Is she The Swallow, the most wanted rebel in all of Britannia? Is she a Brasstongue on the cusp of translating a new language? Or is she just Viv, the girl who lost the love of her life after playing spy?
Though this war might have begun with bombs and teeth, it will be fought with tongues. And Viv will soon learn that everything she thought she knew—even about herself—might be a lie.
The explosive sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Language of Dragons.
S. F. Williamson is fascinated by the way languages are born and was surrounded by them long before she undertook a degree in French and Italian.
From her Grandma’s rolling Scottish R’s and her Nan’s ability to slip from English to Welsh, to the dialect spoken in the French village she grew up in, Steph has always known that languages are creatures that live and move and breathe.
As a child she learned that speaking them meant accessing ideas, traditions and people she would only otherwise know from a distance. Her debut novel, 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 programme, Steph now lives in France with her husband and two cats.
The action packed sequel to A Language of Dragons, A War of Wyverns will have you on the edge of your seat, gasping at every twist & turn, utterly breathless and itching for more.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster of rebellion, triumph, and heartbreak. Filled with stunningly beautiful prose that weaves together a lush setting with meaningful commentary about languages and the erasure of culture through assimilation.
Did I mention there are even MORE dragons in this one? Wyverns, new dragon species, mini mail delivering dragons, Dracovols, and of course our beloved pink dragon, Chumana. I would like to humbly request that the author put out an illustrated Encyclopedia of Dragons!
This is fast-paced & plot-driven, heart-pounding, emotional, and utterly addictive. I read it in less than 24 hours and immediately wanted to start a re-read of A Language of Dragons!
I cannot tell you how excited I am that there are more books to come in this series. I’m seated, ready, and just a bit desperate for the next book!
I’ve pretty much given all of the reasons to love this book above, but for those who prefer my list style reviews here you go…
What’s to love… - REBELLION - DRAGONS! SO MANY DRAGONS! - heart-pounding and action-packed - emotional - meaningful commentary on languages and culture erasure - Shocking reveals and so many twists and turns - Plot-driven and easy to binge - A perfect YA book that will appeal to adult readers as well. - A swoony little romantic subplot
What might not work for some… - this is plot-driven, and those that prefer character-driven stories might have a hard time with this one. The character work is good, but not quite as in depth as it could be! - the romance is definitely a sub-plot. If you’re looking for a romantasy this is not it. If you want an awesome dragon-filled fantasy with lots of action and a hint of romance, this IS the one!
Audio Narration: 4/5 Solid performance. Inflection and pacing are great. Pausing is a bit excessive at the end of each sentence, but not enough to make this performance frustrating. Voice variation is really good! I especially enjoyed her male and dragon voices!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book & ALC. All opinions are my own.
4.25 ★— Never have I been more proud of myself for knowing the difference between wyverns and dragons than when I saw the title of this sequel!
A War of Wyverns contains much of what I loved in the first installment. Vivian once again gets to use her very big brain to work through the conundrums thrown her way, there’s plenty of dragon (and here, wyvern) lore, rich dragon and wyvern–human interactions, and some genuinely adorable moments of connection between these two groups! The political tension and looming conflict that began in the first book take on an even larger role in this one, with Vivian now fully aware of what’s at stake and actively trying to help prevent Britain from sliding deeper into war.
Where the book faltered a bit for me was in some of the interpersonal relationships. I found myself missing many of the bonds that were given more space in the first book. While the focus on an impending war makes that understandable, the reduced emphasis on friendships and quieter character moments was something I really felt, and it did impact my enjoyment. I also wasn’t entirely sold on the romantic subplot presented in the book.
The story truly shone whenever it leaned into its language-focused elements. Watching Vivian apply her aptitude and talent to communicate with the wyverns and learn more about their culture was easily the highlight of it all for me! The glimpses into how language reflects a group’s values, history, and worldview were beautifully handled, and whenever the book returned to those moments, I was fully engrossed.
I’m very excited for the third and final book in the trilogy and can’t wait to see how everything ultimately comes together!
🎧 Audiobook Note 🎙️ Narration Style: Solo The narrator was lovely and made this such a smooth and enjoyable listening experience. I also found that the different dragon characters, including their accents, were especially well done and aided in bringing those distinct personalities to life for me!
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Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC, and to HarperAudio for the ALC, both in exchange for my honest review.
