This story follows Anequs as she discovers a dragon egg and is then required by law to leave her native village with her dragon and study at an academy run by the Anglish colonizers.

Once she arrived, she was met with harsh resistance to her presence there. Racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and classism were all highly prevalent in Anglish society and permeated throughout Anequs’s school experience. They did not believe she belonged there and could not fathom that a savage like her could be so clever and proficient in her studies.

I absolutely loved the human characters in this book, and of course the baby dragon was my absolute favorite. I also really loved how this book approached bi/pansexuality and polyamory without creating a love triangle.

I am so very anxious to get my hands on the next installment of this series. It was a remarkable book and I highly recommend it!

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Anequs is such a resilient character and admirable. The amount of hurdles and turmoil thrown at her are nerve-wracking and that sweet baby dragon is the only reason Anequs is subjected to this academy. Kasaqua made my heart melt every time she sprung on the page and needs to be protected at all costs!

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose follows Anequs (a fifteen-year-old native) who has recently found and bonded to a dragon egg. Due to her nation's treaty with the Anglish colonizers, she must be formally trained and tested by the Anglish leading her to enroll in an Anglish school for dragoneers.

Blackgoose uses the fictional world that she crafted to discuss colonialism, racism, classism, sexism, and so much more. The world she built is deeply complex and unique, but eerily similar to the world we live in making it a piece of fantasy that I believe should be required reading by all.

This book is not very plot-heavy, but I never felt like I was missing anything instead it felt to me like a character study (of Anequs and the people she interacts with) and a development of this fantasy world.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy: a unique magic system with clear rules, discussions of colonialism, character-driven novels, and interesting fantasy worlds.

This was such a fun fantasy story. The story was gripping, characters were well developed and overall this was one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

There are no words (that I can think of) to accurately describe how much I loved and enjoyed this book. It may be the best fantasy book I've read this year so far. It was so delightfully original and fascinating, and the characters were so well written and seemed to jump off the page.

The only times I struggled with the writing was when it got really technical in explaining "skiltakraft" (essentially chemistry, with a fun dragon magic twist). It did, at these times, feel a little like reading a textbook, but when the plot picked back up, it more than made up for that.

However, a special shout out has to go to the writing done for the character of Sander, who is autistic-coded (but of course, in this universe, or even our universe's timeline equivalent, autism is/was not widely understood). As a neurodivergent person myself, the care that was taken in his character was so beautiful to see, and just seeing an autistic/neurodivergent character in a fantasy book to begin with was so heartening, especially since his traits were never used as comic relief or to make you feel pity for him.

Also, the hints of potential polyamory in the future? I am here for it!. Sequel when?

<i>*I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*</i>

3.5

This book has so many elements that are buzzwords to me. It’s a queer fantasy with dragons and a world that takes inspiration from European colonialism of the Americas. That being said, I think my expectations were skewed before I started and that hindered my enjoyment.

I firmly disagree with some of the reviews I’ve seen classifying this book as young adult. Yes it has a young female protagonist, and it is a coming of age story and set at a school, but the depth of worldbuilding and the meandering of the plot is very much in line with adult fantasy. I was over halfway through this book and still didn’t know what the actual plot of this story was, which isn’t something that typically happens in books targeted at teen audiences.

Once I shifted those expectations, I found myself immersed in a world that had such interesting takes on society. This story is set in an 1840s version of New England where Scandinavians are the ones who colonized the “New World”. We follow Anequs as she leaves her isolated island to learn to train her dragon according to Anglish customs/laws but she has no intention of conforming to their idea of civility. I enjoyed learning about this world, and comparing the in the world sciences, myths, history, etc. to what exists in the real world.

While I did find myself losing interest at times through the middle, the last 15% really picked up on larger world implications of Anequs having a dragon, and the book ended leaving me excited to see what else this world has to offer. I also gave up on the audiobook halfway through because I could not stand the narration, so that might have impacted my enjoyment. I’m also always here for a why-choose/polyamory solution to a love triangle, which I’m hoping to see more of in the sequel despite the romance subplot here being very much a small part of the narrative.

Overall, I think this is a really ambitious debut and I hope to see more people pick it up. I think the book I’ve read recently that this is most comparable to is Babel by R.F. Kuang, which is a book I should have loved on paper. They’re both historical fantasies that center a minority’s experience at the magical school of the colonizers and the skiltakraft and other in world science lessons called to mind the translation lectures of Babel.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC.

