Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the complimentary copy of When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book, I didn't like the style of alternating between history and magical realism. The book had so much promise, but I could not get through it and it was the only book that is a DNF for this year.

I tried.

Oh my! I didn't realise I'd forgot to send my review for this one! Genuinely a really interesting read and unlike anything I've read previously. I adored the writing style and it was executed perfectly!

I thought this would be right up my street, but I found it a bit shallow and poorly done. It felt quite patchy - I think it was let down by the characters,

This book was incredible, a feminist tale that left me bereft when it ended. I wish I could back and read it for the first time once again.

I read this for the synopsis, only really half paying attention to the fact it was a YA book. I think this book bridges the YA fantasy / Adult Fantasy gap really well as the characters aren't too complex yet you don't feel condescended to.
Whilst I really did like this book, I couldn't help feeling that I wished there was more to it. I'm not sure if that counts as a negative (there was more the author could have put in) or a positive (the characters were so well developed I felt I had to HAVE more of them). Either way I did really enjoy reading this book, and felt a little at a loss when I finished.

Unfortunately I was not a fan of this book, which is a shame as I have enjoyed other releases from this author. While the concept idea is strong it fell flat and seemed uninclusive and slightly short sighted at times. There wasnt the depth of discussion on key issues that I felt was needed and the overall storytelling was slow for me.

I really thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. but that’s not to say I didn’t like it.

I loved the concept, I loved the writing. I love the idea of one day spontaneously becoming a dragon (in reality and not as a metaphor). What I didn’t love, was the execution of the plot. This started out really strong. But honestly, it was too long.

I really liked the themes and metaphors but at some point. You’re just like yea. I get it. Move on.

It reads as an academic essay and would probably make an excellent short story. But it needed something more to make it appealing as a full length novel.

Despite skimming some parts, I honestly would recommend reading it because it’s interesting if nothing Nothing else.

I got this as an arc in exchange for an home at review. And I did go out and buy it before reviewing.

A moving and poignant historical literary novel. I really enjoyed this book! Beautiful and powerful book

This story will stay with with me for a long time - how women and their many roles are portrayed is insightful and magical too. I shall ponder about its characters, their choices and the story world for decades. I noticed when reading the story there were moments I felt it was almost dangerous and subversive to be following the story yet there was a truth in it. I am changed by this story and grateful for it.

I have really enjoyed the diary format of this book, and the research entries as it gave it gravitas and made the book feel more real. I really liked the writing style and how the voice grew and adapted as time went on.
This is a powerful read about rage and the strength of women

ITS GENUIS, FROM ITS CONCEPT AND MESSAGE TO ITS DELIVERY I CANNOT FAULT A SINGLE LINE OF THIS BOOK.
Honestly, I have so much I want to say about this book. All of it great from the contents to the cover the only disappointment is I can never again read it for the first time.

When Women Were Dragons is set in the 1950s in an reimagined America, but with one minor change… women sometimes turn into dragons. Of course no-one really speaks about it, much like periods its spoken in hush tones, its embarrassing and not to be spoken about in proper society. But one day, thousands of everyday women, mothers, daughters, wives just sprout wings, eat their husbands and take to the skies.

“In a world where girls and women are taught to be quiet, the dragons inside them are about to be set free - and nothing will ever be the same again.”

Exploring female anger despite the appearance of dragons this book is UTTERLY relatable and the amount of sections I’ve tagged just because they spoke to me is insane. Honestly if you are even slightly thinking about reading this book. Do It. You won’t regret it. The concept is genius, this book is going places, honestly this book deserves to be read and shout about and adored.

I am absolutely in love with this book, it completely stole my heart. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the characters are amazing and the story is heart-breaking and uplifting in equal measure. It deals with important topics in an incredibly unique way and I just adored it. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was excellent, I’ll definitely be going out and buying the hardback now as I want to keep it in my collection forever. The only issue is it made me want to dragon too!
Highly recommend!

Wow guys, I don’t know what to say. This was such a heart wrenching read. A great Christmas read, I sobbed, I laughed and I relearned things about myself.

How I long to become a dragon! Dragons have always been my favourite mythical creature and the thought that a woman could suddenly burst into one and take to the skies is one of the most beautiful thoughts that I can imagine. This book explores 1950s America as a young woman and shows what happens when the oppression of women by men is finally too much for them. Magical realism mixed with feminism, this is a beautiful book about the strength of women.

This book explores what being a women is like in a pretty unique way. Using dragons to show the difference between women who accepted how they were treated and expected to be. While others would fight the system, wanting better for the women.
Alex was a strong child who had to raise her cousin/sister while trying to better her own life and not just accept how the world expects her to be.
While I do think this felt a little long. Probably due to the pacing being slow at times. I think the overall conversation was important and pretty well done. I may do a reread one day with the audiobook.

I heard fantastic things about this book and it really lived up to its reputation. Thoroughly enjoyable, gripping and intense. Would definitely recommend.

From the opening dedication to Christine Blasey Ford, Kelly Barnhill sets out the searing and powerful feminist message of When Women Were Dragons.

Alex, our main character, is a queer woman growing up in an America where all women are made to feel smaller and encouraged to stay at home as housewives rather than study or lead lives independent of patriarchal control.

In 1955, thousands of women spontaneously turn into dragons, and Alex grows up in the wake of this event having lost her mother and then her aunt in this great dragooning. In turn, she is left to raise her cousin in an unkind world she doesn’t feel like she belongs to and doesn’t have true autonomy in. The book then follows Alex as she struggles to come to terms with not only this but her new role, her grief, and the mass and systemic silencing of women around her.

When Women Were Dragons is a brutal, honest and important portrayal of the dangers of unchecked misogyny and a love letter to the current generation to not stand for the mistakes of the past. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc of this novel.

The easiest 5 stars and one of my favorite reads of this year. A beautiful feminine tale of love and family and friendship, with amazing character growth. Utterly perfect for fans of the Practical Magic series!!

Awesome historical/fantasy. I loved the world of this book and the concept of women turning into dragons and destroying everyone and everything... relatable at times!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

An interesting feminist thought experiment, but owing much to Margaret Atwood (the "historical remnants" texts scattered throughout) and The Power ('what if women all suddenly....'). I found the main character and her relationships relatable and readable, and the Wisconsin setting was a charming backdrop which brought the 50s / 60s American era to life well. Something about the dragons subplot left me a bit cold - it's interesting to read the author's notes that although this book started about anger, in fact she ended up finding it more interesting exploring the idea of forgetting / enforced silence - she's right in that the secrecy, embarrassment, propaganda and use of language is the more interesting feature of the narrative (in terms of being a parallel to how we talk about eg sexism, sexual harassment, abuse) than the dragons which towards the end become a bit silly. However, the book is a worthwhile exercise, enjoyable and readable.