I'd like to thank HarperCollins and Edelweiss for this advanced reader copy of A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson. Just like the first book, A Language of Dragons, this is amazing! Chumana is so fierce, yet so loving. Vivien's internal and external journey are a representation of what is currently happening to many of us. This book also shows how powerful community can be, and how important it is to acknowledge change in our lives in different ways. The perspective of language as a weapon and as a political tool for power is pretty well showcased, and also very well researched because it's based on real history. I loved the introduction of the Hebridean Wyverns and Dragons from different parts of the world. I also liked the book design because you can find excerpts from Clawtail's diary, newspapers, and from the radio. I cried, I laughed, I loved! Such an incredible reading!!! 6 stars!!!
Why does Viv remain a whiney, indecisive pain in the butt? Why is there no growth over two whole books? I have never encountered a main character with such a hero complex who literally throws a tantrum every time she cannot be the one person to save everything. How can we make sure the readers know just how Scottish these Scottish dragons are? AH YES HAVE THEM MAKE TWEED. Chaumana was this books only saving grace.
Wow! A War of Wyverns was everything I was hoping it would be after devouring A Language of Dragons earlier this year. Williamson continues to blend fantasy and historical fiction, creating a unique world full of action and complex characters in the center of the rebellion. Her prose is truly beautiful, making A War of Wyverns an emotional story filled with pain, triumph, and self-discovery as these young characters navigate the war.
This installment was definitely more plot driven than character driven, and after the first few chapters the action starts and does not stop until the very last page. The war is here, and a majority of the book is the rebels fighting, trying to find allies, or strategize new paths to victory. While I tend to love character driven stories, I actually really enjoyed how plot heavy this was. I personally feel like having a more character development heavy first book was a nice interlude to the sequel, and gave space to focus more on propelling the story forward. The war was incredibly well written as well. You could feel the apprehension, fear, grief, and helplessness in every page, raising the intensity and totally enthralling me. Amongst all of this we still get what so many loved in A Language of Dragons: linguistics, translations, and subtle commentary on the power of language and knowledge. It remains to be a unique twist to the tried and true element of dragons, and I love it.
I'm so happy I was able to read an advanced copy of this book. It was a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster, and I can't wait to see how the trilogy concludes in the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own. Expected publication is 1/6/2026.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this sequel ever since turning the last page of A Language of Dragons, so I was incredibly excited to be able to read it a couple of weeks early!! Somehow, I’d convinced myself this would be the end of a duology and was mentally preparing to say goodbye to all these characters (not that I was ready for that at all)… until the ending proved me very wrong. And, oh my gosh, those final chapters completely turned everything on its head, with twists that make you desperately need the next book now.
A War of Wyverns picks up a few months after the heartbreaking events at the end of A Language of Dragons. Viv is working undercover in London, studying a mysterious species of wyverns and trying to piece together a language that has left barely any trace behind. These wyverns are believed to be key to the fight for Britain (but why??), and Viv’s task is to bring them over to the rebels’ side. At the same time, secrets begin to surface, making Viv question even those closest to her.
It was such a joy to return to this alternative version of Britain, where dragons live alongside humans - not peacefully at the moment, but in a unique way unlike that of any other fantasy book I can think of. As with the first book, one of my favourite aspects is how much agency the dragons have: fully independent beings, not bound to humans in the traditional dragon–rider way we often see (and love) in fantasy. Getting more time with familiar characters, especially Chumana and Viv herself (who is facing quite the crisis about her own identity and role in the war), was a highlight too. And the twists! Not just the ones at the end, but that reveal around the 25% mark too - loved it!
It’s hard to say much more without giving spoilers, so I’ll leave it at this: A War of Wyverns is a fantastic sequel, packed with action, revelations, and plenty of dragon chaos. It was absolutely worth the wait, and now I’m counting down until the next book.
I really enjoyed the first book but the second. I loved it. A lot of times people will say that series suffer a second book syndrome, and I don’t think that this one did. I was still just as easily caught up in this one as I was with A Language of Dragons. The pacing was fantastic. I easily read through this in one sitting without stopping and was sad when it was over because I wasn’t ready for it to be over. I love that we get to explore different types of dragons species that we have battles and that we travel. The political intrigue keeps me also invested. I also love the romance that interwoven into the story. The language aspect still captivated me and kept me intrigued. All around this is a story that I could keep reading over and over and over and coming back to. And now I’m going to be impatiently waiting for the third book. Becuase like the first book I didn’t really expect what happen to happen and now I need to know what is next! Thank you to HarperCollins for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.0.
