What a great follow up to an amazing series! I absolutely love the world the author has created. Each character of importance is well crafted and this book has expanded a bit further on each.

Anequs is still a strong young woman, fighting to be seen as who she is and not be shoved in the mold of high society. The bond between her and Kasaqua has strengthened, to the point they can feel each other’s emotions. Kasaqua is also growing into a charismatic young dragon and I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.

At times I was concerned as it took a bit to get to any conflict, but think it was all important to set up the tension for further books. The progression of both the politics and the depth of learning was paced well.

Overall, great story and now I’m sad that I’ll have to wait to read what comes next after that ending!

First, I want to thank Del Rey for this ARC. I’m glad I was able to try out the second book in this series.

I am marking this book as DNF at 50% because though I really enjoyed the setting, and overall storyline, the writing feels very distant and non-feeling. The first book in the series benefited from a heavier political backdrop to the complicated school portion; something I quite enjoyed because it helped with pacing. The sequel, however, drags through the first third and has two or three scenes that felt meaningful to the plot. It’s only when we get back to the school setting that I feel like the plot settles into place. And by then, I realized the main character’s voice is one I don’t enjoy.

It may be that this author’s writing style isn’t for me, and that is okay. I’m glad they are a welcome new voice in fantasy because conceptually, this story is refreshing! I hope nothing but success for this author and new stories like these.

I am still enjoying this series, but I wish we had a little less of the first third and more of the action at the end. I think it is setting up a good third book, but it suffered from a little bit of a second book slump. Still really liked the characters and themes throughout.

Dragons, school and learning dragon craft… what’s. not to like. The writing style for me leans towards YA. It probably isn’t quite the book for me as ai prefer complex detailed world building and characters.There are many fans of this series, being book 2. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I loved this story! There were a couple typos but not a big deal. I thought it was a great continuation of the first book :)

I highly enjoyed this sequel of To Shape a Dragon's Breath, and how couldn't you with dragons and more explanation of the politics and the dragons and their riders. I absolutely love this series and what will happen with Anequs and her friends. This book was a large part amazing because it is told from a Native American perspective, which is very unique, and hopefully we will see more Native American voices in fantasy! I will absolutely be looking forward to the next installation!!!

This book was so soo much better than the first one, I absolutely adored it! I can't wait for the last one!

This book takes off immediately where the first one ended and we follow our FMC, who goes home for the summer. I found it easier to follow because we already have all the world building from book 1 so in this book, we have more action than the previous one. I'm really excited to continue this series because from the way the things were built in this one, in book 3 we will have full-on action.

However, not to be interpreted that I don't enjoy the rich world and description that the first two books have, it's just that I felt the first book more "tell, rather than show" and in "To ride a Rising Storm" we have a little bit of "showing", which was exactly what I needed.

I really enjoy this book, and I will 100% continue this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

YES!!! Anequs is passionate and fights for what she believes in, by far a breath of fresh air for fantasy characters!! A perfect follow up of To Shape a Dragon’s Breath! I cannot wait for more readers to get this in their hands and see the rich development of the characters. So excited for the final book in this trilogy from Moniquill Blackgoose, and to read everything she comes out with in the future.

This is going to be short and sweet: everyone should drop everything they’re doing right now and go read this series.
I love the characters, I love the frankness of the narration. The magic system is interesting and clever, though a learning curve.
My only complaint is very small and amounts to an occasional clunky-ness of the dialogue. I’ve found that sometimes when a conversation between two characters is being used as exposition the dialogue is, well, exposition and therefore reads as a little unnatural.
I had chills reading the ending. Seriously, anyone who’s ever been interested in reading a book about dragons, pick this up right now.

As ever, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc.

Thank you to Del Ray and NetGalley for the eARC!

This sequel gave me more of everything I wanted but it still wasn't enough! It could have easily gone on for a few hundred more pages and I wouldn't have noticed as the plot and characters remained so compelling.

There is indeed as rising storm, as tensions between our characters and their society continue to mount. We see the MC get called out a few times on her stubbornness to try to force change in others, which I appreciated. It was a more realistic experience when you try to change and challenge someone's deep held beliefs. I can't wait for the 3rd installment and hope we get to see more of the world and the magic!

