The Linguist

28 The Linguist Vol/64 No/4 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist REVIEWS Karen Langston's KLOVA is a thought-provoking and disquieting tale set in a world where language is both a tool of control and a source of existential crisis. The citizens, known as Klovaine, live under the strict governance of the Order. As a society, they are deeply obsessed with purity, not only in language but in the very air they breathe. At the heart of their world lies Klova, an artificial language engineered to uphold harmony and suppress deviation. When a malfunction begins to affect hundreds of Klovaine, the consequences are profound. Those afflicted suffer from sudden amnesia and are treated as pariahs – an imperfection the Order is desperate to erase. What was once considered impossible – the corruption of Klova's linguistic code – now threatens the very foundation of thought and communication. The chapters move with a brisk pace and the suspense is masterfully sustained as agents Laine and Brosada lead the investigation. One line resonates deeply: "Without the language to conceive the past, change has no witness." It's a haunting reminder of how language anchors our memories, our histories and our capacity to evolve. After all, if we Gifts for linguists Wondering what to get the language-lover in your life this holiday season? Here's our pick of the most recent games, films, books and events For book lovers KLOVA by Karen Langston UÉÉ~á I enjoyed reading A Language of Dragons. Aimed at 13-17-year- olds, it was a nice easy read but with a developed storyline. The dystopian setting, with its class system and clear divide between rich and poor, reminded me of The Hunger Games. The uprisings and rebellions also share similarities with Suzanne Collins' beloved series. It took me a while to get into SF Williamson's novel, but reading on I found myself captivated by a world filled with interesting characters, romance and complex relationships. There are several great characters, like the protagonist Vivien Featherswallow's witty cousin Marquis, the brave Atlas and the sweet Ursa, even if I found Viv herself quite annoying. The close bonds between Viv and both Marquis and Atlas were my favourite part of the book. The dragons have a very powerful role in the story, despite being repressed. They are portrayed as big, majestic creatures capable of many things, including incredible damage. In the aspect of languages, the world the author creates is very intricate and detailed. Languages play a big part in the plot as Viv is recruited to Bletchley Park to help the code-breakers discover a new form of communication, used by dragons yet unknown to humans. You can tell how important languages are to the author, and to the protagonist herself, as they help her uncover things that could change everything. Lucía Visser (aged 12) HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 978-0008786526, £9.99 For Young Adult readers A Language of Dragons by SF Williamson For the kids Atlas of Languages by Rachel Lancashire This beautiful book is packed full of information about the languages of the world with detailed 'spotlights' on many of the languages covered. From continental language maps illustrated with the area's flora and fauna to colourful language trees, Jenny Zemanek's drawings are a delight. Rachel Lancashire adeptly handles the complex subject matter, starting with the opening gambit: "Language is amazing. It helps us share ideas, form relationships and build communities." Children will gain an engaging introduction to the diversity of global languages, and with intriguing and fun insights (a Georgian tongue twister, how to say 'awesome' in Bengali) their adults may learn something too. Miranda Moore Pan Macmillan, ISBN 978-0753448427, £16.99 lack the language to describe our past can we still function normally? KLOVA is not just a story, it's a meditation on the essence of being, the politics of purity and the invisible scaffolding of language that holds our world together. Lachhemi Rana FCIL The Book Guild, ISBN 978-1915853806, £9.99

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