As someone who majored in Linguistics and who loves fantasy books about dragons, I thought that A Language of Dragons sounded exactly like the kind of book I would like, and I was right. I loved this novel and enjoyed every minute spent reading it.

This book is doing a lot, but I think it balances all the facets of the story well. Inside this story you will find:

—A historical setting of Bletchley Park in London in 1923. You know the codebreakers working there during that time? Think that, but the code they’re trying to break is a dragon-made code!
—An academic setting with dark academia vibes.
—Clean slow-burn romance.
—Incredibly strong familial relationships, especially between sisters.
—So many different types of dragons. Including a bright pink one!
—Linguistics! And draconian linguistics! Lots of discussion of languages and word meanings and the art of translation. I personally really enjoyed this aspect of the story.
—Lots of political intrigue, secret identities, rebellion, and betrayal.
—Intense action scenes with high stakes.
—A very morally gray female main character who I loved.

This book is marketed as YA, and I don’t really read of lot of YA anymore, but I thought it was a strong crossover title that would be good for adults and youths alike. The characters are on the older side of their teenage years since they’re getting ready to go off to university.

Any fan of historical fantasy or dragons should pick up A Language of Dragons. This was a strong debut novel that I highly recommend. I really loved this book and I thought it was written very well. It had a satisfying conclusion that wrapped up the story but also left a gap for the potentiality of more to come. I hope it remains a standalone novel, but I wouldn’t be opposed to reading more about these characters either.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with the eARC!

Babel but with dragons? Say less! I knew that I would really enjoy this book when I stumbled upon the synopsis and I was not disappointed at all. This one is for the httyd, Babel, and fleabag girlies. Rich in world building, politics, scheming, and conspiracy, A Language of Dragons is an engaging read. I especially enjoyed the main character’s development as we see her leave her life of privilege and become confronted with the harsh reality of those of the lower class. The world is cutthroat and vicious as everyone must pass the examination for a chance at a peaceful life. I appreciated seeing Viv dismantle her blinders and working to help the people around her.

My favorite part of this book were the code breaking scenes! I loved reading about the different dragon languages and dialects and their special way of communicating with each other. I also appreciated how the society’s treatment of dragons was largely a metaphor for colonization.

The relationships between the recruits were also interesting and rife with tension given they were all from different social classes. I loved Atlas so much and how he always stayed true to his morals while trying to bring out the best in Vivian.

The ending was explosive, insane, and heartbreaking and after that trauma I desperately need a sequel. Overall, I would give this 4 stars and I had so much fun with this one.

ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

A Language of Dragons is a YA fantasy that takes place in 1920s England, but adds dragons to the mix. Viv is a product of an unjust class system whose family is now accused of working with the rebels. Viv is forced to work for the government in order to save her family. What is she willing to sacrifice to get them back?

The dragons in this story are absolutely amazing. I loved the different politics and cultures within their species. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book, because they were far more interesting to me than our main character. Whew, Viv was an infuriatingly ignorant main character with some snails pace growth by the end. She is intentionally frustrating, but it still is hard to read her repeated bad decisions. The side characters are much more like-able which helped me get through. I think this book definitely touches on some important issues of inequality and is a thought provoking read. I do feel like this was a solid base for the next book even with the hiccups, so I will be picking up the next one.

A Language of Dragons is out January 7th, 2025

Thank you #netgalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this arc.

Set in early 1900s Great Britain, with dragons and a bright young woman setting off a civil war. How could one not enjoy? There are comparisons to a few books out there, only one of which I’’ve read (Hunger Games). I get it, but I don’t… beyond older sister protecting younger sister, and evil people at the top of government, there isn’t much else to compare.

The MC, Viv, is just 17 - naive and highly intelligent, the perfect combo to set things in motion. Politics and power have motivated people for all of history, how else could we have good vs. evil, the gray area in between, heroes and villains? Toss in some young love, compromised friendships, and dragons (yes, I’ve already mentioned the dragons, but… dragons) and you have a compelling and interesting story.

I also enjoyed the study of linguistics, the idea of communication between species.

