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A Language of Dragons #2
A War of Wyverns
Who is Vivien Featherswallow?
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.
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.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2026
317 people are currently reading
16048 people want to read
About the author
S.F. Williamson
2 books560 followersS. 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
January 7, 2026
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!
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
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.
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!
5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
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.
January 8, 2026
« What is it about politics that make people believe only what they want to believe? »
Oh I have never felt this conflicted about a book! I don’t know if I liked it or not to be quite honest. After rating the first book 5 stars, I’m definitely feeling let down :(
I love love loveeee how many dragons there are in this series. It’s PACKED with dragons! The politics were also amazing to read about and way more present than the first book. It also reads super easily! I read this in less than a day.
But I went into this thinking it was a duology… and about 75% in, I realized it couldn’t be because nothing was resolved. And then I learned it changed to a trilogy with interconnected duologies? I don’t know how I feel about this. I’m not sure if I want to continue :( I didn’t feel particularly entranced by this one.
While I absolutely loved the romance in the first instalment - I actually despised it in this one :( the problems seemed to come out of no where and the mmc was so unstable it was hard to follow. The fmc was communicating but he was just ignoring her and it all made me feel extremely uneasy.
I loved that the importance of language was predominant in this instalment. It was a central part of the story and consisted of the entire novel, I would say. Unfortunately, it did make for an underwhelming read because it became repetitive.
I was disappointed by the third act. I have a hard time believing the adults didn’t come with better solutions in all those years… and thus had to rely on the teenagers. The battle was definitely the highlight of the ending but even then, Viv watched everything from a distance. My other complaint is that it was really lacking in friendships, cute interactions between friends and even character development.
Even after writing this review, I still cannot tell you if I liked this sequel or if I will continue with this series. I wish it would’ve been a duology :(
‼️ Mild spoiler here ‼️
What was up with the sprung up marriage proposal at the very end? He spent the whole book ignoring and dodging her and he thought to fix it with an engagement 🤡 i’m so happy she denied
—-•pre read
Started this upon receiving it (I rarely do this so you can imagine my excited for this sequel)
Oh I have never felt this conflicted about a book! I don’t know if I liked it or not to be quite honest. After rating the first book 5 stars, I’m definitely feeling let down :(
I love love loveeee how many dragons there are in this series. It’s PACKED with dragons! The politics were also amazing to read about and way more present than the first book. It also reads super easily! I read this in less than a day.
But I went into this thinking it was a duology… and about 75% in, I realized it couldn’t be because nothing was resolved. And then I learned it changed to a trilogy with interconnected duologies? I don’t know how I feel about this. I’m not sure if I want to continue :( I didn’t feel particularly entranced by this one.
While I absolutely loved the romance in the first instalment - I actually despised it in this one :( the problems seemed to come out of no where and the mmc was so unstable it was hard to follow. The fmc was communicating but he was just ignoring her and it all made me feel extremely uneasy.
I loved that the importance of language was predominant in this instalment. It was a central part of the story and consisted of the entire novel, I would say. Unfortunately, it did make for an underwhelming read because it became repetitive.
I was disappointed by the third act. I have a hard time believing the adults didn’t come with better solutions in all those years… and thus had to rely on the teenagers. The battle was definitely the highlight of the ending but even then, Viv watched everything from a distance. My other complaint is that it was really lacking in friendships, cute interactions between friends and even character development.
Even after writing this review, I still cannot tell you if I liked this sequel or if I will continue with this series. I wish it would’ve been a duology :(
‼️ Mild spoiler here ‼️
What was up with the sprung up marriage proposal at the very end? He spent the whole book ignoring and dodging her and he thought to fix it with an engagement 🤡 i’m so happy she denied
—-•pre read
Started this upon receiving it (I rarely do this so you can imagine my excited for this sequel)
December 15, 2025
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!
___________
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC, and to HarperAudio for the ALC, both in exchange for my honest review.
