DNF

I wanted to like this so bad but really couldn't get over how annoying the FMC was. She wasn't likeable and even the little suspicions we get about her character super early on, it's known that she's done some fairly unforgivable things. I think the world is super cool and I enjoyed the writing. I suspect that if this book was written in anyone else's POV I would have gotten much further into the book and would have enjoyed it a lot more.

I do think that this is a good book for people that like reading about unlikable main characters and prefer darker shades of gray to their MCs; unfortunately that's just not for me.

I was given this ARC from NetGalley. I had no idea what this book was about but seeing dragons on the cover I dived in. This book is one of my favorite books this year! It was absolutely incredible!! I can’t wait for it to come out in paperback so I can ready it again !! If you love dragons, dark academia, war, language and politics you will love this book!

*Living in the world of dragons feels as extraordinary as it sounds.*

Told from the perspective of Maren, a young linguist with an unshakable curiosity, *A Language of Dragons* swept me into a world where words hold immense power—especially the words of dragons. Maren's voice is equal parts clever and uncertain, making her journey feel personal and captivating as she uncovers a hidden language that could reshape everything she thought she knew about her world.

The dragons themselves are as much characters as the humans in the story. They’re majestic and complex, speaking in a way that feels both ancient and deeply thoughtful. I loved how Williamson brought them to life—not just as mythical creatures but as beings with their own culture, motives, and mysteries.

The pacing does stumble in places, with some sections dwelling a bit too long on Maren’s internal struggles, but it pays off in the emotional depth it adds to her arc. The supporting cast is a mixed bag—some characters shine brightly, adding layers of warmth or tension, while others fade a little too easily into the background.

But what truly stands out is the theme of communication—how language bridges divides, uncovers secrets, and forges connections. It’s a beautifully crafted story that leaves you wondering what you’d say if given the chance to speak with a dragon. Fans of imaginative worlds and thought-provoking tales will find much to admire here.

I need more from this author. Much, much, more.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an incredibly well written book. I loved every single minute of this book and could not put it down.

“A Language of Dragons” was a very well thought out and planned book as far as character development and world building. I would hope that there is a second book coming. I loved our FMC characters development throughout the book. There is a huge motive of finding yourself through her that you get to know.

Overall S.F. Williamson did an amazing job on the development and portrayal of this book I cannot wait to read what is next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved A Language of Dragons. I loved the alternate world where humans and dragons can communicate and live together-so interesting. This book was exciting, fast paced and thrilling. The struggles of the main character were believable and well developed. This book made me have all the emotions-anger, terrified, hope, frustration, and love. I am looking forward to more in this world.

I thought the whole dragon languages studies and echolocation was fascinating. Also liked that the dragons were basically their "own people" with their own forms of communication and their own governments and choose their own fights.
The world building was great and I loved that nod to Bletchley park as the location for spy networking!
The story had some good twists, some great side characters and intense moments.
The biggest problem I had with it though....was the fact that I couldn't stand the MC 😅
Vivian was a selfish, self righteous, and judgemental girl. Even when PROVEN wrong she'd be in denial to keep excusing her behavior. She said she "had no choice" and that she had to for "her family", but her own family choose to fight for what's right. I doubt they'd be very happen with her decisions. She could care less if whole races or species died so long as she had HER family. Time and time again she made the wrong choices.....through 81% of the book.
She did eventually have a change of heart but by then.....I just didnt care for her.
I do admit that once she was on bored, the battles and strategies got better and she did try to make things right. Maybe she'll grow on me in book 2, but still on the fence about her right now.
Rest of the book was good👍
Too bad it was mostly about Viv tho, or I would have rated higher 😅

Overall the book was good. I would have liked more depth and descriptions and time. Everything seemed to happen quickly and it didn't give me enough to fall in with the characters.

"A Language of Dragons" by S.F. Williamson is a story of adventure, of family, of loss, and of self discovery. Set in fantasy world in 1920 London, the story follows the path of Vivian Featherswallow as she tries to bring her war torn family back together. The story is reminiscent of the Hunger Games in the way that its political system is set up and the consequences the youth face for failure. It also has elements of the Divergent series, as it is set in an academy with very strict factions. However, the similarities stop there. The story uniquely develops based on Violet's ability to speak many languages, included those of dragons.

