A long book but you will finish it in no time. You will be sucked in from the first page to the last and want more when you are done. Love the storyline, details and charcters. Loved it!

This was a very entertaining read set in the 1800's. It's a story set in an alternate history where the United States was taken over by the Vikings into territory settled by what would be Native Americans. There are also dragons! Dragons have not been seen by the indigenous people in the region for many generations. Our main character, Anequs finds a dragon egg and is sent to a colonial run school for "Dragoneers" where she finds her way of life is vastly different from her fellow students.
I did find the names difficult to pronounce and the places seemed based off of actual cities such as Massachusetts being written as "Massy-chooseit". A little odd but it didn't distract from the story. I'm looking forward to the next book!

TL;DR REVIEW:

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a beautifully rendered, fiercely imagined Indigenous Own Voices fantasy novel set in an academic setting about anticolonialism and dragons. I did think the shape of the plot was a little flat, but overall I liked it a lot.

For you if: You’re looking for some really kickass Indigenous queer poly representation.

FULL REVIEW:

As soon as I heard about To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, I was on board. (Anticolonialsm + Indigenous own voices + queer poly rep + academia + dragons?? I mean, come on!) And while I didn’t think it was perfect, I really liked it, and I’m eager to see where the next book goes.

The book is set in a world that looks a lot, but not exactly, like ours. It takes place in a country similar to the United States during the Industrial Revolution, but instead of Christianity dominating, the colonizers (“Anglish”) descended from Vikings, and their religion is Norse in nature. Also, of course, there are dragons. The main character is Anaqus, a young woman from the Indigenous Masquapaug tribe, bonds with the first Nampeshiwe dragon to be seen in recent history. But the Anglish require all dragons to be registered and their riders attend a special school where they learn to shape their dragon’s breath, aka focus its power into a helpful instead of dangerous force. Fearing what would happen to her community if she eschews these rules, Anequs attends the school.

First, just a few minor complaints: While the beginning of this book tingles with promise, as I approached the end, I felt like the plot dragged a bit, mostly because it lacked a shape. The story essentially just follows her first school year, and that’s about it. I wished there had been some kind of central mystery to hook me in a bit more. Also, while I appreciated how unapologetic and loyal Anaqus to her people, she was a bit more aware of the dynamics of colonialsm than I thought was realistic. She was able to verbalize things like “There’s nothing uncivilized about my people” and “I don’t believe I would be better off by assimilating into Anglish society” — which, yes, and good for her, but contrasted with the way the other Indigenous student at the school had internalized those beliefs much more realistically, it felt a little convenient to the book’s (worthy) political purposes.

But like I said, those things are minor. This series has so much promise. Where it’s trying most pointedly — social and historical commentary on colonialism and racism against Indigenous people, and beautifully positioned Indigenous traditions and communities — it’s extremely effective. And the worldbuilding here is lush, imaginative, unique, and beautiful. I believe that all the setup in this book could come to fruition in big ways in the following books, and I definitely plan to read them.

Finally, a small thing: I really appreciated the extensive pronunciation guide at the front of the book, even though the author did not HAVE to do that for us. I did my best to refer to it every time I encountered an unfamiliar word until the proper pronunciations stuck in my head!

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Book Review:
To Shape a Dragon's Breath (Nampeshiweisit #1)
Written by Moniquill Blackgoose
Read by Charley Flyte
Book 118/200
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio/Digital, ARC
Pages: 528
Published: 2023
Rating: 10/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Del Ray, and Moniquill Blackgoose for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blackgoose's debut novel is a triumphant historical fantasy in the vein of R.F. Kuang's "Babel". When Anequs is chosen by a newborn dragon, she must leave her island to learn to be a dragon-rider from the Anglish conquerors.

Historical Fantasy is a subgenre that I have really come to love. For some reason taking real-life events and struggles just work for me. TSADB takes the Native American perspective of the English colonization of the Americas and adds dragons. DRAGONS!

This book hits hard in its depiction of the atrocities committed by the colonizing Anglish. Blackgoose does a great job in developing a world that is like are own but distinctly unique. The reading experience was wonderfully immersive and I will eagerly be awaiting book 2!

I'm beginning to love the indigenous content I'm receiving here. Anequs would be filed under "unlikable female character" for the fact she will take no crap if you are in the wrong. I love that this kid cannot be steam rolled most importantly couldn't give Anglish more credit than was due. Anequs knows life is full of learning and has no qualms to admit that they just got to this phase in life, being a teen girl with this magical opportunity and it can be absolutely beneficial to every community involved. It came off as upper age middle grade for me for most the tale until the end.; at it core it is not different in aspect but much much better that one of those old here is me and my dog we're inseparable add a lot of steampunk, history of colonization, and all the cultural flavor, For fans of Justina Ireland.