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!
___________
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC, and to HarperAudio for the ALC, both in exchange for my honest review.
January 10, 2026
3.75⭐️
This is honestly such a well crafted YA fantasy novel with dragons, politics and a corrupt government. The storyline is fast paced and was a perfect continuation to the first book.
So you might be thinking why didn’t I rate this 5⭐️ Honestly It’s just because I’m not the target audience for this book. It does read very young.
I think it would be perfect for 14 and 15-year-olds so if you’re looking into this series for a teenager, I would say absolutely go for it but as an adult reading this, the themes in this book are very much written for a YA brain
For example, this has interesting and valid discussions on language and translation but in a very accessible/understandable way whereas an adult discussion of this theme would Babel by RF Kuang
I still highly recommend this to either teenagers that read fantasy or are trying to get into fantasy as it is an entertaining and engaging read for younger minds
This is honestly such a well crafted YA fantasy novel with dragons, politics and a corrupt government. The storyline is fast paced and was a perfect continuation to the first book.
So you might be thinking why didn’t I rate this 5⭐️ Honestly It’s just because I’m not the target audience for this book. It does read very young.
I think it would be perfect for 14 and 15-year-olds so if you’re looking into this series for a teenager, I would say absolutely go for it but as an adult reading this, the themes in this book are very much written for a YA brain
For example, this has interesting and valid discussions on language and translation but in a very accessible/understandable way whereas an adult discussion of this theme would Babel by RF Kuang
I still highly recommend this to either teenagers that read fantasy or are trying to get into fantasy as it is an entertaining and engaging read for younger minds
November 26, 2025
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!!!
January 3, 2026
thank you harper YA for the arc ☺️✨
this was PACKED! full of political tension and intrigue 😮💨😮💨 what stood out most to me was the way the dragon hierarchy and species were explored in this! it’s SO complex and detailed, and most impressively — it was VERY original and refreshing! i remember tabbing book 1 for all the interesting dragon linguistic / academia elements, but book 2’s tabs looked a little different because they were all for the dragon species and behaviors! it’s SO interesting!!! i’ve never read any dragon book like this before and i had so much fun!
the characters though were driving me nuts 😩😩 i hate everyone… except ruth and marquis 😔✊🏼 i’m so ready for book 3 cause that ending?!?! steph how could you 😩😩😩 book 3 let’s goooo!!
this was PACKED! full of political tension and intrigue 😮💨😮💨 what stood out most to me was the way the dragon hierarchy and species were explored in this! it’s SO complex and detailed, and most impressively — it was VERY original and refreshing! i remember tabbing book 1 for all the interesting dragon linguistic / academia elements, but book 2’s tabs looked a little different because they were all for the dragon species and behaviors! it’s SO interesting!!! i’ve never read any dragon book like this before and i had so much fun!
the characters though were driving me nuts 😩😩 i hate everyone… except ruth and marquis 😔✊🏼 i’m so ready for book 3 cause that ending?!?! steph how could you 😩😩😩 book 3 let’s goooo!!
September 22, 2025
Book three when?!?! 🔥
Review of advance copy
An incredible sequel! Packed with action, twists, tension and anticipation. I just love this world and characters so much.
Viv’s struggles with crossing ethical boundaries, her identity and relationships really heightened the angst and emotion. I ate up all the lore and how the importance of preserving and speaking native languages was portrayed, highlighting the uniqueness they hold and is lost through translation. It was all so fascinating.
The stakes absolutely skyrocketed in this, it was non-stop! I was enthralled from start to finish. I can’t WAIT to see how this series concludes.
Viv’s struggles with crossing ethical boundaries, her identity and relationships really heightened the angst and emotion. I ate up all the lore and how the importance of preserving and speaking native languages was portrayed, highlighting the uniqueness they hold and is lost through translation. It was all so fascinating.
The stakes absolutely skyrocketed in this, it was non-stop! I was enthralled from start to finish. I can’t WAIT to see how this series concludes.
September 29, 2025
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.
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.
January 9, 2026
I actually quite enjoyed A Language of Dragons when it came out, mostly because it was different. Academia based as opposed to action, it was a nice breathe of fresh air while reading tons of other fantasy books at the time. I didn't think it was brilliant, but I was entertained.
I was very excited to read A War of Wyverns and was really hoping my small issues with book 1 would be addressed and that the story would be even better. Sadly, it was not. A War of Wyverns was very slow without any development of the characters at all. Vivienne continues to be a moron about pretty much everything. Nearly every other secondary character we met in book 1 is barely in book 2 and therefore left me questioning why it was important that I knew them at all. We barely get any time with dragons. We get lots of (boring) time with wyverns were they explain how to make tapestries. And then a super rushed ending to what I thought was the 2nd and final book of a series.
Did you also think this was a finished duology? Yup, me too. It was advertised as such for months and months. But nope, the decision was made for a 3rd book at some point (but only recently announced to the readers) which REALLY bothers me when publishing houses decide to do this. And the thing is, this book felt like it could have been done in 2 books. Easily. But this weird epilogue is tacked on to give it a cliffhanger. I will not be reading book 3. Which sucks because I think the idea was solid, the execution was weak.
I was very excited to read A War of Wyverns and was really hoping my small issues with book 1 would be addressed and that the story would be even better. Sadly, it was not. A War of Wyverns was very slow without any development of the characters at all. Vivienne continues to be a moron about pretty much everything. Nearly every other secondary character we met in book 1 is barely in book 2 and therefore left me questioning why it was important that I knew them at all. We barely get any time with dragons. We get lots of (boring) time with wyverns were they explain how to make tapestries. And then a super rushed ending to what I thought was the 2nd and final book of a series.
Did you also think this was a finished duology? Yup, me too. It was advertised as such for months and months. But nope, the decision was made for a 3rd book at some point (but only recently announced to the readers) which REALLY bothers me when publishing houses decide to do this. And the thing is, this book felt like it could have been done in 2 books. Easily. But this weird epilogue is tacked on to give it a cliffhanger. I will not be reading book 3. Which sucks because I think the idea was solid, the execution was weak.
January 4, 2026
"A War of Wyverns" by S.F. Williamson is the sequel to "A Language of Dragons".
I received an advance reader copy from HarperCollins Children's Books and an audiobook from HarperAudio Children’s.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Vivien is a translator, but also the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons.
The end of the first book left her also broken hearted, after loosing the love of her life.
The story continues after the end of "A Language of Dragons", with Viv working with the rebellion and she finds out that a lot of things were kept from her.
She has a good development as a character and goes though a lot.
The book if filled with action and has a fast pace, but in some chases it was too overwhelming for me.
I alo listened to the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire.
She did a good job with the narration and managed to capture Viv personality very well.
There are a few twists in the story that surprised me and some secrets are revealed.
Even if there is some romance in the story, this is a small part.
I am glad that an author's note is included at the end of the story as it made understand how this fantasy story with dragons and wyverns is relevant to our society.
I received an advance reader copy from HarperCollins Children's Books and an audiobook from HarperAudio Children’s.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.
Vivien is a translator, but also the face of the rebellion against the corrupt government and invading Bulgarian dragons.
The end of the first book left her also broken hearted, after loosing the love of her life.
The story continues after the end of "A Language of Dragons", with Viv working with the rebellion and she finds out that a lot of things were kept from her.
She has a good development as a character and goes though a lot.
The book if filled with action and has a fast pace, but in some chases it was too overwhelming for me.
I alo listened to the audiobook narrated by Henrietta Meire.
She did a good job with the narration and managed to capture Viv personality very well.
There are a few twists in the story that surprised me and some secrets are revealed.
Even if there is some romance in the story, this is a small part.
