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A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson

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A Language of Dragons

by S. F. Williamson

Narrator Henrietta Meire

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Length 12 hours 47 minutes

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“A young adult romantasy with dragons? Spectacular! In an alternate post-WWI London, humans coexist with dragons, but protests have started against the peace agreement. Viv isn’t concerned; she is trying to get an internship to study dragon languages with the goal of protecting her sister from ever becoming a third class citizen. But, after her parents are arrested for aiding in the rebellion and her sister goes missing, Viv does something terrible that sparks a civil war. In order to save her family, she must work top-secret for the government. Hard-core, selfish, destructive...Viv isn't the usual likable protagonist, but I still enjoyed her and the other richly written characters! The worldbuilding is lush and vibrant, and the dark academia is compelling, there’s a clear message of good versus evil, and the ending is very emotional. I recommend this book and give it 5 stars!! The author's note is a great bonus addition to the story. ”
— Sandra • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A beautiful exploration of classism and oppression wrapped up in a grabbing dragon fantasy”
— Cat • Artisans Books & Coffee

Summary
About the author

#8 in Bestselling YA Fiction Audiobooks

In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

* #1 International Bestseller * As Seen in Cosmo * Audible Most Anticipated Audiobooks of 2025 *

Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon.

By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.

As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.

Historical Fiction Fantasy YA Fiction

S. F. Williamson is fascinated by the way languages are born and was surrounded by them long before she undertook degrees in French and Italian. She has always known that languages are creatures that live and move and breathe, and as a child she learned that speaking them meant accessing ideas, traditions, and people she would only otherwise know from a distance. A Language of Dragons is inspired by her work as a literary translator and the fact that no matter how intimately a linguist knows their languages, some meaning is almost always lost in translation. A graduate of Bath Spa University’s MA writing for young people program, Steph now lives in France with her husband and son.