundayFunday 👏🏼☺️👍🏼 Have a Fun & Happy Birthday Week 📚🥳🎂💝.

#litsycommunitylittenanncrystal

BookmarkTavern Oh this was such a good one! The sequel is coming out in January! Thanks for sharing! 2w
AnnCrystal @BookmarkTavern That's Wonderful 👏🏼🥳👌🏼📚🐉📚💝. 2w
25 likes2 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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I always say that my mom is not a reader, which is unfair, because she read alot in years past to teach my brother and I...and if you place a history book, a geographic book, an old tome, or somekind of info. book in her hands, she will still become glued within seconds.

Me, I'm terrible. If it doesn't have legends or mystical written into the text, I get bored...quickly 🤔👀🤗.

👇🏼

AnnCrystal And so, I somehow believed William I the Conqueror Former King of England had lost the second battle against the two Anglo-Saxon brothers and the resistance...yeah, kinda feel like I'm in a alternate world right now...

Love Viking history, but I'm more interested in the legends and their old religion...the battles and conquering fall into the “read later“ folder 🤔👀🤗.

This is boggling my mind...😂👀🤗📚💝.
(edited) 3w
33 likes1 comment
review
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I wish this kind of read was available when I was a teenager!

As a book about a girl and her dragon, this book was splendid fun. As a book about an indigenous island girl and her endangered species dragon, this is the kind of book I've been waiting for...as an indigenous reader, this fantasy is a treasure 📚🐉💖.

I prefer books without battles, but some may find this a bit slow paced.

👇🏼

AnnCrystal This was like a journey log from the MC's POV, with plenty of drama mixed into the storyline.

I was trying to keep away from books that capture some of the darkness that is now our crazy, chaotic reality.

If this book would have been available before these dark times, I wouldn't have been as disturbed by the unjust society that Anequs and her dragon Kasaqua must journey through.

👇🏼
2mo
AnnCrystal Reading this now, during these dark times that we're all experiencing, I found this to be an unsettling read.

Unsettling, yet beautiful.

This world was well developed and incredibly detailed. All the characters were crafted with care and respect.

I would have liked more time on the island and learning more about the traditions there. Perhaps in the second book.

The MC Anequs held the resilience and dignity from real life Native Nations.

👇🏼
2mo
AnnCrystal I've read books with lesbian or gay characters. This is the first with a bisexual character (Anequs). I liked how this gave a unique chance with two possible love interests for Anequs...although, I don't believe I cared for the polyamorous. At this point, I'm not sure who I like better for Anequs. I like both Liberty and Theod...but I'd prefer for Anequs to truly fall for one or the other, not both at the same time (that's just me).

👇🏼
(edited) 2mo
See All 13 Comments
AnnCrystal The magic system was just beginning to be truly explored at the end of the book, so I'm hoping the next book shows more.

I am also hoping that we readers get to travel to the unconquered lands, meet the tribal people there, and learn more about the indigenous methods of working with Dragons.

This storyline is incredible.

There are 511 pages divided into 87 unmarked chapters.

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

👇🏼
(edited) 2mo
Amiable Excellent! 🎉🥳 2mo
AnnCrystal Thank You @Amiable 🥳📚🐉💖. 2mo
Chrissyreadit Wow! Stacking!! We need these books in hard times to remind us we will persevere ❤️ 2mo
AnnCrystal Well said @Chrissyreadit 👏🏼🥳🐉📚💖...it became difficult at times, yet I liked that Moniquill Blackgoose kept this clean 😉👍🏼🐉📚💝. 2mo
BookmarkTavern The sequel is coming out next year! 2mo
AnnCrystal @BookmarkTavern 👏🏼🥳👌🏼 Fantastic! I hope this is long going series 📚🐉💖. 2mo
julieclair Excellent, thoughtful review. 👍 2mo
AnnCrystal Thank You @julieclair 🥳👌🏼📚🐉💖. 2mo
36 likes2 stack adds13 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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This book is a horror story! Well, not literally...but as a Native American reader, this is a horror story... especially with the current political climate.

The prejudice that Anequs faces is INFURIATING. This is a reimagined world, yet the prejudice echoes from my ancestral history...and now the reality we are all facing today.

👇🏼

AnnCrystal Like I recently commented about...I grew up witnessing my mom experience several levels of prejudice. Something she has dealt with all her life.

Personally, I have dealt with racist who are so sly it's scary because the racism is not easily noticable.

Now, my mom and I both are experiencing blunt prejudice every time we step out and about.

