I love the storyline of this book - Dragons in 1923 London. A fictional world where dragons and humans interact and work together is really awesome. I definitely will be purchasing it for my high school library. The students are going to love it. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review..

Vivian Featherswallow (17) is set to go to the University so one day she can be a Draconic Translator. She already speaks several human languages and more dragon languages, but things don't go as planned when her parents, uncle, and cousin, Marquis, are arrested for being rebels against Prime Minister Wyvrenmire and Queen Ignacia of the dragons with their Peace Agreement. The Peace Agreement is meant to keep humans and dragons peaceful and the humans separated into 3 classes. Viv believes in these, but she makes a deal with Chumana, a criminal dragon, to destory the evenidence against her parents that sparks a civil war between the Prime Minister and the Coalition. Viv is sent to Bletchley Park, working with others like Marquis, her ex-friend Sophie she betrayed, and Atlas King, the first young man she has feelings for. As a code breaker, set to figure out the echolocation dragons use to speak to each other that humans can't here, Viv's strong beliegs in the system and what she was raised to believe begins to unravel with each new secret she discovers. This historical novel is set in the WW2 era, but instead of Nazis, it's civil war - with dragons. The book is layered with action, mystery, emotions, difficult choices, and having your whole world and beliefs torn apart. What will Viv choose to do? Join the Coalition and fight against the Prime Minister, leaving behind the Peace Agreement and the future she saw for herself? The book is nuanced with layers of secrets, set in the historical Bletchley Park used in WW2 for codebreakers, but uses dragons instead. A good read for those liking alternate history with fantasy thrown in and those with the patience with Viv and her always second guessing herself, her beliefs, and what she needs to do.

I was attracted to this because it included dragons. Some of the violence was tough to deal with. I really liked Viv and Alex and Chamuna. It obviously is a commentary on today's society and racism. I thought this was rather poignant. " inequality is so deeply entrenched in the foundations of our society that it is going to need to be dug out. Rock by prejudiced rock" my one negative is the book was longer than I think it needed to be.

This book was absolutely intriguing. It takes place in a reimagined, post WWI London where humans and dragons coexist. Our heroine, Vivien Featherswallow, is a polyglot and has dedicated her life to the study of different dragon languages. When her parents are arrested for rebellion, she sets a captive dragon free to try and save them, and in the process, accidentally starts a war. To save herself and her family, she accepts a job as a codebreaker for dragon languages at Bletchley Park. What follows is a fast paced, action packed, dark academia book filled with political intrigue, corruption, rebellion, and a swoony romantic subplot. Vivian is ruthless, morally grey, and is willing to do anything to save her family. This book is messy, complicated, and compelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️reimagined post WWI London
▫️dark academia
▫️dragons
▫️codebreaking
▫️the study of linguistics and translation
▫️morally grey FMC
▫️political corruption and rebellion
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Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Epic Reads, S. F. Williamson, and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was the first book I read of the year and it was great! It was the perfect young adult fantasy standalone to start the year off with. Corrupt politics, dragons, and based in the 1920s makes for an exciting book that kept me entertained till the very end.

“Every act of translation requires a sacrifice..”
First thing I want to say in this review is: this book is INTENSE. It’s dark. It pulls and tears at your heart strings in ways only books like this can. Very much reminiscent of Hunger Games and Babel, this book has political intrigue and “fight/play to stay alive” while focusing on the nuances and beauty of languages. The FMC was a little too much at times and I kinda wanted to slap the privilege off her face, but I was trying to be patient for her to recognize it on her own lol.


Overall, I enjoyed this book! The dragons were the best part of the story, but I also really loved the intricacies of the languages, and how Williamson combines human languages with that of the animal kingdom. I love the academic focus this book had, while the characters were unraveling the political games afoot behind the scenes. It was well written and definitely kept me on my toes.

To be honest, I was skeptical going into this because I did NOT like the Hunger Games. I didn’t enjoy the brutality of it and so I was worried about this one. I’m happy to say that I was proven wrong and Williamson has written an amazing adventure that I cannot wait to continue in book 2!
Thank you to harpercollins and netgalley for the ARC!!! 3.5 STARS

A great fantasy story which takes place long ago in London. A time when both Humans and Dragons existed. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and found it a good debut book. My only drawback was the length of the book for a young adult book. I would definitely listen to an audio version and purchase it as a gift.


Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the e-book advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

S. F. Williamson’s *A Language of Dragons* is a breathtaking fantasy adventure that masterfully combines lyrical prose, intricate world-building, and a story brimming with heart. From the first page, Williamson immerses readers in a world where dragons are not just mythical creatures, but beings of profound significance, tied to a magic that is as ancient as it is mysterious.

The pacing of the novel is exceptional, balancing action-packed moments with quieter, introspective scenes that allow the characters and their relationships to shine. Every chapter unfolds with purpose, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while unraveling the secrets of this enchanting world.

