Tricky language of dragons

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A Language of Dragons

by S.F. Williamson

480 pages, paperback published 2 January 2025

It is 1923, dragons and humans have been working under an ever-straining peace agreement that is on the verge collapse and the drumbeats of civil war are echoing loudly. Viv Featherswallow and her family are aware of the tensions brewing, as it is a constant discussion around the dinner table. However, Viv, is focused solely on her forthcoming admission to university and remains convinced the Prime Minister will set matters straight. When her parents are arrested for siding with the rebels and Viv must care for her five-year-old sister, she decides to take drastic action.  What Viv does creates a chain reaction of events that mire her family and friends into danger and Viv realises, she must be the one to make this right.  

Williamson has crafted an ingenious world, with complex governance structures and social constructs. It is a world where your ability to thrive and survive is determined by how much use you are to the Government. The constant threat of being downgraded as a citizen is a powerful tool of oppression. Viv has known no other life, so the ability to turn her back on what is routine is frightening, even when you can see the injustice. It is the internal battle that Viv constantly faces as well try to resolve the secret language of dragons.  

Viv is assisted by a strong group of characters; each is distinctive and has their own motivations. There is relationship tensions bot romantic and friendships. The pace of the writing is good and keeps you engaged. This is a great first novel, with political conspiracies, betrayal, and a lot of hope.    

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