A Language of Dragons hit every spot for me. It was cleverly written and intricately explored themes of politics, rebellion, class, translation and academia.

Set in an alternate 1920s, we follow Violet Featherswallow as she accidentally incites a war when she helps a dragon.

I LOVE that concept of Dragons, languages and academia being mixed and the wonderfully immersive way it was written.

This is an amazing YA debut and I'm so excited for the sequel.

This was one book that I thought that I would enjoy and I was not disappointed. Set in a parallel universe where Dragons are real and co-exist with the human population. It is just after WW1 in 1923, there is a peace accord between the Dragon Queen and the government, but on the streets there is unrest. Throughout this Viv is determined to be a good citizen and abide by the rules as she does not want to be demoted from her second class status to that of third where she will have no chances ever again to study the dragon language.
I was sucked into the tale with its political twist and turns, leaving Viv to face the consequences of her choices a lot of which were down to her naivety. She becomes a pawn in the political manipulations of the government and must grow up fast to see what she really believes in.

The blurb above says unmissable and honestly I couldn’t agree more. If this book isn’t on your TBR, it needs to be. It is dragons, code-breaking, languages and dystopia. Not since Babel has a book excited the linguist in me as much as this. I loved every second of it.

The dragons were amazing. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book. I loved their society and their languages, especially the echolocation that Viv is tasked to translate. I love how important the language is to the dragons and some of the reveals were just so good.

This is a Dark Academic title for the Fourth Wing girlies. It’s got the high stakes and epic twists of Fourth Wing with the thought out world building of Babel. Honestly it was a combination that worked really really well.

I really can’t wait for the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Language of Dragons is a fantastic fantasy debut that had me hooked page after page! The protagonist, Vivien, is a prodigy translator. After her parents are sentenced to death for supporting a rebellion and she gets in trouble for breaking the law, Vivi is offered the chance to save her family AND help her country win the suddenly-started war against the Human-Dragon Coalition. Her new job as a codebreaker seems to be a manageable challenge at first, but she soon starts uncovering secrets that make her question everything she knows - even her own loyalties.

I thought this would be a standalone, and about half way through realised I wanted more from this world... so I was delighted to find out it's the beginning of a series 😍 Viv and her love for languages drew me in straight away, and I wanted to know every detail of this mysterious dragon language she was tasked to decipher. The way the book entwines dragon biology with the war plot is fantastic - I was just as interested to discover more about dragon species as to find out what would happen next in the conflict!

A highlight was for sure the way dragons are portrayed ❤️ We often read of them as sidekicks or part of a bond, but these dragons are characters of their own, fully sentient and part of society in a totally novel way! Chumana was a really cool one and I'm so glad she was given the space she got later in the book.

Generally, the author created excellent characters, with Vivien being a well-rounded protagonist (although occasionally a bit too self-deprecatory and repetitively not letting herself move on from things) and side characters being interesting.

The book is well written and flows very smoothly. The story suddenly picks up pace in the last third or so, which was a bit of a sudden shock after the slower-paced build up The slower build up made sense and really called to the language-lover in me - it was just the sudden change of pace that was perhaps a bit too much.

Anyway, in case it wasn't clear, I'd totally recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, dragons and high stakes. It's a brilliant debut and I can't wait to read its sequel!

This book had such epic and well written world-building it made me swoon. I adored every second of it so much that I recently bought a physical copy of it. S.F. Williams is truly a gifted writer, and this book made me fall in love with dragons all over again. My only complaint is that it was too short. My god, this book. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

3.5

I liked the premise of this, but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. I was hoping there was more focus on the language and politics surrounding the world and dragons. The main protagonist was also quite unlikeable and many decisions that were made left me frustrated. I understands it's YA and there's a certain naivety to a young protagonist, but for someone that's supposed to be very intelligent, she didn't catch on things quickly. Also some things that happened at the end, I thought were unnecessary. I think if you like Babel though, you'll might enjoy this. It just wasn't quite for me.

This is a parallel world, where a version of WWI has occurred – except events are altered because it is also a world where there are dragons. Times are now tense. Society is fractured into separate classes, with the first class getting the best of everything, those in the second class desperate to keep their position of precarious comfort. While those in the third class subsist on insufficient food, inadequate education and poor housing, with little chance of bettering themselves. No wonder second class children are beaten until they’re scarred if their marks aren’t good enough at school – for examination results are crucial to staying clear of grinding poverty.