I am glad that an author's note is included at the end of the story as it made understand how this fantasy story with dragons and wyverns is relevant to our society.
January 6, 2026
3.25⭐️
I am conflicted on how I feel about this one. While the world building continued to expand to really impressive heights with more dragons, wyverns, political moves, and language backgrounds, the plot of this one fell a bit stagnant. The first half of this dragged a lot and I found I was only interested in the moments with the dragons. The story does pick up in the second half and actually had some pretty entertaining actions scenes with the dragons!
My issue with this book is one of the issues I had with book 1 and that is our FMC Vivien. I found her to be incredibly selfish in book one and sadly that continues in this book. She always has to be the one to come up with the world saving plan and if she doesn’t she is insufferable to every one around her. I also did not enjoy the romance in this one. Bringing back a character just to force a romance into this story felt weird and awkward. The interactions in the romance felt stilted and unnatural throughout.
The shining light of this book is Chumana, as she was in book 1. The relationship that Vivien has with this dragon is the heart of the book and I loved the love hate relationship they had. There is an emotional scene with these two that made me cry in the end.
I went into this book thinking it was the ending to a duology but about halfway through realized that simply could not be the case because there was so much left unsaid and unresolved. It definitely leaves many storylines up in the air and while I am slightly intrigued about how this story will continue, I am also left feeling a bit underwhelmed. The narrator does do a fantastic job with the audiobook especially with all the dragon and wyvern voices so if I continue the series, it will definitely be on audio!
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins, and Harper Audio Children’s for the eARC and ALCs in exchange for my honest reviews!
I am conflicted on how I feel about this one. While the world building continued to expand to really impressive heights with more dragons, wyverns, political moves, and language backgrounds, the plot of this one fell a bit stagnant. The first half of this dragged a lot and I found I was only interested in the moments with the dragons. The story does pick up in the second half and actually had some pretty entertaining actions scenes with the dragons!
My issue with this book is one of the issues I had with book 1 and that is our FMC Vivien. I found her to be incredibly selfish in book one and sadly that continues in this book. She always has to be the one to come up with the world saving plan and if she doesn’t she is insufferable to every one around her. I also did not enjoy the romance in this one. Bringing back a character just to force a romance into this story felt weird and awkward. The interactions in the romance felt stilted and unnatural throughout.
The shining light of this book is Chumana, as she was in book 1. The relationship that Vivien has with this dragon is the heart of the book and I loved the love hate relationship they had. There is an emotional scene with these two that made me cry in the end.
I went into this book thinking it was the ending to a duology but about halfway through realized that simply could not be the case because there was so much left unsaid and unresolved. It definitely leaves many storylines up in the air and while I am slightly intrigued about how this story will continue, I am also left feeling a bit underwhelmed. The narrator does do a fantastic job with the audiobook especially with all the dragon and wyvern voices so if I continue the series, it will definitely be on audio!
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins, and Harper Audio Children’s for the eARC and ALCs in exchange for my honest reviews!
January 3, 2026
I’m torn how to rate this, I thought the plot was decent and the character development was good.
My problem with this book is the way it treats Scotland. Honestly, the attitude of the author feels very colonial. The Hebrides, the Gaelic language and traditions like walking the tweed are used by the author as part of the story, what she does not include is actual Scottish people, in any major roles. So you get English people and supernatural creatures talking about Gaelic culture but no-one who is actually from the Hebrides or anywhere else in Scotland.
There were a few things that suggested she did her research, but didn’t really understand language issues in Scotland. She is aware that Scots and Gaelic are separate languages, I’ve come across more than one author who did not. But she did keep calling Gaelic ‘Scottish Gaelic’, I’ve heard this before usually from people who think Irish is called Irish Gaelic, nope it’s just Irish. The Scots language gets absolute lip service, I got the feeling the author knows it’s a language spoken in Scotland but she has no grasp on how it works within Scotland. To that end I found the idea of an upper class Englishman at the start of the twentieth century being a Scots speaker less believable than dragons existing. I also don’t think she understood that Gaelic and Scots are spoken in different parts of the country.