Wow! What a great story of magic, dragons, an indigenous polyamorous bisexual main character from a culture were being transgender is completely normal and accepted! Woo!, a mostly nonverbal genius best friend, lots of diversity. The book is def the first book in the series (thank goodness! Want more of the world), but it’s mostly world and character building and setup and so I hope there is more of an event in future books for the characters to conquer. Readers should know the book is not an action filled fantasy story at all. While I couldn’t put it down some parts dragged on and I did skim some parts. Overall, this is a great story of friendship and standing up for what’s right even if it’s not what is seen as proper by society. I really enjoyed and can’t wait for book 2. (Also can I please have a telepathic connected and joined at my hip dragon?)

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is young adult Indigenous fantasy set in a world remarkably similar to ours, but with dragons. Fifteen year old Anequs, our main character, is a Masquapuag girl who finds herself bonded to the first Nampeshiwe dragon to be hatched on their land in generations, marking Anequs as the first Nampeshiweisit, or dragon companion, in recent memory. Her people are thrilled, but the Anglish, who conquered the land many years ago, have very specific ideas for how a dragon and her dragoneer should operate. In order to keep her dragon from being put to death as a feral, Anequs enrolls in a prestigious dragon academy on the mainland. Here, she is confronted for the first time with the nearly insurmountable differences between her people and the Anglish, who have so many unspoken rules about society and what makes a person civilized. Anequs must learn to navigate this new, baffling world, while also trying to learn everything she needs to know in order to bring her dragon home, and somehow managing to not lose herself and her heritage in the process.

I’m a sucker for a book about dragons, and anything dealing with academia has my immediate attention. Pair that with discourse on colonialism, beautiful depictions of Indigenous life, and a main character I can root for, and I’m sold. This book delivered all of those elements with great aplomb, along with social commentary that both fascinated and enraged. I loved that the world was essentially our own, with the setting similar to America at the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. However, in this version of the world, besides the fact that dragons existed, Christianity never rose to power. The Anglish are essentially Vikings, with their governmental setup and religion, though the names of the Norse gods have been very subtly changed. Subtle name and word alterations are a huge part of Blackgoose’s world building here. Our Freya and Odin are Fyra and Joden in their world. Witchcraft is witskraft. Algebra is aljabr, and geometry is anglereckoning. These little differences threw me at first, and felt unnecessary if the differences between this world and our own were so thinly veiled, but I gradually acclimated to them.

Anequs is a wonderful character, and I could have read about her relationship with Kasaqua, her dragon, forever. The dragons in this book all sounded beautiful, and I love that there were so many different breeds included, but Kasaqua definitely felt the most unique. I love how much time we got with her as a hatchling, and it was bittersweet witnessing her grow. And Anequs is such a self-assured, loyal, upstanding, brave person. I adored every scene set on her home island of Masquapuag, and I loved getting to learn so much about her culture.

It was the Anglish culture that I found distasteful. The emphasis on propriety and adhering to unspoken societal expectations was almost as tedious for me as it was for Anequs when she was among them. It was the amount of time spent on this culture, as well as the fact that Blackgoose could become very info-dumpy with her world building under the guise of the school setting, that had me putting the book down quite often. There were a couple of points where I bogged down enough to consider not picking the book back up, but I’m very glad that I stuck with it.

This is a book with a ton of representation, and none of it felt forced. The city in which Anequs attends school is a melting pot, and we see people of all races and religions, as well as the prejudice that sadly follows such diversity. Multiple sexualities are represented, though we see how those things are closeted out of fear in Anglish society while being accepted without question by the “nackie” (Native) society. And finally, we have some neurodivergent representation in the form of one of my favorite side characters, Sander, as well as the first time I’ve ever encountered fidgets in a fantasy novel. I thought those were a lovely touch.

I ended up very much enjoying To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, even though I felt it was a bit too long and involved too much info-dumping in the worldbuilding. This is such a unique story, and I’m thrilled that Indigenous fiction is coming more to the fore. I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!