👇🏼
(edited) 3mo
AnnCrystal I knew that the prejudice of the past remained alive, just not at these widespread, intense levels. I can now imagine the unjust prejudice returning to the levels described in this book...

This story does well in highlighting the ignorance of racism...but it is still unsettling.

Aside from the racism, I am truly enjoying the story.

👇🏼
(edited) 3mo
AnnCrystal On page 245 of 511. This is chronicling the journey of Anequs and Kasaqua as they venture to Dragon school and enter Anglish society. While I'm finding this entertaining, some may find the storyline tedious because the structure is a bit like a diary of events told from Anequs' prospective.

👇🏼
3mo
See All 8 Comments
AnnCrystal There are a nice diversity of characters (brown, black, and white). There is even a disabled professor, and an autistic classmate.

@Chrissyreadit
#overcomingevilempires
#antifabookclub

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

@Amiable:
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025

@julieclair #AllergicToChunksters

3mo
Amiable Good progress! 👍🏼 3mo
AnnCrystal Thank You @Amiable 🥳👌🏼🐉📚💝💝💝. (edited) 3mo
julieclair Good progress on the chunkster! But I hate to hear that you are experiencing any prejudice, let alone more prejudice than in past years. So so sad. What is wrong with people, that they feel they have to act this way? Sending hugs. 💝 3mo
AnnCrystal Thank You 😘 @julieclair You're so sweet and kind 🫂💝💝💝. Kindness like yours always shines brighter than the hatred ✊🏼☺️💖💖💖. 3mo
26 likes8 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Just when I quit seeking Viking vibes and was just enjoying what is woven into this story, I've begun encountering Viking elements.

This book now has everything I expected. The Indigenous POV, a Viking conquered world, the steampunk vibes, magic, and the Dragons.

The descriptions of the different kinds of Dragon breeds and what their strengths are... absolutely fascinating.

On Page 105 of 511 🐉📚💝.

BookmarkTavern Book 2 will come out in January of 2026! 3mo
AnnCrystal Thank You 👏🏼🥳@BookmarkTavern that's too exciting! Can't wait! Going on my “must read“ TBR 🐉📚💝💝💝. 3mo
29 likes2 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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This Viking ruled world continues to feel more English than Nordic or Scottish?? Perhaps this rule comes from the Normans?? I'm enjoying this nonetheless 🐉📚💝. On Page 81

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

@Amiable:
#ChunksterChallenge!
#ChunksterChallenge2025

@julieclair #AllergicToChunksters

Amiable Looks good! How many pages is it ? I‘m assuming more than the 1 that is listed here. 😄 3mo
AnnCrystal @Amiable 💝🥳📚 I'm on Page eighty-one of 511 pages ☺️👍🏼💝. (edited) 3mo
julieclair Glad you‘re enjoying it! 3mo
AnnCrystal Thank You @julieclair 🥳📚🐉💝. 3mo
25 likes4 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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When I'm freaking out about reality, and my current read takes me to the one magical place that always feels safe and cozy...a bookstore 📚💝.

My previous book review was long because I didn't keep up with my posts as I read...I will try to do better.

Not thrilled about the threat to Kasaqua's life if Anequs fails.

I expected a world ruled by Vikings to be a little different...

Loving the steampunk vibes!

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

24 likes1 comment
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AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Thank You @TheSpineView for creating this fun play-card & for the tag 💕🐎📚.

1- I've four books that I'm currently reading. Been focusing on “Bless Me, Ultima,“ by Rudolfo Anaya. While not a favorite, it's an interesting read.

2- I began “The Blast from the Past,“ by Lucy Score & “Terciel & Elinor“ by Garth Nix. Triple excited about both, yet haven't really read too many pages/chapters into these stories because I really want them to last.

👇

AnnCrystal I only have one more “Riley Thorn“ book, and I've waited a long time to read the sixth book in the “Old Kingdom“ series...I'm going to take my time with both.

Therefore, in June, I plan to begin focusing more on, “To Shape a Dragon's Breath“ by Moniquill Blackgoose. Have read twenty pages already, and I'm really intrigued.

#blessmeUltimareviewedbyanncrystal

#nampeshiweisitreviewedbyanncrystal

#Two4Tuesday

#litsycommunitylittenanncrystal

4mo
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 4mo
AnnCrystal @TheSpineView ☺️👍🏼📚💝. 4mo
22 likes3 comments
blurb
AnnCrystal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Thank you @Cupcake12 for creating #WhereAreYouMonday.

I am on the Island of Masquapaug in a reimagined world based on a what-if history 🌍🥚🌎🐉🌏.