I would classify the genre as dark academia fantasy and recommend to fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Lord of the Flies, and others. It is filled with philosophical themes, twists and turns, games and trials, betrayals and secret identities. To top it all off, there is a wonderful love story that burns in all the best ways.

Bravo on a wonderful debut!

3.5 Stars

I was thoroughly captivated by A Language of Dragons, a unique and sweeping tale set in an alternate 1923 London where dragons and humans teeter on the edge of war. Williamson delivers a stunning world where political intrigue, class struggles, and forbidden romance are all interwoven around a young girl's fateful decision that shatters a fragile peace.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the representation of a corrupt government. The tension between the dragon and human factions, and the manipulation at the highest levels, creates a palpable sense of danger and conspiracy. Vivien Featherswallow is thrust into the heart of it all, and her journey is nothing short of riveting. The political intrigue is killer, and I loved how Williamson expertly navigates Viv’s descent into a dangerous world where loyalty is uncertain, and betrayal is lurking around every corner.

The worldbuilding in A Language of Dragons is rich and immersive. From the intricacies of dragon language to the social divides between the classes, the setting feels alive and detailed. Bletchley Park, where Viv is sent to break codes, is a perfect backdrop for the tension and mystery. I was also drawn to the way the story blends dragons, language, and codebreaking—it’s a unique concept that was executed beautifully.

That being said, I did feel that the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. While the buildup is intense and the stakes are high, there were moments where the plot seemed to slow down, making it a bit harder to stay fully engaged. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In the end, A Language of Dragons is an exciting and thought-provoking read that I highly recommend for fans of intricate worldbuilding, political tension, and compelling characters. I can’t wait to see where Viv's journey takes her next!

Viv is insufferable and at every turn I wanted to grab her and shake her and scream at her to just listen to reason. She spent the entire book whining about how much of a terrible person she was and it grated on my nerves.

The book opened up with some strong nods to Babel and A Natural History of Dragons, but I felt like those comparisons did the book a disservice. Especially without the heart and likability of the main characters.

That said, I found the premise to be really cool and I enjoyed the linguistic pieces to it.

From a storytelling and plot perspective this was a solid 3.5/5. From a “did I enjoy it” perspective I’d give it a 2-2.5.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 stars

I really enjoyed the magic and story background for this book. It was really different and interesting. The class system was interesting and I enjoyed learning about the different dragons.

Viv was a very frustrating MC. She didn’t think things through logically and instead was like I don’t care about anything but my own interests. Which made it really hard to root for her. On top of that she didn’t really have much empathy for others. She literally made a decision that ruined her friend’s life and she was ready to do it again.

Overall I enjoyed the premise and story building of this book. The main character had a few flaws in my opinion but overall it was interesting.

This book completely caught me off guard in the best way. The concept of an alternate 1920s London where dragons and humans coexist felt fresh and full of potential, and I was impressed by how well the author integrated linguistics into the story. Vivien’s goal of becoming a Draconic Translator added a unique spin that I haven’t seen before, and it really gave the book a distinctive edge.

One of the most intriguing parts of the story was how it wove intellectual challenges like language and translation into a narrative full of political intrigue and personal stakes. Vivien is a compelling protagonist, navigating a complex world that often feels just a little out of reach for her—a tension that drives much of the book.

That said, I did find the pacing a bit uneven. The story starts strong but slows down in the middle, and while the dragons are definitely a highlight, I wish they’d appeared more prominently earlier in the book. Still, when they do enter the scene, they bring so much energy and wonder that it’s worth the wait.

This is a great pick for readers who enjoy intelligent fantasy with layers of complexity. It combines a love of language, history, and magic in a way that feels thoughtful and rewarding. If you’re looking for something unique, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

This was a great YA read. It reminded me of a Hunger Games and Fourth Wing mash up. It was quick paced in the beginning, hit a lull for a few chapters in the middle and then had a great paced ending. Thank you for the ARC, it was greatly enjoyed!