The characters are a true highlight of the story. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and courage feels deeply personal and relatable, while the supporting cast adds depth and vibrancy to the narrative. Williamson skillfully develops the bonds between characters, making their struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices all the more poignant.

The world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. Williamson crafts a realm where magic and language intertwine, creating a unique system of communication with dragons that is both intricate and awe-inspiring. The vivid descriptions bring every setting to life, from towering mountain peaks to hidden sanctuaries, making it easy to lose yourself in the story’s rich tapestry.

*A Language of Dragons* is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and beautifully crafted stories. S. F. Williamson has delivered a tale that is as imaginative as it is emotionally resonant—a true testament to the power of storytelling. Highly recommended for anyone who dreams of worlds where dragons still soar.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was well written. The themes were interesting and timely. Loved all the language stuff and the world felt loved in. The dragons were awesome. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Wow! First thank you netgalley and Harper collins for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did! We follow Vivian who knows about seven different dragon tongues. and is in second class. People in the UK are divided into 3 different classes based on how well they did in their examination, or where they were born. Everything is going well that is until one night, they receive a dinner guest who turns over Vivian’s parents as rebels! Vivian has no idea that they were rebels and in exchange of trying to free them accidentally starts a war. In turn of starting a war, the prime minister gives Vivian a chance at survival along with her parents and recruits her to be a code breaker at Bletchley Park. Vivian needs to crack this new dragon code for the people she loves survival, but can she??? I’m honestly excited for the next book and I can’t wait to see where Viv and the coalition go.

I really enjoyed this book! As it is expected to be duology, I really look forward to the next book.

I am a huge fan of languages and it was such a pleasure to read a book where they were so important, part of plot. I like the dragons and that they are in ways equal to humans and can easily talk to each other.

The characters are nice, most a rather background and they don't get any development, which is fine in this story. Main character goes from naive, blindly following rules girl, to someone who sees the world for what it is and does the right thing.

I look forward to the next book, I am curious how will the plot go and I hope we get more of the dragons.

While this one wasn't my exact cup of tea, I see where people who have an appreciation for languages and softer, cinnamon roll love interests will get more out of this book than I did. It was advertised as how to train your dragon vibes with enemies to lovers and I actually didn't get much of either of those, and sadly I didn't end up caring about the romance much either. What I did get was a rag tag team of clever criminals stuck in Bletchley Park together, trying to uncover dragon secrets to save themselves and their families from a corrupt government. Things got even more interesting when the stakes were raised and some of these recruits start dying. It's very politically charged and I actually really appreciated that our main character isn't just a hero from the get go. Overall I had a fun time reading it, though I wouldn't say it particularly wowed or spoke to me.

Dark Academia, War, Dragons, Touch of Historical Fiction, Linguists. This gave me Babel x Fourth Wing vibes that could’ve been an epic fantasy IMO. Easily binge worthy as it was paced perfectly that would give a little bit of a tear jerk. A must read if you love plot twists and betrayals.

I love how the characters are written in A Language of Dragons. They are messy and imperfect and barely adults. These barely adults are forced to pick sides in a war. Everything Vivian grew up believing slowly gets chipped away.

Vivian is complicated. She is hard to like at times but that is what makes her a good, well written character. We see her inner struggles the most so we also see her growth. She is never perfect which makes her human.

Since this is clearly about Dragons I’m sure some will wonder if this is like Fourth Wing. Honestly I don’t think it is. The way humans and dragons interact is nothing like Fourth Wing. A Language of Dragons is about learning about how Dragons communicate with each other than trying to bond and ride them into war. A Language of Dragons is less action packed and more about political intrigue.

The ending!!! I wanted just a little more and I can’t even say much more without potential spoilers!

4.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed this read so very much. Coming into it, I didn't have a clue what the story would be about and coming from a linguistics background, was extremely surprised that there was such a great sense of plausibility in the learning of language(s) and dragon human interactions. So much so that it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I, however, was most certainly the target audience.

There was a great deal of nuanced morality and politics that suit the current climate and got me quite fired up at times, I can't lie.

My only qualm was near the end when *possible spoiler ahead* what happened to one of the characters made me question the author's choices. It was almost giving Cho Chang with Harry as an obligatory POC as a temp love interest. The book did seem like there would be sequels given the slightly cliffhanger-esque ending so I guess we'll see what happens.

As always, big thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration.

Thank you @harpercollins for the #gifted eARC!

A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS was my last book of 2024 and it was my final 5 star read of the year. As soon as I started it, I was absolutely hooked.

It’s a fantasy alternative history of post-WWI but with dragons set in London. Second class citizen Viv is given the choice of trying to codebreak a secret dragon language or her entire family will die. She makes the obvious choice to save her family and is whisked away to Bletchley Park where she joins a team of rejects in a secret project to take down the dragons. But the more Viv learns, the more she questions what’s right and what’s wrong and which side of the war is the right one.

