I have some students who would really enjoy this book. The combination of neurodivergence, road trips, and mysteries will be a hit with them.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I cared for the main character, Arizona and her challenges being different in a world that values sameness. Parts of the book were well written and emotional but the puzzles were not interesting to me and I found myself wanting to skip over each section . The storylines involves her dealing with both her father's recent death and her mother is missing and she needs to solve these puzzles to find her mother who in fact has been kidnapped.

Arizona is just seventeen and lost of father a few weeks before. It is hard enough to deal with the world around her without having to deal with her own grief. On a small trip to spread her father's ashes, her mother is taken hostage and Arizona has to save her with her love of numbers, science, riddles, and puzzles. She'll have to step way outside her comfort zone to save her mom and discover what secrets her father took to his grave.
What did I think of this story? Let me start by saying that wherever the author had their notes to keep the story straight had to be a sight. This was not a story to write for those who don't want a challenge. The entire plot is comprised of history, legend, science, math, and cryptography. In fact, my brain was spinning most of the time trying to follow it all. For some of you, that might cause you to rush out to buy it. For others, you might decide to take a pass, but maybe you shouldn't. 
I really did enjoy this book as it took me around areas I mostly have never been and were based on real places and people. A few things I looked up to test the validity of the factual parts only to find that the author had done the intense research needed. I found all of that interesting. Just some of the clues had me baffled as my brain doesn't work that way, but it was still fun to try to follow along with the extremely smart Arizona. 
In the story, Arizona is challenged with social interactions. The situation with her mother forces her to interact with people when she'd rather hide and bury herself in a book. She finds that she can do things she didn't think she was capable. The development of the main character was very interesting. I'm not sure if it is realistic, but it is very probable. 
Want a good read that could challenge you? This is a book you should check out. Now I have to look about going to the Hoover Dam.

"The Language of the Birds" was a very creative story. I liked the puzzles and cryptograms, especially the explanations of the common types of cryptograms and how to solve them. I also liked all the historical and literary references, and how the author melds history, literature, geography, alchemy and other subjects. The inclusion of Herbert Hoover was clever, especially as his varied background and his presidency would have given him the opportunity to discover and then later protect the great secrets around which the story revolves. Arizona was a well-developed character. I enjoyed seeing/reading about her puzzling out the clues; her frustrations and doubts; her difficulties with social interaction and the problems that causes but yet the connections she is able to make with Lily and Marty; her fortitude and determination. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing, and there are some questions that are intentionally left unresolved when the story ends.

If there is one glaring hole in the plot, it is how/why the federal government is trying to catch the Adept -- Arizona's unknown nemesis -- as until the kidnapping of Arizona's mother (which happens early in the story), there is no indication that the Adept has done anything illegal, and the kidnapping is not something that was reported to the authorities. Even if there are elements in the government trying to keep the "great secrets" a secret, there is no indication as to how the government (or elements within the government) would be aware of the Adept's efforts.

An interesting book about using cryptography to find treasure. The Last few chapters were very good.

This book is well targeted to mathematical, historical and geographical buffs, probably in Middle or High School. It sounds like there will be a sequel.

The Language of the Birds is a delightful mystery. The story follows Arizona, a remarkably gifted 17-year-old, who finds herself plunged into a labyrinthine mystery surrounding her late father. To save her abducted mother, she has to crack a series of increasingly complex codes and riddles, diving deep into American history and the legacy of President Hoover. It reminded me of a young adult version of "National Treasure."

I was especially charmed by Arizona's loyal dog, Mojo, who is by her side every step of the way. It was also heartwarming to watch Arizona step out of her isolated life and form a meaningful connection with Lily. If you enjoy historical intrigue and love solving ciphers, this novel is an absolute gem. The action is perfectly paced, and while the suspense is subtle, the story presents a delightful mystery that kept me entertained.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy.

Rounded up from 2.5.

The Language of Birds seemed like a great fit for me. The author is obviously very smart and put a lot of time into the cyphers and puzzles. There are some nice passages about Arizona’s relationship with her mother and later with her new friends Lily and Marty. Her love for her dog is a shiny spot in the story (and it’s cool that the dog is a boxer).

I’m sure there are people who love puzzles who will love this book. I am sure there are readers who will appreciate the depiction of Arizona and her coping mechanisms. But I found so much of this book incredibly boring. I admit I sped read a lot of the super detailed chapters on Arizona’s thought process in deciphering puzzles. Like her friend Lily, “it’s obviously just not my thing.” (ch. 34)

I like poetry and love Lewis Carroll, but even those references did not interest me. In the acknowledgements, the author includes a thank you to Andy Weir “for demonstrating how science and math writing can be eminently accessible.” I do find Weir’s writing accessible; I did not find The Language of Birds accessible. Maybe the author will tone down the math and science in the next book. The author also did not stick the landing; the ending was a disappointment.