This reminds me of Babel by RF Kuang, but in a fresh, clever way that had me intrigued right from the first page. I originally picked it up becauase of the current craze for dragons, expecting something easy to read and something that wouldn't need me to think terribly much, but oh my god I'm so happy I was wrong. Books like these should be mandatory learning just because of how thought provoking they are, especially in our current political climate where people are hunted for being different. I am definitely going to be on the lookout for more of the authors books!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars of out 5 stars

Summary of the plot:
Vivien Featherswallow is a Second Class citizen and is training to become a dragon translator. Everything is all good for her until one night, her parents and uncle are arrested for being rebels with the dragons. In order to free her family, she releases a captured dragon to destroy the evidence incriminating them of treason. As a result, a peace treaty between humans and dragons are broken, so Viv is recruited, with a bunch of other misfits, to resolve the issue. If she can crack the dragons' code, her family gets freed.

Thoughts on the book:

1. Overall, I thought this was a decent read. It was interesting to see how linguistics played a huge role in this story and I loved seeing how the author explained the nuances of language. For example, even when you translate one word to another, there is some meaning still lost, some emotion that isn't translated. I wouldn't say this is as well written as Babel by K. F. Huang, but it's a toned down version of it.
2. Not going to lie, I thought all the characters were pretty boring and all sounded the same to me. In my opinion, none of them had personalities that separated them from another.
3. Some plot points felt really convenient, unnecessary, or cheesy. (For example: pitting everyone against each other by only allowing one person from each team to go home if they crack the code/are most helpful. Everyone else goes back to living as a Third-Class citizens. Which... if you're in a war, I would like to think teamwork is the best way?)
4. Not a huge fan of the romance. It felt a little forced to me. And enemies-to-lovers where? They weren't even enemies.
5. I do like how Viv learns that the world isn't as black and white as it seems. She is very ignorant about how the world works in the beginning, but then slowly (too slowly?) learns that everything has gray zones.

There are probably other things that I missed, but those are my high level points.

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and I am so pleasantly surprised. It was a great time! I think it would make a fun lesson and unit with students as well! I have a good time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC! All opinions in this review are my own.

RATING AND OVERALL THOUGHTS:

2.25 stars. Sadly this one was a complete miss for me in almost all aspects. The idea was there but the execution was not. There were massive plot holes, the writing was extremely stilted and more middle school than YA, and overall it felt like the author was going through a checklist of tropes or barebones concepts without making it coherent and cohesive. I will not be continuing this series.

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD

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“Fear breeds hatred, the kind that oppresses dragons and humans alike.”

WHAT I ENJOYED:

- I had very little I liked about this novel let alone loved, but the one thing I can say is that I can see the passion and love for languages this author put into this novel.
- Being in the US and being 1. a women and 2. queer (although I have the fortune of being in a straight passing marriage and therefore not immediately clocked as a target for that), the political oppression and messaging was relevant and relatable.
- It was fast paced and despite its many faults, was easy to read so I was kept engaged enough to not DNF but just barely if I am honest.

WHAT I DISLIKED:

- The plot holes. They were numerous and massive. My problem with books that feature dragons is that you have to have a reason that the dragons rely on or at the very least treat humans as more than a snack in order for it to work. In Fourth Wing, the country is at war with a common enemy and humans help dragons channel magic to do so. In A Fire in the Sky, dragons and humans both have some degree of magic and until the humans get greedy, know that magic can’t be stifled and trying to has consequences. Obviously I’ve simplified both of those books significantly but there is at least a plausible and workable reason for dragons and humans to coexist in those worlds. A Language of Dragons does not have that AT ALL. The Peace Agreement for AU Britannia and making dragons subservient to humans makes no sense when other countries all over the world coexist without it (as explained in the book itself) and the AU version of Bulgaria have dragons that rule. Like we are talking about *dragons* here. Massive intelligent, talking creatures that can breathe fire and heal each other through Koinamens (echolocation). It makes no sense even in its simplest form, for dragons to be subservient or to even work with the humans at all. There were plenty more plot holes but they are too numerous to expand upon and I already know this is going to be a long enough review as is.
- The characters all felt like one note archetypes (with the exception of Marquis, who I felt like was the best written character, and Vivian, who even though was purposely annoying, still had personality) and the Bad Guys:tm: were just cartoonishly evil. I literally couldn’t tell you much about any of the characters introduced except that Atlas, the love interest for Vivian, was a priest in training which was so fucking bizarre and made no sense. It felt like a kink with how much that was mentioned and the reason why their love was “forbidden”. Personality wise it made not a lick of sense.
- The dialogue was extremely cringy and people just spilled out secrets like they were injected with truth serum. So many monologues that made no sense for any character to make especially for both the spies and the clear cut enemies.
- Vivian’s character arc felt very White Savioury:tm: at the end and it felt like it was for show and not true desire to actually make changes happen and fight oppression. I get her character arc and why she was written the way she was but by the end she was STILL flip flopping between doing what was right and what was wrong nearly every character. She would make a choice and then walk back on it the next over and over again.
- The romance should’ve been eliminated entirely. There was no chemistry, none. The “found family” also felt similarly forced.
- Every single plot point was predictable and left no surprise which was disappointing. Even if I can guess what is going to happen, *how* it happens is still usually a thrill but I didn’t feel that was with this novel.
- Sophie forgiving Vivian so easily for what Vivian did to her was just mind boggling. She told her in the last 20% of the novel, Sophie swears revenge, but then just brushes it off at the end and saves Vivian seemingly forgives her.
- The incompetence of every character (except for the dragon Chumana who again, got barely any page time) was just outstandingly bad.

