A Language of Dragons Series Review

If you're searching for new dragon fantasy books that combine the academic intrigue of Babel with politically charged storytelling reminiscent of The Hunger Games, then S.F. Williamson's A Language of Dragons series deserves a spot at the top of your TBR. This dark academia fantasy series has been making waves across BookTok and fantasy reading communities since its debut, earning a Goodreads Choice Award nomination and New York Times bestseller status.

With A War of Wyverns releasing on 6th January 2026, now is the perfect time to dive into this captivating YA fantasy series featuring intelligent dragons, linguistic mysteries, and a morally complex heroine.

A Language of Dragons (Book 1) – Spoiler-Free Overview

Set in an alternate 1923 London where dragons coexist with humans under a fragile peace agreement, A Language of Dragons introduces us to Vivien Featherswallow, a gifted linguist fluent in multiple dragon languages. When her parents are arrested for rebel activities and her sister goes missing, Vivien inadvertently sets off a chain of events that sparks a civil war.

Recruited to the secretive Bletchley Park as a codebreaker, Vivien must decipher a hidden dragon language that could turn the tide of war. But the more she uncovers, the more she realises that the world she grew up in isn't as safe; or as just as she believed.

This historical fantasy blends the power of language and translation with themes of political corruption, class systems, and rebellion. Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance will find a slow-burn subplot woven throughout, though the focus remains firmly on the plot and world-building.

A Language of Dragons

by S. F. Williamson

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 Language of Dragons was Children's #1 bestseller in the TCM chart on 07 January 2025. The most exciting debut of 2025 - an incredible fantasy Dark Academia, perfect for fans of Babel, Fourth Wing, and the Scholomance trilogy

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What We Loved

Unique premise combining linguistics, codebreaking, and dragon lore in a fresh way
Rich world-building with intelligent dragons who have their own cultures, languages, and political structures
Compelling political intrigue that mirrors real-world issues of propaganda, class division, and government corruption
Gorgeous prose and atmospheric dark academia setting
Morally grey protagonist whose character development feels earned
Fast-paced opening and action-packed finale that will leave you breathless
Mini mail-delivering dragons and a particularly memorable pink dragon named Chumana

Potential Drawbacks

The middle section focusing on academia and linguistics may feel slower for action-hungry readers
Vivien can be frustrating as a protagonist initially; her naivety and privilege-blindness are intentional but challenging
The romance subplot is minimal and more 'forbidden love' than true enemies-to-lovers
Marketed comparisons to Fourth Wing may mislead readers expecting dragon-rider bonds and heavy romance

A War of Wyverns (Book 2) – Spoiler-Free Overview

Released on 6th January 2026, A War of Wyverns picks up in the aftermath of book one's devastating conclusion. Vivien Featherswallow is now known as 'The Swallow'; the most wanted rebel in all of Britannia. But as she grapples with loss and questions everything she thought she knew about herself, she must also navigate the complexities of a full-scale dragon civil war.

This sequel expands the world dramatically, introducing new dragon species including the Hebridean Wyverns and dragons from across the globe. The stakes are higher, the action more intense, and the political machinations more treacherous than ever. Williamson continues to explore themes of language preservation, cultural erasure, and the power of words as weapons; all wrapped in an epic fantasy setting.

A War of Wyverns

by S. F. Williamson

Rebellion happens in the shadows. In the sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons, language is the greatest weapon in a war between humans and dragons--and one translator has the power to change the world. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel. Who is Vivien Featherswallow? It's the question on the lips of every human and dragon in Britannia, and even she doesn't know the answer. Is she the Swallow, the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons? Is she a brasstongue, a translator on the cusp of discovering a new dragon language? Or is she just Viv, the girl who lost the love of her life after playing spy? Viv isn't sure, but she knows she has to fight back. Armed with a machine that allows her to listen to dragons' thoughts, a diary with the clues of a never-before translated dragon tongue, and her own need to avenge her lost love, Viv seeks out the elusive Hebridean Wyverns. If she can find them and convince them to join the war, the rebellion might have a chance. Viv will soon realize that while translation is a weapon, it might not help her on her journey to victory--or to finding herself.

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What We Loved

Non-stop action and plot-driven storytelling that keeps you turning pages
Expanded dragon lore with new species, cultures, and fascinating worldbuilding
Vivien's character growth from book one pays off beautifully
Emotionally devastating moments that will have you reaching for tissues
Stunning battle sequences featuring dragons and wyverns
Deeper exploration of Scottish Gaelic language and Highland culture through the wyverns
Jaw-dropping twists that recontextualise everything you thought you knew

Potential Drawbacks

The first half can feel slower compared to the explosive second half
Some readers may find the romance subplot feels forced or awkward in places
Less focus on the friendships and side characters that enriched book one
Ends on a significant cliffhanger; you'll be desperate for book three

What's Next for the A Language of Dragons Series?

Great news for fans! S.F. Williamson has confirmed that A Language of Dragons is a trilogy. A third and final book is planned to conclude Vivien Featherswallow's story and the dragon civil war. While no release date has been announced yet, readers can expect the finale to wrap up the many threads left dangling after A War of Wyverns's dramatic conclusion.

Given the first book's New York Times bestseller status and Goodreads Choice Award nomination, anticipation for the trilogy's conclusion is already building within the fantasy book community.