There’s an author’s note where the author perpetuates the lie that Gaelic is no longer spoken in Scotland. And she also ignores the fact that there are thriving movements revitalising both Gaelic and Scots, and that in 2025 the Scottish Languages Act was passed making Gaelic and Scots official languages of Scotland.
I think the author’s colonial attitude isn’t just directed at Scotland. There is a dragon with a Welsh name but that’s the only mention of Wales, there’s no Welsh characters at all.
It all feels like the author thinks Gaelic culture is quaint but only if English people tell the story, Scots and Welsh people have no place in this British story.
My problem with this book is the way it treats Scotland. Honestly, the attitude of the author feels very colonial. The Hebrides, the Gaelic language and traditions like walking the tweed are used by the author as part of the story, what she does not include is actual Scottish people, in any major roles. So you get English people and supernatural creatures talking about Gaelic culture but no-one who is actually from the Hebrides or anywhere else in Scotland.
There were a few things that suggested she did her research, but didn’t really understand language issues in Scotland. She is aware that Scots and Gaelic are separate languages, I’ve come across more than one author who did not. But she did keep calling Gaelic ‘Scottish Gaelic’, I’ve heard this before usually from people who think Irish is called Irish Gaelic, nope it’s just Irish. The Scots language gets absolute lip service, I got the feeling the author knows it’s a language spoken in Scotland but she has no grasp on how it works within Scotland. To that end I found the idea of an upper class Englishman at the start of the twentieth century being a Scots speaker less believable than dragons existing. I also don’t think she understood that Gaelic and Scots are spoken in different parts of the country.
There’s an author’s note where the author perpetuates the lie that Gaelic is no longer spoken in Scotland. And she also ignores the fact that there are thriving movements revitalising both Gaelic and Scots, and that in 2025 the Scottish Languages Act was passed making Gaelic and Scots official languages of Scotland.
I think the author’s colonial attitude isn’t just directed at Scotland. There is a dragon with a Welsh name but that’s the only mention of Wales, there’s no Welsh characters at all.
It all feels like the author thinks Gaelic culture is quaint but only if English people tell the story, Scots and Welsh people have no place in this British story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
oh my god this was phenomenal!!!!
the feeling the battle scenes gave me was the same thing I felt watching the Narnia battle scenes in the films as a kid, but on steroids.
This made me breathless, it made me cry, it made me angry. What a follow on!!
Finding out at the end how much research has gone into this and how it draws from real life conflicts and real life language is incredible.
the feeling the battle scenes gave me was the same thing I felt watching the Narnia battle scenes in the films as a kid, but on steroids.
This made me breathless, it made me cry, it made me angry. What a follow on!!
Finding out at the end how much research has gone into this and how it draws from real life conflicts and real life language is incredible.
January 16, 2026
I’m sooo heartbroken!!! Ugh I cried way too much. Imma blame it on being pregnant lol love this series. I need the 3rd book!!
December 13, 2025
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.
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.
January 10, 2026
as a former translation student and forever dragon enthusiast, i LOVE this series
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
4.5 stars rounded up!
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.
4.5 stars rounded up!
January 1, 2026
What a great way to start the new year, this book was a masterpiece.
S.F. Williamson understands the power of words; she expertly weaves them into powerful weapons to pierce your heart in so many different ways.
I didn't think it could get better than book one, I'm still reeling from the fact that this is a debut series and its written so masterfully I would think that S.F would have multiple series under her belt. I will be buying every single book she writes and eagerly awaiting the next.
I'm not sure I have the words myself to express exactly what this book means to me. I also can't say much considering it would be full of spoilers.
There are so many beautiful and amazing quotes that will sit with me, but I will leave you with one:
"We are no longer rebels or linguists or Bulgarians. We are simply a blur of pink in the sky. Four recruits and two dragons who are, in this brief singular moment, as light and carefree as swallows."
