Rating: 4.5 Stars

"To control languages, to control words, is to control what people know."

Vivian Featherswallow dreams about getting an internship studying dragon languages. Everything falls apart after her parents are arrested and accused of being part of the rebellion. After making an impulsive decision, she is offered a job as a codebreaker to save them, but only if she can uncover the secrets of hidden dragon languages. The closer she gets to discovery, she learns that some secrets should stay hidden.

“A Language of Dragons” is a dark academic story set in alternate post-war 1923 London, where dragons and humans coexist. This story does something unique with dragons and focuses on languages, the power of languages, their importance in society, and the imbalance of power created when withheld from some. It also focuses on politics with a corrupt government, where people are put into unfair class systems, and the rebels are fighting back against it.  

“The penalty for a coup d'état is death.”

Vivian is ambitious, determined, and extremely loyal to her family, but she often makes decisions that are beneficial to herself and can sometimes be blinded by her privileged life. Fortunately, throughout the book, she learns some hard truths; and ends up having an amazing growth by the end.

The romance is a subplot to the political aspect.
There were some sweet moments, but the romance was a little undeveloped. I think if we had the MMC’s POV it would have made a difference.

"Someone requested I keep my teeth to myself. Otherwise, human girl, you might already be rotting at my feet."

I found the dragons very intriguing, each with their personalities, and I found it fascinating how they were incorporated into society. The interactions between Vivian and Chumana (a Bulgarian PINK dragon) were some of my favorite moments in the book. I hope the second book goes deeper into the dragon culture.

Final thoughts, the world is unique and I think this book is well-written, with a steady pace throughout that builds to an action-packed ending. It highlights the importance of languages; It’s how we communicate, it’s how we learn, and without it, it creates an imbalance of power between those who understand and those who don’t.

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

In an alternate, post-WWI London, dragons and humans coexist. Vivien Featherswallow looks to make a name for herself and help elevate her family name by earning a spot in a prestigious dragon language program. After her parents are arrested and a misguided attempt to clear their name, Vivien’s only option is to join a top secret program as a codebreaker. Her life, and her family’s, are dependent upon her success. Through her training, Vivien realizes not everything is what it seems and she must make a choice between what she has believed her whole life and what she is witnessing first-hand.
I love, love, loved this! The political intrigue, the high stakes, the forbidden romance, dragons… I couldn’t put it down! I loved this take on dragons and their languages; it was something I haven’t read before. The characters had depth and I was pulling for Vivien from the very beginning. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the e-ARC!

A language of Dragons is a fascinating book. Set in a fictional England we follow Vivian, a young woman hoping to study dragon languages. She finds me life up ended when her parents, her uncle, and her beloved cousin are arrested for being rebels. In desperation she makes a deal with Chumana, a murderous dragon imprisoned in the university library, to destroy all the evidence of her family’s crimes. While Chumana is successful Vivian is caught and forced for make a deal to save her and her families lives, she must work at Bletchely park with several other criminal youths to crack the dragon’s secret language in order to advance the war effort. While at Bletchley Vivian finds herself questioning the morality of what she is doing and the system as a whole.

I absolutely loved this book. The book starts out with a bang, and continues the high stakes and stress throughout. I loved the characters even when I didn’t like them, Vivian is a complicated character to be in the head of, she’s been conditioned to believe the system that keeps the lower classes and dragons oppressed is good while being forced to confront the fact that it isn’t. While it’s hard to be in Vivian’s head and point, and at points I didn’t believe she would do the right thing, It was very compelling and I was constantly hoping that Vivian would do right even when she made me doubt it. I loved how language was incorporated in the book, as a polyglot myself I always find it interesting how language and the history of languages is shown and depicted in books and this book did a excellent job with showing those aspects.

The ending was heart wrenching and after finishing the book, and souring the web for information I’m relieved to say that this should in fact be a series. I greatly look forward to what ever comes next from S.F. Williamson and this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

I have never read anything like this! I absolutely loved the blend of historical fiction and fantasy (a genre that I am quickly learning is my favorite). I also loved our academic main character, as I am getting tired of all the "kick-ass" heroines. Everything about this book was a great change of pace. My only qualm is that I wanted more!

In a fantastical version of 1920s London where humans and dragons once lived side-by-side, Vivian Featherswallow is a linguistics student striving to overcome her Second Class background and become a master linguist of draconic tongues. When an encounter with the law makes her a criminal, she unexpectedly finds herself at Bletchley Park, tasked with solving a dangerous mystery of dragon communication.

The linguistics focus and somewhat dark academia setting has and will draw inevitable comparison to R.F. Kuang’s Babel, which is unfair to both books. They share some related themes around the power of translation and what’s lost from it, but they are ultimately very different works.