As if a severely divided society isn’t enough to contend with, the Prime Minister is trying to hold together the Peace Agreement with the Queen of the Dragons in the face of mounting tension. Rebels pledged to overthrow the current government are causing mayhem and Viv is faced with a stark choice, once she is confronted with a terrible discovery. Initially, I sympathised and liked Viv. She is clearly intelligent and driven, even though she is struggling with guilt and grief.

Meanwhile, the story starts with a bang and moves along at a good clip. Until we get to the middle section, where the pace seems to falter as Viv loses her way. I became a tad frustrated with Viv’s inability to follow any sort of plan, as she agrees to the demands of every person pressuring her, until the next character has their say. By this time, I was ready to shake her until her teeth rattled – until events pile up to a point where she is caught up in a flurry of upsetting violence, which carries the book onto the conclusion. While she is clearly academically brilliant, I wonder if the wrong character was the protagonist – Sophie seems far more focused and able to make decisions under pressure than hapless, indecisive Viv. Particularly as Viv’s dithering takes the narrative’s forward momentum with her.

What works well is the depiction of the world and the tension within Bletchley Park. I enjoyed how the divisions within the society play out at a personal level – I think that’s been done well and in the closing stages of the story, there are several unexpected events that are both shocking and take the story in a different direction. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so there is more to come in this intriguing world. Despite my issues with the pacing and the main character, this is an enjoyable adventure with plenty of potential. Recommended for fans of historical fantasy. While I obtained an arc of A Language of Dragons from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

4.5 stars – wow. I’ve been burned by dragon books before (oun intended), but A Language of Dragons completely blew me away! Set in an alternate 1923 London with dragons, this historical fantasy is a rollercoaster of political intrigue, a corrupt government, and characters so rich with flaws and growth, oh and did I forget about the dragons?? I was pretty much at the edge of my seat the whole time. I was so invested in these characters, even the side characters - I was deeply invested in everyones wellbeinging.

The plot itself was fantastic, there were so many twists and turns and revelations I had no clue how this story would end. The world building and prose was beautiful, everything felt so fleshed out and real.

One part I adored was the romance, so sweet and raw, adding depth to Viv’s character without ever overshadowing the story

I had such a great time with this book, I was legit sobbing at the end and I cannot wait for book two (please someone tell me there is going to be book 2).

‘Forgiveness is suffering redeemed’

The book was an enjoyable read, set in the 1930s during a time when humans and dragons coexist peacefully. I found immense pleasure in exploring this richly developed world. One aspect that particularly resonated with me was the emphasis on the importance of languages and translation throughout the story, a topic that is very close to my heart. What can go wrong when you mix dark academy and dragons? Big thanks to harper fire and harper collins for the access to this book

🔥 A Language of Dragons • S. F. Williamson 🔥
★★★★

Read if you enjoy:
🔥 Fantasy
🔥 Dragons
🔥 Academia and linguistics
🔥 Reading about codebreakers during the war
🔥 Reading about systems that ostracize the poor
🔥 Slow burn romance

Vivian Featherswallow’s life is turned upside down when her family are arrested for treason. Instead of joining them in prison, she is offered a chance to be recruited as a codebreaker in the upcoming war, focusing on learning the secret language of the dragons.

Changing the rating from 3.75* to 4* because this book has really stuck with me and I’m realising as time goes by just how much I loved it. It really is one of those reads where it has to be given time to process and settle. So much happens in one story. The writing is incredible. The world building reflects basically a historical dystopia with dragons. Viv as a character could be a bit frustrating which is why I originally gave it the rating I did, but overall, considering the circumstances and that this is YA, perhaps my frustration was a bit unfair 😂.

An amazing fan stays!

An amazing fantasy with great characters, themes, dragons and twists an turns.

Overall really enjoyed this book but sometimes the pacing threw me of and out of the story.

This book was pitched to me as "Bletchley Park with dragons", which it is, but it's also so much more than that.

I loved the politics and the exploration of the class system and how little those in the higher classes really understand about those below them as well as the desperate lengths someone will go to to avoid being in the third class.

We see Vivian have to really interrogate her beliefs and struggle with the morality of her choices. I loved her excitement at decoding language and the way language works in this world.

A Language of Dragons is a brilliant fantasy, with great twists and turns.

Also, there are dragons. And everything is better with dragons.

