I was eager to dive into A Language of Dragons and it didn’t disappoint!
The blend of fantasy, intrigue, and linguistics was fascinating!
and the world-building was top notch!
While the pacing slowed at times, the beautifully woven narrative kept me hooked.
A fantastic read and I can’t wait to see what Williamson writes next!

Dystopian meets fantasy meets dragons
Wow this book was a great read, especially in our current political climate. When Viv accidentally starts a civil war and takes a mysterious job to save her family, she learns that life in her society is not as she thought.
In this book, there is a mix of imperfect teens who are recruited to help their government win a war. The story follows our main character Viv as she figures out how naive and ignorant she was about the world around her before. She is a selfish girl who makes decisions that best benefit her future. As she finds out her perfectly planned future might not be all she thought it was, will she risk it to help the greater good?
I really enjoyed this book, especially the character growth throughout as the main characters had to keep adapting as their reality changes. I also love how the author highlighted how important language is in our societies, politics and connections to other people. As a speech language pathologist that was a little geek factor for me! Most of the characters have a little something that makes them hard to root for. I thought this was really reflective of how when we are faced with helping others at a great cost, we make selfish decisions. When I read this book I often hoped that I if I were Viv, I would make the just decision but really would I?
Also, l'd like to note this is NOT Fourth Wing-ish so don't go in with that mindset!

This was an amazing debut novel. I really loved everything about it and can’t wait to see more. I was on a rollercoaster ride the entire book and I didn’t want to get off. I really hope there is a second book because I am in need!!

The idea held a lot of promise, but flat characters made it just an okay read.

What I liked:
I loved the premise of this book. A main character working to crack a dragon code is a great idea, and the world building around the dragon languages was very interesting.

What I didn’t love:
The main character vacillated between rebelling and complying with the system way too many times for my liking. While I appreciate a character arc, this felt more like a character with no backbone changing her opinions on a whim. Additionally, the main character is built up as a linguistic genius, but she comes across as not very bright in every other aspect of her life. Almost every reveal I saw coming from a mile away, and it started to get a little frustrating that the main character was so oblivious to everything going on around her.

I also thought the side characters were pretty one note. I get that this is a first book, but having at lease one developed side character would have helped offset the inconsistency of the main character.

Overall, I would say this is a fine read if you’re looking for something entertaining with dragons, but it isn’t something I would urge you to rush out and get immediately.

This book wasn't what I expected, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was magical and intriguing and I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to EVERYONE!

I think my big gripe is that this was marketed as "slow-burn enemies-to-lovers" which is just wildly inaccurate - they had a minor argument, if anything. Not that that was why I was interested in the book in the first place, it just bothered me.

That aside, this was a fantastic historical fantasy that really worked for me. Reminded me a lot of Babel, another historical fantasy I enjoyed. I'm really glad to see that it's not standalone, it definitely will need a sequel to REALLY work, but I'm so interested in where this world is going and how the characters are going to continue to grow.

I know that the "alternate history with dragons" concept has been done before, but as long as it's done well, I'm perfectly happy to welcome a new entry to the subgenre. I quite liked how this YA version was executed--set in Britain a few years after WWI, but in a world that also contains dragons. Britain is under a fifty-year old human/dragon "Peace Agreement," against which there is a growing anti-coalition rebellion. I have to admit that I couldn't really grasp the concept of how the strict class system for humans met any sort of dragon-related goals, but I was willing to let go of the "why" to just enjoy the ride as designed. I have to say that it was the action that appealed to me more than the characters. I enjoyed the incorporation of the real history of Bletchley Park into this alternate history format--bringing in a group of exceptional people to perform code breaking and other analysis of dragon behaviors in order to get the upper hand for humans. The continuing reveals of the corruption of those in charge, along with those of the abuses to those relegated as "Third Class" were effective in accomplishing the world building. The discoveries of Viv and the Bletchley crew, and the increasing pressure on them, imparted tension. I just wasn't overly fond of Viv's various emotional spirals, which slowed the story down for me each time we hit one. But overall, I quite enjoyed this and I could see myself reading a sequel if the adventures in this world continue.