Vivian is an interesting main character in part because she is unlikable. When we first meet her, she’s perfectly willing to align herself with a fascist regime and ignore the plight of dragons and working class humans when it serves her. She has also committed an unspecified crime against her best friend Sophie which has caused Sophie to drop from Second Class to Third Class. The character reminds me somewhat of Kyr in Some Desperate Glory. And like Kyr, we get to see Vivian slowly overcome her assumptions.

I found it an enjoyable read with great world-building and solid character development. My main complaint is that it feels like it could be a standalone but is actually the first book in a series.

I love the storyline of this book - Dragons in 1923 London. A fictional world where dragons and humans interact and work together is really awesome. I definitely will be purchasing it for my high school library. The students are going to love it. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review..

Vivian Featherswallow (17) is set to go to the University so one day she can be a Draconic Translator. She already speaks several human languages and more dragon languages, but things don't go as planned when her parents, uncle, and cousin, Marquis, are arrested for being rebels against Prime Minister Wyvrenmire and Queen Ignacia of the dragons with their Peace Agreement. The Peace Agreement is meant to keep humans and dragons peaceful and the humans separated into 3 classes. Viv believes in these, but she makes a deal with Chumana, a criminal dragon, to destory the evenidence against her parents that sparks a civil war between the Prime Minister and the Coalition. Viv is sent to Bletchley Park, working with others like Marquis, her ex-friend Sophie she betrayed, and Atlas King, the first young man she has feelings for. As a code breaker, set to figure out the echolocation dragons use to speak to each other that humans can't here, Viv's strong beliegs in the system and what she was raised to believe begins to unravel with each new secret she discovers. This historical novel is set in the WW2 era, but instead of Nazis, it's civil war - with dragons. The book is layered with action, mystery, emotions, difficult choices, and having your whole world and beliefs torn apart. What will Viv choose to do? Join the Coalition and fight against the Prime Minister, leaving behind the Peace Agreement and the future she saw for herself? The book is nuanced with layers of secrets, set in the historical Bletchley Park used in WW2 for codebreakers, but uses dragons instead. A good read for those liking alternate history with fantasy thrown in and those with the patience with Viv and her always second guessing herself, her beliefs, and what she needs to do.

I was attracted to this because it included dragons. Some of the violence was tough to deal with. I really liked Viv and Alex and Chamuna. It obviously is a commentary on today's society and racism. I thought this was rather poignant. " inequality is so deeply entrenched in the foundations of our society that it is going to need to be dug out. Rock by prejudiced rock" my one negative is the book was longer than I think it needed to be.

This book was absolutely intriguing. It takes place in a reimagined, post WWI London where humans and dragons coexist. Our heroine, Vivien Featherswallow, is a polyglot and has dedicated her life to the study of different dragon languages. When her parents are arrested for rebellion, she sets a captive dragon free to try and save them, and in the process, accidentally starts a war. To save herself and her family, she accepts a job as a codebreaker for dragon languages at Bletchley Park. What follows is a fast paced, action packed, dark academia book filled with political intrigue, corruption, rebellion, and a swoony romantic subplot. Vivian is ruthless, morally grey, and is willing to do anything to save her family. This book is messy, complicated, and compelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️reimagined post WWI London
▫️dark academia
▫️dragons
▫️codebreaking
▫️the study of linguistics and translation
▫️morally grey FMC
▫️political corruption and rebellion
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Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books, Epic Reads, S. F. Williamson, and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was the first book I read of the year and it was great! It was the perfect young adult fantasy standalone to start the year off with. Corrupt politics, dragons, and based in the 1920s makes for an exciting book that kept me entertained till the very end.

“Every act of translation requires a sacrifice..”
First thing I want to say in this review is: this book is INTENSE. It’s dark. It pulls and tears at your heart strings in ways only books like this can. Very much reminiscent of Hunger Games and Babel, this book has political intrigue and “fight/play to stay alive” while focusing on the nuances and beauty of languages. The FMC was a little too much at times and I kinda wanted to slap the privilege off her face, but I was trying to be patient for her to recognize it on her own lol.


Overall, I enjoyed this book! The dragons were the best part of the story, but I also really loved the intricacies of the languages, and how Williamson combines human languages with that of the animal kingdom. I love the academic focus this book had, while the characters were unraveling the political games afoot behind the scenes. It was well written and definitely kept me on my toes.

To be honest, I was skeptical going into this because I did NOT like the Hunger Games. I didn’t enjoy the brutality of it and so I was worried about this one. I’m happy to say that I was proven wrong and Williamson has written an amazing adventure that I cannot wait to continue in book 2!
Thank you to harpercollins and netgalley for the ARC!!! 3.5 STARS

A great fantasy story which takes place long ago in London. A time when both Humans and Dragons existed. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and found it a good debut book. My only drawback was the length of the book for a young adult book. I would definitely listen to an audio version and purchase it as a gift.


Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the e-book advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

S. F. Williamson’s *A Language of Dragons* is a breathtaking fantasy adventure that masterfully combines lyrical prose, intricate world-building, and a story brimming with heart. From the first page, Williamson immerses readers in a world where dragons are not just mythical creatures, but beings of profound significance, tied to a magic that is as ancient as it is mysterious.

The pacing of the novel is exceptional, balancing action-packed moments with quieter, introspective scenes that allow the characters and their relationships to shine. Every chapter unfolds with purpose, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while unraveling the secrets of this enchanting world.

The characters are a true highlight of the story. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and courage feels deeply personal and relatable, while the supporting cast adds depth and vibrancy to the narrative. Williamson skillfully develops the bonds between characters, making their struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices all the more poignant.

The world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. Williamson crafts a realm where magic and language intertwine, creating a unique system of communication with dragons that is both intricate and awe-inspiring. The vivid descriptions bring every setting to life, from towering mountain peaks to hidden sanctuaries, making it easy to lose yourself in the story’s rich tapestry.

*A Language of Dragons* is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and beautifully crafted stories. S. F. Williamson has delivered a tale that is as imaginative as it is emotionally resonant—a true testament to the power of storytelling. Highly recommended for anyone who dreams of worlds where dragons still soar.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was well written. The themes were interesting and timely. Loved all the language stuff and the world felt loved in. The dragons were awesome. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Wow! First thank you netgalley and Harper collins for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did! We follow Vivian who knows about seven different dragon tongues. and is in second class. People in the UK are divided into 3 different classes based on how well they did in their examination, or where they were born. Everything is going well that is until one night, they receive a dinner guest who turns over Vivian’s parents as rebels! Vivian has no idea that they were rebels and in exchange of trying to free them accidentally starts a war. In turn of starting a war, the prime minister gives Vivian a chance at survival along with her parents and recruits her to be a code breaker at Bletchley Park. Vivian needs to crack this new dragon code for the people she loves survival, but can she??? I’m honestly excited for the next book and I can’t wait to see where Viv and the coalition go.

I really enjoyed this book! As it is expected to be duology, I really look forward to the next book.

I am a huge fan of languages and it was such a pleasure to read a book where they were so important, part of plot. I like the dragons and that they are in ways equal to humans and can easily talk to each other.

The characters are nice, most a rather background and they don't get any development, which is fine in this story. Main character goes from naive, blindly following rules girl, to someone who sees the world for what it is and does the right thing.

I look forward to the next book, I am curious how will the plot go and I hope we get more of the dragons.

While this one wasn't my exact cup of tea, I see where people who have an appreciation for languages and softer, cinnamon roll love interests will get more out of this book than I did. It was advertised as how to train your dragon vibes with enemies to lovers and I actually didn't get much of either of those, and sadly I didn't end up caring about the romance much either. What I did get was a rag tag team of clever criminals stuck in Bletchley Park together, trying to uncover dragon secrets to save themselves and their families from a corrupt government. Things got even more interesting when the stakes were raised and some of these recruits start dying. It's very politically charged and I actually really appreciated that our main character isn't just a hero from the get go. Overall I had a fun time reading it, though I wouldn't say it particularly wowed or spoke to me.

Dark Academia, War, Dragons, Touch of Historical Fiction, Linguists. This gave me Babel x Fourth Wing vibes that could’ve been an epic fantasy IMO. Easily binge worthy as it was paced perfectly that would give a little bit of a tear jerk. A must read if you love plot twists and betrayals.

I love how the characters are written in A Language of Dragons. They are messy and imperfect and barely adults. These barely adults are forced to pick sides in a war. Everything Vivian grew up believing slowly gets chipped away.

Vivian is complicated. She is hard to like at times but that is what makes her a good, well written character. We see her inner struggles the most so we also see her growth. She is never perfect which makes her human.

Since this is clearly about Dragons I’m sure some will wonder if this is like Fourth Wing. Honestly I don’t think it is. The way humans and dragons interact is nothing like Fourth Wing. A Language of Dragons is about learning about how Dragons communicate with each other than trying to bond and ride them into war. A Language of Dragons is less action packed and more about political intrigue.

The ending!!! I wanted just a little more and I can’t even say much more without potential spoilers!

4.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed this read so very much. Coming into it, I didn't have a clue what the story would be about and coming from a linguistics background, was extremely surprised that there was such a great sense of plausibility in the learning of language(s) and dragon human interactions. So much so that it might not be everyone's cup of tea. I, however, was most certainly the target audience.

There was a great deal of nuanced morality and politics that suit the current climate and got me quite fired up at times, I can't lie.

My only qualm was near the end when *possible spoiler ahead* what happened to one of the characters made me question the author's choices. It was almost giving Cho Chang with Harry as an obligatory POC as a temp love interest. The book did seem like there would be sequels given the slightly cliffhanger-esque ending so I guess we'll see what happens.

As always, big thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration.