#Moniquill Blackgoose

[layaart]

Anequs, Kasaqua, Kasaqua's mother from To Shape A Dragon's Breath by @moniquill!

#to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #illustration #art #books #accidentally got some giraffe vibes in here lmao #patterns copied from the cover....trying to do more with borders on my character art lol #2024 fanart #book fanart #I have some sketches of the other characters too will post later #nampeshiweisit

[moniquill]

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706010/to-shape-a-dragons-breath-by-moniquill-blackgoose/

ABOUT TO SHAPE A DRAGON’S BREATH

A young Indigenous woman enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things—in the first book of this brilliant new fantasy series. The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the storms of autumn, enabling the people to thrive. To them, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. They have a very specific idea of how a dragon should be raised, and who should be doing the raising—and Anequs does not meet any of their requirements. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she cannot succeed there, her dragon will be killed. For a girl with no formal schooling, a non-Anglish upbringing, and a very different understanding of the history of her land, challenges abound—both socially and academically. But Anequs is smart, determined, and resolved to learn what she needs to help her dragon, even if it means teaching herself. The one thing she refuses to do, however, is become the meek Anglish miss that everyone expects. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

PRAISE

“A thorough delight . . . To Shape a Dragon’s Breath reveals a world that is complex and political through deft, thoughtfully drawn characters who, like their world, are complicated and believable. I love Anequs!”—K. Eason, author of How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse “Imagine a world full of dragons where a newborn chooses you to be its caregiver. Imagine you have to go to a special school to learn how to train it. Imagine that almost no one at the school wants you there. This is how the well-written, compelling tale of To Shape a Dragon’s Breath begins, and once underway it doesn’t let you go.”—New York Times bestselling author Terry Brooks

#TSADB #To Shape A Dragons Breath #Moniquill Blackgoose #Indigenous #Book release #Please share and spread!

[traeumenvonbuechern]

🐉 Dragon Books To Read If You Liked "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros 🐉

The dragon romantasy "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros has taken over the bookish community, so I wanted to give you some recommendations on what to read after you finished it.

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the 'gods' remember, and they do not forgive. Since they were orphaned, Arcady has scraped a living thieving on the streets of Vatra, dreaming of life among the nobility - and revenge. When the chance arises to steal a powerful artefact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history, they jump at it, for its magic holds the key to their dreams. But the spell has unintended consequences, and drags Everen - the last male dragon, who was once foretold to save his kind - into the human world. Trapped, and disguised as a human, Everen soon realises that the key to his destiny, and to regaining his true power, lies in Arcady. All he needs to do is convince one little thief to bond with him completely - body, mind, and soul - and then kill them . . . Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

A young Indigenous woman enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things—in the first book of this brilliant new fantasy series. The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the storms of autumn, enabling the people to thrive. To them, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. They have a very specific idea of how a dragon should be raised, and who should be doing the raising—and Anequs does not meet any of their requirements. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she cannot succeed there, her dragon will be killed. For a girl with no formal schooling, a non-Anglish upbringing, and a very different understanding of the history of her land, challenges abound—both socially and academically. But Anequs is smart, determined, and resolved to learn what she needs to help her dragon, even if it means teaching herself. The one thing she refuses to do, however, is become the meek Anglish miss that everyone expects. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

She Who Earned Her Wings by Vaela Denarr & Micah Iannandrea

One does not learn to fly without taking a leap. And one has to fall to be caught. Nomi is a young druid finally taking the chance to spread her wings and leave her home. To see the world and discover its magic, beauty… and maybe love. Calia is a dragon on the hunt for angels, trying to square an old debt. That, and to get Laura, her desired bondmate, to finally return to her side, where she belongs. Nomi immediately catches the eye of the powerful dragons. Calia entices her with honeyed words and a skillful tongue. On the other hand, Laura, much smaller but equally intimidating, takes it upon herself to protect her. Despite the warnings, Nomi can’t help being drawn to Calia's charm, her power, her fangs… and the hidden gentleness in her eyes. She promises danger where Laura promises safety, and Nomi is torn between the two. Luckily there is a convenient cult out for the dragons’ heads, providing Nomi with ample distraction and at least one dragon egg to steal, hatch, and raise by herself. Perfectly normal things for a young transgender druid to get involved in! In the clutches of dragons, battling dark forces from beyond the stars, Nomi faces the questions of who she is and who she wants to be. Whether she deserves the love offered to her, and what it truly takes to earn her wings...