WHAT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT/WANTED MORE OF:

- There was an extreme lack of dragons in this entire novel. We get the one scene in the beginning and then she basically didn’t exist again until the 60% mark only to disappear till about the 80% mark when the whiplash of the plot started happening. There are sprinkles of other dragons throughout but not meaningfully.
- The synopsis and marketing of this book is not doing it any favors. There is no enemies to lovers (literally they were NEVER enemies at all and barely lovers by the end) and it hardly shares anything with Babel or Fourth Wing to justifying comparing to either. It is honestly shooting itself in the foot with those comps and sets the wrong ideas of what to expect.
- This needs content warnings for the abuse these children go through. That last mention of what Gideon went through in his childhood was out of left field on the VERY LAST CHAPTER of all things. It felt like it was there for shock value and I was indeed shocked but also kind of infuriated with how it brought up painful memories for myself unexpectedly.
- I honestly didn’t understand why some of the guards were called “Guardian Number Whatever” but then they would get called by their actual names by other guards or the Prime Minister or someone else with power over the students. Like other than Ralph being a complete one dimensional asshole to all the characters, I don’t understand why Owen was even given a name. He did nothing of note that I remember other than get killed at the end.
- Marquis’s secret of being gay wasn’t a secret at all. That was obvious from literally the first page of the novel when he was introduced and throughout he made no show of hiding it. Like I thought it was pretty clear to literally everyone in the mansion that Marquis and whatever his name was, were an item.

I feel like I have so much more I could say about this novel (unfortunately not positive) but I am tired and this review is already long enough.

An interesting premise although ultimately not for me. I felt like the world was a little too unrecognizable from our own world and the class system too obviously rendered.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think fans of fourth wing will enjoy this book, but I wouldn’t compare this to Babel. The writing is very basic and treats the reader like they aren’t able to pick things up on their own and they need their hand held through reading. I only kept reading this book because I really liked the story but oh my this main character is so annoying. She’s so naive and believes that they can do no wrong and it just comes off as annoying. The love interest is nothing special either. This was marketed as a slow burn enemies to lovers but where was that? They were -retry much into each other as soon as they met and I don’t get how they can be considered enemies at the start of the story. I will continue this series just for the story but I hope the writing and characters improve.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Toss together the rebellion of books like the Hunger Games with the dragons of Fourth Wing and you begin to get an idea of what A Language of Dragons is. Taking place in an alternative 1923 London, Vivian Featherswallow (that name...) finds herself in the position of having to work for the prime minister deciphering the language of dragons after her parents are arrested for being part of a rebellion opposing the current class system driven government.

Overall the story was entertaining and the pages flipped quickly. I agree with other reviewers that the middle was a little bogged down with the more academic plot having to happen to drive towards the big climax. While Vivian is trying as a MC, the story itself a good combination of realism and dragony things. I appreciated the focus on language as well as code breaking. It's clearly part of a series of some sort considering the cliffhanger ending. While I'm not incredibly motivated to want to read the next installment, it was entertaining enough that I'd pick it up if I stumbled across it.