This is a must read! Anequs finds the first dragon egg on Masquapaug Island in centuries, offering the potential to help her people compete with the Anglish and maintain their independence. Anglish law, however, requires that Anequs and her dragon Kasqua be educated at a dragon academy, and failure will be punished with the death of Kasqua. Anequs is willing to meet any challenge, but refuses to give up her identity or passions to fit the expectations of Anglish society. There's a lot to love in this book: the Norse-inspired society, the chemistry-based magic of a dragon's breath, the bisexual heroine who doesn't have to choose between her crushes, the neuro-atypical characters who are smart and capable, and the idea that progress and tradition don't need to be in opposition. Getting an indigenous narrative that centers on a character with a family and community intact, who isn't looking to leave it, and who can evaluate the good and bad elements of native traditions feels both groundbreaking and comforting.

To Shape A Dragons Breath follows Anequs, a 15 year old Masquisit woman chosen by Kasaqua, the first Nampeshiwe(dragon) of Masquisit in over 200 years. Unfortunately, the Masquisit are a colonized people. Their Anglish oppressors require all dragons to be registered and trained, or be destroyed. For the safety of her dragon and her people, Anequs agrees join Anglish society to train at Kuiper's Academy of Natural Philosophy and Skiltakraft.

This is a wonderful read for people who adored the Potterverse, until they realized how deeply Rowling's (horrifying) beliefs permeate the text. Blackgoose gives us a mostly authentic cast of characters diverse in culture, thought, sexuality, and ability. And there are dragons!

My only real complaint about the book is the way the author renamed things like "algebra" and "research" to illustrate how the world was so *different*. I found it quite distracting and, if I'm being honest, a little amateurish.

All in all, I had a good time and would definitely recommend!

Special thanks to Random House Publishing, Ballantine books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This book was okay. I liked it a lot because I like dragons and learned a lot of things
However, it was of YA genre which I tend to not like but if you're into mythological legends and such this book is for you. It's well written, I'm just taking the point away for putting in for a YA book. It is a good book, no doubt, just not my favorite.

One of the best debuts I've read in quite a while, To Shape a Dragon's Breath pays homage to middle-grade/YA speculative fiction greats of an earlier era-such as Tamora Pierce and Anne McCaffrey-in it's atmosphere, it's embrace of well-loved and cozy genre tropes, and it's absolute and unflinching respect for young readers and their ability to digest and consider weighty, sometimes disturbing content that illuminates the complex reality of our own world through fantastical lenses. The protagonist, Anekus, is as far from a Mary Sue as the MC of a bildungsroman can get, temperamental, sure of herself yet frequently unable to rise to meet her own expectations without support, and when she does exceed her peers both her and the reader know that she does so through effort and community, not superhuman talent. Just an incredible book, a modern classic that I'm sure I'll return to again and again, and will be recommending frequently.

Anequs finds herself being chosen by a dragon, the first in generations for the Masquisit, which quickly puts her at odds with the Anglish conquerors. In order to stay with her dragon, Anequs must attend the Anglish dragon school to learn how they believe dragons should be raised, which is far different than how her people view dragon bonds. There is contention between Anequs' classmates, many of whom do not believe Anequs is worthy to be a dragoneer, meaning Anequs spends much of her time trying to prove herself. There are a lot of themes tackled in this book including colonization, gender inequality, classism, racism, and sexuality, which are expanded on in conversations Anequs has with her classmates and the people around her. It was refreshing that Anequs knew herself well and did not feel the need to drastically change herself, but rather took the opportunity to learn about others and in turn share her own views. This book is heavy on the world building, but it was interesting to guess which folklore, traditions, or scientific processes were being referenced. Overall, a well-crafted start to the beginning of a new fantasy series centered around dragons. Readers interested in dragons, folklore, or detailed world building will like this one.

Fun fantasy book , heavy on the world building but that sets it up for well for the sequels.

I felt it went over long and dragged in places, but overall I really enjoyed reading about Anequs. She was the driving force in the book and I am eager to find out what comes next.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC

I loved Anequs' story in To Shape a Dragon's Breath. It was a really fun world of dragon riding school. Super interesting and glad to see an indigenous author in fantasy.

This book was such a delight to read, I feel like a lot of books that try to focus on indigenous characters are written by white people so absolutely love that this isn't. While it is fantasy I think it has an honest look at colonization and culture supression. And what about an Idigenous queer girl goes to a dragon riding school doesn't sound good?! That sounds awesome.

This was too long though. I think 500+ pages was not the move for this. There were times when things were just dragging and it felt like nothing was happening in the story.
I think the world building was done very well, I just wanted to feel more drama and on edge with the story.
The 3 stars may look like I didn't enjoy the book, but I did, just not as much as I wanted to.

I am interested in what the rest of the series offers and if this was just a good set up for the rest of the series.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath is a character-driven story about Anequs and how her life changes after she is selected to be the Nampeshiweisit, a person who has a close relationship with a dragon, of the first Nampeshiwe, dragon, seen on her island home in hundreds of years. Anequs and her dragon Kasaqua are forced to go to an Anglish boarding school where students learn how to control their dragon's breath -- a powerful force that can be very destructive if left unchecked.

Anequs is an excellent lens to experience the similar-to-our-world-but-not that is Angland. The teachers and students at the academy are largely single-mindedly focused on making Anequs a "model Anglish citizen" without pausing to consider where this desire comes from. To Shape a Dragon's Breath also does a great job at inspecting traditionally Western views about class and sexuality. I loved Anequs' matter-of-fact bisexuality and her utter bafflement about why the Anglish look down on people who aren't heterosexual.