In an alternate timeline that isn't so dissimilar to ours, in the mid-1800s, Anequs is a young indigenous woman who happens to find a dragon egg laid on her people's island, after years of dragons not existing around there. The dragon attaches itself to her, and Anequs must go to Anglish society dragoneering school so that she can learn how to train her dragon (by shaping its breath.)

I loved this book, but I'll tell the truth, it is slow going and long. The chapters are thankfully short and direct, and I loved that the chapters' names even told the story. There are a lot of great characters here, whom I expect will be expanded on in the rest of the series. There's not a lot of subtleness when it comes to racism and condescension, but Anequs' responses and absolute non-care for becoming "civilized" made her a very fun character to read.

If you want a fantasy with dragons, written by an Indigenous author, that is both cozy and not cozy at the same time, and provides a whole kids coming of age at a fantasy-style school storyline, and you don't mind a slow-paced book, then I'd recommend this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the e-ARC.

A brilliantly stunning debut! This book follows an indigenous girl named Anequs who lives a peaceful life on her island until she is chosen by a dragon and must attend a prestigious Anglish dragon academy to learn how to become a proper dragoneer.

The world-building in this story is incredible! Dragoneers study to shape the breath of a dragon to aid in areas like mechanical engineering and chemistry.

I also adore Anequs's character. She is so fierce and passionate in her love for her dragon and her family.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5: Thank you to #NetGalley and Del Rey books for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest review.

An indigenous and anti-colonialism coming of age story with excellent queer and neurodivergent representation in an academic setting? PLUS DRAGONS? Who wouldn't want to read this?!?!? What a debut! I can't wait for the rest of this series! I absolutely LOVE the main character Anequs and her dragon (they are witty, smart, strong, and full of integrity), but the cast of supporting characters are also pretty great. I am hoping we get more Liberty, Theod, and Sander in the next book...honestly, I wanted more of them in this one, which is why this wasn't a full 5-star read. I think the author had to spend time setting the stage for the series, so I'll forgive them for the lack of a deep-dive into the supporting characters. The author does a really nice job juxtaposing Masquapaug (where Anequs is from) with the mainland home of the Anglish colonizers, where the dragon academy is. There are aspects of the story that are very steampunk, which you wouldn't think fits with the story, but it does. Somehow, though this story is set in the 1800s, it feels historical and futuristic at the same time, but in a very balanced way. Though this is a YA fantasy novel, it really appeals to people of all ages. I sure hope the second book isn't too far behind!

Rating: 2.5
Though I expected this book to have some ignorant, hateful, bigotry, I didn't expect to basically just be that. There really wasn't much about the dragons. I personally found the constant bigoted comments to be exhausting and I'm kind of tired of these books only being about that, rather than focusing on the fantasy elements too. I can see why people would love these books, and maybe if I expected it, I would have liked the book more. But I don't want to read something expecting to be entertained, only to be angry instead. The insults were repetitive and it seemed like everything brought up about indenginous culture, only was to educate white people or to be picked apart and insulted.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book, and there was a lot of really interesting world building. Some of the story, especially at the beginning, were really slow or drug on. That said, I still loved all the representation in this book and loved learning the characters etc. I

I really had high hopes for the book but ended up not enjoying it. I need more from the story. All it felt like was a social commentary on injustice which I’m not against in books but I was hoping for more fantasy aspects.

Such an amazing way to frame the story of settler colonialism in North America, and how indigenous peoples negotiated modernization while working to maintain their traditions and ways of life. The world building is absolutely fascinating. It gives Shadow & Bone vibes with the various cultural influences, and I think Anequs is a brilliant choice for the POV. And the fact that all the dragons act like cats? YES, PLEASE.

Anequs' life changes irrevocably after she finds a dragon egg near her island home. Unfortunately, her people, a Native American type of tribe in an alternate colonial America, no longer remember how to shape a dragon's breath, a way of using the dragon's magic. Without such training, the dragon presents a danger to Anequs' family and friends. Her best hope is to leave her small island home and attend a dragoneer school run by the people who conquered and rule her land. Leaving her family and friends, Anequs must find her place among those who view her and her people as ignorant barbarians.

This book was amazing. Mostly because of Anequs' strong self assurance throughout the story, but also because of the setting and the social and cultural descriptions of both the Nackies (a derogatory term for the indigenes people here) and the Norse and other alternative fantasy cultures mentioned.

