The Language of the Birds is like the teenage version of National Treasure. There were ciphers, riddles, codes, and puzzles based on history that had to be solved in order for 17 year old Arizona to rescue her mom from kidnappers. Arizona is autistic and does not do well with people. She is homeschooled and really only relates to her dog. Her father has recently passed away from a tragic accident and she is trying to deal with her grief by finishing their family trip. Arizona is supposed to meet her mom but she never shows. After finding their camper ransacked, Arizona discovers that she has to solve puzzles and other clues in order to get her mother back because the kidnappers believe her father knew a secret that they want to find. The novel delves into a lot of history and puzzle solving but it is also a story of Arizona growing and learning how to deal with the outside world.

There were parts of this story that I enjoyed such as the literature and history elements. The author also included an author's note which let the reader know some of the true elements in the story. However much of this story was focused on solving the puzzles and riddles which just didn't interest me. Unfortunately, I was not invested in the characters. I found myself just wanting the book to be over. I do think a younger audience would enjoy this book especially if they have their own obstacles to overcome and enjoy figuring out riddles and puzzles.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

It was overall a passable book. 3.5 stars, so I'll be generous and round up to 4.

I read a lit of good reviews on this on, but not a five stars book for me

I would pass on it if looking for a great read.

Precise language - heaven. Can relate to this girl. There is beauty in precise language. I love novels in which I learn new things, especially if I need a dictionary. (which I did both for words and local features, goegraphical, arboreal etc) Easy for me to visualise the landscape. Well paced and written. As usual for NetGallery novels. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you, K. A. Merson and NetGalley for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

This was definitely a favorite read of moine for this year. I just wish I was able to see the pictures better. So I'll definitely be buying the book so I can have a physical copy later on once it's out in print. The mystery, the tension, the Riddles, and all the quotes throughout the book were definitely a big part of what drew me into this book. I loved the main character and her dog so much and how much she goes through to get to the end of all of this. The character building and just everything I absolutely loved it all!

Arizona mother is taken, her father has recently died, and the only way to get her mother back is to figure out some hidden secret her father took to the grave with him. What is it that was so important that he didn't tell his family that pur them in danger even after his death? Will she be able to solve the riddles and all that the kidnappers throw at her to save her mother? Read and find out.

This was a fantastic book. Like I said, reading through the book and trying to solve these riddles, ciphers, and puzzles is so much fun. I'm not in any way as smart as the main character, but still, it's fun to think I am. But the story is worth the read and a great mystery.

If I’m being totally honest, I’m a massive fan of the National Treasure films. That's exactly why The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson was an absolute must-read for me—a book brimming with puzzles, mystery, and thrilling adventures.

A brilliant but solitary teenager must unlock ciphers, unearth buried clues, and reckon with the outside world as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, puzzle-filled mystery that will leave readers wondering where the truth ends and fiction begins.

The Language of the Birds isn't just another young adult mystery; it’s a puzzle-filled mystery tale that invites you to partake in the mystery and adventure alongside the book's characters. The story features a smart yet solitary teenage protagonist on her quest to find her mother and unearth ancient secrets.

Merson ingeniously weaves real historical facts into this fictional tapestry, crafting a treasure hunt that feels both authentic and fantastical. The Language of the Birds' plot unfolds like a chess game—every move calculated yet surprising—left me constantly guessing what awaits on the next page. Those familiar with stories like National Treasure will find themselves reminiscing about similar adventures as they delve into this book's brainteasing, puzzle-filled mystery.

The author including images, puzzles, and ciphers throughout the novel added a depth to the tale that most novels don't have. These elements aren't mere decorations—they are integral parts of the narrative that calls for interaction from those who wish to solve them alongside our heroine. These additional items elevates the reading experience to included active participation, encouraging me to become sleuths in our own right.

Despite The Language of the Birds' complexity, the novel remains surprisingly easy to follow thanks to the author's adept handling of pacing and plot development. Merson ensures that every puzzle piece fits together without overwhelming or confusing me along the away.

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson stands out in the young adult genre with its ability to blur reality with fiction seamlessly. Merson crafted a novel that invites us to journey alongside the protagonist solving puzzles and mysteries while enjoying the story at hand. For a debut novel, The Language of the Birds really couldn't improve on much—a true blend of mystery and adventure.

A brilliant teen girl with sensory issues must solve a complex series of cryptic clues and conspiracy theories to free her mother from kidnappers.

