Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to rate and review this title. An excellent debut novel. An exciting adventure that kept me turning pages well past bedtime. The puzzles and theories gave me a Dan Brown feel. Loved the main character and all her quirks. Perfect ending

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I adored K.A. Merson's debut novel. Merson does a beautiful job of taking the reader into the brilliant mind of the seventeen-year Arizona. Still grieving the loss of her father, her mother suddenly goes missing on the mother-daughter road trip.

Though Arizona struggles socially, she is determined to distinguish friend from foe, so she can bring her mom back to safety.

Along the way, Arizona must untangle all sorts of cyphers and codes, puzzling through the mysteries ensnaring her family.

Merson composed an excellent debut, and I can't wait to see what they write next.

THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS tells the story of Arizona a genius with a few problems. Since the school was unable to accommodate Arizona's special needs, her parents decided to pull her from school and home school her. The three now drive cross country in an Airstream exploring and learning along the way.
After her father's killed in a motorcycle accident, AZ and her mom spread his ashes in some of his favorite places across the country. It's not long before AZ's mom is kidnapped and she is forced to solve puzzles to rescue her. To do this, AZ drives across the country, goes diving, traverses a snow covered mountain and shoots a man. Along the way, she makes friends with a total stranger.
To me, the mechanics of the story were spot on, however I felt nothing for the characters. AZ was a little too self pitying for me. She has all these problems, ie becomes incapacitated when someone turns on an air dryer in the bathroom, yet she is able to go traipsing across the country, make friends with a total stranger, all the while keeping the bad guys at bay.
For me, I knew who the bad guys were when she first spoke with the park rangers. Also, the riddles were repetitive to me. I would have preferred hearing the solution once, either when AZ first solved them or when she explained them to the kidnappers. At times, it felt as if I were reading a history report trying to meet a final word count.

I read the uncorrected proof.

I have such mixed feelings on this book. First, it is a beautifully written book with a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite reach the level I was hoping for. The prose is lyrical and evocative, creating a rich atmosphere that draws you in. The exploration of grief, identity, and connection is thoughtful and poignant, with some truly moving moments that resonated with me.

However, the narrative felt a bit too abstract at times, and I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters. While the themes are powerful, the story didn’t always feel cohesive, and I wanted more clarity in certain areas. The pacing also felt uneven, with some sections dragging while others felt rushed.

Overall, The Language of Birds is an introspective and poetic read, but it didn’t fully deliver the emotional impact I expected. It’s worth reading for those who enjoy reflective, atmospheric stories, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me. 3/5 stars.

An interesting read (not just for YA fans) where the author’s approach facilitates a deeper understanding of Arizona’s thought processes, fears and joys, all of which may differ from neurotypical experiences.
It fosters empathy and understanding, challenging stereotypes while celebrating the individuality of those who think and perceive the world differently.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In order to save her Mom, a young teenaged girl must solve an intricate puzzle. Gifted with the talent of puzzle solving, she takes on the challenge of finding the answer to a strange ancient riddle that her father had discovered. The plot of the story was intriguing, but I was not interested in the clues and the over explanation of the puzzles. For me, those took away from the storyline.
This is not a genre that I typically read so I am sure that it will appeal to others more than me.
A great read for younger adults that are interested in codes, riddles. and puzzles.

When 17 year old Arizona’s mother is kidnapped during a family trip, she is thrust into a bizarre plot where her puzzle solving skills will be put to the test. The Language Of The Birds is an ambitious undertaking with an unlikely but intelligent plot that has the offbeat, Mensa-card carrying Arizona tasked with deciphering complex puzzles and traveling the West in an effort to save her mother. The author blends fact with fiction on almost every page, as the reader follows Arizona through this complex journey. The characters are lovable, especially Arizona, and the plot, though far fetched, is intriguing and requires some devotion by the reader. Some of the scenes involving alphabet ciphers were drawn out and hard to follow, and a few less of these scenes would have made for a more free-flowing read. The action sequences were great, and they, along with Arizona’s quirks, save the book. All in all an interesting read, just too much complex deciphering of the puzzles slow it down. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. Arizona goes through it and I was here for it! Loved from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc on exchange for my honest review!

