Queereads YYC: 'To Shape a Dragon’s Breath'
Schedule
Mon Jan 12 2026 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Owl's Nest Books | Calgary, AB
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Queereads YYC's 62nd event will be held January 12th, 2026 @ 7pm! We’ll be discussing 'To Shape a Dragon’s Breath' by Moniquill Blackgoose.Attend this book club in-person at Owl's Nest Books or send us a message to attend via Zoom!
Whether you read the book, didn't finish the book, or didn't start the book, this event is open to anyone interested in a relaxed discussion about the themes and topics explored in the book. We will discuss opinions and/or personal experiences related to the book in a relaxed setting. We try our best to create a comfortable, safe space for the queer community, and if you have any questions or comments we would love to hear from you. Hope to see you there!
*About the book*
"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."
Genres (taken from Goodreads): “Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Fiction, Queer, LGBT, Indigenous"
*Accessibility*
Attend this book club in-person at Owl's Nest Books or send us a message to attend via Zoom. This event is held in spoken English, the meeting will be held after store hours so the space will be quiet.
IN-PERSON: There are no steps to get into Owl's Nest Books. There is a single occupancy washroom that is accessible to rolling. Armless folding chairs will be used during the meeting - feel free to bring a sitting cushion if you would prefer the ground. Masking if not enforced but welcome.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the îethka Nakoda Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney), the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
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ID: A red book cover with an image of a dragon's head and flowers in black, red and yellow on it. The title and author are written in white overtop.
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Where is it happening?
Owl's Nest Books, 813 49 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1G8, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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