I thoroughly enjoyed this YA historical fantasy, which felt something like a cross between Babel x Temeraire, with a dash of Fourth Wing or The Will of the Many. With rich, lived-in worldbuilding, a set of complex yet distinctive characters, and tight pacing, A Language of Dragons charges forward with a propulsive story of war and sacrifice, guilt and forgiveness, classism and rebellion. There's a romantic subplot too, though for me it felt secondary to the broader plot. I especially enjoyed the thoughtful exploration of the role of language and translation in creating (and bridging) divisions among society. Overall, a masterful novel whose sequel I will look forward to reading.

I received an ARC copy of A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson through NetGalley, and I thoroughly enjoyed diving into this unique and imaginative world! This book blends several genres—Fantasy, Young Adult, and Romantasy—and does so seamlessly.

Set in 1923 London but with dragons, the setting alone captivated me. The central concept of the languages of dragons was fascinating and refreshingly original—I haven’t encountered anything quite like it before. It’s clear that a lot of thought and care went into creating this world, and the result is a truly magical and immersive experience.

While I loved the overall storyline and the world-building, I did find the main character, Vivian Featherswallow, to be a bit frustrating at times. Her stubbornness and reluctance to be open-minded made her difficult to connect with fully. However, the supporting character, Atlas, was an absolute highlight for me—he quickly became my favorite, with his depth and charm adding so much to the story.

The pacing was uneven, with some parts feeling slow, but the originality and creativity of the book kept me engaged. I’m excited to see how readers respond to this story when it’s published, as it’s a unique addition to the fantasy genre.

If you love dragons, historical settings with a fantastical twist, and creative world-building, this book is well worth picking up!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review.
So, I liked this novel but I believe that it has many many flaws. In fact, it is flawed since its premises. For instance, how can majestic, powerful, intelligent dragons be subjugated by petty, meaningless humans? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Anyway, I found the “academic” parts to be pretty enjoyable and I am happy to say that the linguistic elements in the book actually make sense (I’m a foreign language major). However, I didn’t like the fact that the process of decoding these draconic languages is not actually represented, but only deduced by the protagonist based on the discoveries that other students made before her at the “academy”.
Moreover, I must say that the “romance” in the book is quite ridiculous: the love interest is a priest in training and they don’t even get together by the end. This makes me think that the novel wanted to imitate some dark romance tropes but failed since this book is for teens…
Other than that, keeping in mind that this is a YA book, I believe that its target audience will be happy with the novel, overall.

A mix of Babel and dragons?!

This book kept me intrigued the whole way through! I love the fantasy with some hints of historical aspects in there!

I am 100% a fan of anything dragons but dragons with personality? Instantly obsessed!

"People shouldn’t fear their prime ministers. Prime ministers should fear their people."
This quote perfectly encapsulates the spirit of The Language of Dragons. It’s got politics, dystopian drama, and, of course, dragons. There’s a lot to love here, but a few things held it back from reaching its full potential.

The premise is immediately engaging: a post-First World War Britain-inspired setting, steeped in class struggle, secret ‘code’, and the added wonder of dragons. This richly imagined world is the book’s strongest asset. I really appreciated how the worldbuilding unfolded naturally, with the author weaving details into the narrative rather than relying on info-dumping.

The dragons were a highlight, particularly Chumana, whose presence was captivating. However, they weren’t as central to the story as I’d hoped. Chumana’s limited role left me wanting more—more interaction, more depth, and a stronger connection to the narrative.

Vivian, our protagonist, was a more challenging character to connect with. While her youth and naivety made sense in the context of her sheltered life, her repeated poor decisions and lack of growth were frustrating at times. Her decisions often felt inconsistent, and the gap between her impressive skills and her immature behavior was hard to reconcile.

The ending wasn’t so much a cliffhanger as it was a setup for the next book—a “to be continued” rather than a dramatic, leave-you-breathless moment.

Overall, The Language of Dragons is a fun & fast-paced read with a unique take on YA fantasy. It has rich worldbuilding, politically charged narrative and lays a solid foundation for the series. If you’re drawn to fast-paced plots, layered societies, and the promise of more dragons in the future, this one’s worth picking up—and keeping an eye out for book two.

