A Language of Dragons is set in London in the 1920s. This London is all about a suppressive class system and a treaty with dragons who speak multiple languages and work alongside humans. Viv's parents are arrested as traitors and face the death penalty. When she tries to destroy the evidence against her parents, Viv unwittingly starts a war. She is captured and conscripted into a top-secret job as a code breaker because she is fluent in multiple dragon and human languages. She uncovers unbelievable truths to a naive teenager and has to face reality head-on.
I enjoyed this story, especially the dragon interactions, and I found the linguistics fascinating. I look forward to reading more from S.F. Williamson.

This historical fantasy ticks all the boxes; dragons, HIGH stakes, found family, and romance! What an impressive debut by S.F Williamson!

I am not usually a historical fantasy reader so I was worried going into this that I would be bored or feel too dumb to understand certain things but my experience with this book was quite the opposite. I found the studies of dragons and dragon language fascinating and the author does a wonderful job of balancing world building and complex academics with action and romance. At no point did I feel lost or confused on what was happening.

As for the romance, people online who are comparing this to Fourth Wing is doing this book a disservice. I liked Fourth Wing and I very much enjoyed this book too but, they are very different. This book does not have a romance leading plot but there is romance and it does play a big role in the over arching story. The similarities though would be grumpy/sassy dragons and an academic and slightly tortured from her past FMC, Vivian who is forced to slowly unlearn everything she believed in her whole life. The MMC was a big part of that journey for her. I really enjoyed all of the side characters too and felt very invested in their individual growth.

Overall, I had a great time and am pumped to read the next installment!!

Thank you SO much to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC! As always, all opinions are my own.

C.S. Lewis wrote, "Even a traitor may mend." This is a story about a traitor who chooses to mend.

Dragons, in this fictional world, speak as many different languages as humans do but they also have a "sacred language," more like whale songs. Dragons are willing to speak human languages and teach humans most of their languages, but not the sacred one. Viv is a linguist studying dragon languages, so she's recruited to "crack the code" that is the sacred language. What she learns of the sacred language, and the reasons why it can't be used by or taught to humans, changes her politics and begins to change her character. You might not like Viv at the beginning of the story, where she's just secured a scholarship by cheating a friend out of one, but you'll probably like her at the end.

Her world is not much fun to visit. Nor does it make logical sense. In what's supposed to be Britain in the 1920s, attitudes toward gender roles are more typical of the 2020s, but attitudes toward "class" have developed in a completely opposite direction. Instead of progressing to be more like the US "income bracket" system and less like the Indian caste system, this Britain has devolved into a caste system. There seems to be no wealth from exploited colonies and the caste system seems to have kept anyone from finding any alternative. This fictional England already has a Queen and a female Prime Minister, and both of them are as deranged as George III. Instead of being university students, as they would have been in real life, the teenaged characters are already at the top of their fields--and they're prisoners, pursuing their studies at gunpoint. The pressure is intense enough that some of them commit homicide and suicide; the main characters' friends try to kill them. The atmosphere may be typical of prisons everywhere but it has no flavor of the 1920s.

Against this background of moral sewage Viv's, and Sophie's and Atlas's and Marquis's, attempts to clean their characters shine all the brighter. Some readers might enjoy a good cry over this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

𝘈 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘴 is a high-stakes historical YA novel set in 1923 London. It reminds me of a fantasy dystopian version of The Imitation Game, featuring a war with dragons and young linguistic experts desperate to break dragon code for an upper hand in the war. It's an addictive dark academia story with a slow-burn romance, a corrupt government and complex political intrigue, and morally gray, flawed yet lovable characters.

I found the linguistics aspect to be fascinating, and the writing style kept me turning the pages. I think this adds something to the YA fantasy genre! Definitely worth pre-ordering if you love dragons.

Dragons, Bletchley Park, a flawed class system, and a rebel cause? *chef's kiss* Could have done without the detail on Viv's mental transformation, but overall a great YA fantasy read--read over half in one sitting. Will be looking for a book 2!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Releases Jan 7, 2025.

