A Language of Dragons

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