A Language of Dragons was so good. The story follows Vivian Featherswallow, a dedicated student with high aspirations of studying dragon languages and translation. Living in an alternate version of Great Britain, Vivian is a second class citizen because of the Peace Agreement meant to stop violence between the humans and dragons. Essentially dragons are viewed as fourth class citizens while humans fight among themselves to prevent being demoted from their class. When Vivian's parents are arrested for opposing the Peace Agreement and class system, Vivian is forced to question whether the authorities she's believed to be good her whole life are indeed good, or if they've been lying about their intent for peace.

What made this book so good is that it's part of the fiction wave that sees a pedantic take on fantasy. Similar to how the Emily Wilde series is written a field guide on the research of faeries, A Language of Dragons follows research on dragons. The characters are studying the dragons and learning as the reader is. And there is so much to learn because Williamson has made her dragons unique. The way they communicate has rules, depth, and even a sanctity that other dragon books right now really lack.

Wow! This was such a wonderful novel. I absolutely loved the setting and the world building. Definitely would recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

Oh. My. Goodness. I would have read this book all in one sitting if I hadn’t started it at 8pm the night before. Dragons, linguistics, politics, this book has everything! If you enjoyed Babel by R.F. Kuang and dragons, definitely pick this book up! 5⭐️

Your next must-read dragon story!

Fourth Wing meets Babel in this dragon fantasy war-torn book. I literally could not put it down. I found the idea of dragon languages a new and interesting take on dragons. The whole world, from the class system to the languages, the rebellion, and the dragons, was well thought out and immersed me in the story. The treatment of the people and conditions within the class system makes you ask yourself questions. You begin to route for the main character right from the beginning and I can't wait to see where this goes.

"Peace isn’t peace if it’s only given to some."

In this spellbinding debut, S.F. Williamson weaves a rich tapestry of high fantasy, seamlessly blending historical elements with the mystical allure of dragons. "A Language of Dragons" soars on the wings of imagination, offering readers a world where the past and the fantastical collide in spectacular fashion.

At the heart of this enchanting tale is Viv, a protagonist whose internal struggles resonate with profound emotional depth. Williamson's masterful characterization invites readers to transcend mere like or dislike, instead compelling us to contemplate our own choices when faced with similar moral quandaries. It's this nuanced exploration of human nature that elevates the narrative from mere entertainment to a thought-provoking journey of self-reflection.

Dragons, far from being mere window dressing, play a pivotal role in the story's intricate plot. Their presence is woven into the very fabric of the world, influencing politics, culture, and the personal journeys of our characters. Williamson's dragon lore is both familiar and refreshingly original, promising to captivate even the most seasoned fantasy readers.

The romantic subplot is deftly handled, adding depth and emotional resonance without overshadowing the main narrative. This delicate balance appeals to a wide range of readers, from romance enthusiasts to hardcore fantasy fans.

For those who relish a satisfying conclusion that still whets the appetite for more, A Language of Dragons delivers in spades. The ending is nothing short of reeling, masterfully balancing closure with tantalizing hints of adventures to come.

Williamson has created a world that is both familiar and fantastical, populated by characters who will linger in your thoughts long after you've turned the final page. As the first in a series, it sets a remarkably high bar, leaving this reviewer eagerly anticipating the next installment. Highly recommended for those who dare to dream in the language of dragons.

Thank you, HarperCollins and NetGalley, for my free book for review.

This one had a lot of promise - dragons, politics, class dynaimcs! There needed to be more exposition with the world and setting. The class system is easy to understand but how did get there? Why is the relationship with dragons different at the country level? Why is Britain handled so differently?? The lore needs work. Things were told not discovered.

Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons.

This book is a fascinating blend of Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals, with a touch of the historical Navajo Windtalkers’ story. Set in 1920s London amidst dragons, protests, and espionage, A Language of Dragons captures the chaos of war and the moral dilemmas it brings in a way that feels both unique and deeply compelling.

I absolutely loved the rich setting—the post-war 1920s backdrop, the wartime codebreaking, and the secret dragon language all wove together into something truly magical. Vivian’s journey was equally gripping. Her internal struggle, torn between saving her family and fighting for a greater cause, felt so raw and realistic. The story doesn’t shy away from the morally gray areas, and I appreciated how both sides of the conflict had flaws and merits.

