“Every act of translation requires sacrifice- it is this harsh truth that made me fall in love…While a person can more or less bridge the gap between languages using words, there is always some deeper meaning left unsaid, a secret invisible to those who only have one language with which to navigate the world. A translator, on the other hand, is a creature that flies with several pairs of wings.”-A Language of Dragons, S.F. Williamson; uncorrected ARC edition

A Language of Dragon is an amazing YA addition to the historical fantasy genre. At first, this was very much a cover read for me; I fell in love with the gorgeous cover art. However, I loved the story inside even more!

Vivien Featherswallow is one of the top students of her class in a 1920s London where humans exist in a strict class society and have a tenuous treaty with the dragons living around them. Vivien has studied dragon languages her whole life, intent on being the best student she can be and keeping her family from being relegated to a lower class. But when her parents are arrested as rebels plotting against the government, Vivien is given an ultimatum to save her family: she must go work for the government at a top secret code breaking base. There, Vivien begins to discover that maybe her government truly is corrupt; and she and her new friends just might hold the key to tearing it all down.

If you are a fan of historical fantasy, you should read A Language of Dragons. Even if you don’t normally lean toward YA, I think you will still enjoy this book; it is very well-written, and the world-building is fascinating. I don’t often see historical fiction set during this era, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I would recommend A Language of Dragons to fans of Babel and the Temeraire series, and to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, depictions of dystopian societies, or (of course) dragons.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an arc. The thoughts and options stated in this review are my own.

I DNF'd this.

And while I did, I don't think that means that it's a bad book.

I think that a lot of people will really enjoy this. Dragons are so popular right now because of Fourth Wing. Include an element of Harry Potter-ness? I'm sure plenty of people would eat this up.

But once I started reading it, I didn't want to continue reading it. I didn't really enjoy the main character. Any main character that I need to be persuaded to like is usually not a book I'm going to keep reading for long.

Beautiful cover though, and I'm SURE this book will be a favorite of many.

The premise is what drew me in. Dragons in 1920s London?? But what i wasn’t fond of was the main character. The author warned us in the beginning that her main character would be selfish and have character growth. But it just took too long for that character growth. Her willful denial of what was right in front of her for no good reason became nails on a chalk board.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really intriguing to me. It's set in 1923 London and follows Vivien Featherswallow, the girl who started a civil war.

I almost finished this book in one sitting, it was so good. It took a lot of elements of popular fantasy books but melded them together to make a fascinating story. I loved Williamson's use of a caste based dystopian world, mixed with corrupt government, rebellion, morally gray characters, and a small romance subplot.

I also really liked the codebreaking of a secret dragon language, it was fascinating and well thought through.

I think that most people might see the main character as being insufferable, but I saw Vivien as relatable. She, like everyone, struggles with morals, but especially so as a teenage girl. I thought it was great to see a character struggle with this, maybe even refreshing.

I think this book will be great for those who love dragons and politically based reads!

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e-arc of A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson.

This is a fantasy novel. 4+*; dragons, cast systems, academy vibes, friendships/betrayal.

Synopsis:
"A Language of Dragons" by S. F. Williamson blends fantasy in a YA Dark Academia setting. Set in London, 1923, Vivian Featherswallow is thrown into chaos when her parents are arrested, and her sister goes missing. Recruited as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park during a civil war, Vivian must unlock the secrets of a hidden dragon language to save her family. This debut novel features a slow-burn romance and a plot rich with twists, betrayals, and secret identities, for fans of dragons and adventures."

Things I liked:
• Dragons
• The Cast System
• Academia / YA Vibes

I recommend it to anyone who likes dragon-fantasy YA books.

When Vivian Featherswallows' parents are arrested, she devises a plan to free them, which includes setting loose a dragon to destroy the government building. Upon being arrested, she is given an option. Join her parents in prison, leaving behind her younger sister defenseless or to become a translator for the government to stop the rebellion of dragons. The choice is obvious and Vivian starts working eagerly to save her family, until she learns about how corrupt the government is and begins to become persuaded to rebel.

I loved this book! It as the fantasy break I needed! It included everything I loved including a dystopia, rebellion, conflicts of interest, and dragons. The adventure and rebellion in this book were also amazing!