Ok, so I went into this book blind, intiruged by the title only. I was expecting to have an enjoyable ride through a vibrant world with dragons, humans, and sweet woodland creatures. What I got was so much more! This world is London but in an alternate universe where dragons are common place. An ambitious young woman by the name of Vivian Featherswallow gets herself mixed up in matters that she doesn't truly understand. She makes some mistakes, finds love, and has to make the biggest decision of her life to save everyone. This book was gritty and emotional and dangerous and thought provoking. This is the deepest dragon centered book I have ever read. The conflict, world-building, and character-building was well executed, the mission and tone of the book was consistent from beginning to end, we opened with action and kept on rolling!
THE ENDING...ATLAS???...OMG! There has to be a second book on the horizon...I will definitely be on the look out for it.

This was everything I never knew I needed in a dragon book!

Thank you, Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and S.F. Williamson for the ARC of this amazing book. I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily and without coercion.

I loved this book! The alternate history started with a very dystopian vibe, having strict class divisions in early 1900's Britain. The story begins fast and with full force, plunging you into a world rife with political tension and on the verge of war. The story quickly shifted to a war-time feel of attempting to build the enigma machine, with spies and a deep mystery to unravel. And all with a backdrop of impending death looming, while navigating interpersonal relations with a team that is also being forced to compete against one another ... or face death. It was all so intense and engaging. I couldn't put it down!

The writing was beautiful, the characters were complex and multi-faceted with intense backgrounds. And the importance of language and communication is woven throughout. Just an overall wonderful reading experience.

*A Language of Dragons* by S. F. Williamson is a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel that explores themes of communication, identity, and self-discovery. The story follows the protagonist, who embarks on a journey to understand the ancient language of dragons, unlocking secrets that could change their world. Williamson’s world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique magical system that draws readers into a realm where language itself holds immense power. The characters are complex and relatable, adding depth to the engaging plot. *A Language of Dragons* is an enchanting read for fans of magical adventures and character-driven fantasy.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

a language of dragons is being compared to babel (which i have yet to read, but love/admire r f kuang’s writing) and the hunger games (which was my personality from 2011-2014). while i cannot speak to the comparison of babel — i do see the correlation due to the importance/understanding of languages and how they can be commodified and weaponized.

as for the hunger games comparison: there is a lot of political intrigue and a not-so-secret rebellion of humans and dragons. i’ve seen a few reviews compare our fmc viv to katniss, and outside of the desire to protect a younger sister, i think that comparison is a disservice to viv. yes, both viv and katniss are extremely complex and morally gray, but katniss was NEVER for the capitol. viv, on the other hand, is a second class citizen awarded vastly more liberties than those of the third class that allows the wool to be firmly placed over her eyes to the liberties afforded those in the first class. the wool is so far over viv’s eyes that it takes the entirety of the book for her to realize that she’s fighting for the wrong side. viv is also extremely morally gray in a way that katniss never was — viv betrays her friends, in addition to weaponizing academia, and more importantly, the human and dragon languages she cherishes.

all this to say — WHEW! what a fantastic ride a language of dragons was. i’m beyond eager for book two after the cliffhanger… i’m certainly glad dragons aren’t real and therefore can’t be weapons of mass destruction …

(and i cannot wait for my gorgeous fl edition to arrive!!)

<I>Every fire starts with a single spark.</i>

Vivian Featherswallow is both naive and incredibly intelligent, caring and callous, thoughtful and brash. She wholeheartedly supports her country's class system, working hard to ensure that she and her family will never fall below Second Class. But when her parents, uncle, and cousin from certain death after they are arrested for treason, she jumps headlong into an ill-fated rescue attempt. In less than 24 hours, she's started a civil war, becoming the catalyst for pushing an already strained system to the brink of disaster. When she's given a chance at redemption - and to save her family - she takes it, all while continuing to hope for her own glory as a linguist. But as she makes new allies and friends at the secret facility they are all working in, she slowly (sometimes painfully slowly) begins to realize that the world she has grown up in isn't as perfect as she thinks. And then has to make the painful choice between the possibility of losing what she's been fighting for or saving everything.

World Building: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Predictability (lack of): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pacing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥛 - very mild (0.25 🌶️)
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW/CW: Violence, Death, Assault, War, Child Abuse, Torture

Viv was sometimes a hard character to like - definitely read the forward with the author explanation on the character development - but she was very real. It is rare that I find a fantasy book that keeps me on my toes, but this one had some twists that I was not expecting. A very solid debut novel. Preorder this one!