Viv’s character arc, filled with doubt, fear, and indecision, was the heart of the book for me. Her choices felt genuine, and the stakes were incredibly high. However, I didn’t connect as much with some of the side characters like Gideon, Serena, and Katherine, who felt underdeveloped compared to Viv. Similarly, the relationship between Vivian and Atlas, while intriguing, sometimes lacked the depth I hoped for.

That said, the story as a whole was excellent—filled with twists, betrayals, and impossible choices. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how the series develops. If you love epic fantasy with dragons, moral dilemmas, and a touch of dark academia, this is a debut you won’t want to miss!

I didn't quite know what I was in for when I started this book, but after about the 25% mark I couldn't put it down. This is the story of a young woman coming to terms with her privilege, of the importance of language, and of second chances. Reading this gave me some of the academic vibes of Babel plus the romantic and war-stressed atmosphere of Divine Rivals but with DRAGONS. The blurb says it's perfect for teen fans, but I am far past my teen-years and still really enjoyed this story.

There are many things I liked about this book, but there were just as much I did not.

Our main character, Viv, was one of the things I did not like. While reading there were so many times I felt a bit enraged by something she did. I knew going in that Viv was not necessarily a likeable character. I had hoped to potentially warm up to her at least towards the middle of the book. In the end I can tolerate her, but as the main character and only pov I want to be able to have more of a connection to her than mere tolerance.

The side characters are what actually kept me reading. I would have loved to get the povs of Marquis or Atlas or even Sophie. A sporadic pov from Chumana would have also been a great addition and could have added to more understanding of this world. Honestly, I would have probably had a much better read had these characters been a little more of the focus and I can only hope we get more of them in the next book.

I did find the World building intriguing. I loved reading anything about the dragons and how this worlds society is structured. I really want more of this aspect to be expanded on in the next book.

While I did struggle a bit because of my dislike of our main character I did overall enjoy this read. I will continue the series and look forward to reading what happens next.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. There are certain things I do love about the book, the dragons and the language and their intelligence. It was certainly interesting learning about the languages. However the majority of the book takes place at a secret location where some teenagers are trying to (reluctantly) work on what seems like impossible tasks. There was some explanation for them all being young but overall it did seem a bit out of place that they were all such geniuses and able to perform these tasks and the fact the majority of the book was slowly putting this language together it was too slow and dry for me for a long while.

I had a hard time sympathizing with the character as well and believing in the relationship that suddenly went from a bit preachy to breaking it. I just had a hard time grasping that and liking the characters development.

It has potential in the future books but overall an average start for me.

I received an arc of this book. Overall I was rather entertained by the story and the world. But I did have quite a few problems with the book too. I felt like every big moment that had a lot of suspense building up to it was anticlimactic and explained away with an easy excuse in two sentences. On the other hand, the smallest details and plot points were talked about over and over again. The main female character was slightly insufferable with how often she talked about how “bad” she was and I found myself rolling my eyes at her inner monologue often. All of the characters lacked depth and the main male characters attributes felt forced and served no real purpose other than to try to get you to like him, which didn’t really work. I wanted more from so many things in this book and wanted less from everything else. It just didn’t really hit the mark for me, but it did hold my attention throughout.

From the very first page, I was utterly hooked by its intricate world-building, unforgettable characters, and the compelling narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat until the final chapter. One of the standout aspects of this book is its innovative concept of a dragon language as a secret code—which reminded me so much of The Imitation Game Movie. Watching characters decode dragon echolocation while navigating the volatile politics of rebellion was nothing short of mesmerizing. The 1920s-inspired setting added a layer of elegance and nostalgia, reminding me of Divine Rivals vibes, while the dragons brought the high-stakes fantasy drama of Fourth Wing vibes.

Vivian emerges as an unforgettable protagonist. She reminded me of Hermoine in a lot of ways. Her complexity is encapsulated early on with the quote, “I am a bright, ripe fruit: shiny on the surface, but rotten to the core.” As a codebreaker, linguist, and heroine with a dragon-hearted determination (“She’s not stubborn. She’s dragon-hearted,” says Dodie), Vivian’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The way her languages save her—both literally and metaphorically—is a brilliant recurring theme. Watching her internal battles of what makes a person good vs evil and her struggle with grasping how to fix a broken society structure was interesting to watch. I feel a lot of us can relate to this want of equality among individuals and having to struggle with that mentally that it's much easier said than done to try and get rid of the classism and racism of society.

