“To Ride a Rising Storm” by Moniquill Blackgoose

Happy news for everyone else who loved To Shape a Dragon’s Breath: the sequel lives up to the promise of book 1. I don’t think it was QUITE as good as book 1, but my criticisms can largely be chalked up to middle book syndrome.

Mild spoilers for book 1.

The story proceeds in the directions promised in book 1. Anequs is proceeding with her second year of studies at Kuiper’s Academy. Kasaqua has grown enough to be ridden, but not flown. She has feelings for both Theod and Liberty, and the three of them need to have a Talk. She continues her stubborn refusal to bow to Anglish customs. And the more conservative elements of Anglish society continue to be very, very unhappy at a Nackie with the presumption to be bonded to a dragon.

As always, it’s kind of difficult to review a middle book in a series. Nothing is really finalized; it’s all simply advanced. The climax was great (few things irk me more than middle books that forgo to have one) but, for obvious and inescapable reasons, unsatisfying.

A critique I’ve heard of book 1 in several places is that Anequs is something of a Mary Sue: she’s good at pretty much everything she puts her mind to. This critique can be extended to the traditions and customs of her people, which are presented as to be obviously, inarguably better than Anglish ways. While this continues to be the case, there are a number of very satisfying moments where she gets called on it by others: not everyone can be as blasé as she is in doing what she likes and to hell with the consequences. Her bond to a dragon, and the patronage of Frau Kuiper, both give her protection. She has a home that will welcome and support her no matter what. She has privilege, in other words, even if not the way that someone like Marta does; that was a lesson she needed to learn.

I have great news for my fellow chemistry nerds: Anequs has advanced to fantasy VSPER theory and fantasy o-chem! Complete with fantasy ball-and-stick models! I have bad news for those who found the fantasy chemistry in book 1 dry and boring: your opinions are bad and you should feel bad.

Looking forward to book 3 with great anticipation.