I’m still so impressed with this story!! I remain intrigued and excited by the language of dragons and how our FMC alongside the rebels uses this to literally turn the tides of war for better or for worse. The 2nd book in the series kicks off with dire circumstances following book 1 and there’s a lot to take in. We find ourselves continuously trying to work out who to trust and who’s manipulating who for the greater good. As we get to know the dragons who have claimed Britannia soil under the prime ministers approval we find out some details about their nature and practices across the sea and it’s definitely shocking. Our FMC is once again trying to do what is best and is frequently wearing her martyr hat while doing so.
There’s real devastating loss during this read and it definitely gave me heartburn and misty eyes. I’m locked in to see where book 3 will take us after that ending!
Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC of this book and thank you NetGalley as well! 4.5 STARS First of all I want to say that sequels are hard - they have to live up to the hype of the first one while carrying on the story, but also keep you hooked for more to come...and I'm so glad this one did all of that!!
Viv and the crew's story continued right where A Language of Dragons left off and did not slow down even after the last page (did not end....book three when??) and I enjoyed the entire ride. The thoughtful prose of language and translation, to the funny and heartfelt interactions between humans and Wyverns/dragons, Williamson digs the claws deep and does not let go. I enjoyed the political intrigue as well, but especially enjoyed diving deeper into this hidden world of Wyverns and their own landscapes and culture. It was so beautifully done and thought out! :)
I enjoyed the journey this book took me on. About halfway through it started to explode with action! My jaw was on the floor time and time again with the twists and turns.
I absolutely adored the character development and growth especially in the FMC. I also love that we get a deeper sense of the relationships of the dragons, their customs, their way of life.
War changes people and it can blur the line between what’s considered right and wrong, especially when we’re fighting to protect the ones we love and this story brings light to this in such a perfect way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
a war of wyverns felt like a step down from the first book. the world-building and lore are still impressive - the dragons, wyverns, politics, and languages are intricate and interesting - but the story itself fell flat for me. the first half dragged quite a bit, with moments that should have been exciting feeling uneventful, and i often had to push myself to keep reading
the plot only really picks up around the halfway point, leading to a big war scene at the end. this was the part i genuinely enjoyed, even if our main character mostly just watched from a distance. while the action was well-written, it didn’t quite make up for the slow pacing and lack of tension earlier in the book
the romance didn’t work for me either. atlas being brought back after seemingly dying felt like a forced choice, and their relationship throughout the book came across as awkward and unnatural. there’s a lot of hand-holding, hugs, and stolen kisses, but the real issues between them are never addressed, making the progression feel forced and disconnected from the story
overall, a war of wyverns has a rich and intricate setting with dragons and political intrigue, but the slow pacing, underwhelming plot development, and forced romance made it a harder read than i expected
✨A huge thank you to the author, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!✨
What do you meannnn😭 I'm excited that we'll get more time in this world, but I'm so sad that we'll have to wait to get answers hahaha
After I read A Language Of Dragons this summer, I knew I needed to keep reading! I fell in love with these characters and this world so fast, and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to read this before release🥹
A War Of Wyverns continues so smoothly from where we left off in book 1! The writing is just so beautiful, it pulled me in immediately. I never wanted it to end, but I also couldn't put it down😂 it made me cry in public, so there's that...
I loved every one of the characters! I loved being able to meet a lot more dragons and wyverns in this one too, and watch them interact with each other. I do question Viv's romantic relationship, but that may just be the oldest sister in me hahaha.
Although this is marketed as a YA fantasy, I probably wouldn't recommend it for readers younger than probably 17 or a mature 16. There is no sexual content, but it has some heavy language and several graphic scenes (relating to war).
You'll love this if you love: 📖 dragons 📖 political uprising 📖 secret missions
✨TW: this book contains cuss words and topics of war, death, some gore, betrayal, and violence. 🌶️: Some innuendos
I was so lucky to be sent an ARC copy of AWOW from Harper Fire!
First off … I thought this was a duology? I’m not complaining that I’ll be able to get more of this world, however I was not mentally prepared for that ending!
I loved Viv’s journey in this story, recognising where she was in book 1 and starting to figure out who she wants to be.
Also if there’s ever going to be a prequel of Chumana’s story of the events before book 1, I wouldn’t be mad!
I continue to love this world and the politics surrounding the dragons and their languages. For me I struggled with the fast-paced plot at times and got a bit confused but overall I loved it
"A War of Wyverns" picks up a little while after book 1, with Viv trying to crack a new code...the hebridean wyvern language. This second installment is action packed with lots of twists, heartbreak, and betrayal. As Viv tries to do everything she can to procure a secret weapon for the rebels, she must also come to terms with who she wants to be.