A quirky, fun novel full of cyphers, puzzles, intrigue, and lots of the California mountains, ghost towns and deserts. I like the 17 year old heroine
and was rooting for her throughout the book. It's a great adventure/mystery story but if you're not into decoding ciphers, you may want to pass
over those parts quickly and let her solve them for you (as I did). The tie-ins to ancient and not so ancient scientists was quite interesting, and I
have to assume accurate. The author did a stupendous amount of research in the history and in devising the puzzles which are quite clever.

That said, I would not recommend trying to read this book on a Kindle or any device which doesn't have excellent zoom for figures and diagrams.
I had lots of trouble seeing all the clues on my ebook. I hope the artwork in the printed book is large, dark and clear.

I am disappointed that there were no actual birds involved!!

"A brilliant, eccentric teenager must solve a series of puzzles left behind by her dead father in this debut that features codes, riddles, and a plot that ingeniously mixes fact and fiction." If you a puzzle lover, this book is for you. Arizona's mother is kidnapped and must solve the puzzles left by her father in order to get her mother back safely. This book would be great for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes, National Treasure, or even The Davinci Code. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy. Such a fun and engaging book.

More literary than many thrillers I have read, and that's not a bad thing! The setup is more complex too, an autistic teenager who suddenly loses her mom, literally, and finds herself embroiled in decoding a secret that somebody wants. A bad somebody.

I really enjoyed the shifting close third-person, present tense point of view writing. it got me hooked on the first page, seeing into the thinking of an autistic girl. It also enables the author to control the exposition and other character development. It was a beautiful was of evoking the people and places, as well as the work on decryption. This story has a richness on so many levels, including the puzzles.

The conclusion of the adventure is just brilliant too, both of the puzzle and the characters' lives, something far more satisfying than anything Dan Brown could come up with. I'm going to have to return to Hoover Dam some day and see some of the clues for myself!

This treasure hunt, puzzle solving book was like a YA Da Vinci code, featuring lots of thrills, conspiracy theories, cypher and riddle decoding, and action. I found the book to be highly enjoyable and entertaining.

The detail level of the riddles and cyphers was quite impressive, and even more impressive was learning that most of what was discussed in the book was actual history. The author definitely did their research, The FMC, Arizona, is exceptionally gifted in decoding cyphers, and to read how she deciphers them was very interesting.

Overall, The Language of the Birds was a fun read and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys movies like National Treasure, Goonies or books like The Da Vinci Code.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me an advanced copy of this book.

This had a lot of great potential, but I don't believe that I'm the target audience for it. The puzzle aspect was great, but it felt more DaVinci Code than Goonies, and I feel like some humor would have made this a bit more cohesive.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved the DaVinci code books and I thoroughly enjoyed the National Treasure movies. I enjoy riddles and clues and crime solving. This book made me forget that I enjoy any of that.

The tedious way that the author solves each and every puzzle makes me want to scream. It goes on and on ad naseum, focusing on elements that end up not having anything to do with anything and running off on stream-of-consciousness tangents about poets and scientists and not having any friends in school and reversing an Airstream into tight parking spaces. Then there are the internet searches and the zooming in and out of maps, over and over again. And this is done line-by-line. For each and every puzzle. And there are so may puzzles. So. Many. Puzzles.

I honestly got to the point that I didn't even care if anything got solved or what would even happen to any character. Even the minute details of the daily feeding and walking of the dog was too much. It was all just too much. DNF

I give this book 3 stars because while it was not the right book for me, the premise was interesting and the use of ciphers and riddles was well planned. The use of puzzles and clues represent a very large portion of the book, so the right reader should appreciate their use in the furtherance of the plot. I did like the relationship between Arizona and Lily, both in solving the riddles and in how Lily teaches Arizona in how to open up to others.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

The Language of the Birds by KA Merson tells the story of Arizona traveling with her mom who then disappears. Arizona is contacted to solve puzzles in order to save her mom. An interesting story line the history of alchemy and how she solves puzzles. It was fun traveling from California and the surrounding areas. Arizona has social difficulties and it was good to see her progress in this area and to make a friend.