I cannot recommend this series enough, I feel like everyone needs to read it.
This book will live rent free in my mind forever.
S.F. Williamson understands the power of words; she expertly weaves them into powerful weapons to pierce your heart in so many different ways.
I didn't think it could get better than book one, I'm still reeling from the fact that this is a debut series and its written so masterfully I would think that S.F would have multiple series under her belt. I will be buying every single book she writes and eagerly awaiting the next.
I'm not sure I have the words myself to express exactly what this book means to me. I also can't say much considering it would be full of spoilers.
There are so many beautiful and amazing quotes that will sit with me, but I will leave you with one:
"We are no longer rebels or linguists or Bulgarians. We are simply a blur of pink in the sky. Four recruits and two dragons who are, in this brief singular moment, as light and carefree as swallows."
I cannot recommend this series enough, I feel like everyone needs to read it.
This book will live rent free in my mind forever.
Review of advance copy
I adore the Ddraig Gochs.
Anyway the story. I love the themes. I like Vivian, I understand her motivations though some of this comes from some very detailed thoughts in the text which often comes with books in 1st pov.
Altas I liked much less in this. At first I thought he was haunting the narrative very suspiciously. Turns out I was right to be sus. Either way I even liked Ralph more.
I love how fleshed out this world is becoming. The language element is so special and I always appreciate that throughline to Williamsons writing.
The setting is immersive and I always enjoy a good twist, especially when I don't see it coming. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
I got my book early in the post but I purchased it myself, all thoughts are my own
Anyway the story. I love the themes. I like Vivian, I understand her motivations though some of this comes from some very detailed thoughts in the text which often comes with books in 1st pov.
Altas I liked much less in this. At first I thought he was haunting the narrative very suspiciously. Turns out I was right to be sus. Either way I even liked Ralph more.
I love how fleshed out this world is becoming. The language element is so special and I always appreciate that throughline to Williamsons writing.
The setting is immersive and I always enjoy a good twist, especially when I don't see it coming. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
I got my book early in the post but I purchased it myself, all thoughts are my own
January 15, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
I liked this better than book 1! but unfortunately I think this series is not for me :(
I just really can’t stand the characters, Vivien and Atlas are both so irritating and make such strange choices the whole book
The plot and world building also just doesn’t work for me, things just sort of happen? We’re trying to merge some messaging from Babel with the Mockingjay rebel imagery (literally Vivien is used as the face of the rebellion and given a bird theme name, i don’t really understand why) and then with WW2 dragons. And it just didn’t work together
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
I liked this better than book 1! but unfortunately I think this series is not for me :(
I just really can’t stand the characters, Vivien and Atlas are both so irritating and make such strange choices the whole book
The plot and world building also just doesn’t work for me, things just sort of happen? We’re trying to merge some messaging from Babel with the Mockingjay rebel imagery (literally Vivien is used as the face of the rebellion and given a bird theme name, i don’t really understand why) and then with WW2 dragons. And it just didn’t work together
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
January 15, 2026
Another masterpiece by S. F. Williamson. I knew I was going to be destroyed by this book and I wasn’t wrong.
I absolutely love the world of dragons and history within this series. We learned so much more in this book and the world was deeper.
I can confidently say I didn’t see any (yes multiple) twists coming and they were shocking! In the best way.
Prepare yourself for heart break and heart ache and so much more!
I absolutely love the world of dragons and history within this series. We learned so much more in this book and the world was deeper.
I can confidently say I didn’t see any (yes multiple) twists coming and they were shocking! In the best way.
Prepare yourself for heart break and heart ache and so much more!
December 23, 2025
★★.5
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 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
December 8, 2025
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 HarperCollins for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 24, 2025
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!
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!
