Quick Synopsis – Arizona’s mother has been kidnapped and she finds a cryptic test accompanying the ransom note, she’s not just horrified—but electrified. Solving puzzles and cracking codes are what she does best, and she knows exactly how to tackle the challenge the kidnappers are dangling in front of her.

As Arizona chases the truth through fiendish puzzles and ancient texts, unearthing clues both buried underground and hiding in plain sight in the Western landscape, she’s forced to navigate the outside world in ways she never has before―and begins to forge connections she never dreamed she could.

Song This Reminds Me Of – Maps by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Publication Date – May 13, 2025

Bookshop Link – The Language of the Birds a book by K.A. Merson – Bookshop.org US (I receive a small commission if you purchase this book using my link)

Content Notes – This is mention of past bullying and several scenes with sensory overload. There is also death of a parent and kidnapping. An animal does get injured, but does not die.

Rating – ⭐⭐⭐.5 out of 5

Review – There is a beautiful cinnamon roll boxer dog in this book and there is a scene where he gets harmed, but no dogs die in this book. Because he is the best boy.

This was like a more mathy version of National Treasure and with higher stakes. Arizona is a neurodivergent teen who is spreading her father’s ashes. When Arizona and her mother visit the ghost town of Bodie, California, her mother is kidnapped. This kidnapping sets Arizona on a mysterious hunt where she must use ciphers to solve cryptograms. Honestly, this is a really fun book though it does get a little dry sometimes. I did really like the puzzles represented on the page, but they were a little long for me. I kind of just skipped to the solution, but that’s probably just my ADHD getting the best of me.

I liked Arizona and the way the author represented her neurodivergence. I also loved that throughout the story Arizona learns to come out of her comfort zone and make friends. Arizona was bullied in the past and that has really stunted her ability to for connections. The bullying, coupled with her neurodivergence, had made her a little bit of a hermit. One of the best parts of the story for me was that she was able to form friendships and recognize them as genuine.

I could have done with more information about the mom. The mom gets kidnapped and several of the chapters are from her point of view. I wish we could have gotten more information about the mother/daughter relationship. Arizona talks a lot about her mother being a protector, but I felt like I didn’t get enough on page evidence of that. So much of this book is Arizona’s journey, but I would have like more building on her relationship here.

This is a fun quick read. If you like mysteries a la National Treasure, then you’ll enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballatine for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.