This book started off well and I was very interested. I did feel like some of the world building like the languages was a bit dull and tedious. I enjoyed it until around 60% or so and then it just kinda felt a bit rushed and like it needed some more fine tuning. The characters were making really crazy and impulsive decisions that to me weren’t warranted. The ending was also super frustrating and I’m assuming what happened isn’t real and will somehow be explained away in book two. Unfortunately I don’t see myself picking up the next book. It wasn’t for me but I’m sure there are plenty who will love it

I was given an ARC and am giving my honest opinion.

This novel started off strong. I enjoyed the world building and the dragons. The FMC Vivian shows compassion but has a huge secret.
What made this novel weak was how dense the FMC is. Time and time again she’s explained to why everything is bad and she just basically says nope and walks on. Towards the end I couldn’t stand her. Eventually of course she flips and is suddenly the poster child of the other side.
I loved the MMC Atlas, he was a sweetheart and deserved better. I think what happened with his character could have been different but still have the desired effect. A decent, easy read 3/5 stars.

Summary:
A second class girl in a three class system has her parents arrested due to being rebels. She makes a plan to get rid of the evidence by releasing a known criminal dragon. Her act ignites are war that had been rushing towards them for years. She gets caught afterwards and is sent to a camp where she is made to decode a language of dragons. She meets Atlas King there who is a priest in training. He helps Viv deal with the consequences of her actions and helps her realize that things aren’t always what they seem. Can Viv make the right decision to save her family or to save millions?
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

A Language of Dragons follows Vivian Featherswallow.
A young 2nd class citizen who will do anything to keep her status including setting her supposed best friend up for demotion to third class status.
After her parents are arrested for treason, she gets a dragon to set fire to Prime Minister Wyvenmire's office to get rid of the evidence held against her parents in exchange for setting him free.
An unexpected reaction was an all-out war for breaking the human-dragon peace treaty.

While this was a decent story, it was very slow paced and many of the characters one dimensional.

I'd like to than NetGalley and the author for the chance to read this Advanced Reader Copy

In this captivating fantasy novel, readers are thrust into a world where dragons are not the mythical creatures of old, but rather misunderstood beings who only recently signed a peace treaty with the humans. The narrative centers around a morally grey female protagonist who, caught in a web of personal conflict and shifting allegiances, seeks to change the fate of her family through a perilous journey of discovery.

At the heart of the story is the protagonist’s quest to master multiple dragon languages, each one unlocking deeper mysteries about the ancient bond between humans and dragons—and the power of communication across species. The nuances of these languages are woven into the plot in a way that feels both intellectually engaging and deeply emotional, as the protagonist wrestles with her own moral compass while learning to bridge the gap between the two worlds.

The protagonist is a wonderfully complex character—flawed, ambitious, and sometimes ruthless in her pursuit of justice. Her moral ambiguity adds a layer of depth to the story, keeping readers guessing about her true intentions and allegiances. Her relationship with the dragons evolves as she learns to communicate with them in ways no one else has before, uncovering hidden truths that challenge everything she thought she knew.

The dragons themselves are richly portrayed, not as mere beasts, but as intelligent and sentient creatures deserving of empathy and respect. The injustices they face- slavery, belittlement, restriction—are heartbreaking, and the author does an excellent job of conveying the dragons’ inner lives and the way they deal with life after the treaty. Their plight adds a compelling layer of urgency to the protagonist’s journey.

The world-building is immersive, with intricate details about the various dragon dialects, cultures, and histories. It’s clear that the author has put significant thought into the mechanics of this world, making it feel both expansive and rich in lore. The plot is a careful blend of political intrigue, ethical dilemmas, and heart-pounding action, all revolving around the question: what is the price of justice, and is it worth paying?

Overall, the language of dragons is a thought-provoking, fast-paced fantasy that blends personal conflict with broader social issues, all while offering a fresh perspective on dragons and the nature of communication. The morally grey protagonist, rich lore, and emotional stakes make this a standout read for fans of complex characters and intricate fantasy worlds.

This was a great alternate London story and enjoyed the time-period being used in this. The concept was everything that I wanted and enjoyed in the genre. I enjoyed learning about this period and what was different. S. F. Williamson has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

What a debut novel! This book focuses around a war in 1923 London where dragons and humans live alongside one another. There are different social classes with strict standards and most people will do whatever is necessary to reach the first class. Every war comes with rebels, and I was quite shocked when some of the characters were revealed to be rebels. While politics and war usually aren't my cup of tea when it comes to reading, this story was beautifully written and kept me invested at all times.