This book continues the first book in pretty much the same pacing and way of telling it's story. At a few times, it focuses on facts and information without much feeling, and I felt, as a reader, a bit emotionally distant from the story.
I enjoyed the book because I am invested in those characters, more from who they are and what they represent than from the storytelling getting me connected with them. We meet old favorite characters, along with meeting quite a few new characters. I enjoyed seeing the expansion of the world and the worldbuilding is still very well done, even of I could do with one less chemistry lesson.
Even if the book meanders a bit in the beginning, the last few chapters raise the stakes a lot and I can't wait to see how it will be solved on the final book.
** I read the ARC (earlier copy) provided by the publisher via Netgalley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25/5)

To Ride a Rising Storm blends historical fantasy with themes of cultural survival and identity, offering a unique narrative voice that sets it apart from more traditional dragon stories. The setting feels fresh, the lore is layered, and the novel engages thoughtfully with issues of colonialism, language, and institutional power.

Anequs, the protagonist, stands out as a confident and unapologetic voice. Her refusal to compromise her values adds strength to the story’s message, though her character journey feels more static than transformative. Readers expecting heavy dragon action or large-scale conflict may find this entry more focused on setup and dialogue than spectacle, but it lays important groundwork for what’s clearly a bigger story to come.

While the dragons take more of a symbolic role than a central one here, the worldbuilding and cultural depth give the book its strength. This is a story that prioritizes voice, resistance, and reclamation over battle scenes, and for many readers, that will be a welcome shift.

I have been highly anticipating this sequel ever since I finished the previous novel last year. I was also nervous that it might not possibly be able to live up to my very high expectations. I am so, so happy to say that Blackgoose has gone and made an exceedingly strong sequel.

I'm having a hard time putting into words what I liked so much about this book. It can be much easier to review a book you felt negatively about at times. I don't often have a book that I genuinely don't want to ever put down, but this was just such a book. I would wake up and need to read a chapter right away before I could do anything else for the day.

This novel is deftly written, not a word is wasted. The true strength of this work comes from how compelling Anequs is as a protagonist. While the plot, world building, lore, and real-life parallels are all absolutely fascinating and woven together seamlessly, it is Blackgoose's skill with character-work that really transcends this story from good to great.

If you love dragons, character-driven stories, or just really good writing, then this book is probably going to work well for you.

I was fortunate to receive an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

To Rise a Rising Storm was an enjoyable read that develops the world of dragons and their riders introduced in To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. It builds on the themes of colonialism and independence introduced in the previous book, and one of the best elements was the creeping sense of dread as control and surveillance slowly increases across the course of the book. In some ways, the escalation and cliffhanger was disappointing compared to the invidious tension that preceded it.

Another wonderful addition to the Nampeshiweisit series! The beginning of this book goes a bit smoother than the first because you just get to spend time in the world rather than having to learn about every little thing. Anequs continues to be a lead who is easy to support and cheer for; she's just such a delight to read. I appreciated the addition of new characters to the story and I like how the world keeps expanding. I think that all fans of To Shape a Dragon's Breath will enjoy this sequel.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest - although now I can't believe how long I need to wait for the next book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this book! That has absolutely no influence over what I’m about to say, this is me, just being real.

I absolutely loved diving into To Ride a Rising Storm. Returning to Anequs and her dragon Kasaqua felt like coming home, everything I adored in the first book was there, plus so much more. The setting on Masquapaug is richly evoked, and the political tension when the Anglish arrive cracks like a storm about to break. It’s beautifully written, emotionally charged, and deeply meaningful.

Anequs remains my favorite kind of hero: resilient and principled, navigating the struggle for her people’s independence with heart and conviction. Her bond with Kasaqua is gorgeous, poignant and powerful in every scene they share. Meanwhile, Theod’s quieter presence provided a perfect counterbalance, something I wasn’t expecting but really appreciated.

What struck me even more this time is how seamlessly the fantasy, dragons, magic, academy life, blends with profound political commentary. The resistance Anequs leads feels rooted, like it echoes real history. The book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, but it never loses its lyrical sparkle or emotional intimacy.

Honestly, some parts moved slower than I wanted, especially in the middle, but that’s only because I was so deeply invested, wanting to stay longer in Anequs’s world. It’s the kind of book that rewards patience, with emotional payoffs and revelations that really land by the end.

Reading it felt like riding a storm itself, intense, immersive, and thrilling. If you loved To Shape a Dragon’s Breath (or if you just love epic fantasy with dragons, representation, and rebellion), this sequel is absolutely for you. 🔥🌀🐉

I love the setting and the tone that Blackgoose uses in their writing. The setting is familiar but the fantasy portion allows for flexibility. This is more than a book/series about dragons, it’s a reminder of those who were here before and those who are ignored now.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Moniquill Blackgoose delivers a brilliant and incisive sequel in To Ride a Rising Storm, one that deepens everything I appreciated about the world she’s built—its politics, philosophy, cultural tension, and above all, its heart.