A Language of Dragons is an immersive, fast-paced story about a young translator who accidentally starts a civil war, and must decipher a dragon code to save her parents. I adored this story and I read it in about 2 days! The protagonist Vivien is a three-dimensional, realistic character, who makes mistakes, loves her family, gets angry, and all-in-all, acts like the 17 year old girl she is. I found it very easy to put myself in her shoes and the story hooked me very quickly. The supporting cast are also interesting, well-written characters, and I especially liked Dr Seymour. The romance is nice, if very classic YA, which is to be expected, and I liked her love interest. The worldbuilding itself was awesome, and the world felt convincingly real. The dragons were handled well, and serviced the plot immensely, not just scattered on the side to market the book (to booktok *cough cough*) The comparisons to Babel, which are the reasons I reached for the book to start with, are fitting in the academia and language elements. I will say that some lines in the start of the book feel a little like they are paraphrased FROM Babel, but the overall plot obviously is vastly different. I was on edge the whole last 30% of the book and could not put it down. This truly was a fantastic debut from SF Williamson, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

Vivien lives in 1923 London where things are tense between the classes and with the dragons. She is about to get her dream internship as a dragon translator when her family is arrested. Unwittingly she causes war to break out. She is recruited as a codebreaker, to aid the war effort, a chance to save her family. If she succeeds they all go home, if not they die. But all in this war are not as they seem...

The narrative has a warm, matter-of-fact tone and is utterly readable. We enter Vivien's life calmly but are then needled with intrigue, tidbits about future reveals and occurrences everywhere, while the first jaw-drop happens a few pages in. It is as easy as breathing to take in this world since the author successfully gives us what we need as the story goes along — no long paragraphs of infodumping needed. Observant details set the scene. The 1st person POV in present tense makes you feel like you are living it — things are more intense.

This book is well-paced, thrilling as the action is described in a breath-stealing 'visual' way, but as fun as it is, it is also quite gut-wrenching. A group of strangers or not-so-strangers thrown together for a common goal, rushing against a deadline with dire consequences on the line, is always enthralling. I love the sense of discovery we share with Viv. Dragons in our world as a norm and the incredible mythology the author dreamed up to go with it is brilliant. Wonderfully unpredictable, you never know what will happen next. I really enjoyed the 'documents' before different chapters that helped us immerse deeper into the world and gave us info in a creative way. I especially loved that document at the end *sly smile*

A linguist who knows dragon languages as a hero is something I have never seen before. Her world is turned upside-down but clever as she is, she takes action immediately. Of course she is not infallible, she makes mistakes, some costly, but she continues to try. This makes her relatable and endearing. Her stupidly courageous mouth always has her on the edge of trouble but I like it when she speaks her mind. A flawed heroine who needs a kick in the butt more often than not, but we love her all the more for it. Her ambition and self-preservation often trip her up on the way to doing the right thing. The evolution of our protagonist and the ways she thinks ring true as she loses her naiveté and her blind belief in the powers that be.

Marquis is an absolute treasure and must be protected at all costs. There is a character in which you are surprised by their involvement, then you acknowledge it could not be any other way. Additionally, we have an unexpected romance-to-be that cannot be that had me smiling a lot though it also had my heart lurching.

One of the most diabolical forms of impediment to freedom is the one you do not know is happening. When your liberties are being imprisoned and you don't even realize. Are you free just because you have been taught you are? This book delves deep into societal discrimination and equality. It is natural and beneficial to question things.

A story of determination, self-awareness and a revolution in all its capacities, I may have read the best book of this year already! So full of dragons your heart will burst with glee, fraught with danger and nail-biting suspense, devious deeds, beyond shocking reveals and utterly engrossing. It is so good you want to scream it from the rooftops.

“Every act of translation requires sacrifice”

This was such a great story, I was hooked from the beginning, with an alternate London where dragons exist and live alongside humans.

Our MC, Viv, was such an interesting & complex character to read. She is hard working & ambitious & has lived a life of privilege while also being in fear of losing it so she does whatever it takes to keep it.
She doesn’t see how privileged she is & blindly believes the propaganda.

But as she learns more she starts to see through the cracks & realises she can’t continue to turn a blind eye. But is also conflicted because it means she will lose her privileged life.
It was so frustrating to see her ignore the reality in front of her & how those who cared for her had tiptoe around her when it came to speaking against the government & rebellion.
But it also felt very real watching her come to terms with things she had been told her whole life being a lie & ultimately had me rooting for her to understand that her life would also be better if she didn’t have to live in fear of losing everything she worked for.