I found Anequs a compelling main character that was so easy to root for. She's strong willed and knows what her values are. I really enjoyed seeing her grow more confident of her knowledge and strength over the book.

The primary reason this wasn't a 5-star read for me was due to personal preference. I like stories that have a bit more plot in them. I would definitely recommend this to fellow boarding school book fans as this was a really interesting take on that concept.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to my followers who enjoy books set as magical schools, diverse books, and of course Dragons. I think this book is also a good book for readers to expand their worldviews and take in more diverse authors.

I loved this book. It feels like a steampunk crossed with a book about dragons crossed with a commentary on colonization. This YA novel centers on Anequs who is from a small island that has been relatively left alone by the people who have colonized their region. When she finds a dragon egg on her island the community gets together to teach the egg about their people. When it hatches it chooses Anequs to be its partner, and since the dragon riders of her village were killed, she has to go to the dragon training academy of the Anglish to learn how to use her dragon, Kasaqua’s magic.

Anequs is 16, but she is fiercely independent and she is not afraid to speak her mind. In her village, at 16, she is considered a woman and is happy to represent herself, her family, and her village to get the education she needs to use her dragons.

This book is an awesome YA book that isn’t a coming of age book. It’s a refreshing story to have a young woman who is firm in herself and what she believes in and is willing to fight for it. The fantasy aspects are fun, and it has an interesting critique on western culture. As Anequs is bisexual and polyamorous, it also has good queer representation.

I don’t think I’m the right audience for this book, so I’m DNFing. I love Indigenous stories but this one has so much technical knowledge about dragons and Native traditions, which I have a murky understanding of. I’m sure this book works better for others, and I appreciate the copy regardless! Just too long and fantasy-heavy for me.

I really enjoyed this one and will be recommending it to readers who enjoy books set as magical schools and/or dragons. It's also a great story for those looking to incorporate more indigenous authors into their reading.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath is an exceptional start to a new YA Fantasy series. The world-building was great and I loved the protagonist, Anequs, and the setting of the Academy. Also, DRAGONS!!!

This story follows Anequs, a teen girl, who lives on the remote island of Masquapaug, with her family and peoples. After Anequs finds an abandoned dragon egg, she brings it back to her village and they guard over it, keeping it safe. Once the baby dragon hatches, it chooses Anequs and they are bonded.

The people of the village are delighted. In a previous time, their society had many dragons and those prosperous times are still remembered well in song and story. After the baby dragon chooses Anequs, She becomes their only Nampeshiweisit; a person with a special relationship with dragons.

Unfortunately, there is no one left alive who remembers the old ways and can teach Anequs what she needs to know to safely raise and train the dragon. For that and other reasons, Anequs needs to enroll in a private academy, far away on the mainland, where she will be registered as, and learn to become, a dragoneer.

We follow Anequs as she and her dragon, Kasaqua, travel to the city and enroll in the Academy. It's Anequs first time living amongst the Anglish and it's jarring; definitely not the easiest transition for her. We get to meet the other students, as well as the Professors and get a front row seat to their classes and the inherent racism found there.

This story takes us through Anequs entire first year and leaves off in a great spot for the continuation of the story. I'm excited about the possibilities of the second book.

Blackgoose developed a lush and detailed world with this book. There was a lot of information given to the Reader involving the magic system, history and society's relationship to the dragons.

I tried not to get too bogged down in the details, because I could see how trying to remember every single thing could ruin this experience for some Readers. I trusted Blackgoose to be able to weave an impactful tale without me having to take notes while Anequs was at class. For me, it worked and I can see, as the series, continues, how things that seem foreign at the start as concepts, will just become old hat, the more you read in this world.

I was torn at the end on how to rate this one. It is very impressive in the scope and the world-building. Also, I enjoyed very much the intrigue as Anequs's presence at the Academy has the potential to shake up the social order. I also very much enjoyed the growth we see in Anequs as a character. She literally grew leaps and bounds over the course of this story.

However, it did have some pitfalls for me as well. For one, I felt it was a little too long and perhaps there were a few too many details, as far as the content of her classes went, etc. The pace was slow, particularly around the middle of the story and some of the social circumstances bordered on repetitive. I waxed and waned and ultimately decided, as recently as this morning, to give it a solid 4-star rating.

I did enjoy this one very much and I am definitely going to be picking up the next book. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a lush YA Fantasy, with strong cultural influences and important social commentary.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is a grand debut and I look forward to reading more from Moniquill Blackgoose!

An exciting new take on dragon fantasy. A young indigenous woman finds and hatches a dragon egg. But the people who have colonized her people’s lands have different laws and a far different culture she needs to contend with in order to learn how to best handle her new dragon. The main character is wonderfully strong and independent and her dragon is delightful. In some glorification of the indigenous culture and the demonization of the colonizers is quite heavy handed, but the author also adds nuance to many of the characters feelings and beliefs on the various issues. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!