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A Language of Dragons
A Language of Dragons (Related to this series)
- Author
- S. F. Williamson
- Narrator
- Kristin Atherton
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 2 January 2025
- Run Time
- 12 hours 47 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Dark fantasy, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Dragons, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction
- Rating
- 4.2 (4 reviews)
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What to expect
The most exciting debut of 2025 – an incredible fantasy Dark Academia, perfect for fans of Babel, Fourth Wing, and the Scholomance trilogy
EVERY FIRE STARTS WITH A SINGLE SPARK.
Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons.
London, 1923. 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 an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to risk growing up Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.
With her parents arrested and her sister missing, all the safety Viv has worked for is collapsing around her. So when a lifeline is offered in the form of a mysterious ‘job’, she grabs it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, Viv discovers that she has been recruited as a codebreaker helping the war effort – if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.
At first Viv believes that her challenge, of discovering the secrets of a hidden dragon language, is doable. But the more she learns, the more she realises that the bubble she’s grown up in isn’t as safe as she thought, and eventually Viv must decide: What war is she really fighting?
An epic, sweeping fantasy with an incredible Dark Academia setting, a clandestine, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and an unputdownable story, filled with twists and turns, betrayals and secret identities, A Language of Dragons is the unmissable debut of 2025, from an extraordinary new voice.
"A smart and original young adult riff on the dark academia aesthetic, SF Williamson’s book is a glorious mix of dragons, rebellion, language and romance, and the world-building is a joy." – Observer, best children’s books of 2025
A Language of Dragons was Children's #1 bestseller in the TCM chart on 07 January 2025.
Critics Review
-
"A smart and original young adult riff on the dark academia aesthetic' 'SF Williamson’s book is a glorious mix of dragons, rebellion, language and romance, and the world-building is a joy." – The Observer, 'Best Children's Books of 2025'
“Burning with dragon fire and the flames of revolution, A Language of Dragons is compulsive and brimming with intelligence. This is dark academia with a thrilling twist … A historical YA fantasy that is uniquely compelling.” – Rachel Greenlaw, author of Compass and Blade
“Hugely gripping and wildly enjoyable, A Language of Dragons sinks its talons into you from the very first page and doesn't let go until its heart-stopping conclusion. This is the dark academia dragon book my heart was yearning for, and a must-read for fantasy fans everywhere.” – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn
“Dragons meet dark academia in this spellbinding fantasy about forbidden love, tested loyalty, and the art of translation. I was captivated from start to finish!” – Lauryn Hamilton Murray, author of Heir of Storms
"A gripping dark academia fantasy … I absolutely loved the unique premise of this book! While there are many great dragon books out there these days, this one stood out to me as a really interesting and different take.” – Cosmopolitan
User Reviews
Book 4.2
Narration 4.8
-
5.0 5.0
I loved this book, set in a sort of alternate history where dragons live alongside humans. Our protagonist is sent to Bletchley Park to crack the 'dragon code', a secret dragon language, but discovers it's more complicated than it seems. A great read for linguists and fans of fantasy and YA fiction. I'd say this would be appropriate for confident child readers, but be warned there are a couple of swears!
megchaplin 2025-02-20
Details
- Author
- S. F. Williamson
- Narrator
- Kristin Atherton
- Duration
- 12 hours 47 minutes
- Release Date
- 2 January 2025
- ISBN
- 9780008652289
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Dark fantasy, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Dragons, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction
- Rating
- 4.2(4 reviews)
- Narration
- 4.8(4 reviews)
Synopsis
The most exciting debut of 2025 – an incredible fantasy Dark Academia, perfect for fans of Babel, Fourth Wing, and the Scholomance trilogy EVERY FIRE STARTS WITH A SINGLE SPARK. Welcome to Bletchley Park… with dragons. London, 1923. 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 an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to risk growing up Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war. With her parents arrested and her sister missing, all the safety Viv has worked for is collapsing around her. So when a lifeline is offered in the form of a mysterious ‘job’, she grabs it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, Viv discovers that she has been recruited as a codebreaker helping the war effort – if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die. At first Viv believes that her challenge, of discovering the secrets of a hidden dragon language, is doable. But the more she learns, the more she realises that the bubble she’s grown up in isn’t as safe as she thought, and eventually Viv must decide: What war is she really fighting? An epic, sweeping fantasy with an incredible Dark Academia setting, a clandestine, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and an unputdownable story, filled with twists and turns, betrayals and secret identities, A Language of Dragons is the unmissable debut of 2025, from an extraordinary new voice. "A smart and original young adult riff on the dark academia aesthetic, SF Williamson’s book is a glorious mix of dragons, rebellion, language and romance, and the world-building is a joy." – Observer, best children’s books of 2025 A Language of Dragons was Children's #1 bestseller in the TCM chart on 07 January 2025.
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