Chumana was easily my favorite dragon throughout the story! I don't think I've ever read a book with a pink dragon. I can vividly imagine how massive and beautiful she must have been. I really enjoyed learning about different dragon languages and the abilities that these languages have. This is not something that I have seen talked about in other books before and I think it was an excellent point to focus on and it actually is very important to the overall story. It was nice to have more than one main character that was a dragon and I enjoyed learning about the differences amongst the breeds and the languages they spoke. Vivian is such a fast learner when it comes to linguistics and it was fun watching her unravel details that people have been spending years trying to figure out.

Vivian does have some internal struggles that she must figure out on her own. I was a little frustrated with how long it took her to make the right decision since it seemed so obvious. However, I could understand her reasoning for being so indecisive.

Vivian's romantic interest is a third class boy who has been allowed to participate in the same program she is. While they are studying different departments, their paths intertwine quite often. They become more and more involved with one another as the war creeps closer and they develop strong feelings for one another. I really enjoy how level headed Atlas was and how he seemed to be able to calm Vivian down from even the most stressful situations.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins, and S. F. Williamson for a copy of this ARC. This review is my own honest opinion of the novel. I can't wait for the sequel!

A Language of Dragons is the epitome of a historical fanatsy novel. There is political intrigue, romance, dynamic characters and- of course- dragons. What I loved about this book is that I felt as if I was learning while reading, in the best possible way. This book gives you knowledge while keeping an engaging plot that has you on the edge of your seat. It’s marketed as a YA novel but I feel like this can appeal to a much larger audience. It touches on such important topics and themes such as government corruption. Such a wonderful book.

Vivien Featherswallow is a teenaged student living in an alternative 1923 London where intelligent dragons coexist with human beings. Viv's parents are both acclaimed academics devoted to ensuring that both of their daughters achieve the grades necessary to remain securely within the family's privileged Second Class status. Viv's best friend, Sophie, failed her Examination and was recently demoted to Third Class. Vivien has not seen Sophie since she was forced to leave her parents' home and move into a halfway house in the poor part of town. Viv is secretly consumed by guilt over her own part in Sophie's demotion.
Hoping to discuss her theories about dragon languages and give Viv a chance to ask about a coveted summer internship, Helina Featherswallow has invited the powerful Professor Hollingsworth to dinner. The family does not expect that this event will lead to the arrest of both parents for treason. Leaving her little sister, Ursa, with family friends, Viv embarks on a perilous attempt to save her parents that results in the breaking of the human and dragon Peace Treaty. Caught in the act, she is sent to Bletchley Park, a secret government base where gifted young criminals like Viv are given the chance to redeem themselves by contributing to the war effort. As a polyglot, Viv is expected to uncover the secret of the Dragon Code.
She will learn the truth about the society she has always viewed as just and the government she has always trusted to be fair. She will make friends with people she would never have bothered with in her previous life. She will risk everything in the pursuit of truth. She will fall in love.
If J.K. Rowling, Anne McCaffrey, and Kate Atkinson collaborated on a novel, it might have looked a lot like this one. A Language of Dragons is a powerful work set in a fully realized alternative world. It is a young adult adventure story that delves into serious moral issues.
The ending of this book leaves the possibility of a sequel. I would love to read that!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with a free advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A century ago in London, but with dragons. Good characters and action. The foreshadowing felt heavy handed, and the plot followed all the usual tropes. The MC was a bit young seeming - believed everything she was told by the establishment adults - even when the evidence was in her face. It was a fun ride, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Love. Not gonna lie, this book is very jarring in the sense of how it relates to history. It is a different representation of some very tragic and traumatic things that have happened in the world. It's very dystopian in that aspect. Not sure what else I expected with it being set in an alternate version of the 1920s. Honestly this was a very good book and I loved the aspect of being able to talk to dragons and knowing multiple different languages human and dragon. There's different class rankings that basically are your station in life and incredibly harsh punishments if you don't fall in line. There's love, betrayal, happiness and heartache. A couple of expected things but also some very interesting plot twists that I did not expect. I was very grateful to be able to read this book in Kindle form and am.Considering getting a physical copy provided my bookshelves will allow it.

