I absolutely loved A Language of Dragons

Dragon lovers do I have the book for you. I was lucky enough to start the year the best way possible with A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson.

Read my 5 star review

Out: Now

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.