A War of Wyverns is such an anticipated sequel for me A Language of Dragons which I really enjoyed. I have no idea when starting that it’s a series not a duology, but I certainly found out by the end! Keep reading this book review of A War of Wyverns for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
A War of Wyverns boils down to two things: more dragons and finding our voice. If you loved the dragons in A Language of Dragons, then you will enjoy this one. There are even more dragons and, as the title suggests, wyverns. While some of this book felt a bit meandering in terms of plotline – edging the second book syndrome – it’s a book that reminds me of the struggle of figureheads. Vivian has become a symbol for rebellion and, in some ways, lost her voice. She’s become the Swallow, but who is that? What kind of choices does the Swallow make that Vivian never would? In this rebellion, what will it turn us into and in A War of Wyverns, Vivian struggles to figure out her power, role, and identity.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
She’s struggling in this action packed sequel, but also deeply floundering by not knowing who she is. I have always loved the translation and while that’s certainly a theme in A War of Wyverns, we’ve fully crossed into rebellion territory. When our lives are on the lives, how theoretical, how ethical, can we be? I had no idea this was going to be a larger series. Some parts of A War of Wyverns felt a bit second book syndrome – one step forward two back – at times, but in general it’s still a solid second book. In some ways, it revolves around when we miss the meaning behind the words, when we think of orienting everything to our language and for our ease versus keeping the roots of that language.
A War of Wyverns is struggling with the sacrifices we make for the greater good and who pays them. It reminds us of peace built upon blood. Find A War of Wyverns on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.