One thing I loved about this book was how messy and complicated these characters are. The MC, Viv, is not entirely likeable. She’s incredibly single minded and selfish. She struggles with making the right choice when balanced against sacrifices she must make. She lives in a society where her class and status give her a lot of privileges that others don’t and then turns a blind eye on those with less and their suffering… sound familiar?

I also loved the dark academia aspects that reminded me a lot of BABEL (another favorite of mine). Because this book is technically YA, the issues of translation and what can be lost during translation where presented in a more approachable manner. But it was still incredibly thought provoking.

And finally this is a book about dragons! What’s not to love about that?!

Pick this one up if you like:
- Dragons!
- Spies and codebreaking
- Historical fantasy
- Complicated characters
- A touch of romance
- Corrupt governments

A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS is out now!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7105588364
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2kPlAveEr/

Thank you to the publishers for my review copy of the riveting new YA fantasy A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS!

A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS is a clever dystopian fantasy twist on the code-breakers of WWII. In this world, British society is divided into 3 classes and dragons are relegated to the underclass. Teenage Vivian Featherswallow wants nothing more than to preserve her second class status and enter university to study dragon languages. But when her parents are arrested under suspicion of rebellion, she’s forced to Bletchley Park to undergo a secret mission to help the war effort… The more she learns about her mission, the more she begins to question everything.

This book has an unbeatable setting and very nuanced character development that kept me hooked from the first page. I really felt for and related to Viv. She makes some questionable decisions, but her desperate dedication to her family is completely understandable. I really appreciated how this book posed the question: would you do anything for your family? Even if it harmed others? Where would you draw the line?

There are no easy answers here in A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS. Instead, it’s a slow burn political fantasy with nuanced moral quandaries, a distinctly British academia vibe, and a side of soft romance. Plus… dragons!!! I think the author has created a clever and interesting world and I loved her twist on dragons!

I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fantasy, but you may want a few tissues for the ending… I know this book is technically a standalone, but the ending made me want more! Fingers crossed for a sequel…

I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot more than the first, especially once the kids arrive at Bletchley, By far, the coolest part of the book was the dragons. Vivien was the worst part. As a narrator, she was insufferable. I would have loved a multi-POV version of this story.

4.5 stars. I'm gonna need a sequel. Though this was admittedly a bit slow to start while the world building took place, the resulting novel was a really great debut. WWII codebreakers meets dragon fantasy...who would've thought of that combination?!?! But it was such good fun. Great tension and character building. Some bits of the plot do require suspension of disbelief, but it's a fantasy...so you kind of have to expect that to a certain degree. The plot wraps up well, but leaves SOOOOO much room for this to continue as a series. And I would totally be here for it. That last page....ugh. I NEED to know more.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this book after having read several books set at the secretive Bletchley Park over the last several years. This is set in an alternative London/England, and while it takes some elements from the original Bletchley and codebreaking mission of the park, the war they are fighting is very different. This is not a WWI/WWII historical fiction as one might expect based on the setting, it is a completely different alternative history and fantasy story. There is quite a good bit of discussion about politics, corruption, class systems, oppression, and of course there are dragons.

This follows Vivien, a polyglot, fluent in several human languages and several dragon languages. Dragons live along side humans, and a Peace Agreement between the British Prime Minister and the Dragon Queen keep their violent natures at bay, atleast outwardly. Vivien hopes to become a famous dragon translator, and will do anything to ensure her future is secure. All of her plans come to a halt when her parents and uncle are arrested for treason and being members of the rebellion. In an attempt to destroy evidence Vivien concocts her own plans to save hwe family, which only sets off events that she never anticipated. She finds herself assigned to Bletchley Park to learn a new dragon language to pay for her crimes against her country and save her family. She and a group of "criminals" have been assigned to the Park to work on various dragon projects to help the Prime Minister save the country from a devastating war with the dragons, or so they think. The longer they are at Bletchley, the more Vivien and her cohort discover that corruption is all around them, and the language she is learning isn't a mere code to break, but something so much more.

I really enjoyed this! Vivien struggles alot with her self-worth and guilt. She was brought up in a class system where performance is everything and the threat of losing your status is worse than death. She is naive when it comes to trusting people, always expecting they will do what they say and hold up agreements. Betrayal is a huge part of her character arc and the reason she has so much guilt. We see Vivien struggle with doing what she knows is right versus doing what she thinks will either get her ahead or later on protect her loved ones. She then has to come to terms with corruption and what is best for the greater good while still trying to figure out what will save her family. I really enjoyed all of the side characters as well that helped Vivien on her journey to crack the dragon code, and figure out what kind of person she truly wants to be. There is a light bit of romance.

I'm not sure if this is the first book in a new series, but it does read as if there will be more to come. I do feel like this installment had a fulfilling ending, but there is still more story to be told. If there is another book, I can't wait to find out what happens next! This was so unique and I'm completely invested in the characters and the plot. I would really like to see more of Chumana the dragon, I really enjoyed her! I also hope to get to know the side characters better if there is another book.