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing this for reading.

With all the hype around this, I expected better? The story has an interesting premise, girl's dragon supporter parents are taken by the authorities. Leaving the girl desperate to do anything to get them back. Which includes freeing a dragon from imprisonment in a local government building. Due to freeing said dragon, she signs herself over to the government to be used as they see fit.

Which ends up bringing her to be a code-breaker. Instead of the code-breaking that is done at the famous Bletchley Park. The code breaking is now Dragon to Dragon speak.

I found the book to bogged down by nothing and I felt like nothing was going anywhere with plot.

So at 50% I DNF'd it.

I went into this with “fourth wing” in mind as it was described to me that way. What I got was action packed war with dragons.

S. F. Williamson brought action, suspense, and amazing characters with this book. Loosely based off of the codebreakers in Bletchley park, the same park was used in this book. The way the author introduces us to this world and how dragons live and dont live with humans was really easy to follow. The class systems and the government was easy to understand. Right from the get go this book exploades into action, we get a soft launch and introduction to two main characters and then immediately everything starts happening. I was sucked into this book so fast. This is one author to toy with your feelings as she puts these poor characters through the ringer! Towards the middle it slowed down and remembering what the rebellion and the prime ministers army and which was bad and good got a little choppy, but we got to know some relationships between characters backstory which was greatly needed and strengthened the readers knowledge of each character. Then when the end started connecting and time was running out for the war that was raging on fast paced action right up until the end!

Language of Dragons is an un-put-downable combination of Fourth Wing’s dragons and military academia, the Rose Code’s setting and basic concept (codebreaking during WW2) with a little bit of Hunger Games politics thrown in. Genius.

This book is also an interesting discussion on topics such as good vs. bad—whether humans are born all good or all bad—guilt, forgiveness, the choices we make, and more than really let you into the psychology behind the very morally grey main character. A morally grey character who was forced into making some impossible decisions (and a few that felt like no brainers).

There were many times I felt like the main character (whose first person point of view is your window to the world) over explained actions or events, and the dialogue as well felt a little basic and cheesy. There was also a lot of awkward hand holding that felt more like it was there to emphasize that these characters like each other rather than it being a sweet, romantic action. There were also some actions in the final sequence that didn’t make logical sense and seemed more like a means to the next plot point.

However, this did not stop or slow me down on my journey through this book. I literally couldn’t put it down, despite some eye rolling at word choice or a character’s actions. Definitely recommend for people who enjoy historical fantasy, dark academia, and morally grey characters. And I will definitely be looking for the next book.

okay hear me out. i'm not sure what i was expecting, but it kind of wasn't 1920ish dragons? i did find myself skimming, but i still recommend this one - i just wasn't connected with the story or the characters. thank you netgalley for the arc!

Thank you so much to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

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4,25 stars - a story about the power and love of, and in, language itself… with cool dragons in the centre

“One must ask: What possible good can come from daughters who converse with dragons?”

I really really enjoyed the world the story was set in, a kind of alternate 1920’s Britain with dragons, as well as the dragons themselves, all the side-characters and the plot. The only thing I disliked was the female main character, enough that I considered dnfing quite early on - but I am so glad I kept reading, as everything else slowly but surely shone brightly enough to distract me from my continuous annoyance at her bad decision making.

“To control languages, to control words, is to control what people know.”

The side-characters were all immediately intriguing to me, and several of them were so loveable that I kept wanting to learn more about their stories. I really hope we get to see and learn more of them as the series goes on!

This is very much a story about privilege and naivety for the female main character, and that was the only part of her character I found interesting. Her journey of growth is the only character trait I can place for her and that somewhat redeemed her to me. She had to unlearn a lot of things, and try to come to terms with the fact that the people in power do not in fact always want the best for their people. It’s a very timely topic and representation, and I think a lot of people could do well to do some of the same kind of introspection when it comes to their own worldview and political leanings.
If it wasn’t for the fmc this would easily be among my top five reads of the year, and for that I am both grateful and frustrated.

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

The plot was interesting, the academia parts intriguing and easy to follow, and I’m excited to see where the story goes next.

“Language is as crucial to war as any weapon.”