I have noticed a trend in young adult literature for its female heroes to be incredibly sure of themselves. I come from an era in which young women often spent most of their stories trying to get over the negative things they’d been taught about themselves. But these days female protagonists start with an astonishing lack of self doubt. They can, therefor, proceed directly to breaking traditions and speaking their minds without hesitation.
Anequs (pronounced Ahn-eh-KOOS) is a fifteen-year-old woman who lives with her family on the remote island of Masquapaug. Her peaceful life is transformed when the last of a native species of dragon hatches unexpectedly and bonds to her as its Nampeshiweisit (meaning belonging to the dragon). Even in Vastergot, the city built by the people who colonized the mainland, the hatching of a dragon is a major event. Anequs must go to the mainland with her dragon to attend a mostly-male boarding school for dragoneers. There, she quickly learns that a Nampesheiweisit and a dragoneer are not exactly the same thing.
Blackgoose’s world-building is wonderfully rich. There are lovely depictions of Native customs and life, somewhat idyllic, but probably accurately based on Native American culture. The Vaskosish colonizer’s world is also well-developed, clearly based on the British colonization of New England, but with its own set of gods and holidays which are reminiscent of Viking lore.
The science of dragon lore is also quite unique. Dragons, you see, can shape the world with their breath. This means that, with proper channelling, their breath can perform chemical reactions to break down elements. In the emerging industrial society of the colonizers, dragoneers use their dragons to create essential supplies. But without proper control, their breath is vastly destructive. Dragons are also instruments of war, and being used to suppress the Native tribes of the West.
Anequs, as a girl from a colonized society, is truly in danger. If she cannot prove herself to be “civilized” enough to control her dragon as demanded, she and her dragon can be put to death. And yet, she speaks her mind repeatedly, and so far has been getting away with it, if not actually converting people to her Native worldview. There will undoubtedly be a second book, as To Shape a Dragon’s Breath has been nominated for a Lodestar Award (Best YA Book), and Moniquill Blackgoose has been nominated for the Astounding Award (Best New Writer).
The post To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose appeared first on DreamHaven.