I liked this installment a little less than book 1. 1st off I think this was originally marketed as a Duology, and now will be a trilogy. So please know that going in. I strongly feel it COULD have worked really well as a duology with minor changes to the last 2 chapters, but is being dragged on into a 3rd installment.
However, I still enjoyed this book and the series so far. The dragon vs human linguistics is super interesting and I love seeing how Viv uses her knowledge of languages to her advantage. I also love the dragons! This could be a great series for YA readers who are too young for fourth wing but still want to get a bit of dragon action along with a smidge of romance. I personally was not too interested in the romantic interest in this book- I think Viv can do better for herself but I'm sure she'll still end up with the romantic interest by the end of the series.
I do think there are a few glaring plotholes in this installment as well. Mainly the poison pouches, but will not get into spoilers here.
That being said, I think this series so far is a really well written and intriguing story, and perfect for YA readers or anyone really who is just over all the spice that's been forced into every adult book to enhance its marketing. I really like how Viv is growing as a character, I loved getting to explore a new setting and see a new cast of characters along with some of our OG character friends from book 1. For me the twists were pretty obvious, but for the casual reader I'm hoping they're in for a surprise.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to read book 3!
Now this is how you do a sequel! Finally a Book Two that’s worth its paper. After the absolute whirlwind ending of Book One, I genuinely thought we might get a quieter book, but to my absolute delight, the author had other plans. Book Two dialed everything up to eleven. It was even more action packed, the stakes felt bloodier and more personal, and the world’s mystery and lore expanded in ways I didn’t see coming; the twists were so impeccably executed that I spent the entire second half in a state of glorious shock. And for all the escalating human conflict, the soul of the story was still based in its magnificent creatures. The dragons and wyverns weren’t just set pieces or cool mounts, they were vivid, majestic, and emotionally complex characters in their own right. Their bonds and instincts were the emotional pillars of the entire narrative for me. In the end, this book was everything I could want. It was captivating and tense with a plot that felt both expansive and tightly wound. And above all, it was profoundly satisfying, not because every thread was tied up neatly, but because it felt like a perfect escalation of the saga. This YA series is my new obsession. It’s exactly the kind of smart academia, creature focused fantasy I adore and it’s nothing short of fantastic. And now? I’m officially in that special kind of agony: waiting and counting down the days for the next one. What a ride!
Audiobook Note: The narration was brilliant. The performer, Henrietta Meire, captured every nuance of tension and the distinct voices of a vast number of characters perfectly. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough, it was an immersion that elevated an already phenomenal story.
Thank you to HarperAudio Children’s for providing the ARC via NetGalley!
Wow. Just a big, huge wow for this book. Second books are usually a little harder to get into, where they usually have a lot more background to fill in and character progression and sometimes introductions. This book did not struggle with that. This was so action packed, so deeply sad at times, and so so much happened with the plot.
So much happened and changed for Vivian throughout this book. People she thought were infallible changed, and her viewpoint on what she thought was her life's calling/passion changed. It was a massive growth point for her, and I'm really interested to see where her character ends up in the next book.
I wasn't expecting half of the things that happened in this sequel. It really did knock me off my feet several times, and I was so into it. This book was also pretty dark compared to the first book. It was gory, incredibly violent, some traditions that come to light were very troubling to learn about. It was difficult to picture some of the things that were happening, but it was so interesting and captivating and it truly did further the story. All of it served a purpose, and none of it felt gratuitous.
If you've read the first book, I truly believe that you'll love this second book. It was so packed with information and action and plot points, and it really sets up a next book as well. I absolutely recommend this series to everyone! This sequel comes out January 6th 2026!
*This ARC was given by HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Book Two of the A Language of Dragons Series begins not long after the end of book one. Vivien Featherswallow now works for the rebel alliance trying to bring down Britannias evil Prime Minister. Stuck in London, masquerading as a niece of her former enemy Rita, Vivien is filled with sadness over the death of her love Atlas. Kept away from her family and in a moment of impulsivity to save a small dragon Vivien is taken to a far away island and must try to convince a group of wyverns to join the rebels and save the country from war.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review this book which I am giving 3.5⭐️.
I think this book did a good job of expanding on Vivien’s character and giving her a chance to grow. I liked her relationships with the other characters in the book, but felt that her connection with her cousin was pushed to the side too much in favor of relationship drama with Atlas. The relationship drama felt too tacked on and cheapened my enjoyment of this one.