#fourth wing #the empyrean #rebecca yarros #dragonfall #l.r. lam #to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #she who earned her wings #vaela denarr #micah iannandrea #dragon books #trans books #queer books #fantasy books #booklr #bookblr

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook]

vote yes if you have finished the entire book.

vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

#fantasy #books #To Shape a Dragon's Breath #Nampeshiweisit #Moniquill Blackgoose #poll #result: no #l: English

[powersandplanetaries]

I've connected the two dots.

#The hands of the emperor #victoria goddard #to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #cliopher mdang #anequs

[the-aila-test]

I'm an indigenous (Seaconke Wampanoag) author and my book, which does indeed pass the Aila test, has just launched - I'd hugely appreciate it if you'd be willing to reccomend it to your followers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706010/to-shape-a-dragons-breath-by-moniquill-blackgoose/

EVERYONE LOOK AT THIS!!!

First of all, THAT COVER:

I love everything about that design, the color choices are just so bold and powerful!

But then the story's description!!!!

Is this NDN Eragon?!??

Because I am HERE for an NDN Eragon!

Thank you so much for sharing <3 I can't wait to buy and read this!

#aila test #ali nahdee test #To Shape A Dragon's Breath #moniquill blackgoose #literature

[cottagecore-droids]

Where is all the buzz about this book??? All my dragon friends should be reading it!! It’s an Own Voices historical fantasy/AU with American dragons! Natural and emotional heir to Temeraire. Read it AT ONCE!!

#dragon #books #reading #dragon books #own voices #temeraire #his majesty's dragon #naomi novik #moniquill blackgoose #nampeshiweisit #fantasy #awesome #fantasy books #fantasy biology #indigenous #american indian #read it now

[godzilla-reads]

I love this genre of dragon book about oppressed peoples standing up and sticking it to their colonizers.

🐲 To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

🐲 So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

#godzilla reads #dragon books #to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #so let them burn #Kamilah Cole #reading #book blog #bookworm #booklr #bookish

[atendencytotangle]

Book Review: To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose (published in 2023 by Del Rey) is the first book of the Nampeshiweisit. It has been nominated for the Libby Award for Best Fantasy (2023), the Andre Norton Award (2024), the Lodestar Award for Best YA Book (2024), and Moniquill Blackgoose has been nominated for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer (2024). And the hype is real. To Shape a…

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#Book Review #dragons #Fantasy #five stars #Moniquill Blackgoose #reading #Steampunk #To Shape a Dragon&039;s Breath #YA

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Mixing Magic and Science to Shape Dragon Breath

I'd be lying if I said dragons weren't my favorite magical creatures. There are literally two of them on my desk right now, and I have handed more people the Temeraire books than I care to count. That said, the vast majority of my dragon experience is with what I'm gonna call white westerner dragons. If they're not literally fantasy British, they're inspired by fantasy British dragons, and the dragon world is just a lot bigger than that. So I was absolutely delighted to find a book with a Nampeshiwe and broaden my dragon horizons. Let's talk To Shape A Dragon's Breath.

When Kasaqua chooses Anequs to be Nampeshiweisit, it is largely a matter of safety that first convinces Aneques to leave Masquapaug to learn the skiltakraft to effectively Shape Kasaqua's breath. However, this is an Indigenous woman walking into the heart of Fantasy North America with flavors of Fantasy Nordic Countries, so... colonialism, white supremacy, racism, and imperialism are massive themes and major roadblocks that Anequs experiences. And experiences again. And again. And again. From literally everyone, from her friends, to uneasy allies, to indifferent classmates to bitter enemies. The nuance and variation in the racism that Anequs goes head to head with was stunning--as in it left me absolutely stunned.

On top of that, the world is developed to the point that Frau Kuiper keeps laying out multifaceted, multi-party political issues and Anequs just keeps having to go "literally all of these perspectives share the assumption that my people are uncivilized and need either exterminating or civilizing. What if we tried assuming we are people just as civilized as you with a culture culture traditions just as deeply held?" It's amazing how many characters tell Anequs that she is rude for suggesting that she is a person. Like the number of people I wanted to punch while reading was astounding.

That said, no character in this book is a simple allegory or one-dimensional caricature. Theod Knecht was separated from his family and his people at birth and raised to believe that the other way to be a person was to be Anglish--and even then, he could never be Anglish enough to be fully human. His arc is the complicated emotions of unlearning a system that says you have no worth and reconnecting with your people.

Sander is Anglish and coded as Autistic, but he and Anequs have one of my favorite friendships in this book. They take each other day by day on their own terms and at their own paces, and honestly Sander is just a sweetheart.

