Everything is turned up a notch in the second installment of the story of Anequs and Kasaqua! Politics, romance, new allies and dangerous enemies…once again Moniquill Blackgoose pens a piece of work that should be required reading for all.
To Ride A Rising Storm is The Second Book of Nampeshiweisit following To Shape A Dragon’s Breath. We pick up right where the first one ended and continue to follow the journey of Anequs, a young indigenous woman chosen by Kasaqua, the first dragon her island home of Masquapaug has seen in a long time. This is the story of them attending the colonizer’s dragon academy and facing the Anglish ways and customs, including standing up to those who would do away with her people altogether.
Review:
I requested the ARC of The Second Book of Nampeshiweisit because I absolutely loved the first book. And if you loved the first book, you will enjoy the second. It’s very much the same style and format as the first. The writing is consistent, pragmatic, and practical – just like Anequs. The pacing is measured and even until you reach the very last pages where it then explodes into chaos. Similar to the first book, my only critique is that there is a lot of info dumping at times.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the way the author weaves in stories alongside the main plot. Characters will sit down and listen to a story being told (which will last for a chapter) and it’s like finding myself around a campfire with friends and family while someone recounts a folk tale.
Again, as in the first book, much of the story is comparing the differences between Anequs’s culture and that of the Anglish (European-centric-esque). Book #2 explores more of the differences pertaining to romantic relationships especially and themes around courting, marriage, and family inheritances.
Recommendation:
Readers who want to take their time with a story, who want to read from the perspective of an indigenous woman navigating a world that is completely different than her own, and who love dragons! As I said for the first book, I would recommend this to be required reading.
The release date is January 27, 2026 so mark your calendars!
Thank you to Del Rey for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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Find more information about the author and their books at their website linked here.