This also would have been rated higher if it could have been wrapped up with this book as the final part of a duology, but no we are getting set up for a trilogy instead. This feels unnecessary in my opinion. Not every YA saga needs to be drawn out for so long. While I did enjoy this book the ending felt like a ploy to sell more books and at this time I am unsure if I would be willing to continue this series or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 🌟 I feel this installment suffers the middle book curse…
I loved ALOD, it was a 5 star read! But AWOW just fell a bit short for me, and I wasn’t as invested as book 1.
Firstly, it was a bit of a slow start, with Vivien being away from the rest of the crew, and I don’t think I really got into it until they were all reunited.
And whilst I loved all the political elements of the first book, I didn’t feel as shocked or gripped this time around. This book was very action packed with the war though and visually this was fab!
On the relationship side, I wasn’t entirely invested in Atlas and Vivien this time and feel he has a lot of work to do. For this, I’m very grateful there’s a 3rd book for him to redeem himself.
The relationship that did warm my heart though was that of Vivien and Chumana. I loved their little love hate friendship, and heart to hearts. And it all was rather emotional by the end.
And on the ending... I didn’t realise there would be another book, and I am kind of intrigued by the ending and how it was left, but also kind of frustrated at the same time.
I did enjoy Vivien’s self reflection and self discovery at the end though, and felt this was needed. This book especially reminded me that they are all so young, and need to live their lives a bit! And I liked that this is quite reflective of the real WW1 when so many basically teenagers enlisted and lost their youth!
-Normally, it is easy for me to pick one emoji to represent how a book made me feel, but one emoji is not enough for War of Wyvern’s! S.F. Williamson had me spinning through all the emotions on feelings wheel while reading this book.
-Vivien Featherswallow: I wish I could be as brave and selfless!
-Anytime Chumana showed up on the page. She don’t play, and I am here for it!
- Linguistics, linguistics, linguistics! As a former AP Human Geography teacher and an anthropology nerd, I was pulled into how S. F. Williamson used languages. She’s clearly spent time researching. If I still taught AP Human Geography, I would definitely suggest this book to students when we got to the language section of the course!
The reason I gave this book 4.5 stars instead of 5:
I like the pacing of a book to be consistent from start to finish, but understand why “A War of Wyverns” wasn’t. The book opens with action and ends with action; however, S.F. Williamson taps the breaks mid-book. In my opinion she does this to make her reader pay attention to what information is slowly divulged during this section of the book which I can appreciate. However, I have the ADHD, so when the pacing slowed way down, my brain decided to do side quests while reading this section in the book. Fear not fellow neurodivergent friends, the pace does pick back up in a clutch your pearls kind of way.
A War of Wyverns is one of those rare sequels that manages to expand its world not just outward, but deeper — into culture, politics and history on a level I did not expect.
What truly stands out is the political message threaded through everything. This is a story about oppression, resistance, identity, and what it means to reclaim your voice. And as such it makes my head spin way more than romantasy stories would.
I very much appreciated the unique approach to dragons and their lore. The story treats them as cultures, nations, languages, and lived experiences, not just beasts or set dressing. Their traditions, their moral codes, their hierarchies, their grief and fury — it all feels alive. I loved every bit of it.
But perhaps my favorite part is the focus on language — how it shapes identity, how it can be weaponized, how it encodes culture and memory. The linguistic elements aren’t just flavor; they’re genuinely integral to the plot.
I'm super happy the duology concluded like it did. And a huge recommendation for the series.
4.5 / 5 stars
Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins and @harperkids for the eARC!
This book is such an incredible sequel to A Language of Dragons - if you enjoyed book one you’re going to LOVE A War Of Wyverns!
This book was, dare I say, even MORE action packed and politically fuelled than the first. The war is here, it’s a race to find allies and protect those they love. Viv is a true rebel now, not just someone who is roped into the war because of her language skills. Her growth from book one is insane and the pressure she’s under to make sure they win the war is immense.
Something I absolutely love about these books is how they treat the dragons - they’re not pets or a free taxi ride. They have their own governments, countries, beliefs, jobs and are intricately woven into society.
The amount of twists and unexpected turns this book had - especially in the last 150 or so pages had my jaw HANGING open
These books are about oppression, resistance, fighting for what’s right I’m so excited for the third and final book!