I really enjoyed the romance between Atlas and Vivien. I also really enjoyed how none of the characters were perfect. They acted like real human beings in difficult situations. For example, Vivien always strived to get ahead in the beginning, even if it meant betraying her best friend. This allowed for character growth and just made the book as a whole feel a lot deeper.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes fantasy, dystopian, or adventure books!

Before you dive into this book there is one thing you need to know. It is a LOT. Prepare your brain to need to sit with the immersive world building and the weaving plot! If you go in expecting a quick fantasy book you're going to be in for a surprise and this book is so good that I WANT you to be ready for it! So what are you in for? 1920's London, Bletchley park codebreaking, dark academia vibes, a morally grey FMC, and best of all dragons! This book is what I wanted when everyone got hyped for Fourth Wing (not hate to that series! Love a franchise that gets more people reading it just wasn't for me and THIS WAS!)

5 stars

Dragons, codebreaking, a morally grey main character, slow burn enemies to lovers romance, and a dark academia setting? Sign me right up!

The main character, Viv, had me wanting to grab her and shake her until her teeth rattled for what she did to her best friend, and for the terrible decisions she made. At times, I wasn't sure if I was reading a redemption arc or a villain's origin story. It could easily go in either direction, and I was hooked.

The story is less about traditional codebreaking and focuses more on learning the different languages and ways dragon's communicate with the hopes of using the knowledge to help win the war. I loved the world-building and various types of dragons we are introduced to. The romance was sweet without taking center stage, and despite Viv's flaws, I found myself caring a lot about the characters.

This book is an engrossing debut with an ending that left me excited for the next book in the series. I hope Williamson is hard at work on book two. Bring on the dragons!

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of this book.

Vivien Featherswallow starts a civil war that involves dragons without even knowing what she is doing. This book has intrigue, alternate London in Bletchley Park, dragons...how can you go wrong? This is perfect for the younger set who may like Fourth Wing. I also agree this is for fans of Babel. There is some discussion about language, especially with the dragons. This was such a great read. I couldn't recommend it more.

As someone who majored in Linguistics and who loves fantasy books about dragons, I thought that A Language of Dragons sounded exactly like the kind of book I would like, and I was right. I loved this novel and enjoyed every minute spent reading it.

This book is doing a lot, but I think it balances all the facets of the story well. Inside this story you will find:

—A historical setting of Bletchley Park in London in 1923. You know the codebreakers working there during that time? Think that, but the code they’re trying to break is a dragon-made code!
—An academic setting with dark academia vibes.
—Clean slow-burn romance.
—Incredibly strong familial relationships, especially between sisters.
—So many different types of dragons. Including a bright pink one!
—Linguistics! And draconian linguistics! Lots of discussion of languages and word meanings and the art of translation. I personally really enjoyed this aspect of the story.
—Lots of political intrigue, secret identities, rebellion, and betrayal.
—Intense action scenes with high stakes.
—A very morally gray female main character who I loved.

This book is marketed as YA, and I don’t really read of lot of YA anymore, but I thought it was a strong crossover title that would be good for adults and youths alike. The characters are on the older side of their teenage years since they’re getting ready to go off to university.

Any fan of historical fantasy or dragons should pick up A Language of Dragons. This was a strong debut novel that I highly recommend. I really loved this book and I thought it was written very well. It had a satisfying conclusion that wrapped up the story but also left a gap for the potentiality of more to come. I hope it remains a standalone novel, but I wouldn’t be opposed to reading more about these characters either.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with the eARC!

Babel but with dragons? Say less! I knew that I would really enjoy this book when I stumbled upon the synopsis and I was not disappointed at all. This one is for the httyd, Babel, and fleabag girlies. Rich in world building, politics, scheming, and conspiracy, A Language of Dragons is an engaging read. I especially enjoyed the main character’s development as we see her leave her life of privilege and become confronted with the harsh reality of those of the lower class. The world is cutthroat and vicious as everyone must pass the examination for a chance at a peaceful life. I appreciated seeing Viv dismantle her blinders and working to help the people around her.

My favorite part of this book were the code breaking scenes! I loved reading about the different dragon languages and dialects and their special way of communicating with each other. I also appreciated how the society’s treatment of dragons was largely a metaphor for colonization.

The relationships between the recruits were also interesting and rife with tension given they were all from different social classes. I loved Atlas so much and how he always stayed true to his morals while trying to bring out the best in Vivian.

