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A review by kba76
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Language of Dragons is not without its issues, but there’s plenty here to maintain your interest and the ending definitely didn’t offer the easy way out. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before its publication in January 2025.
The setting is an alternate 1920s where humans and dragons have no longer got reason to work together. Society is operated on a strict class system, and anyone who fails to pass their exam or prove their worth when asked to can be demoted. The Prime Minister is desperate to find a way to use the knowledge of dragons to her advantage.
Our main character, Vi, is a skilled linguist whose specialism is the study of dragon tongues. Her mother escaped the bloodshed caused when Bulgarian dragons overthrew their government, and she is determined that Vi will take whatever opportunities are available to her in order to live a better, more secure, life.
When her parents are arrested for colluding with rebels, Vi takes it upon herself to free a dragon housed in the Great Library. For her actions she is arrested…but then given the opportunity to work for the Prime Minister at Bletchley Park in order to secure the release of those close to her.
Vi is in a difficult position. Much of the book focuses on her working out what she’s been tasked with and why it has the potential to cause so much harm. There’s a lot of detail given to this that doesn’t really seem significant, until it is.
The last part of the book felt rather rushed, but it also included the parts of the story that pulled things together and which helped you to realise the significance of key moments. Vi’s not given an easy ending, but I wonder if this could be returned to in the future as it feels like there’s definitely more to come.
The setting is an alternate 1920s where humans and dragons have no longer got reason to work together. Society is operated on a strict class system, and anyone who fails to pass their exam or prove their worth when asked to can be demoted. The Prime Minister is desperate to find a way to use the knowledge of dragons to her advantage.
Our main character, Vi, is a skilled linguist whose specialism is the study of dragon tongues. Her mother escaped the bloodshed caused when Bulgarian dragons overthrew their government, and she is determined that Vi will take whatever opportunities are available to her in order to live a better, more secure, life.
When her parents are arrested for colluding with rebels, Vi takes it upon herself to free a dragon housed in the Great Library. For her actions she is arrested…but then given the opportunity to work for the Prime Minister at Bletchley Park in order to secure the release of those close to her.
Vi is in a difficult position. Much of the book focuses on her working out what she’s been tasked with and why it has the potential to cause so much harm. There’s a lot of detail given to this that doesn’t really seem significant, until it is.
The last part of the book felt rather rushed, but it also included the parts of the story that pulled things together and which helped you to realise the significance of key moments. Vi’s not given an easy ending, but I wonder if this could be returned to in the future as it feels like there’s definitely more to come.