Love it when fantasy books include maps 🆒🗺️🤩💝.

29 likes1 comment
review
HeyT
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this and I'm sad the next installment isn't out yet. Very girl goes to magic school with dragons but done in an interesting way. Excellent take on fighting colonialism.

19 likes1 stack add
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deirdrebeecher
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

There is so much to enjoy in this book. The First Nation perspective, the heroine, the magic system. I wish the plot was a tad more propulsive because of it's target audience. Nevertheless I do think this will be one that the sort of kid who reads Watership Down and Lord of the Rings at 11 will absolutely love. As an adult reader I enjoyed myself, which was a surprise because boarding school books are not my fave, I will read on in the series.

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Kimilyn
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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I‘m so close to finishing this but i have zero motivation. there‘s a lot to like about this book but there‘s not enough character or story for me. it‘s an incredibly detailed world and so much care was put into jt. but i‘m a character girlie. if the characters aren‘t pulling me in, detailed worldbuilding just feels like a textbook. it‘s disappointing because it has important things to say about the colonization and genocide of indigenous peoples

review
BookBr
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

Second up in my Nov Indigenous reads — what a truly unique story it presents. A mirror of world, if dragons were real and the Norse had remained the main power in the world. Anequs‘ experience in this world, so different from her home and family, and so ripe with both casual and directed racism, is a sharp reminder of how far we still have to go. That said, the writing is somehow both simple and direct, and also lovely. There‘s a current of… 👇🏻

BookBr steampunk running through the book that‘s entertaining and somehow fits. The characters are richly drawn and personalities leap off the page. The complexities of the politics, in particular, mirror a lot of real life these days, and it‘s a harsh comparison that made me think. I really really enjoyed this book, and look forward to book 2! 11mo
11 likes1 comment
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Mindelan
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I‘ve been working through this despite the last few very busy weeks of school prep and just wow. Blackgoose creates lovable characters and interesting world building all while bringing an Indigenous perspective to the genre that lends a unique weight and depth to the book. I‘m too tired from my first day of school with kids to really distill all my thoughts (hence the hammock),⬇️

Mindelan but it made me feel like I was reading one of my childhood favorites again for the first time! Really looking forward to the next one. 13mo
6 likes1 comment
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Mindelan
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Finally found some books to ease my reading slump! I‘ve been losing interest with a lot of things, but the top two are books I cannot put down. I was absolutely a dragon kid, and am loving the tagged book. Blackgoose brings a lot of fresh thoughts to the genre, and I‘m really interested to see where it goes. Only thing slowing me down is my foggy migraine brain, which sometimes can‘t keep up with the magic system, but I‘m getting there.

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Clare-Dragonfly
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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July was an easy pick! #readingbracket2024

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Clare-Dragonfly
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I‘m finding it difficult to review this book in any way more coherent than flailing.

So I guess I‘ll just do that. AHHHHH THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD YOU SHOULD READ IT

Ruthiella Excellent review! 😂👍 1y
21 likes1 comment
blurb
Clare-Dragonfly
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
This post contains spoilers
show me

BISEXUAL LOVE TRIANGLE YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH

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Clare-Dragonfly
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

This book is great so far, and this isn‘t really a complaint, but: what‘s with the ubiquity of the “dragons emerge from the shell and immediately bond to a human who is connected to that dragon for life, and we try to control it but that‘s not always successful”? Did Anne McCaffrey invent it, Naomi Novik follow her, and everyone else follow them, or is there some older source I‘m not aware of?

deirdrebeecher I know this question was asked ages ago. But I've always felt this to be a natural extension of imprinting like how baby ducks come out of the egg and imprint on the first person they see. So I see it as a convergent concept, more than one author will come to the same idea, if they are seeking inspiration in the natural world.
8mo
Clare-Dragonfly @deirdrebeecher Oh, that makes a lot of sense! Thanks for answering my old question! 😄 8mo
14 likes2 comments
review
SarahBookInterrupted
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I read this book because it was an independent book store recommendation for the book of the year. I liked it more than I expected being about dragons. It was so much more than a fantasy book. I think it does a great portrayal of what colonization does and how backwards it feels and is. And most importantly how completely unfair. The dragons are great too. I looked for the sequel but no release date yet, but I‘ll wait with “bated breath”.

Sace Love that cover! Very good review. I‘m stacking this. 1y
SarahBookInterrupted @Sace in this case you can judge a book by its cover 😂 1y
53 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

This book was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, is has good characters, lovable dragons, and an infuriatingly realistic depiction of racism. On the other hand, I felt like the story was a little lacking and not terribly original and the naming of things was very distracting (it‘s an odd mix of the same words we use, slightly tweaked words like Anglish, and completely different ones for existing things). Between pick and so-so.