I’m not even sure how to classify this book—some have called it The DaVinci Code on steroids—but I really liked it and definitely recommend it to puzzle enthusiasts.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I tried really hard to read this book but I got so frustrated with the main character that I couldn't finish. Even with the understanding of YA, her actions didn't match with any form of reality, and her interactions with her mom's captor was infuriating. The puzzle solving aspect is fun, but it still felt like no suspended disbelief could make the story relatable or even fun. It was just a bit too disconnected.

This was a fun read, keeping me curious the entire way through.

After 17 year old Arizona’s father passes in an accident and her mother goes missing while spreading his ashes, Arizona finds herself wrapped up in a mystery from over 100 years ago.

The only thing that required suspension of belief was that Arizona was so self sufficient and capable and just 17 years old.

Still, I was very entertained the entire way through and loved the illustrations which supported the mystery.

This was one of those books that never quite delivered on its potential. From the book's description, I was anticipating something like a The da Vinci Code meets the The Inheritance Games, but that's not really what we got. There are a lot of puzzles, which I appreciated, but there was minimal plot in between. We never get to know much about Arizona, her mother, or the side characters. We barely get to understand why the villain is the villain. And the conclusion felt rushed and more tell than show. The themes run very YA, which is completely fine, but paired with this lack of character development, it just felt very juvenile and incomplete. On the whole, this had a lot of potential but it felt rushed and incomplete like the author was so excited about the puzzles that they couldn't wait to publish. A very quick read, but I think I could have enjoyed this more than I did in the end.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book completely caught me off guard—in the best way possible. I didn’t expect to get so hooked, but Arizona’s story grabbed me and didn’t let go. She’s a brilliant, neurodivergent 17-year-old traveling with her mom to scatter her dad’s ashes after he passed away. But then her mom is kidnapped, and everything changes. Suddenly, Arizona is thrown into this wild, high-stakes journey, solving puzzles and ciphers tied to her dad’s mysterious past to save her mom.

The character, Arizona is incredible. She’s so smart and determined & being able to watch her work through these insanely clever puzzles was 🤯🤯🤯. There’s stuff about ciphers, alchemy, geometry, and even Lewis Carroll poems. Sure, some of the technical details (like fractals or monoalphabetic substitution ciphers) flew right over my head, but it didn’t matter because the thrill of the hunt kept me glued to the page. And thanks to the author for includes diagrams and maps? It helps to feel included in solving the puzzles.

But what really I really loved was Arizona herself!!!
She’s introverted, logical, and used to doing everything on her own, so seeing her slowly open up and trust other people was such a satisfying arc. And her dog, Mojo? Absolute MVP. He’s loyal, funny, and the kind of companion everyone wishes they had on an adventure like this.

The story gave me National Treasure and The Da Vinci Code vibes, but it also had so much heart. It’s not just about the puzzles; it’s about Arizona learning to step outside her comfort zone, process her grief, and let people in. The blend of history, mystery, and personal growth was just perfect.

By the end, I didn’t want the story to be over. It’s smart, thrilling, and surprisingly emotional—a total page-turner. If you love puzzles, cryptic messages, or historical mysteries, you need this book in your life. Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the ARC. This was such a fun, rewarding read, and I already want to go back and reread it to catch all the little details I missed!

I was genuinely impressed by "The Language of Birds," a remarkable debut novel by K. A. Emerson. The protagonist, Arizona, is an exceptionally intelligent teenager with a unique perspective. When her mother mysteriously disappears, Arizona is compelled to unravel intricate puzzles to locate her. The narrative is reminiscent of "The Da Vinci Code," featuring ciphers and conspiracies that kept me thoroughly engaged. Throughout my reading experience, I found myself rooting for Arizona in her quest to reunite with her mother. This is truly a fantastic book!

It's hard to believe that The Language of the Birds is a debut novel. It's so well written! An engaging heroine, interesting supporting characters and locations. The heroine is neurodivergent and a genius. She struggles with "normal" interpersonal interactions, and it sounds as though her parents have been over-protecting her recently. When Arizona's father dies suddenly and then her mother is kidnapped, the kidnappers believe Arizona can solve a series of puzzles, leading to an amazing secret. She rises to the challenge, making friends along the way. My quibbles are that I don't think we were ever told HOW the kidnappers knew Arizona has code breaking skills, and how (as a teenager) she has access to funds, as she moves an RV from one place to another (site fees, fuel, and of course food for herself and her dog). The "bad guys" don't come off as terribly realistic, either, but overall it's an intriguing read, and a great deal of fun. Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books. I'm always excited to find a new author, and highly recommend The Language of Birds.