Book Review: A Journey of Courage and Discovery in "Vivien Featherswallow"
In the captivating world of "Vivien Featherswallow," readers are transported to a realm where dragons soar majestically through the skies, and the pulse of protest reverberates through the streets. At the heart of this thrilling narrative is Vivien Featherswallow, a determined protagonist who embodies resilience and compassion.
Viv is on a mission to secure a summer internship studying dragon languages, driven by a profound desire to ensure her little sister has a brighter future away from the struggles of Third Class. Her journey takes a dramatic turn as she inadvertently ignites a civil war, showcasing her bravery in the face of adversity.
The stakes are high when Viv finds herself at Bletchley Park as a codebreaker, tasked with a crucial mission that could reunite her family. The tension builds as she delves into the secrets of a hidden dragon language, unraveling the complexities of a fragile peace treaty between humans and dragons.
What makes this story truly compelling is Viv's transformation as she navigates a world fraught with danger and deceit. Her quest not only highlights her intelligence and tenacity but also her unwavering commitment to family and justice. The narrative gracefully intertwines themes of courage, loyalty, and the pursuit of truth, making it a powerful read for anyone who appreciates fantasy and adventure.
"Vivien Featherswallow" is a brilliantly crafted tale that invites readers to reflect on the importance of standing up for what is right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. With its rich world-building and relatable characters, this book promises to inspire readers to embrace their unique strengths and fight for a better future. Highly recommended for those seeking an empowering and thrilling escape into a world where dragons and humans must learn to coexist. #netgalley

I was expecting something more like Temeraire, I suppose. There was a lot of world-building that was hand-waved which irked me as a reader, and I am so very tired of corrupt governments being corrupt and awful for no apparent reason. Perhaps because I read this in the first month of Trump's second term, it was just too much. The political parallels made it impossible to enjoy the linguistics, which were the reason I picked it up in the first place. Although the author clearly left open the possibility of a sequel, I do not think I will seek it out. Also, why is the US cover so much less appealing than the UK cover? This is unfair.

A Language of Dragons by @sfwilliamsonauthor is such an underrated YA book that is all about language and its power.

After polyglot Vivian is arrested for treason, she is given two options: watch her family die, or help translate a secret dragon language. Given this top secret position, Vivian soon learns there’s more to this roll than just translation, there’s a revolution.

😿 my cats had a hard time distracting me. I really enjoyed this book and found the instances of incorporating real historical events and places with dragons. It was a creative take on the genre, and the mystery about this dragon language kept me turning the page. Go check this one out!

After finishing A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS, I had to just sit and absorb it. My first thought was 'Wow!". It is one of the best coming of age tales that I have ever read. One that had me in tears at times yet angry enough to want to throw my book occasionally, One that had me totally invested in the lives of Vivian, Marquis and Atlas.

Set in 1923 in an alternate history where there are dragons, Vivian is totally focused on achieving her goals even if it means sabotaging her best friend. That is until her parents are arrested for treason and her little sister is taken away. Now Vivian is working for the government in exchange for their release. In doing so, Vivian (Viv) discovers what her parents felt was worth committing treason for, finds love and learns how to work for forgiveness for herself.

A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS is one of those rare books where I can't find anything to criticize. The pacing is spot on, characters are wonderfully developed, the world is finely tuned and the dialogue is realistic. This was a book that I intentionally read slowly just so I could savor it. I do have some warnings about the content as there is violence and some torture as the setting is in the middle of a revolution. As far as sexual content, heavy petting is as far as it goes. Oh and it might cause you to question the status quo.

A historical fantasy set in 1920’s London?! I was leery but I was pleasantly surprised.
If you loved Babel then try this one, it has Babel vibes but with dragons. This was great!

Amazing book. I normally don't read YA, but this had me from the first few lines. If I could give this more than five stars, I easily would. I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

This was not perfect, and definitely very YA, but in the ABSOLUTE best way.

When I first read the blurb...are you kidding me? Bletchley Park, dystopian-esque historical society, DRAGONS? TRANSLATION?

And yes, it is all of those things. If you love The Hunger Games, Babel and Fourth Wing but don't mind YA romance, you will absolutely adore this. I was hooked and NEEEEED the sequel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I, for one, love the history of Bletchley Park. I also love dragons. Seeing a book that combined one of my favorite historical places and my favorite fantastical creatures? Immediately hit request. This story definitely hit the mark in some places, and had me asking "whyyy" in others (but not the good kind of "whyyy").

Starting off with the good:
- Set up was great. There are clear motivations for the characters, and there is an extreme sense of urgency that would create a fast-paced story.
- There were characters you were rooting for, and others you wish would be eaten by a dragon.
- Story was engaging overall, very readable.
- Honestly? Great YA story. Tackles issues that are prominent in YA books like class, socioeconomic status, right vs. wrong, privilege, in a way that is accessible to these readers.