Anequs is a teenage girl living a quiet but happy life at home when she's chosen by the dragon whose egg she found. In order to learn how to control her dragon's dangerous magic, and to avoid causing trouble with the Norse people who conquered and rule the land, Anequs applies to a nearby dragoneer school. But the Norse aren't willing to let a native girl own a dragon, afraid of the danger she may one day become.

Anequs has to deal with racism from her snobby male classmates, from her professors, and from the media. Living among people who consider her an illiterate savage, Anequs has to put up with extreme rudeness, while trying to fit in and dress and act as expected of a proper young lady.

Despite her enemies and the trouble they cause her, Anequs strives to be a good student and to make friends with some other cast-off classmates. Standing firmly for her values and beliefs, Anequs struggles to pass her classes, while putting up with Injustice and trying to avoid sparking another war against her people.

Absolutely loved Moniquill Blackgoose's To Shape A Dragon's Breath. An enrolled member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe and lineal descendant of Ousamequin Massasoit, Blackgoose has crafted a magical world around fifteen year old Anequs, a young Indigenous woman, who finds a dragon egg & bonds with the hatching. I'm at the part where she has just enrolled into a colonizer- run dragon academy & it's ramping up quickly - the Anglish conquerors of her land have specific ideas on how dragons should be raised, which differ greatly from Anequs & her people.

In reading about Blackgoose, her bio mentions her works often explore themes of inequality in social and political power, consent, agency, and social revolution, of which I am seeing much of in To Shape A Dragon's Breath. It's a smart, excellent book - highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"To Shape a Dragon's Breath" by Moniquill Blackgoose delivers a captivating and imaginative world. The novel presents an intricate blend of steampunk and dragon elements that are integrated seamlessly into society's culture. From the magic dragon breath to the range of technological devices, there were plenty of standout features in the novel's world-building.

The protagonist, Anequs, is a complex character whose personal journey is engaging from start to finish. Her story of navigating the dragon academy and the obstacles she faces are relatable and captivating. Anequs' journey offers a delicate exploration of the character's relationship with her dragon, Kasaqua, as well as her identity in a society where race plays a significant role.

The novel also brings important themes of identity, colonialism, and racism to the forefront, providing a grounded reflection of how societal forces impact individuals on a personal level. While the novel's stakes are not particularly high throughout most of its duration, the book's low-conflict approach provides a welcome contrast to the typical fantasy novel's fast-paced, action-driven(read as plot-heavy) structure.

That being said, the novel's plot may not appeal to readers looking for a more conventional storyline. The storytelling is character-driven rather than plot-heavy, which may be unappealing to some readers. Additionally, the shift in tone in the last quarter of the novel is unexpected and may feel out of place.

Overall, "To Shape a Dragon's Breath" is a unique and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of both young adult and adult fantasy novels. The novel's world-building is rich and expansive, and Anequs' character journey is engaging and thought-provoking. This novel is ideal for readers interested in social commentary, intricate world-building, and character-driven storytelling.

3.75 out of 5 Stars.

I always struggle with what to say when I really enjoy books and I really enjoyed this one.

Anequs is a fantastic protagonist and I loved her relationship with her family and her people and also the way she gathered other students. Her refusal to conform to Anglish societal rules and her dedication to wanting to learn only to help manipulate her dragon's breath to help her village. I wasn't sure what to make of Marta at first, but I'm glad that she was held accountable for her actions by the author and by Anequs.

The dragon's mythology was unique and made me consider aspects of bonded to a dragon I hadn't thought of before. Another thing I found really cool was the way the author presented a story told by a character. It would have its own separate chapter titled "This is the story that ____ told".

Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so exciting, but also has a great sense of calm. It feels kind of like I am listening to a story be told in a good way. Like there is plenty of time and no need to rush. The stories of the history within the main story are really interesting. There is more world building than I personally need in my stories, but the world building is done well, and I think it is definitely necessary in certain sections to help the reader understand the characters better. The conversations felt believable and the family dynamics felt believable. I also really liked the beginning where Anequs is kind of ambivalent about going to school because everything is happening so fast she doesn't really get time to process, and I feel like I would be feeling the same way. That sense of curiosity for what might come next but also not really believing what is happening so not fully processing all of my emotions.