Books Like A Language of Dragons

If you loved this series, here are some similar reads to explore:

Babel by R.F. Kuang – For the linguistic focus, dark academia vibes, and themes of colonialism and power

Babel

by R. F. Kuang

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War "Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out." -- Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation--also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working--the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars--has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire's quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide... Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – For political intrigue, rebellion, and a complex protagonist navigating a corrupt system

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

The first novel in the worldwide bestselling series by Suzanne Collins!Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means certain death. The Hunger Games have begun. . . .In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

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Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – For the wartime setting, slow-burn romance, and beautiful prose

Divine Rivals

by Rebecca Ross

✨A LOVE STORY TO DEFY THE GODS✨ Begin the no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling international sensation from Rebecca Ross A LOVE THAT CONQUERS ALL Eighteen-year-old Iris dreams that one day her writing will make a difference. A war between gods is raging, and she's landed a prestigious job at the Oath Gazette. But at home, she's barely holding it together. Her brother is missing on the frontline. Her mother is lost in a haze of addiction. And each night Iris pours her heart out in letters to her brother. Letters that will never be answered. Or so she thinks... RIVALS DRAWN TOGETHER BY INK AND MAGIC Her letters have made their way into the hands of the last person Iris trusts: Roman Kitt, her cold, unforgiving rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes back, they forge a magical connection that will seal their fate forever. NO GOD. NO CREATURE. NO WAR CAN COME BETWEEN THEM. 'Rich and romantic' Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove 'I adored this book' Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna Reader reviews: ✩✩✩✩✩ 'The most tender rivals to lovers romance I've ever read' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'My heart by the end couldn't take anymore!' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'Easily a top read for me and definitely a new favourite. I will never stop recommending this book' ✩✩✩✩✩ 'A truly moving story and very unlike anything I've read lately'

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – If you want more dragons (though with a very different, romance-heavy approach)

Fourth Wing

by Rebecca Yarros

Don't miss out on the series that everyone can't stop talking about! 'Pure escapism - think Hunger Games meets Fifty Shades' -The Sun 'We weren't expecting to become obsessed with Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing, but we very much are - and we're not alone . . .' -Sunday Times Style'I couldn't put it down!' -Millie Bobby Brown'This book contains an addictive, drug like essence that will make you relinquish all responsibility until the very last word. Do not say I didn't warn you' -Glamour'Yarros had me hooked from the first chapter' -Mail on SundayWelcome to the brutal and elite world of Basgiath War College . . .Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general - also known as her tough-as-talons mother - has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.But when you're smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away . . . because dragons don't bond to 'fragile' humans. They incinerate them.With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother's daughter - like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.She'll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.Everyone at Basgiath has an agenda, and every night could be your last. So, sleep with one eye open because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die. OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION READERS HAVE ALREADY GIVEN FOURTH WING FIVE STARS. ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE WORLD OF BASGIATH WAR COLLEGE? 'If I can convince you to read one book I recommend it would be this one' 'I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, and when I finished, I had the overwhelming urge to just start it all over again' 'This book is probably the best fantasy book I have ever read''FIVE. FREAKING. STARS. There is no universe where I could give this book any less of a rating' 'There are some

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The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – For epic dragon fantasy with complex political worldbuilding

The Priory of the Orange Tree

by Samantha Shannon

The New York Times bestselling "epic feminist fantasy perfect for fans of Game of Thrones" (Bustle).NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY:AMAZON (Top 100 Editors Picks and Science Fiction and Fantasy) * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY * BOOKPAGE * AUTOSTRADDLEA world divided.A queendom without an heir.An ancient enemy awakens.The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction--but assassins are getting closer to her door. Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

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Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang – For academic settings, systemic oppression themes, and a protagonist uncovering dark truths

Blood Over Bright Haven

by M. L. Wang

The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.“Powerful, thought-provoking. . . . Fans of R.F. Kuang’s Babel will find much to admire here, from the intricate magic system to the unflinching exploration of societal issues.”—BooklistAN ELLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEARFor twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry.When Sciona finally passes the qualifying exam and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome—and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor.What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power.At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first.

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The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee – For politically complex fantasy with found family elements

Jade City

by Fonda Lee

In this epic saga of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, winner* Aurora Award for Best Novel, winner* Nebula Award for Best Novel, nominee* Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, finalistJade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for -- and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion. Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone -- even foreigners -- wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones -- from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets -- and of Kekon itself. Jade City is the first novel in an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.

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Final Verdict

S.F. Williamson's A Language of Dragons series offers something genuinely fresh in the dragon fantasy genre. It's not your typical dragon-rider romantasy; instead, it's a thoughtful exploration of language, power, and identity wrapped in an action-packed political fantasy. With beautiful prose, sentient dragons with rich cultures, and a protagonist whose flaws make her feel painfully human, this is a series that rewards patient readers.

Whether you're a BookTok fantasy enthusiast looking for your next obsession or a longtime dragon lover seeking something different, the A Language of Dragons trilogy deserves your attention. Just be prepared; you'll finish A War of Wyverns desperate for the final instalment.

A Language of Dragons Series by S.F. Williamson: The Must-Read Dragon Fantasy of 2026

A Language of Dragons (Book 1) – Spoiler-Free Overview

A Language of Dragons

What We Loved

Potential Drawbacks

A War of Wyverns (Book 2) – Spoiler-Free Overview

A War of Wyverns

What We Loved

Potential Drawbacks

What's Next for the A Language of Dragons Series?

Books Like A Language of Dragons

Babel

The Hunger Games

Divine Rivals

Fourth Wing

The Priory of the Orange Tree

Blood Over Bright Haven

Jade City

Final Verdict

Books Featured in This Article

A Language of Dragons

A War of Wyverns

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