Review by teaand_tomes - A Language of Dragons

teaand_tomes 's review for:

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

4.0

medium-paced

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the free book!

Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons.

This book is a fascinating blend of Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals, with a touch of the historical Navajo Windtalkers’ story. Set in 1920s London amidst dragons, protests, and espionage, A Language of Dragons captures the chaos of war and the moral dilemmas it brings in a way that feels both unique and deeply compelling.

I absolutely loved the rich setting—the post-war 1920s backdrop, the wartime codebreaking, and the secret dragon language all wove together into something truly magical. Vivian’s journey was equally gripping. Her internal struggle, torn between saving her family and fighting for a greater cause, felt so raw and realistic. The story doesn’t shy away from the morally gray areas, and I appreciated how both sides of the conflict had flaws and merits.

Viv’s character arc, filled with doubt, fear, and indecision, was the heart of the book for me. Her choices felt genuine, and the stakes were incredibly high. However, I didn’t connect as much with some of the side characters like Gideon, Serena, and Katherine, who felt underdeveloped compared to Viv. Similarly, the relationship between Vivian and Atlas, while intriguing, sometimes lacked the depth I hoped for.

That said, the story as a whole was excellent—filled with twists, betrayals, and impossible choices. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how the series develops. If you love epic fantasy with dragons, moral dilemmas, and a touch of dark academia, this is a debut you won’t want to miss!

Content Warnings