The slow-burn romance between Vivian and Atlas is another highlight of this story. Atlas, a priest in training, brought a unique dynamic to the narrative with his steadfast faith and strong moral compass. His religious side added depth to his character, making his inner conflict between his devotion to God and his growing feelings for Vivian all the more compelling. One aspect I found interesting was the struggle with being lower class and black in this society and having to explain to Viv how that society won't just magically shift their views towards him even if they change the structure of things. Reading their philosophy and throughs about these deep human natures was very compelling. Their relationship was filled with tender moments that stole my heart, such as his poignant line, “Viv. What if God is calling me to you?” Their chemistry was beautifully developed, and the slow progression of their romance felt authentic and satisfying. Atlas’s kindness and selflessness made him unforgettable, and his tragic fate was a devastating blow that left an emotional ache in the story.

Vivian’s cousin Marquis was another standout character. As the group’s comedic relief, his witty remarks and lighthearted nature offered a delightful balance to the story’s tension. I’m eager to see where Williamson takes his character next, as Marquis’s potential for growth and complexity was subtly hinted at throughout. Another intriguing dynamic in the book was the tension between Vivian and her friend Sophie. Their fractured relationship added emotional depth to the story and was a mystery I was eager to discover from the beginning. Their gradual reconciliation was both heartfelt and realistic. I’m especially excited to see how this newly healed friendship evolves in future installments, as their bond feels poised to play an even greater role.

The book seamlessly weaves together thrilling elements: decoding dragon genetics and echolocation, fire-breathing planes, and the tension of a dragon rebellion. The Department of Defense Against Dragons (DDAD) adds a dash of humor and intrigue. There’s even a magical ball dance scene that added sparkle and a sense of grandeur to an already vibrant tale.

Themes of morality, power, and forgiveness echo throughout. Quotes like, “To control languages, to control words, is to control what the people know,” and, “Peace isn’t peace if it’s only given to some,” are as thought-provoking as they are timeless. The exploration of redemption and self-worth, as seen in Vivian’s reflection (“I can choose to live a life where what’s important isn’t what I can achieve…but the type of person I can be”), left me deeply moved.

In short, A Language of Dragons is nothing short of spectacular, it is a dazzling, genre-blending masterpiece that combines elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and intrigue in a way that feels completely fresh and unique. Its mix of heart-pounding action, tender slow-burn romance, delightful humor, and thought-provoking themes makes it a book I’ll return to again and again. Fans of historical fantasy, dragon lore, and rich storytelling won’t want to miss this.

Perfect for fans of: The Imitation Game, Divine Rivals, Fourth Wing, and books that challenge the mind and ignite the heart.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC. When I read a review comparing this to Fourth Wing and Babel, I was hooked. If you like dragons, language and romance, this is the read for you! I was engaged from the first page, and now want to read the next one--hopefully it is in the works.

Petition for authors/publishers to stop releasing books that treat their YA audiences like idiots!

Language of Dragons is heavily reminiscent of the deeply crappy dystopias that were all the rage after the success of Hunger Games – I won’t name names, but if you were reading YA at the time you know exactly what I’m talking about. (Not that all of them were terrible, but let’s face it, a lot of them were.) The 2010 vibes are strong with this one.

Don’t believe me? Society in fantasy-Britain is divided up into three Classes: Class One, Class Two, Class Three. Class One has the most rights, Class Three almost none. You’re born into your Class, but if you fail your big exam at 16, you drop one.

This is, immediately, an unbearably stupid set-up that makes no sense and doesn’t try to. (Why do you wear your all-important Class Pass on a velvet ribbon, Vivien??? Ribbons fray, they BREAK. Why isn’t it the norm to wear them on sturdy chains or something? Why aren’t you just straight-up tattooed after your exam, so you can’t falsify or lose your Pass?) The trend continues throughout the worldbuilding: dragons exist and are sentient, but they’re typically referred to as ‘it’, even once the relevant human knows the gender of said dragon individual. Although things are different in other countries, in our setting, dragons and humans live apart – as in, separate parts of the country, not different districts inside a city – and generally seem to be second-class; why the dragons put up with this as massive fire-breathing creatures of incredible intelligence, is neither explained nor questioned, despite dragons being treated much better in other places, even ruling over humans in some countries. All of this is told to us through clunky telling-not-showing, with bonus exposition-through-bad-dialogue.

