A Language of Dragons is an absolute masterpiece! It has magic and dragons, while also relating back to our own world history and our political/societal struggles. I really liked the steampunk aspect to the story, and the fantastical take on code breakers. It’s a complex story with a very heavy topics. I can honestly, say I feel a little wrecked after finishing the book, and I still loved it. 
The line between “you are what society forces you to be” and “you are responsible for your choices”  is such a thin one, and it is a crucial topic in A Language of Dragons. Vivian is definitely a flawed heroine and - for me at least - she was not very likable character for 95% of the story. She is a product of her society and the pressures it puts on children to excel on the test, no matter the cost. She’s done horrible things for the sake of her ambition as a result . However, I feel like she uses her “rottenness” as an excuse to continue being selfish, rather than doing what is right. She gets there in the end but she sure did cut it close to the wire. 
All in all, I highly recommend ALOD to everyone but caution the reader to know it is HEAVY and you don’t necessarily get a happy ending. Definitely read this if you are a fan of books like Bright Over Moon Haven