Looking forward to book two!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest and genuine review.

I really enjoyed this story. I genuinely loved the plot, the world-building, the politics, and the heavy focus on linguistics. And, of course, dragons!

The MC, Viv, was very naive, stubborn, and unlikeable at times. However, based on how she was raised and what she was taught, those qualities fit the story. She wasn't perfect, and deep down, she knew it. I'm hoping that her character development improves throughout the story.

While Viv was less enjoyable, the side characters were solid. They all had struggles, personalities, flaws, and something worth fighting for. They were all products of a corrupt government, forced to grow up much faster than others. It was hard not to feel bad for them, even when some were temporarily labeled as antagonists. They were all kids just trying to survive and save their loved ones.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 because I wished there was more dragon action and wanted more from the story. But based on the ending, the next novel will give me exactly what I am asking for!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. This is an excellent debut novel, and I look forward to following this story to its end.

A Language of Dragons is an interesting blend of political intrigue, dragons, academia, and secrets in an alternate version of Britain. Vivian Featherswallow, dragon language extraordinaire, finds herself working at Bletchley Park as a codebreaker to help end a rebellion against the British government. But things are not what they seem, and Viv soon realizes that her secrets have the capacity to not only destroy her family but Britain as she knows it. Williamson's debut is an engrossing read with a smart, conflicted heroine and interesting world building.

My favorite aspect of this novel is the languages. Maybe I'm a nerd, but I love the idea that dragons have their own unique languages built upon human languages and that there exists a high level of academia which studies such languages. Vivian can speak several dragon languages, and although I couldn't pronounce most of the words or language names, I love that everything was so detailed. I also love the dragon code that Vivian is attempting to decipher and everything that is revealed in relation to that. This book is very heavy on languages, translations, etc. and is more of an academic book with dragons rather than a book about dragons.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't some super cool dragons and a fair bit of action. The story is bookended by big action scenes, but the middle is much slower as Vivian performs her work at Bletchley and learns more about herself and the government for which she's working. There are a number of characters introduced, and while they're okay enough, they aren't all that developed, as if they're solely there to fill spots at Bletchley. There's also a romance, which I didn't particularly enjoy. It seems to move a bit fast and the forbidden aspect seems silly, but it was sweet enough and could be developed further...assuming the ending is hinting at something.

The ending of this book wraps up the story but teases a sequel, one that will probably be more actiony and less academic. Considering the academic parts of this book were my favorite, I'm not sure how I feel about that, but based on Williamson's writing here, I'm sure she can make it interesting.

I really loved this fantasy book, academy theme, with dragons, romance, treachery, and betrayal to keep you engaged. While the book was a bit slow, the first half the second half was very fast-paced, left open for the next book. A great read for a clean fantasy book.

Hey! This was NOT good!

The comparison of this being Babel meets Fourth Wing is weird because I've read Babel and this is nothing like Babel (in terms of academics) and so it must be a whole lot like Fourth Wing (which I haven't read).

This reads like a petulant and yet pretentious child wrote it. Vivien is quite.........childish, which may not be fair given that she's seventeen and this is YA. However, I think she suffers from main character syndrome way too deeply. What is 'main character syndrome'? It's when the main character doesn't know anything and acts as if their will is the answer, because surely what they're already equipped with knowing is just it and nothing more is correct.

There doesn't seem to be enough exposition with the world and setting. The class system is fairly easy enough to grasp, but how did we get there? Why are there dragons everywhere and yet they're handled like this in Britain(?) and then above all, what's stopping them from...eating everyone from everywhere? The lore isn't lore-ing. There's somehow not enough explanation, and yet when there is an explanation for something, it's a little too on the nose. The dialogue or Vivien's connecting the dots are too explicitly telling and it makes me feel like I'm being led the answer as if I couldn't draw the conclusion myself. Perhaps that is more for Vivien's sake than mine, or maybe if the author would write...better...

The fucking relationship with the priest was sending meeeeeeeeee. I don't think I could be convinced with it. I might've thrown up actually.

And Vivien is annoying. That's it.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eArc!