And let’s make one thing very clear: this is not a dragon book. The title and cover are a flat-out lie. One dragon appears briefly at two points in the book; we see no others. It’s pathetic, and more than a little outrageous, for a story to be marketed this falsely.

Vivien Featherswallow, our protagonist, has drunk the kool-aid: she is convinced that the Class System and the Travel Ban and everything else are for everyone’s benefit. MCs in dystopias often start out this way; that’s not inherently a bad thing. What makes it very bad writing in this case is that it is immediately obvious to the reader that Things Are Fucked-Up Here.

Hi: this doesn’t work. Naive characters gradually realising how screwed up things are works well only when the book is taking the reader on the same journey of discovery/realisation. When the reader is already well-aware that this is a dystopia, there’s zero impact to the Le Gasp moment when your character works things out. It’s just eye-rollingly stupid – of your character, and of anyone who makes that writing decision. Why would you do this.

This is far from the only issue with Vivien. When her parents are arrested, she does a complete 180: despite previously being a believer, she turns around, makes a bargain with a dragon criminal, breaks the dragon free, and has the prime minister’s house burned down. And, sorry, but you have not come close to making that abrupt about-face believable. It’s absolutely nonsensical for Vivien to do what she does, that fast, that soon after the arrest; that she’s desperate simply isn’t enough explanation. Williamson hasn’t crafted a character who would believably do this; instead, we have a character doing things because if she doesn’t there will be no plot.

That is BAD WRITING.

(As is a criminal dragon being locked up IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY. Why the everloving FUCK would you place a criminal dragon in a library?! ‘Oh, she’s lived so long she can help answer research questions’ WHY WOULD SHE DO THAT? YOU’VE IMPRISONED HER: WHAT ON EARTH MADE ANYONE THINK SHE WOULDN’T FLAME ANY IDIOT DUMB ENOUGH TO ASK FOR HELP WITH THEIR HOMEWORK? WTF?

Let’s not forget, she’s locked up with a SWORD in reach! Which is fine because ‘no human would help a dragon’ in a society that kind of reveres them??? When the government KNOWS there are rebel networks out there, who would absolutely free a dragon??? But no, there has to be a sword so Vivien can use it to free the dragon. OKAY.)

Then we really get into the circa 2010 vibes, because there is a Top Secret group of teenagers who are responsible for saving the newly-broken-out civil war. Because that’s definitely something a real government would do, depend on kids for that. And also let the girl who just burned down the prime minister’s house be part of that group. SURE. THAT’S A THING THAT COULD HAPPEN.

This is complete crap; it’s not even trying. The Babel-comparison is so unjust it’s offensive: this is not a book about linguistics, and I’m not sure Williamson knows much about linguistics either, because the Shocking Secret is that dragon languages have dialects, which. Is such a normal thing for languages to have that I don’t understand how I’m supposed to take this seriously.

(Don’t get me started on ‘we don’t let just ANYBODY study dragon languages, because most of the rebels we’ve found have contact with dragons. Our dragon languages students have no dragon teachers or classmates and never test their skills on dragons BUT STILL, THE TOUGHEST OF BACKGROUND-CHECKS FOR YOU MISS FEATHERSWALLOW.’)

I am so mad at this book, at everyone who picked the title and made the cover(s) and just straight-up lied about what this book is and is about. As for what it actually is: Language of Dragons is an insult to the intelligence of YA readers. It is trash. If I’d been given a paper arc, it would be defenestrated into the snow. Don’t waste your time with it.

3.5 stars. This was a young adult fantasy with a different take on the dragon and human relationship based on languages. Overall I enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and held my interest but some of the pacing was an little off for me. Also the FMC was insufferable at times and it made it hard to stay invested. I like the way the end came together to set us up for a sequel and I look forward to continuing the story.