Anequs’s return home brings with it a more intense and unsettling confrontation with colonization—not just in concept, but in practice. The presence of Anglish forces on Masquapaug makes it impossible to ignore just how fragile her people's autonomy truly is. The way Blackgoose handles this escalating pressure feels grounded and organic; the stakes rise not because the story needs drama, but because the world she's created demands it.

What stood out most to me in this installment was the growing complexity of relationships—with her dragon Kasaqua (still an absolute delight), with Theod and Marta, and with a rotating cast of new characters, all of whom felt vividly real and thematically purposeful. Anequs’s growth feels subtle and earned; she doesn’t become someone new, but she knows herself better, and that shows.

Yes, the pacing in the first half leans heavily on introspection and dense worldbuilding—but honestly, I loved that. This book isn’t afraid of philosophical or political depth. It trusts its readers to think, question, and sit with ambiguity. I found the slower sections around academic life, social dynamics, and ideological debate surprisingly compelling, and a perfect setup for the more action-driven final act, which absolutely delivers.

If you enjoy fantasy with brains, dragons with personality, and protagonists who refuse to be anything other than who they are—To Ride a Rising Storm will give you a lot to love. I’ll be counting the days until the next one.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review - To Ride a Rising Storm by Moniquill Blackgoose

I enjoyed this second book in Moniquill Blackgoose's fantasy series about indigenous dragon riders, set within a surrounding conqueror people's culture. This is definitely one of the deepest YA fiction books you'll find this year, and it doesn't shy away from putting strident political and philosophical words into the mouths of its young characters.

Once more, Anequs, the native dragon rider starts off in her home island of Naquipaug. From there she is caught up in the increasingly invasive political disruption that encroaches from the mainland. This affects her people and relationship with love interest, Theod, as they face unfair treatment and restrictions when they try to meet to discuss or confront the issues.

The new year at the dragon riders' academy is easier on Anequs this time, although she constantly encounters repression, patronising dismissal and the assumed superiority of others that can only come from ignorance and unfamiliarity of her background. Anequs faces difficulties with two other main characters that have a love focus, with her wealthy friend, Marta, and with male students we are introduced to who have formed an (initially ridiculous) secret society of students.

While there is rather a lot of description of the humdrum activities around the school and at times the students get very into lengthy philosophical arguments, this actually turned oddly into a strength of the book for me. In our current age of media sound bites and brief tweets, the long, sustained focus on the students' relationships and their passionately held ideas is something refreshing. There is also a lot of lore being delivered to the reader, but it walks a fine line between info-dumping and dowsing you in intricate world-building and does it well. This time round I also appreciated the author's confident grasp at representing late 19th century English manners and dialogue.

My favourite characters included Herr Gerdasson, the provocative follower of Enki who visits the school, whose ideas motivate the students to question everything. And Sadsong, the foreign indigenous dragon rider character, whose no-nonsense attitude and bank of knowledge helps Anequs further learn about her cultural heritage with her own people's dragons.

In the second third of the book, the action picks up. The political upheavals become more real and students at the academy face a very present and immediate threat. This final climax is jolting and will leave you wanting to get hold of the next book some time soon.


Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐⭐


(Thanks to Del Rey / Random House Worlds / Inklore and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.)

A great return to the Nampeshiweisit world. Anequs returns for her second year of learning, this time with even greater attention as the public is far more aware of her (for better and worse). The stakes grow as romance becomes more of a focus, studies progress, and the politics become more vital as the internal Anglish differences threaten the peace of the first people.
Kasaqua was a delight, as previous (please see my review for the first book for a better idea of dragons in this world). Her difference to other dragons is more apparent in this book, but she continues to develop as her convictions and opinions become more solid with her growth. New characters are introduced, including fantasy Polish Jews, a 'secret' society, and unexpected familial additions, all with distinct voices.
Unlike other series I have read, the escalation in political tensions fits the book and does not feel sprung on you. Blackgoose has presented a protagonist conscious of her otherness and the risks of it, even when the social ramifications of it elude her (or simply seem ridiculous). The growing pressures feel like a continuation of the story and its themes rather than a shift in direction, and though I wish there had been more before the ending chronologically, the timing and escalation work for the plot.
I look forward to continuing the series.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.