I really wanted to love this book as I was intrigued by the premise. Unfortunately, I had to DNF it at 36%. I thought I was near the end and was so surprised to find I had only read a third of the book. It was too much detail for me about the puzzles. My brain doesn't work like this so I found myself skipping much of the information about the puzzles and how Arizona was solving them. As a middle school ELA teacher, I will, however, recommend this book to my students who love math and solving puzzles and riddles. I think they will really enjoy it.

I just finished a NetGalley copy of this story and overall I liked it. It was a good story and full of adventure. The descriptions of the puzzles and the solving of them did go on a little too long for me. I lost I treat in the long explanations of what went into the solving them. It’s not that it was bad it just took me out of the story personally. Overall good story.

We stan a neurodivergent repped queen. It's so often not done in a way that's realistic or accurate, but I feel the author does it very well. I did feel like there were several lulls/dry parts. But I'd definitely read another book from the author. Excellent debut.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and K.A. Merson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Language of the Birds coming out May 13, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I believe this is a debut author. I received the book directly from NetGalley. I think the beginning was really good. I occasionally enjoy books about puzzles if it’s more of a murder mystery whodunit sort of thing. I think parts of this book went over my head. I would say it’s a smart book and Arizona was an intelligent teen. It was just a bit dry for me. I would check out other books by this author.

K.A. Merson delivers a sharp and clever “DaVinci Code” for young adults, but instead of the brilliant professor, our heroine is a neurodivergent seventeen year old.

Arizona, whose father recently died, has been traveling in an Airstream trailer in the Southwest with her Mom and dog, Mojo, spreading Dad’s ashes at his favorite places. They reach a ghost town in Bodie State Park near the CA/NV border and suddenly Mom has suddenly become a ghost, too. Arizona is a different teenager, her brain is filled with mathematical equations, pattern recognition, misophonia, and poetry (much like her late Dad) and she is different enough to have been bullied at school. She’s been homeschooled for the past 3 years. Alone (no close relatives) except for Mojo’s unconditional love, she goes to the park rangers and realizes the ranger she spoke to earlier was an imposter. And when she returns to Airstream, it’s been ransacked and there’s a ransom demand for her mother with an attached cryptogram — the kidnappers want information her father supposedly had. This also creates the assumption that her dad’s accidental motorcycle death might have been murder. Wanting to avoid foster care and an animal shelter for Mojo, Arizona decides to save her mom without official help.

This, of course, seems upside down — why abduct the parent instead of the child? But Arizona understands — she really has her father’s keen mind.

Author Kerson takes the reader around the West and integrates history, horticulture, ornithology, geography, geology, alchemy, and cryptography into an exciting adventure. This is one of those books that invites you to Google along with it.

This might be written for young adults, but it definitely can be enjoyed by all ages (even with the cartoony villains). 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Arizona, the main protagonist, has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The author knows the Western landscape extremely well. The Flower of Life plays a part in the ultimate puzzle.

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

This is a difficult book to rate and review. I found it dry and lacking depth, I could not associate with the characters. The puzzles are interesting but by the end I found my interest lagging. I am sure some readers will enjoy this story, just not for me.

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson is a National Treasure mixed with The 39 Clues and Nancy Drew. Arizona a brilliant, yet neurodivergent teenager, finds herself in the center of a mystery when her mother is kidnapped. A rogue cult, who is looking for a treasure, thinks that Arizona is the only one who can solve the puzzle that will lead them to eternal life. Arizona has to put her code breaking skills to the test to help save her mother.
I loved this book. Arizona is an unique clever girl with a heart of gold. You just fall in love with her character. This story has intrigue and adventure, with a little romance on the side. It appeals to all of us who like to solve puzzles and who like adventure stories. I'd love to read more Arizona adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Ballantine books for the advanced copy. The opinions are my own.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Ballantine for providing me with an eARC for an honest review.

The Language of the Birds is a fun ride through and through! I genuinely enjoyed my time with it, and though I wasn't expecting it to be a YA novel when I requested it, but I think that distinction is often arbitrary, as this is an enjoyable story for adults and teens. I think that Arizona is a fun protagonist, and seeing the world through her eyes provided a very unique person. She is clearly coded as neurodivergent, which is not something we see often in a protagonist, and seeing her be able to solve her problems using those traits was a beautiful thing.

However, I think that the story often gets bogged down by the complexity of the puzzles and the level of documentation that the author used. This is also a positive, however, as it firmly roots this book in reality and history, and provides a level of depth that you would not find elsewhere. All in all, this was absolutely worth the read and I have already recommended it to a few people!