And moving on to the not-so-good (for me, anyways)
- There are so many decisions throughout this book Viv makes that had me putting my head in my hands. Either it was because Viv is unable to think through the consequences of her actions, she's impulsive, or she's just selfish, or any combination of the above, but I was just frustrated. I understand that she is in a very high pressure situation, and the lives of many people hang in the balance, but some of the decisions were just so heavy-handed in their plot development that it took me out of the story a little.
- One of the guards and their gratuitous violence towards Viv grew to be more uncomfortable throughout the story. There is one bit of remorse they show, and it's just impossible to use that to see them as a multi-dimensional person.
- So many plot points were resolved incredibly quickly at the end of the story. While it was nice to get closure, the way the plot lines resolved felt trite at some points, and it felt like they were coming from every angle and didn't give the reader time to process it by the time the next one came up.
- The second half of the book had the pressure on the characters ramped up by 1000, and while I know that the characters needed extrinsic motivation, to me it kind of felt like it came out of nowhere.

Would I still recommend this to a YA audience? Yes. Would I still recommend this to other readers who want an action-packed story fantasy story with a fun twist on a place steeped in history? Yes. Would I recommend this to someone who wants something to be shown, not told to them? Probably not.

If a sequel does arise from this, I would read it.

Really, really nice historical fantasy. I loved Viv as the main character. I thought she was really well written. I liked the involvement of the dragons. Dragons are such a hot topic these days!

This felt like The Imitation Game meets Divine Rivals meets Fourth Wing. I’m obsessed! Dark academia, slow burn romance, political intrigue, all wrapped up into a beautifully written book.

I would like to thank Harper Collins for making this novel available on NetGalley. In a world that humans and dragons share, dragons have been subjugated as a result of a Peace agreement that ended a war between humans and dragons. It also led to a class system within humans. Vivian Featherswallow wants to be a translator of Dragon languages. She already speaks three human and six dragon languages. When her parents are arrested, she agrees to cut a deal with a criminal dragon and frees her. Unfortunately, her act breaks the already very fragile Peace agreement that had been reached between humans and dragons. Chaos and vying for political currency ensue. To free her parents and save her little sister, Vivian agrees to work for the government trying to analyze dragon echolocation. She soon learns that there is alot more to dragons and their language than she previously thought. I really enjoyed this story. It is one of the power, both good and bad, of language. It is a story of colonialism, activism, and preserving indigenous cultures packed into a fantasy novel with dragons. I loved the development of Vivian throughout the story. It highlights how difficult it can be to "do the right thing." There were several powerful moments in this story. I highly recommend this story.

I really enjoyed the world and setting in A Language of Dragons and I hope the author keeps exploring deeper into human-dragon relations in other countries as well as the UK post-rebellion and post Bulgarian dragons. The academia setting and the politics were really interesting in showing how media/propaganda and education can spoon feed a society’s ideas, opinions and beliefs. In such a rigid class structure it was refreshing to see a completely naive, self centered teenager because it felt incredibly realistic!

I realize that Viv is the main character and focus and I enjoyed how realistic her ignorance and guilt were but most of the other characters were very one dimensional. She’s just a kid trying to do the best she can in a society on the verge of collapse with the limited knowledge and experience she has. I definitely got a little annoyed at how black and white the other characters morality seemed however, even knowing that most of her peers were in the program because of crimes committed. But when we glimpse those crimes they aren’t unexpected/unjustifiable and didn’t really shift the characters out of the good vs evil structure. Maybe that’s not the best dichotomy to describe the characters/situations since there is just such an obvious oppressed/oppressor or victim/perpetrator vibe. No one blames predators for killing prey, how can you blame someone from defending against an abuser.

I was always expecting Viv to “do the right thing” but her privileges and naivety did mean it took longer than I expected. probably because I’m more jaded than these poor fictional teenagers but dang girl, the cognitive dissonance she was demonstrating was intense. Books and learning are inherently political and this book in general really hit home.

I had such a great time with A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS. The dystopian world building was so interesting and gave me the same feelings and excitement as when I read classic dystopian YA books back in my youth. I was instantly engaged and excited to learn more. The addition of dragons and the politics human-human, dragon-dragon, and dragon-human was well established. I really did not want to put it down and once we got to the language/translation component - I was a goner.

I think there will be a lot of readers who will flock to this book as it really hits on so many facets we love about fantasies and does them so well.

My only drawback was the relationship felt odd. Which, perhaps, came from it being marketed as enemies to lovers and I'm not even sure you could ever call them rivals. They were just different social classes? So it kind of took me by surprise and I never quite felt engaged with that storyline.