If A Language of Dragons Left You Wanting More, These Books Deliver
I recently picked up A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson (you can check out my full review here). Going in, I was hoping for something along the lines of Babel, but with dragons. Instead, it went in a very different direction. The main character’s arc left me more frustrated than invested, and while she does reach a moral turning point by the end, it wasn’t quite enough to win me over.
That said, the premise itself has so much potential, and I’m curious to see if the sequel builds on it in a stronger way. In the meantime, though, if you were intrigued by the idea but wished it had been executed differently, I’ve got you covered. Here are five books that gave me the same vibe as A Language of Dragons, but delivered the kind of depth, plot, and character work I was hoping for.
Babel by R.F. Kuang
If you were drawn to A Language of Dragons for its promise of academic rivalries, language as power, and morally complex characters, Babel delivers all of that and more. It’s a dark academia fantasy that tackles colonialism, translation, and revolution with sharp precision, all while pulling you deep into its world. Where A Language of Dragons only hinted at these themes, Babel dives in fully and it’s absolutely brilliant.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
One of the things A Language of Dragons set up well was the idea of personal struggle against a backdrop of war and myth. Divine Rivals leans into that beautifully, weaving together a tender romance, themes of grief and resilience, and a world shaken by the conflict of gods. It balances heartfelt intimacy with sweeping stakes, giving readers both an emotional core and a grand, mythic stage.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
If it’s the dragons you were excited about, then The Priory of the Orange Tree is the book to pick up. Epic in scale and breathtaking in its worldbuilding, it offers multiple perspectives, intricate political intrigue, and dragons that feel truly woven into the fabric of the story. It’s rich, ambitious, and perfect for readers who want that sweeping high fantasy experience.
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
This book delivers the kind of character depth and slow-burn development I found missing in A Language of Dragons. Pearson crafts characters you can’t help but root for, layered with nuance and emotion, while also giving readers a richly developed world. It blends romance, politics, and personal stakes in a way that feels fully realized, making it both intimate and expansive.
We Hunt the Flame
by Hafsah Faizal
If you picked up A Language of Dragons hoping for a compelling enemies-to-lovers romance woven into a sweeping fantasy world, We Hunt the Flame is the book that truly delivers. Set in a richly imagined, Arabian-inspired world, it follows Zafira, a huntress forced to disguise herself as a man, and Nasir, a prince and assassin sent to kill her. Their paths collide on a dangerous quest, where loyalty, survival, and trust are constantly tested. The romance simmers slowly and believably against a backdrop of political intrigue, found family, and high-stakes battles, all leading into an even more satisfying sequel, We Free the Stars.
Conclusion
Each of these five books takes the ideas A Language of Dragons hinted at and runs with them—whether it’s epic dragons, clever worldbuilding, high-stakes romance, or moral complexity. If you were hoping for a fantasy that truly delivers on all the promise, these picks won’t disappoint.
More Books to Explore
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Notes from the Shelf 
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