"To Shape a Dragon's Breath" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoiler thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/....

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[Racism, Colonization, Ableism (hide spoiler)]

User-submitted content warnings on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2...

(More about CWs here.)

[Ellen]

Working my way through this one. I'm at 60%.

[Meredith]

I'm about 10% in. I'm really enjoying how the author is developing the world and showing the rather precarious situation of Anequs and her family with their colonized status, while also showing the richness of their community on the island.

I'm also enjoying the chapter titles. They both make me feel like I am being read a story and they are also like the 18th/19th(?) century style of chapter headings, like "In which a shocking letter is received."

[Ariel]

30% in, stuck in chemestry.. I mean skiltakraft class. The author has done well setting her character's personalities. Easily like or dislike based on Anequs' assessments. She has a very good sense of her world as well, in my opinion. It is a nice mix of many cultures which helps it feel familiar yet foreign, mirroring Anequs' experience.

Where I am struggling is the made up words for common items.

[Ariel]

Meredith wrote: "I'm also enjoying the chapter titles. They both...

I know, right? I think I am going to title my review based off the way they are. They are matter of fact, but like a narration which is fun too.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Meredith wrote: "I'm also enjoying the chapter titles. They both make me feel like I am being read a story and they are also like the 18th/19th(?) century style of chapter headings, like "In which a shocking letter is received..."

I too am fond of this style of chapter titles.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I’m about 10% in. Initial thoughts: I love the feel of the writing. I like the characters. I love the take on the dragons.

I am overwhelmed by the length of this book (somehow I missed that it was 500 pages long) and by some of the sciency aspects of shaping dragon’s breath? I am just not in the right head space to work very hard for my reading this year.

I intend to continue but I’m afraid at some point I might bail out. I think I could barrel through if it was a shorter book but knowing it’s so long has alarm bells ringing.

[DivaDiane]

I’m still waiting for my library hold to come in. 4 weeks wait still.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Interesting read.

[Rovy]

Just finished To Shape a Dragon’s Breath and I need emotional support (and maybe a dragon)

Okay, first off—where can I enroll in this dragon academy and will my student loans cover fireproof gear?

This book had me:

Laughing,

Raging (at certain people who shall not be named),

Googling "can dragons be emotionally supportive?”


No spoilers, but let’s just say… if you’ve ever dreamed of riding dragons while side-eyeing systemic oppression and academic nonsense, you’re in for a ride. I loved the main character’s energy—like, “I’m not here to please you, I’m here to survive and maybe set things on fire (ethically).”

Also, the worldbuilding? I need a map, a syllabus, and a nap.

Anyone else reading this? Please tell me I’m not the only one who wants a support group for “students dealing with institutional magical nonsense.”

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

completely agree! very fun and also too relatable

[Liz~In~Colorado]

I know this is not a comment on this book, but I've been following this thread... what was interesting to me was Rovy's comments. If I didn't know better it sounds like a review of yarros imperian series 😂🥰

[Ariel]

Liz wrote: "I know this is not a comment on this book, but I've been following this thread... what was interesting to me was Rovy's comments. If I didn't know better it sounds like a review of yarros imperian ..."

I could see why you would think that, but they aren't compatible as far as feel. Yes, both have schools where the main female character has something to prove. Yes, there are dragons. Politics in both. That is about where the similarly ends.

I will summarize to reduce chances of spoiler. I feel I will probably say too much, so am trying to be careful. If spoilers are wanted, there is a thread for that. It would be the better spot for this conversation.

1. Yarros' story is much darker. Violet is expected to survive no matter what abuses. Really, she isn't expected to survive at all, so there is that element of being physically tough coming into play. Blackgoose's story is lighter, conveys hope. More community and concern for well being. Anequs is often asked why she doesn't ask for help when teachers give her a hard time in class. There are consequences for anyone who slights her. She is expected to be prim and proper, like a lady.

2. Dragons have a bigger role in Yarros' story. They can speak and have independence outside the school. Their own politics. Violet's dragon could eat her, and no one would bat an eye. In Blackgoose's story, they may as well be cats, dogs, or horses. The dragons are kept in the school in stalls. There is no communication beyond looks and feeling. The are separated and considered inferior by the main population who wouldn’t hesitate to kill a dragon simply if it looks at someone wrong. Anequs is often letting people pet and touch her dragon.

3. There are consequences for those that get violent. No abusing the students. Some bullying, but it is frowned upon. Teachers don't touch the students. Structured and regulated so they aren't truly left alone together. The teachers don't have much authority or the social status like with Yarros' story. The political villian is done through a distance. Using newspapers and social networking to influence school attendance and how Anequs is looked at, over touching her directly. Behind the scene and manipulation instead.

4. No war games. Anequs isn't taught to defend herself. Carrying weapons isn't an honor. There is no pushing people off cliffs or competition just to enroll. The bond with the dragon's egg is enough. Anequs is an exception as hers is considered "wild," but most people get theirs by being wealthy. It's like picking out a Hatchanimal that converts to a car to them. Majority won't even apply to use their dragon in a military type service. More so looking to have it create expensive chemicals with its flame to then sell for profit.

More, but again, spoilers. My main point, if you liked the one, this is different. More about perception of the masses and the social inequalities that can come with being different.

[Melanie, the neutral party]

Just a freindly reminder there is a spoiler thread. Book discussion that begins to be *specific* should take place there.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Liz~In~Colorado]

Thank you Ariel for such a thoughtful comparison.! 📚❣️

[Jabotikaba]

What I liked most about this book was the world building. It's exactly what I love, AU+fantasy. The presence of dragons makes this book a bit like Temeraire by Naomi Novik.
Also, this book is very well written and the main protagonist is a very likable girl.
Melanie wrote: "Meredith wrote: "I'm also enjoying the chapter titles. They both make me feel like I am being read a story and they are also like the 18th/19th(?) century style of chapter headings, like "In which ..."
I'm enjoying the chapter titles, too.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I believe the novel is directed at a teen audience but nonetheless it is an excellent read!

[Megan]

I started reading this over the weekend, and every time I've put it down, I've been eager to get back to it. I wanted to come here and join the chorus re: enjoying the chapter titles; I especially like the big-picture sense of pacing they're creating.

[Mrs S E White]

it was ok, not much happens, plenty of misunderstanding, things happening that you have no control over. it kept me interested enough to finish it. don't think I would read it again. not enough to turn into a series, .

[CJ]

My library loan came in finally, it's just the audiobook as the wait for the ebook is even longer. So far, I am enjoying it. The writing flows nicely and the story is interesting. Wasn't sure I was up for a yet another fantasy novel about a young MC that goes to some kind of fantasy school (insert me screaming internally) but I'm being open-minded.

[Ariel]

CJ wrote: "Wasn't sure I was up for a yet another fantasy novel about a young MC that goes to some kind of fantasy school (insert me screaming internally) but I'm being open-minded...."

I hear you. I typically avoid academy or boarding school based stories as well. Over saturated with the trope.

[Jacci]

I really just can't get into this book l it seems like they spend more time discussing her integration into *civilized society " than making this fantasy book about the dragon itself. I DNF'D about 60percent in.