The ending was explosive, insane, and heartbreaking and after that trauma I desperately need a sequel. Overall, I would give this 4 stars and I had so much fun with this one.

ARC Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

A Language of Dragons is a YA fantasy that takes place in 1920s England, but adds dragons to the mix. Viv is a product of an unjust class system whose family is now accused of working with the rebels. Viv is forced to work for the government in order to save her family. What is she willing to sacrifice to get them back?

The dragons in this story are absolutely amazing. I loved the different politics and cultures within their species. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book, because they were far more interesting to me than our main character. Whew, Viv was an infuriatingly ignorant main character with some snails pace growth by the end. She is intentionally frustrating, but it still is hard to read her repeated bad decisions. The side characters are much more like-able which helped me get through. I think this book definitely touches on some important issues of inequality and is a thought provoking read. I do feel like this was a solid base for the next book even with the hiccups, so I will be picking up the next one.

A Language of Dragons is out January 7th, 2025

Thank you #netgalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this arc.

Set in early 1900s Great Britain, with dragons and a bright young woman setting off a civil war. How could one not enjoy? There are comparisons to a few books out there, only one of which I’’ve read (Hunger Games). I get it, but I don’t… beyond older sister protecting younger sister, and evil people at the top of government, there isn’t much else to compare.

The MC, Viv, is just 17 - naive and highly intelligent, the perfect combo to set things in motion. Politics and power have motivated people for all of history, how else could we have good vs. evil, the gray area in between, heroes and villains? Toss in some young love, compromised friendships, and dragons (yes, I’ve already mentioned the dragons, but… dragons) and you have a compelling and interesting story.

I also enjoyed the study of linguistics, the idea of communication between species.

Ok, so I went into this book blind, intiruged by the title only. I was expecting to have an enjoyable ride through a vibrant world with dragons, humans, and sweet woodland creatures. What I got was so much more! This world is London but in an alternate universe where dragons are common place. An ambitious young woman by the name of Vivian Featherswallow gets herself mixed up in matters that she doesn't truly understand. She makes some mistakes, finds love, and has to make the biggest decision of her life to save everyone. This book was gritty and emotional and dangerous and thought provoking. This is the deepest dragon centered book I have ever read. The conflict, world-building, and character-building was well executed, the mission and tone of the book was consistent from beginning to end, we opened with action and kept on rolling!
THE ENDING...ATLAS???...OMG! There has to be a second book on the horizon...I will definitely be on the look out for it.

This was everything I never knew I needed in a dragon book!

Thank you, Netgalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and S.F. Williamson for the ARC of this amazing book. I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily and without coercion.

I loved this book! The alternate history started with a very dystopian vibe, having strict class divisions in early 1900's Britain. The story begins fast and with full force, plunging you into a world rife with political tension and on the verge of war. The story quickly shifted to a war-time feel of attempting to build the enigma machine, with spies and a deep mystery to unravel. And all with a backdrop of impending death looming, while navigating interpersonal relations with a team that is also being forced to compete against one another ... or face death. It was all so intense and engaging. I couldn't put it down!

The writing was beautiful, the characters were complex and multi-faceted with intense backgrounds. And the importance of language and communication is woven throughout. Just an overall wonderful reading experience.

*A Language of Dragons* by S. F. Williamson is a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel that explores themes of communication, identity, and self-discovery. The story follows the protagonist, who embarks on a journey to understand the ancient language of dragons, unlocking secrets that could change their world. Williamson’s world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique magical system that draws readers into a realm where language itself holds immense power. The characters are complex and relatable, adding depth to the engaging plot. *A Language of Dragons* is an enchanting read for fans of magical adventures and character-driven fantasy.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

a language of dragons is being compared to babel (which i have yet to read, but love/admire r f kuang’s writing) and the hunger games (which was my personality from 2011-2014). while i cannot speak to the comparison of babel — i do see the correlation due to the importance/understanding of languages and how they can be commodified and weaponized.

as for the hunger games comparison: there is a lot of political intrigue and a not-so-secret rebellion of humans and dragons. i’ve seen a few reviews compare our fmc viv to katniss, and outside of the desire to protect a younger sister, i think that comparison is a disservice to viv. yes, both viv and katniss are extremely complex and morally gray, but katniss was NEVER for the capitol. viv, on the other hand, is a second class citizen awarded vastly more liberties than those of the third class that allows the wool to be firmly placed over her eyes to the liberties afforded those in the first class. the wool is so far over viv’s eyes that it takes the entirety of the book for her to realize that she’s fighting for the wrong side. viv is also extremely morally gray in a way that katniss never was — viv betrays her friends, in addition to weaponizing academia, and more importantly, the human and dragon languages she cherishes.

all this to say — WHEW! what a fantastic ride a language of dragons was. i’m beyond eager for book two after the cliffhanger… i’m certainly glad dragons aren’t real and therefore can’t be weapons of mass destruction …

(and i cannot wait for my gorgeous fl edition to arrive!!)