I read an advance reader copy of The Language of Birds from NetGalley. I hope some readers out there love this book, but I did not. The book seems to be considered general adult, but it might appeal more to a teenager.

The Language of the Birds is a fun, fast-paced adventure with big National Treasure energy. The puzzles and twists kept me hooked, and the mix of history and fantasy was super cool.

That said, the characters could’ve had more depth—especially the side ones. The main character’s journey was kinda predictable, but the story still had its moments.

Overall, it’s not mind-blowing, but if you’re into treasure hunts, ancient mysteries, and a quick, entertaining read, it’s worth checking out.

The Language of the Birds is a beautifully poetic story that blends love, loss, and the power of language. Merson’s lyrical prose creates a mesmerizing, emotional journey.

Title: The Language of the Birds
Author: K.A. Merson (Debut Author)
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Ballantine Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages 368

Seventeen-year-old Arizona is very bright but doesn’t do well in social situations so has been homeschooled. She is clever in solving puzzles apparently something she learned from her beloved father, who recently died.
She and her mother travel via their Mom and dog, Mojo, travel in their airstream to her dad’s favorite places to spread his ashes. When they reach a ghost town in Bodie State Park near the CA/NV border and Mom has been kidnapped. There is a note with a strange ransom request. The kidnappers believe Arizona’s dad took a secret to his grave—and to get her mother back, Arizona must find the solution to the secret via a series of puzzles.

Arizona is a different teenager, her brain is filled with mathematical equations, pattern recognition- she is different enough to have been bullied at school thus was home-schooled.


One reader got my attention when she wrote - anyone who loved the excitement of [author: Dan Brown]’s [book: The Da Vinci Code] will
enjoy this. ~ With that-I was “in’ for the ride!

Well not actually the story I was expecting but it was very well done. There are illustrations in the book that help with the clues.

I enjoyed Merson’s ‘Author’s Note’ No doubt he is passionate about this story!!!
About the Author ~ K.A. Merson is a vaguely reclusive writer who lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, along with his wife
Kristi, and his malevolent boxer dog, in an Airstream trailer.

Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group ~ Ballantine/Ballantine Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 13, 2025.

K.A. Merson's *The Language of the Birds* is an engaging adventure that flits between the enchanting and the mysterious, drawing readers into a world of hidden messages, ancient symbols, and the tantalizing thrill of discovery. While I found the book to have its flaws, it ultimately delivered an enjoyable experience reminiscent of the adrenaline-fueled escapades of *The Da Vinci Code* and *National Treasure*, making it a solid read for a young adult audience.

The story follows a young protagonist on a quest to decipher a cryptic language that bridges the gap between history and myth. Merson’s narrative is rife with puzzles, as our hero navigates a series of clues that lead to breathtaking discoveries. The pacing is brisk, and there are moments of genuine intrigue that kept me turning the pages, eager to uncover the next twist or secret.

However, as enjoyable as the adventure was, I found that the writing didn’t quite reach the heights of the inspirations it seemed to emulate. At times, it felt as though the plot relied too heavily on coincidences that strained credulity, and the character development could have benefited from greater depth. The protagonist, while relatable, seemed to follow a somewhat predictable arc, and some secondary characters lacked the richness that could have made them more memorable.

That said, Merson has a knack for crafting vivid settings and embedding fascinating historical references, which add layers of allure to the adventure. The incorporation of real-world lore alongside imaginative elements is where the book shines, providing a backdrop that feels both familiar and exotic.

Overall, *The Language of the Birds* might not have soared to the heights of its genre giants, but it offers an entertaining escape into a world of mystery that will surely resonate with younger readers seeking adventure and intrigue. It’s a book that invites you to unlock its secrets, and while it may have its shortcomings, it ultimately left me with a sense of wonder and the joy of exploring the unknown. If you enjoy treasure hunts filled with puzzles and history, this book may just captivate your imagination.

The story line focuses on 17 year old, Arizona, (a loner and introvert) who just recently lost her dad. While attempting to spread his ashes, her mom is kidnapped and won’t be returned until Arizona can decipher and crack codes to reveal a secret that her father, a cartographer, took to his grave. Arizona travels across state with her loyal dog, Mojo, as she finds clues and solves puzzles to revel the secret and to get her mom back. Arizona makes friends along the way and learns to trust others on this adventures journey. She eventually finds out who she can really trust and that making friends isn’t so bad. Arizona is whip-smart. I was impressed with her knowledge and her tenacity.

This was an adventurous read! It was well written, well researched and informative. The graphics, references and illustrations are great for visual leaners, they gave clarity and understanding, and helped me to enhance my imagination. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I would have never chose to read this on my own. Thank you Net Galley for the recommendation and for the ARC!

This book will sharpen your puzzling brain as you try alongside Arizona to solve the puzzles that will lead her to find her mother. I enjoyed her journey and how she developed along the way meeting new friends and gaining confidence.