Liberty is in an interesting position because she is indentured and living in an Anglish society, which prohibits same-sex relationships. Which does not stop Anequs from expressing her feelings for Liberty in ways that are safe and supportive of Liberty. These two are darling and I genuinely cannot wait to see where they go in the sequel.

Then we come to Kasaqua. Kasaqua is just literally playfulness and joy in dragon form, and she is a delight. She isnt as talkative as say Naomi Novik or Rebecca Yarros's dragons are, but she is expressive and personality-filled nonetheless. There is also her deep-seated joy at [redacted because that's kind of a major spoiler and I don't want to spoil this book].

All these relationships really form and solidify at Kuiper's Academy of Natural Philosophy and Skiltakraft, to which Anequs receives a full sholarship. The school is like a mix of senior high school and undergrad at university, since students between 16 and 20 attend. Most of the students are male, with Anequs and Marta the only female students in attendance for this book. The school is run by Frau Kuiper, who, in her day, basically pulled a Mulan/Alanna of Trebond to get chosen by a dragon, trained, and then sent to the front of a war where she distinguished herself. Her "pet project" to to use Anequs and Theod to "prove that nackies can be civilized" which is honestly pretty gross and causes a metric ton of friction between her and Anequs. In the process though, Anequs learns lessons that it is debatable whether Frau Kuiper meant to teach her that I think will let her be heard in Anglish society enough to support and preserve her people.

Overall, this book was amazing. It was HEAVY, but it needed to be, and that weight just adds to the reading experience. This is one of those books that just literally everyone should have to read at some point.

#to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #anequs #kasaqua #indigenous literature #indigenous main character #indigenous dragons #dragons #books and reading #books and novels #books #books & libraries #book recommendations

[layaart]

a few extra To Shape A Dragon's Breath sketches!

#all in school uniform because im lazy #to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #I think kasaqua isn't that big yet....... #tbh all of them probably look a bit older than they are but. well theyre gonna grow up sometime #nampeshiweisit #2024 fanart #books #book fanart #probably dragon design should have wingskin attached further down the body and more functional tail feathers...... #my excuse is I've been drawing silly storybook dragons for work

[a-ramblinrose]

💖✨️💖A Very Romantic Book Haul!!!💖✨️💖

I went a little wild when I spotted all the lovely KJ Charles books at The Ripped Bodice! I read the Will Darling Adventures last year with much enjoyment and absolutely needed them in hardcopy. I'm actually reading Proper English on the kindle currently so I popped it and it's sequel into my bag too. 🤣 At that point the Erica Ridley was just gross indulgence. My one non-romance purchase was from the Village Well and after seeing so many recommendations I decided to make my wallet cry some more.

#book haul #book stack #book stacks #books #KJ Charles #Erica Ridley #Moniquill Blackgoose #Will Darling Adventures #England World #to shape a dragon's breath #the perks of loving a wallflower #Not out of void but out of chaos #the bookmarks sticker and pin were all freebies!!!! a wonderful day!!!!!

[contracat25]

May Booooks! Another absurd month in which there are way too many good books coming out! I'm really excited for a lot of these though Dragonfall and The Scandalous Letters of V and J might be the ones I'm most excited about. I've read a bit of V and J and it is such a good use of the formate and I'm always here for a well done queer historical fiction. I've heard amazing things about Yellowface soooo I'm stoked to read it (also the only book on the list that I don't think has queer rep, but I could be wrong). Oh also in the UK Bitterthorn is coming out, but I can't find a US release date so I'll just. wait for it (if anyone knows a way to get it in the US let me know). Oh and assaians, vampires, multiple dragons, magic and romance. Yeah it looks like a good month.

Any books that you are really excited about that I might have missed?

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam (2nd)

To Shape Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose (9th)

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko (May 30th)

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (16th)

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic Edited by Haron Davis (16th)

The Scandalous Letters of V and J by Felicia Davin (16th)

Lesbian Love Story: A Memoir in Archives by Amelia Possanza (May 30th)

Witch King by Martha Wells (30th)

Venom & Vow by Anna-marie Mclemore and Elliott McLemore (16th)

A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger (May 16th)

#upcoming books #upcoming releases #2023 books #booklr #2023 book releases #queer sff #queer books #lgbtq books #sff books #dragonfall #to shape dragon's breath #l.r. lam #moniquill blackgoose #Venom and vow #Venom & vow #transmogrify #Transmogrify: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic #witch king of angmar #yellowface #Anna-marie McLemore #martha wells #r. f. kuang #the scandalous letters of v and j #felicia davin #Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic #novels #girls like girls #hayley kiyoko #Lesbian Love Story #Amelia Possanza

[aroaessidhe]

I love how the chapter titles in To Shape A Dragon's Breath not only read like a poem but also are a pretty good recap of the story...

#this is just the first few not all of them! #to shape a dragon's breath #laya talks #Moniquill Blackgoose

[solarishashernoseinabook]

Solaris reviews To Shape a Dragon's Breath, by Moniquill Blackgoose (2023)

*happy stimming*

Summary: Anequs of Masquapaug finds a dragon egg one day, the first her people have found for generations. When the egg hatches, the dragon chooses Anequs to be her companion. Anequs and the dragon, named Kasaqua, are then forced to attend a coloniser-run dragon school, facing prejudice and setbacks as they try to navigate a society that views Anequs as inherently lesser and dragons as merely a tool. Despite these problems, Anequs must do well - for the sake of her people, and the life of her dragon

Content: It was really good! Strong characters, strong worldbuilding, good lore - there's a lot to recommend in this book. Anequs is an active, determined protagonist, calling out racism, condescension, and revisionist history at every turn, and Kasaqua - a baby dragon throughout the course of the book - was a delight to read

Who I think would like it: Anyone interested in dragons, or looking for a good coming of age story

Things it does well: -copy/pastes the entire text of this 500 page book into a tumblr post- Okay, but seriously, this book handles prejudice and conflict with nuance and care, showing plainly how blatant I-hate-you-because-of-your-skin prejudice is merely one part of a larger problem. It has a canonically autistic character, portrayed with more care, accuracy, and attention to detail than I've ever seen in published fiction. The chapter titles were delightful - each was a short phrase describing the content of the chapter that, if you happened to read them all together, would give you a short summary of the novel. The book has a map, periodic table, and pronunciation guide right at the beginning, all of which were easy to follow

Things that could be improved: I had a bit of trouble following the chemistry in the book - the elements are given fantasy names, which fits the worldbuilding, but meant I had a bit of trouble following what was what. I've only got a high school understanding of chemistry, though, so I'm putting this down as a me problem instead of a problem with Blackgoose's writing

My review: This book was a breath of fresh air, especially compared to the last dragon book I reviewed. This was a book with emotional highs and lows, hard-earned happy endings, and a world that seems to leap off the page with how real it is. Definitely give it a try if dragon stories are your thing. Written by Seaconke Wampanoag author Moniquill Blackgoose, To Shape a Dragon's Breath is a masterfully-written dragonrider fantasy

Does this book have…: ✅= yes ❓= not sure ⭕= possibly/mixed ❌= no Romance? ✅ Anequs develops crushes, and her classmate Marta spends a lot of time discussing the importance of marriage to Anglish society and the need to make a good match Sex? ⭕ References are made to sex - mainly from a particular, rather bigoted character - but they're confined to a handful of scenes Racism? ✅ As mentioned above, Anequs must deal with a lot of racism from the colonisers, and it runs the gamut from outright, vile racism (openly calling her people savage or barely human) to ignorant condescension (charitably saying that Anequs's people are not terrible, they can be civilised if only they work at it!) Sexism? ✅ Anglish society is also highly sexist, another thing Anequs struggles to deal with. None of it is worse than you'd get in any other historical fantasy, though LGBTQIA-phobia? ✅ Anglish society is also homophobic, though it's more referenced rather than any characters actually facing violence for it Ableism? ✅ Sander, our autistic character, faces some ableism from his mother (forcing him to speak instead of letting him write, demanding he stop stimming, etc.), though this is countered by Anequs and Sander's sister fully supporting him Swearing? ❓ ⭕ I don't remember any, so if there was it was pretty minor Drug/Alcohol references? ✅ Characters drink and get mildly intoxicated a few times - mainly when celebrating holidays References to or actual violence or suicide? ✅ Yep. There's many references to war, genocide, brawling, executions, and so on. References to or actual animal death or cruelty? ✅ As per Anglish law, dragons who bind themselves to people considered "unsuitable" are put down. The fear of this happening to Kasaqua is one reason Anequs is so motivated to prove herself to the Anglish and succeed at school

Recommended: Yes

#to shape a dragon's breath #moniquill blackgoose #solaris reviews books sometimes #book reviews #book recommendations #books

[moniquill]

Hi! I loved reading To Shape a Dragon's breath (A LOT, thank you so much for writing it!!!) but I kinda have a hard time imagining just what the dragons look like. Do you have like a list or drawings I could look at?

I don't actually - I don't draw. I'm super stoked whenever anyone makes fanart, but as the book is still quite new (released in May) there just isn't much active fandom yet, I'm afraid.

#TSADB #To Shape A Dragon's Breath #Moniquill Blackgoose