A Language of Dragons

December 2, 2024
Having grown up in an alternate 1923 England defined by a tenuous peace that sees human and dragon relations tightly regulated, 17-year-old Vivien Featherswallow—a polyglot who speaks three human and six dragon languages—dreams of becoming a draconic translator. When her scholar parents are arrested on charges of subversion and civil disobedience, Vivien’s impulsive reaction inadvertently sparks conflict between the government and rebel factions. She is presented the opportunity to earn her family’s freedom by joining a secret government project to crack certain draconic secrets, such as their ability to communicate via echolocation, at Bletchley Park. There Vivien unexpectedly reunites with an estranged friend and tentatively connects with fellow recruits. But as war rages on, secrets are revealed, alliances are tested, and boundaries are pushed, forcing Vivien to choose between duty and familial loyalty. Debut author Williamson’s alternate history adventure mixes fantasy with reality, reimagining WWII codebreaking as a magical and enigmatic institution. Friendship, romance, and the intricacies of linguistics and militant espionage infused with a dystopian vibe and a heavy dose of dragons wrap up this sweeping epic of treachery, desperation, and ambition. Vivien is of Bulgarian and English descent. Ages 13–up.

December 1, 2024
As war looms between dragons and humans in an alternate 1923, one girl is forced to work as a codebreaker to save her family. Vivien Featherswallow loves languages: She's studied "three human languages and six dragon tongues" and hopes to become a Draconic Translator. A Second Class resident of London's Fitzrovia neighborhood, Viv wholeheartedly supports the Peace Agreement made by Prime Minister Wyvernmire and the British Dragon Queen as well as the Class System that stratifies people into three tiers. So, when the rest of her family is suddenly arrested for their resistance group activities, Viv struggles to understand what's going on. She bargains with Chumana, a rebellious dragon imprisoned in a University of London library: her release in exchange for burning down the prime minister's office (and any evidence of her family's wrongdoing that it contains). But in the process, she inadvertently sparks a civil war. The Featherswallows' only hope of redemption lies at Bletchley Park, where Viv is recruited to decipher rebel dragons' communications alongside the former friend she once betrayed. Everyone at Bletchley is desperate, and if she wants to succeed, Viv must work quickly to support a cause she's losing faith in. Williamson's debut layers a fascinating fantastical world over pre-World War II tensions. Viv's translation skills become the window through which she begins to understand a larger world, and readers will root for her growth. Most characters present white. Alt-history fans will devour this high-concept reimagining of the interwar period--with dragons.(Historical fantasy. 14-18)

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December 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 After Guardians raid her home and arrest her rebel parents, polyglot and Second-Class citizen Vivien Featherswallow frees an imprisoned dragon to destroy evidence of her parent's rebellion. Unable to escape the aftermath, she finds herself before the Prime Minister of Britannia who offers her a job to use her language abilities to crack the dragon code, the most secret language of dragons, and get her parents pardoned. With no real choice, Vivien arrives at Bletchley Park, where she and several other misfits work together and against each other to be the first to unravel the profound mystery behind the all-encompassing language of dragons. Vivien uncovers the truth of the language, but is left with a choice: reveal the discovery and doom dragons and Third-Class citizens, or keep the secret safe and forfeit the lives of her loved ones. Williamson's engaging novel highlights the conflict between Vivien's choices and how her decisions deeply affect who she becomes. Its characters offer a vivid glimpse into the themes of societal inequality, the complexity of translation, and above all forgiveness.

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Starred review from January 1, 2025

Gr 9 Up-A compelling fantasy debut that centers around Vivien Featherswallow, a young linguist skilled in both human and Dragon languages. In alternate 1923 London, Vivien's life takes an unexpected turn when her family is accused of treason, thrusting her into a treacherous world of politics and warfare as she struggles to protect them. She is forced to work as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park deciphering Dragon communications. Through Vivien's journey, the novel explores the transformative power of language and the profound role it plays in connecting cultures and bridging divides. What sets this book apart is its exploration of language as more than mere communication. The author masterfully demonstrates how language embodies cultural values, traditions, and even political ideologies. Vivien's interactions with both human and Dragon societies reveal a nuanced understanding of how words can shape, heal, and also destroy. The political backdrop of the novel adds layers of urgency and relevance, mirroring modern-day discussions about identity, diplomacy, and understanding in a divided world. At its core, this novel celebrates the beauty of communication and the bravery it takes to seek mutual understanding in turbulent times. VERDICT For readers who appreciate fantasy with philosophical depth, this novel is a must-read, offering both a gripping plot and a meditation on the importance of words and empathy in a fractured world.-Jessica Calaway

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