58 likes2 comments
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rachelsbrittain
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

A difficult read in the sense that it is so real in the way it depicts colonial and Indigenous history, but very much worth it. A girl finds a dragon egg and becomes the first nampeshiweisit in generations. Unfortunately, the Anglish colonizers require her to go to an Anglish dragon school, otherwise she risks losing her dragon forever.

50 likes1 stack add
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bookishbitch
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

This book is a masterpiece. No notes. (It will definitely be on the banned book lists.)

Soubhiville Ooo, great to hear! I got a copy in the fall on a recommendation from one of my favorite booksellers. Haven‘t gotten to it yet though. 2y
bookishbitch @Soubhiville I really enjoyed it and think it is brilliant on so many levels. 2y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
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GerardtheBookworm
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

Another dragon themed fantasy. This time in this magical universe, dragons and humans coexist and the elite control dragons. An indigenous, queer girl bonds with a dragon egg and reluctantly is recruited into an academy to raise and train dragons. As she navigates being an outcast and the prejudice of this world's colonizers, she will have to brave through the ignorance and change society's minds.

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bookishbitch
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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I thought I was going to have this finished today but I got sidetracked a bit. It's excellent though and I can't wait to see what happens next. It seems extra appropriate to post today. Let's never forget that the t-day some of us were taught in school is a myth. The cutie in the background is Waylon. We had a nice walk and training session this morning. Now we are just chillaxin. Her parents are traveling and she is my granddog.

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Reading_E
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Can‘t wait to get into this one! Thank you BookRiot Podcast for the preview!

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Bookfan1414
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Do you know what the sexiest thing an author can put in their book is? A pronunciation guide. I have never been more excited in my life. And this pronunciation guide is at the front of the book, not after the book has ended.

Clare-Dragonfly Right??!!! I loved that. 1y
13 likes1 comment
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Geeky_Spider
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

I loved this book! It is definitely one of my new favorite books!!

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TracyReadsBooks
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

This YA fantasy with dragons, which is in fact an alternate European history, is an entertaining if sometimes overly long & dense, story featuring some impressive world building & a fierce, likable protagonist who wins readers over with her independence, willingness to challenge the status quo, & fearlessness in the face of discrimination. First in a series, young readers who like meaty books that tackle weighty issues will likely enjoy this one.

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TracyReadsBooks
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Starting this one today…

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Bookish_Gal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose

You must prove yourself equal to the other students of this establishment if you wish to be regarded by them as an equal. In fact, you will have to prove yourself superior in all the ways they expect you to be inferior, just to be regarded as equal. To some, you will always be found wanting. But there are people here who are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. […]You are a representative here whether, you want to be or not.”

review
Bookish_Gal
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
Pickpick

This was a story about a nackie (Native American) being forced to join an Anglish (colonizer) school in order to keep the dragon that choose her. The book is slow in action yet insane in school bullying and others comments on Anequs, that she be grateful to be at the school to be enlightened. All she wants is to learn to shape her dragons breath and go back to her island. As her people don‘t know how to since the Great Dying attack.

review
BookmarkTavern
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

Anequs finds a dragon egg on her people‘s indigenous land. To learn how to raise her dragon, she must move to a school by the very people that have oppressed and massacred her own.

This was breathtaking! Gorgeous alt-history, dragons, steampunk, charming characters, & girls kicking patriarchal colonialism in the teeth. It did feel a little rushed at the end, but with enough resolution to satisfy, but leave me interested in a sequel. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

BookmarkTavern CW 👇🏻 2y
BookmarkTavern General warning for colonialism and school bullying 2y
Karkar I love this cover! 📚❤️ 2y
BookmarkTavern @Karkar I‘ll be honest, the cover was about 50% why I requested the ARC! 😅 2y
75 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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TheBookDream
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Been stress shopping books again 😬

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underground_bks
To Shape a Dragon's Breath | Moniquill Blackgoose
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Pickpick

This fantastically imagined alt-historical fantasy is full of fierce and lovable dragons, with a steampunk academia setting, a wise and courageous young indigenous woman at the helm, queer and neurodivergent rep, and so much to say about colonialism, knowledge, story-telling, and resistance! Fans of R. F. Kuang‘s Babel and Rachel Hartman‘s Seraphina, you simply must read this immersive, inventive, and powerfully truth-telling debut novel next.

30 likes1 stack add