I’d say this series is perfect for fans of plot heavy character driven books, war, rebellion, dragons, wyverns, linguistics & romance sub plot 🐉
I really enjoyed this fast paced sequel to A Language of Dragons, once you start reading it is hard to put down and even though it isn't chock full of action, it stays pretty interesting all throughout the book.
I am a bit confused about the ending because I did think this was going to be a duology, and I think two books would have been enough. But I am now curious to see where we will go in book three.
I still think the concept of languages woven throughout the books is really cool, I love the dragons (and wyverns), and I loved seeing some beloved characters really develop. Especially Viv, who stars to find herself in this book.
This is not the best YA fantasy you'll ever read, but it is entertaining, the plot is interesting, it is fast paced and the characters are fun to read about. I still think comparing this to Fourth Wing and Babel is a stretch. But if you love dragons and find the concept of languages interesting, and you want an easy to follow fantasy, this is perfect.
One little thing, and I wonder if this is just me or the writing style of the author, is that the writing sometimes feels like it skips over some details. Nothing major, as in I feel like I'm missing anything. But there are moments where a character joins a conversations, or the characters move places, where it feels like small jumps in the story. And I don't know if it's because I'm somehow reading over some words / sentences, or if some details are just left out in the writing. Either way it's nothing horrible or super annoying, just something I've noticed. I had multiple moments where I went "Oh, when did they join the group?" or "okay, we're in a new place / setting now, I missed them traveling there." Gosh I hope that makes any sense lol..
Anyways, go read this sequel because in my opinion it did not disappoint! It was just as fun and addicting as book one.
This was such a fast paced, high stakes sequel that leans hard into rebellion, war, and escalating tension. The story picks up quickly after book one, with higher risks, bigger consequences, and a very bingeable pace overall, even though a few sections slow slightly.
The dragon world expands in the best way! Wyverns, new dragon types, Dracovols, tiny mail-delivering dragons (CUTE) and Chumana (my favorite pink dragon) make the world feel rich and alive. What stood out most to me was the focus on language and culture. Watching Vivian use her intelligence to communicate with the wyverns and learn their history was meaningful and gave the story real depth.
I wanted a bit more found family moments but the action, twists, and emotional weight kept me fully invested. The romance stays minimal but ANGSTY and very much in the background, which I didn’t mind. I can honestly say Vivian can win an award for character growth though! What a DIFFERENCE!
Tropes 🐉 Dragons & wyverns 🔥 Rebellion & war 📜 Language as power ⚔️ Political intrigue 🫂 Found family
This is a strong, exciting sequel packed with action, dragons, and big emotions. The ending absolutely wrecked me, the middle had me GASPING out loud and now I’m stuck waiting until 2027 for book three😆 I love how the stakes felt like HIGH stakes, we are at WAR and you can FEEL the tension.
I need an illustration of all the dragons and wyverns like asap! My imagination are not doing them justice 😆
Brain power needed : 🧠🧠🧠/5 Read if you like: Babel, Fireborne, The Hunger Games Favorite part: Viv’s character growth
Reeling from the events at the end of book 1, this plunges you straight into the action. The plot is fast-paced and full of political posturing and intrigue. You find Vivien working undercover in London, preparing for a secret mission to ally with the mysterious wyverns on the isle of Canna.
From there, you reconnect with old friends and enemies and meet a plethora of new and interesting characters. You get caught up in the danger of the mission and feel the tension building for outright war. All throughout, you follow Vivien as she works through her doubts and fears to discover her courage and place in everything.
It really is just an incredibly fascinating world and an emotionally charged story.
An action packed, dragon filled, emotionally charged sequel that did not disappoint! I want book three immediately.
I appreciate the author’s dedication to studying the history of the Scottish Isles and not only the attempted eradication of Gaelic through English supremacy but also the suppression of languages through colonisation worldwide. I’m also a sucker for a linguistic book and this had all those good nerdy bits.
I loved seeing the whole cast of characters again and how much they’re all growing and changing as things ramp up and the stakes become even higher. Serena is my favourite and I hope we get to see even more of her in the final instalment!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
This book follows Vivien’s translation work, as this time she finds herself on a remote Scottish island tracking down a lost species of dragon that might help to win the war. This book felt far more dark and brutal than the first, with heartbreaking twists and turns. The ending was shocking, and it’s going to be a long wait for the next book! This dived even deeper into the ideas of how languages evolve and can be used to dominate or attack, and the new wyvern language was so interesting. At its heart was a sparkling cast of characters, and a real emotional rollercoaster.