January 3, 2026
I was eagerly waiting this book because I loved a Language of Dragons so much, and I was not disappointed! I absolutely love S.F. Williamson writing style, and the way she wrote this book brought me a lot of joy
I am fascinated by the way she views and talks about languages, and a lot of the points she makes are extremely valid even to this day. I feel like writing these important topics into such a vibe fantasy setting really helps make them digestible for the reader which is fantastic, and very clever!
As a Scottish person, I adored this book. I loved that it was set in the Scottish highlands and that the author took such care to write real-life cultural and language problems historically faced by us Scots into her story
Vivian is such a fantastic character, you can really see her arc and her growth between the start of book 1 and where we end book 2 which I love to see
I also love the way dragon and wyverns are written into this world, having such rich culture and worldbuilding around them makes for such an interesting read that you can really become immersed in
I loved this book and I'm super excited to see what happens in the next one!
I am fascinated by the way she views and talks about languages, and a lot of the points she makes are extremely valid even to this day. I feel like writing these important topics into such a vibe fantasy setting really helps make them digestible for the reader which is fantastic, and very clever!
As a Scottish person, I adored this book. I loved that it was set in the Scottish highlands and that the author took such care to write real-life cultural and language problems historically faced by us Scots into her story
Vivian is such a fantastic character, you can really see her arc and her growth between the start of book 1 and where we end book 2 which I love to see
I also love the way dragon and wyverns are written into this world, having such rich culture and worldbuilding around them makes for such an interesting read that you can really become immersed in
I loved this book and I'm super excited to see what happens in the next one!
December 25, 2025
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!
Release Date: January 5th, 2026
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!
Release Date: January 5th, 2026
January 16, 2026
1.5 cause I actualy finished it
Slog to get through. Only redeeming quality is the wyvern lore in the midpoint of the book.
Characters fall flat. Viv is useless and annoying and has a hero complex and does nothing. Side characters being removed would change nothing. Feels like a constant mishmash of new ideas that then get abandoned halfway through for the next new thing. So many logical leaps that it was hard to take anything seriously. The "Secret Plans" and "Plan Bs" that the adults came up with are baffling for a rebellion you want me to believe was years in the making and relies on some dumbass teens. The romance was so forced in this book. Hilarious retconned ending just to justify another terrible drawn out book three.
Dissapointing cause the core idea and concept of the book is great, but the execution leaves everything to be desired.
Slog to get through. Only redeeming quality is the wyvern lore in the midpoint of the book.
Characters fall flat. Viv is useless and annoying and has a hero complex and does nothing. Side characters being removed would change nothing. Feels like a constant mishmash of new ideas that then get abandoned halfway through for the next new thing. So many logical leaps that it was hard to take anything seriously. The "Secret Plans" and "Plan Bs" that the adults came up with are baffling for a rebellion you want me to believe was years in the making and relies on some dumbass teens. The romance was so forced in this book. Hilarious retconned ending just to justify another terrible drawn out book three.
Dissapointing cause the core idea and concept of the book is great, but the execution leaves everything to be desired.
December 30, 2025
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! :)
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! :)
January 11, 2026
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3.5*
I’m just such a sucker for a dragon book
I enjoyed this more than book 1. It was much more political and I liked how the dragons and wyverns were incorporated into the story and the world, it was also much more action packed due to the on going war which added to the suspense
The main character still wasn’t the best character to follow and I thought the overall plot progression was a little slow, but I did enjoy the characters trying to strategise to achieve their goals. There were quite a few plot twists and revelations too so it will be interesting to see how book 3 plays out.
3.5*
I’m just such a sucker for a dragon book
I enjoyed this more than book 1. It was much more political and I liked how the dragons and wyverns were incorporated into the story and the world, it was also much more action packed due to the on going war which added to the suspense
The main character still wasn’t the best character to follow and I thought the overall plot progression was a little slow, but I did enjoy the characters trying to strategise to achieve their goals. There were quite a few plot twists and revelations too so it will be interesting to see how book 3 plays out.
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