I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment in a new YA Fantasy series. Using a fantastical setting in 1920's England with class systems and dragons to present a social/political commentary was brilliant. I love the characters, and the story moved along at a good pace. I will definitely look forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced reader copy.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This would’ve been great if there weren’t so. Many. Politics. I can appreciate a political book, but this just got too bogged down in details for me personally.

The main character Vivien, is very selfish and stubborn and difficult. She is kind of hard to like at the beginning of the book, but by the end she finally redeems herself. The secondary characters are fairly memorable and all have different motivations. Everyone is just trying to survive in this book, and each character has a different way of doing so.

The setting seems to be in an alternate reality. London, but not quite in current times. In this world, dragons have lived alongside humans and the atmosphere is very charged as a lot of things are in motion. The class system and dragon rights are the main catalyst of this strife, and rightfully so. Dragons have been subdued throughout the years and are considered second rate citizens. As dragons are powerful, this is hard to believe for me personally. I understand that rulers can do what seems impossible by repressing certain citizens, but it was very unbelievable that dragons wouldn’t have risen up by the point the events in the book take place.

The writing isn’t hard to read, but some parts are a bit detailed. Code breaking is a big part of this book, and there’s quite a bit of terminology that goes with that. Parts of this read very slow, but the last quarter of the book was very easy to read and action packed.

All in all, I did enjoy this book, but it wasn’t my favorite dragon book. The politics got in the way AND there’s no HEA for Viv and Atlas 😭

4.5⭐️

This book was amazing! Reimagined post WW1 Britannia but where dragons and humans coexist. Now add political intrigue, rebellion, corruption and mix in languages and linguistics. Plus a bit of dark academia (which is my favorite) and some very interesting characters and you have an incredible book!

I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down! The book was fast paced and action packed and the plot/story is so unique. I have never read something quite like this before. There are so many dragons in this and it’s such an original take on them that you don’t see in most fantasy books. This book is technically YA but it never came across that way. In my opinion the only YA aspect was the ages of the characters. This book is a great read for adult and younger readers!

I’m afraid I had to cut off my reading of LANGUAGE at the 31% mark (before Chapter 10). Neither the writing nor the story gripped me. The writing was fairly broad - lacking in specificity and nuance. A third of the way into the book, and I hadn’t learned much more about Vivien outside of what was told to us in the Author Note at the start. As a result, she - and the rest of the cast of characters - felt one-note and wooden. Never popping from the page. A major hang-up for me was that we were told that Vivien’s number one personality trait was being a rule follower. And yet we were expected to get on board with the fact that she launches a war mere hours after her parents’ arrest? It didn’t make sense - for her to travel from 0 to 100 in no time at all.

The narrative lacked color in general. It felt like the world wasn’t even sufficiently set up before Vivien was on a train to Bletchley Park and we were already in Act II. It’s difficult to care when the world still appears as a sketch. Nothing about Vivien’s surroundings felt rich or three-dimensional. The one exception was the library in which Chumama was imprisoned. That scene in Chapter 3 is quite vivid - but the rest of the story just wasn’t measuring up to that standard.

In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon.

By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.

As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.

I loved this book! I don’t read a lot of YA books, but Dragons! The FMC is flawed and has made mistakes, and is very stubborn. Viv is very book smart and in this book she fights back to save her family. Viv learns not everything is black and white and sometimes you need to break the rules. This book is very fast paced and I didn’t want to stop reading. Great suspense and likable secondary characters. I can’t wait for the next book!

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. It’s more academia than fighting (until the end). FMC’s journey grows throughout the story. She can frustrating but she’s learning. This is squarely a YA book. The ending is such an emotional roller coaster. I can’t wait to read the next book.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised.

On the cusp of war, Vivien’s parents, uncle, and cousin are arrested under the allegations that they’re rebels who don’t support the peace treaty between the dragons and Britain. As a book smart teenager, Viv excels with languages and is recruited to help the British government against rebels, human and dragon alike.

Overall, Viv really did annoy me a chunk of the time. On one end, I see it- born and raised one way for so long you’re set in your ways but once people start pointing out what might not have been obvious to you…come on. Start gaining some perspective and stick with it instead of backtracking.

I loved the ending and can’t wait to explore what comes next.


I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.