A good read but the writing was a bit basic for me. I’m thinking this for a younger audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

K.A. Merson’s debut novel, “The Language of Birds,” is a thrilling and cerebral YA adventure that explores cryptic puzzles while developing a journey of self-discovery. This book offers a smart, puzzle-filled story that captivates you with its intricate plot and unique protagonist.

Seventeen-year-old Arizona, a neurodivergent teen with a gift for solving puzzles, embarks on a high-stakes quest when her mother goes missing during a family trip to California. After finding their camper ransacked, Arizona receives a call from her mother’s kidnappers, who demand her expertise to unravel a series of cryptic clues connected to her late father’s mysterious past. What follows is a thrilling treasure hunt across the western United States, where Arizona uncovers hidden messages, tackles complex ciphers, and learns that her father’s work as a cartographer may have concealed a much larger secret.

Merson’s ability to craft a tightly woven story filled with riddles, codes, and historical references is truly impressive. The story dives into fascinating elements of U.S. history and geography, adding layers of authenticity and intrigue. Readers familiar with landmarks like Hoover Dam will appreciate the detailed settings, and the author’s love for historical mysteries shines through. Merson clearly applied a lot of research to this book, so those who enjoy history will definitely enjoy this book.

Arizona’s character is a standout feature of the book. Her neurodivergent perspective is handled with care and depth, making her both relatable and inspiring. As Arizona navigates her journey, she experiences personal growth, learning to trust others and confront emotions that can’t be solved like mathematical equations. Her bond with her loyal dog, Mojo, adds warmth and heart to the story.

Beyond the thrill of the treasure hunt, “The Language of Birds” explores themes of grief, trust, and self-acceptance. Arizona’s journey is as much about finding her mother as it is about finding herself, and her growth is both realistic and uplifting. The story also highlights the value of seeing the world through a different lens, celebrating the strengths that come with neurodivergence.

The puzzles are undoubtedly the centerpiece of the novel, and while their complexity might be daunting for some (including me), Merson does an excellent job breaking them down for readers. The book’s focus on puzzles and riddles may overwhelm readers who prefer character-driven stories. While Arizona’s internal journey is compelling, I did find myself skimming over some of the more technical explanations of cryptography and fractals as I didn’t quite fully understand them. You definitely want to take your time with this book to better understand the various puzzles incorporated throughout the book. Additionally, the pacing can feel slow at the beginning, as it takes time to set up the stakes and introduce Arizona’s world.


Overall, “The Language of Birds” is a smart and unique adventure that will appeal to fans of YA mysteries and puzzle-solving stories. While the book’s intricate plot and cerebral challenges may not be for everyone, those willing to dive into its complexities will be rewarded with a richly layered story filled with heart, history, and suspense. With its combination of brain-teasing puzzles and heartfelt character growth, “The Language of Birds” is a strong debut that promises great things from K.A. Merson in the future.

While I do tend to read this genre, I'm not quite the correct audience for this. Decent writing and idea put forth to paper. Not a bad read at all, just not one I might read again.

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC of 'The Language of the Birds' by K.A. Merson.

Enjoyable enough puzzle-based novel along the lines of 'The Da Vinci Code.'

Brilliant, on-the-spectrum Arizona has to solve increasingly far-fetched cyphers and puzzles in order to secure her kidnapped mother's release from an Illuminati-like cabal bent on securing some arcane secret ... you know the drill.

It motors along, much like the motorcycle and sidecar the heroine utilizes to get her and her dog around but it's all quite daft in the same way The Da Vinci Code was and utterly unbelievable.

I'll admit to skimming or downright skipping most of the puzzle-solving bits (and there are a lot) since the outcome mattered more than the mechanics of getting there but I'm guessing the mechanics of it will interest some people.

The best and most tension-filled element of the novel was guessing who might be the good and the bad guys, who she could ultimately trust and who she couldn't and I did enjoy the historic elements related the the building of the Hoover Dam.

Arizona is an expert and solving puzzles and codes as a teenager. Her mother is kidnapped & held for ransom. Can she solve this puzzled in time to save her Mom?