A Language of Dragons

out of 5 stars

Author: S.F. Williamson

Genres: Romance, Fantasy

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TL;DR: If you’ve ever wanted a book that makes you feel smarter just by reading it, but also makes you want to throw it across the room because it hurts your soul, this is the one.

Okay, imagine Babel, The Hunger Games, and Peaky Blinders had a baby… and then gave it dragons. That’s A Language of Dragons, and I am obsessed.

S.F. Williamson delivers a debut that is so much more than just a fantasy novel with a cool premise (though, let’s be honest, dragons + codebreaking = already iconic). This book is about power—who has it, who doesn’t, and what happens when the balance shifts. It’s political, it’s dark academia, it’s got a morally grey heroine who makes so many bad decisions, and it’s absolutely unputdownable.

Vibes? Immaculate.

London, 1923, but make it alternate history. Dragons exist, society is strictly divided by class, and our girl Vivian Featherswallow (yes, that’s really her name, and no, I will not be over it anytime soon) just wants a normal life. She’s a linguist, dreaming of decoding dragon languages and securing a future where her little sister never has to grow up Third Class.

Then she accidentally starts a civil war. As one does.

Her parents? Arrested. Her sister? Missing. Her life? In shambles. Enter Bletchley Park—a top-secret government facility where Viv is given a choice: crack a hidden dragon language, or die trying.

Vibes

  • Babel meets Fourth Wing
  • Dark academia but with more revolution and fewer moody students in turtlenecks
  • Linguistics nerdery = top-tier fantasy worldbuilding
  • Morally grey MC who makes terrible choices for good reasons
  • Dragons. Literal dragons.

Things I loved:

  • If you like books that dive into corrupt governments, power struggles, and the consequences of rebellion (hello, fellow dystopian kids), this will speak to you.
  • The mix of historical London + dragons + language as power?? Chef’s kiss. Also, mini dragons that deliver mail—I need one immediately.
  • This book is STUNNINGLY written. The way Williamson explores language and translation is so compelling, and I had actual chills at certain quotes.
  • The last 100 pages?? Breathtaking. I was gasping. I was crying. I was mentally drafting angry emails to the publisher demanding book two immediately.

Things that didn’t quite work for me:

  • The pacing drags a little in the middle (ironic, considering, you know… dragons). If you’re super into the linguistics side, you won’t mind, but if you’re here just for the action, it slows down a bit before picking up again.
  • The romance is barely there. It’s not really an enemies-to-lovers (despite the marketing), and while I liked the relationship development, I wanted way more. If you’re looking for a sweeping, high-stakes romance, this ain’t it.
  • Viv is… frustrating. Like, girl, please stop making the worst possible decisions for just one minute. But, that’s also kinda the point—she grows a lot, and by the end, I was fully rooting for her.

If you love fantasy books with political stakes, morally complex heroines, and a world that feels alarmingly relevant, A Language of Dragons will absolutely be your next obsession. It’s a smart, ambitious debut that delivers a rich and immersive reading experience. Just… prepare to be emotionally wrecked.

Disclaimer: All reviews shared on this account are my own honest opinions. I do not receive payment for my reviews, and unless stated otherwise, I purchase or borrow the books myself. If I receive an advance copy from publishers or authors, it will always be disclosed—but my thoughts remain 100% unbiased. My reviews are for fun, discussion, and sharing my love of books with fellow readers! 📚✨