<I>Every fire starts with a single spark.</i>

Vivian Featherswallow is both naive and incredibly intelligent, caring and callous, thoughtful and brash. She wholeheartedly supports her country's class system, working hard to ensure that she and her family will never fall below Second Class. But when her parents, uncle, and cousin from certain death after they are arrested for treason, she jumps headlong into an ill-fated rescue attempt. In less than 24 hours, she's started a civil war, becoming the catalyst for pushing an already strained system to the brink of disaster. When she's given a chance at redemption - and to save her family - she takes it, all while continuing to hope for her own glory as a linguist. But as she makes new allies and friends at the secret facility they are all working in, she slowly (sometimes painfully slowly) begins to realize that the world she has grown up in isn't as perfect as she thinks. And then has to make the painful choice between the possibility of losing what she's been fighting for or saving everything.

World Building: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Predictability (lack of): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pacing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥛 - very mild (0.25 🌶️)
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW/CW: Violence, Death, Assault, War, Child Abuse, Torture

Viv was sometimes a hard character to like - definitely read the forward with the author explanation on the character development - but she was very real. It is rare that I find a fantasy book that keeps me on my toes, but this one had some twists that I was not expecting. A very solid debut novel. Preorder this one!

Looking forward to book two!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest and genuine review.

I really enjoyed this story. I genuinely loved the plot, the world-building, the politics, and the heavy focus on linguistics. And, of course, dragons!

The MC, Viv, was very naive, stubborn, and unlikeable at times. However, based on how she was raised and what she was taught, those qualities fit the story. She wasn't perfect, and deep down, she knew it. I'm hoping that her character development improves throughout the story.

While Viv was less enjoyable, the side characters were solid. They all had struggles, personalities, flaws, and something worth fighting for. They were all products of a corrupt government, forced to grow up much faster than others. It was hard not to feel bad for them, even when some were temporarily labeled as antagonists. They were all kids just trying to survive and save their loved ones.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 because I wished there was more dragon action and wanted more from the story. But based on the ending, the next novel will give me exactly what I am asking for!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. This is an excellent debut novel, and I look forward to following this story to its end.

A Language of Dragons is an interesting blend of political intrigue, dragons, academia, and secrets in an alternate version of Britain. Vivian Featherswallow, dragon language extraordinaire, finds herself working at Bletchley Park as a codebreaker to help end a rebellion against the British government. But things are not what they seem, and Viv soon realizes that her secrets have the capacity to not only destroy her family but Britain as she knows it. Williamson's debut is an engrossing read with a smart, conflicted heroine and interesting world building.

My favorite aspect of this novel is the languages. Maybe I'm a nerd, but I love the idea that dragons have their own unique languages built upon human languages and that there exists a high level of academia which studies such languages. Vivian can speak several dragon languages, and although I couldn't pronounce most of the words or language names, I love that everything was so detailed. I also love the dragon code that Vivian is attempting to decipher and everything that is revealed in relation to that. This book is very heavy on languages, translations, etc. and is more of an academic book with dragons rather than a book about dragons.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't some super cool dragons and a fair bit of action. The story is bookended by big action scenes, but the middle is much slower as Vivian performs her work at Bletchley and learns more about herself and the government for which she's working. There are a number of characters introduced, and while they're okay enough, they aren't all that developed, as if they're solely there to fill spots at Bletchley. There's also a romance, which I didn't particularly enjoy. It seems to move a bit fast and the forbidden aspect seems silly, but it was sweet enough and could be developed further...assuming the ending is hinting at something.

The ending of this book wraps up the story but teases a sequel, one that will probably be more actiony and less academic. Considering the academic parts of this book were my favorite, I'm not sure how I feel about that, but based on Williamson's writing here, I'm sure she can make it interesting.