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To Shape a Dragon's Breath (Nampeshiweisit, #1)

by Moniquill Blackgoose

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Susu said: " Review of To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

Moniquill Blackgoose’s To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a powerful and immersive tale that skillfully blends speculative fiction with themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and resilience. T Review of To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

Moniquill Blackgoose’s To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is a powerful and immersive tale that skillfully blends speculative fiction with themes of colonialism, cultural identity, and resilience. This debut novel invites readers into the richly imagined world of Anequs, an Indigenous teenager who discovers a dragon egg—an event that upends her life and her community’s tenuous relationship with the colonizing Anglish nation.

The story centers on Anequs’s journey as she is sent to the prestigious Anglish Academy to learn the art of dragon husbandry, a skill dominated by the colonizers. This setting becomes a microcosm of broader societal tensions, as Anequs struggles to assert her cultural heritage in a space designed to erase it. Let’s not forget her culture has its own views on dragons as well and that the culture shock she faces is not small either. Blackgoose’s portrayal of Anequs’s inner strength, intelligence, and deep connection to her traditions is both compelling and inspiring.

The worldbuilding is meticulous, drawing from real-world histories and cultural dynamics to create a setting that feels simultaneously fantastical and grounded in reality. The dragons, while majestic, serve as a lens to explore deeper issues of power, privilege, and belonging. Blackgoose’s prose is lyrical yet accessible, making the book both a literary and emotional triumph.

What sets this novel apart is its unapologetic focus on decolonization. Through Anequs, Blackgoose examines the challenges of navigating systems designed to suppress marginalized voices, while highlighting the enduring strength of cultural traditions and the transformative power of community. The book doesn’t shy away from complex discussions, but it balances them with moments of joy, humor, and camaraderie.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath is more than a coming-of-age story; it’s a call to reclaim and celebrate identity in the face of systemic oppression. With a protagonist as fierce as the dragons she seeks to bond with, this novel is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction, Indigenous storytelling, and narratives that challenge the status quo. Moniquill Blackgoose has crafted a stunning debut that promises an exciting future for both the series and the author herself. ...more "

Jan 15, 2025 11:46AM · see review