I loved seeing her complex relationships with her cousin & the other recruits & there is a slow burn romance with her rival.
I also loved seeing how dragons are incorporated in the world & how they are smart & they are also fighting for their freedom with the humans from the lower classes.

The book also gave the imitation game vibes as the characters are recruited to work in secret as war breaks out to crack the language that dragons use to communicate with each other that gives them an advantage over the humans in power. But they have to question whether they should be doing not if it can be done.

There are themes of revolution & fighting for the oppressed. The power of words & language & overcoming your own indifference when you live a life of privilege. There’s political intrigue & dark academia vibes amidst a civil war between power hungry leaders.

The build up & tension throughout the book leading to the explosive ending had me on the edge of my seat.

Bletchley Park… with dragons definitely drew me in to this and I was not disappointed, I loved the slow burn and intensity throughout,

I really wanted to like this - dragons, linguistics, an alternate universe, what’s not to like but unfortunately for me it just doesn’t work. Dragons coexist peacefully with humans in most of the world, in Bulgaria they actually run the country but in the UK they are subservient, that makes no sense. The biggest problem with this book is the female main character, she is shallow, selfish and for someone who is supposed to be clever she is also incredibly stupid.
This was definitely not for me, and I won’t be looking out for the sequel.

The world-building and the languages are beautifully done and thought out that it truly feels like a real world with so many breathing and living languages.

Vivien is also a truly complex character with actions done for her best interest while feeling guilty the entire time. She takes the time to learn more about herself and slowly gives herself a second chance.

The book is thoroughly well written with good plot twists if the pacing wasn’t weird. At the start, it’s one major action after another but by the end of chapter 3 or 4, the action is done and the pacing is even and steady for the rest of the story. It felt like I was being rushed to get from point A to B to C and then 300 pages of building before the next action sequence.

Overall it’s a good read but the pacing threw me off.

I won’t lie, I was a bit stressed starting this book. I had high hopes, but early reviews were mixed, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. While there are a few things I wish had been done differently, like spending more time with certain characters and exploring some aspects of the story more thoroughly, I ended up really enjoying it. A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson is a fantastic debut, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel! I also highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Kristin Atherton, who also done Belladonna!

Set in an alternate 1923 London, A Language of Dragons takes place in a world where humans and dragons coexist under a fragile peace treaty. The story follows Vivien Featherswallow, a young and talented linguist fluent in several human and dragon languages. When her family’s safety is threatened, Vivien is coerced into working as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, tasked with deciphering a hidden dragon language. As she delves deeper, she uncovers corruption within the peace treaty and must decide who to trust as her entire worldview collapses around her.

Prepare for a love-hate relationship with Vivien. She’s infuriatingly rash, naive, and narrow-minded at times. She constantly makes selfish decisions, prioritising herself and her family regardless for the consequences for those around her. However, her character development is worth the patience. Watching her grow from an unthinking girl into a young woman grappling with complex moral and ethical dilemmas, caught between a corrupt government and rebellious factions, was both fascinating and incredibly realistic.

What I loved most about this book was its focus on languages and translation. You can tell the author has a linguistic background, as everything is presented in a way that’s both engaging and easy to understand. While some might find it a bit dense or info dumpy, I thought it was a highlight of the book. I’ve even seen comparisons to Babel by R.F. Kuang, which makes me want to finally pick that one up this year!

Although the book wasn’t perfect, it was a pleasant surprise. The plot was engaging, and I loved how languages and translations were woven into the narrative. That said, I did wish for more action, better-developed side characters, relationships and romance. The romantic subplot while sweet felt underdeveloped at times. Although, if a certain character doesn’t make it to the second book, I will riot!

While this may not be a story that stays with me forever, it left me wanting more. I’m ready for the sequel! Here’s hoping for more action, DRAGONS, and political intrigue in the next book!

Amazing. Like blood over bright haven meets babel meets dragons. I loved the concept of language and communication being what wins the war just like in the real world wars. The addition of dragons and class wars and politics made this even better. Every character was detailed and well fleshed out, and had their own backstories and motivations. The growth of some of the characters and moral conflicts they faced were incredibly well thought out. Honestly a masterclass in writing I devoured this in one day. A compelling plot with excellent characters.