What a fascinating debut! My head is spinning from the math, graphs, and maps (I’d love to see a physical copy of this book when it’s published), but this story is a gripping adventure in skillful deduction, love of literature and poetry, and the winding path to finding people who love and understand you. I would definitely read another book from K. A. Merson!

Arizona and her mother are reeling from the devastating motorcycle accident that took Arizona's dad's life. In their grief, they begin a trailer camping journey to scatter his ashes in places he enjoyed. While visiting Bodie, a California ghost town southeast of their home in Grass Valley, Arizona's mom disappears. Arizona has a hard time trusting people, and has cognitive differences that make it difficult to even approach people--her boxer Mojo is her steadfast companion. Because her dad worked as a cartographer for the USGS, the family led a peripatetic life, and Arizona liked homeschooling just fine. But now, when she must approach strangers to ask for help, she must use the skills her dad taught her to handle social situations. Unfortunately, the ranger hasn't seen her, but promises they'll conduct a search. Arizona returns the next day to find that the ranger who helped her was a fake -- and someone ransacked her trailer and left a crazy ransom note: in order to get her mom back, Arizona must decode a passage of text. Thanks to the way her brain works, Arizona finds the job easy, but instead of letting Mom go, the kidnappers hand over another job, and Arizona sets off down a trail of more and more difficult decoding, traveling around the Western United States to locate artifacts. The kidnappers seem to want something her father knew, and will go to any length to get it.
As Arizona decodes the artifacts, she unearths clues about the kidnappers and the focus of their search. She also meets and befriends people along the way, friends who show they have her back when she needs it the most.
Arizona's brain is amazing. I love the suspense and the way she's able to track down information. I also like how Merson focuses on the importance of community.

This is a great book for middle grade and high school students who like mystery and adventure books. If you enjoyed the 39 Clues series as a young person, you can graduate up to The Language of Birds.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for access to the ARC. Opinions expressed herein are my own, and I'm not compensated for my review.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to rate and review this title. An excellent debut novel. An exciting adventure that kept me turning pages well past bedtime. The puzzles and theories gave me a Dan Brown feel. Loved the main character and all her quirks. Perfect ending

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I adored K.A. Merson's debut novel. Merson does a beautiful job of taking the reader into the brilliant mind of the seventeen-year Arizona. Still grieving the loss of her father, her mother suddenly goes missing on the mother-daughter road trip.

Though Arizona struggles socially, she is determined to distinguish friend from foe, so she can bring her mom back to safety.

Along the way, Arizona must untangle all sorts of cyphers and codes, puzzling through the mysteries ensnaring her family.

Merson composed an excellent debut, and I can't wait to see what they write next.

THE LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS tells the story of Arizona a genius with a few problems. Since the school was unable to accommodate Arizona's special needs, her parents decided to pull her from school and home school her. The three now drive cross country in an Airstream exploring and learning along the way.
After her father's killed in a motorcycle accident, AZ and her mom spread his ashes in some of his favorite places across the country. It's not long before AZ's mom is kidnapped and she is forced to solve puzzles to rescue her. To do this, AZ drives across the country, goes diving, traverses a snow covered mountain and shoots a man. Along the way, she makes friends with a total stranger.
To me, the mechanics of the story were spot on, however I felt nothing for the characters. AZ was a little too self pitying for me. She has all these problems, ie becomes incapacitated when someone turns on an air dryer in the bathroom, yet she is able to go traipsing across the country, make friends with a total stranger, all the while keeping the bad guys at bay.
For me, I knew who the bad guys were when she first spoke with the park rangers. Also, the riddles were repetitive to me. I would have preferred hearing the solution once, either when AZ first solved them or when she explained them to the kidnappers. At times, it felt as if I were reading a history report trying to meet a final word count.

I read the uncorrected proof.

I have such mixed feelings on this book. First, it is a beautifully written book with a lot of potential, but it didn’t quite reach the level I was hoping for. The prose is lyrical and evocative, creating a rich atmosphere that draws you in. The exploration of grief, identity, and connection is thoughtful and poignant, with some truly moving moments that resonated with me.

However, the narrative felt a bit too abstract at times, and I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters. While the themes are powerful, the story didn’t always feel cohesive, and I wanted more clarity in certain areas. The pacing also felt uneven, with some sections dragging while others felt rushed.

Overall, The Language of Birds is an introspective and poetic read, but it didn’t fully deliver the emotional impact I expected. It’s worth reading for those who enjoy reflective, atmospheric stories, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression for me. 3/5 stars.

An interesting read (not just for YA fans) where the author’s approach facilitates a deeper understanding of Arizona’s thought processes, fears and joys, all of which may differ from neurotypical experiences.
It fosters empathy and understanding, challenging stereotypes while celebrating the individuality of those who think and perceive the world differently.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.