Dragons in an alternate WWII reality with an emphasis on the scholarly side? This book sounded immensely cool and I was certain I would love it. It started off really strong but once I got to the scholarly aspects, the story really started to drag and didn’t pick up until the last 20% or so.

I was intrigued by the politics and the rebellion, but there’s only telling and no showing of this up until the end, which left me feeling like I was an outsider looking in instead of being in the midst of the revolution.

There was a heavy focus on the main character learning to read and understand echolocation patterns of dragons. Unfortunately this was very dull and uninteresting to me personally. The dragons didn’t have the presence in the story that I expected and just felt like this minor background detail.

My biggest concern though is the main character herself. As a reader who loooves a well written flawed character, Viv is well past being flawed and just straight unlikable for the majority of the book. Her selfishness and unwillingness to see other people’s pov made it hard for me to follow her. And I understand that this is part of her journey, and is necessary for us to see her inner struggles, I do. It was just hard for me as a reader to go through that journey alongside her and watch her make all the wrong mistakes before righting them.

All in all, this was a pretty good book and well written, I think a lot of people will end up really loving it. I liked the way the story ended and will be interested to see where things go in the next book.

I absolutely LOVED this story! I cannot praise it highly enough. I actually loved this one more than "that other dragon book" that everyone is also reading right now and that says a lot. The book starts with a dystopian society with rigid classes and virtually no mobility. We immediately begin to see the cracks in the society that is around them and the discontent brewing in society. Our main protagonist works to translate and understand dragons and communication which would open a new world for them and drastically alter their society forever.

Just ordered myself a pretty copy and cannot wait for the next installment. Thank you for providing this copy for me to read and review.

I loved that it jumped right into the action of the story within the first chapter. Even with this early action the world building and care the for the characters as a reader was well done. The political view point drug on a little long towards the end where I felt myself not caring as much about the story as I had anticipated the outcome. But overall I enjoyed the different perspective adding a heavy political view that can be very similar to what we are dealing with in US political views today.

It was difficult at first to accept an alternate universe where dragons exist alongside humans and were present during WWI, but eventually I stopped asking questions. Vivien Featherswallow straddled the line of being a morally gray character and being completely unlikable. She’s selfish and I think that’s definitely more realistic. Her romance with Atlas was probably the weakest part of the book though. Also, would have liked more of her actually SPEAKING to dragons since she is a polyglot translator.

I am slowly getting into fantasy reads and this seemed like a good book to start with. It is geared towards young/new adults but that does not work against the book in any way. It kept me engaged and intrigued.

This could’ve been a 5 star with such a unique premise — who wouldn’t want to study dragon languages?! And there were a lot of really astute observations about the nature of words conveying multiple meanings, which makes sense, given the author herself is a literary translator. Not to mention, observations on classism and privilege. That said, it’s hard to root for such a consistently cowardly FMC and the repetitively self-serving nature of Viv’s inner monologue brought my enjoyment level down. (Yes, I know, *character development.*) I will continue the series because I did get pretty invested in those dragons. 😁

#ALanguageofDragons #NetGalley

Maybe because the main character’s name, Vivien Featherswallow eerily sounded similar to THAT book’s main character, Violet Sorrengail.

Maybe because after the action packed heart pounding initial chapter the subsequent chapters were tepid in comparison

Maybe because the talents that were to honed other than Vivian’s were not as interesting.

Together all these maybes added up to a ‘ did not care for this read’.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Children’s Books , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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My first fantasy read and I absolutely loved it. I was engulfed in the world of the dragons and the world building was easy to catch on to and learn. thank you neutrally and publisher for letting me read an advanced copy

If fourth wing and babel had a baby you would have this book. This was such a unique story that felt so refreshing. I really enjoyed the plot and watching the mysteries of this world unfold. The hint of romance was the perfect amount.

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.