24 Page-turning Books about Dragons You Need to Read

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Recently updated on July 6th, 2024 at 04:55 pm

Looking for books about dragons? Leap out of this world and into the pages of one of these incredible fantasy books to read!

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It simply isn’t an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons. I couldn’t resist quoting J.R.R Tolkein in my introduction.

Dragons have long enchanted readers. Whether it’s fearsome scaly dragons or small, friendly creatures.

I love Smaug in the Hobbit. And it got me wondering what other books feature dragons. So I’ve compiled my top picks for books about dragons.

This post is all about books about dragons

What are the best books about dragons?

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein

A classic fantasy novel with an engaging storyline. Smaug is one of the most recognizable dragons. Interested in reading the Lord of the Rings? The Hobbit is a great starting point as it’s easier to read.

We follow Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit living in The Shire. One day he meets Gandalf and goes on an adventure.

This is a lighthearted and charming adventure story. If you’re searching for books with dragons you need to read this book.

2. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

While this is older, Eragon is one of the most recognizable books with dragons. Perfect for Lord of the Rings fan, it has dragons, elves and magic.

We follow Eragon. He discovers a dragon egg in the forest. And it unhatched to reveal a dragon. The first to unhatch in many years.

The dragon plays a prominent role in this book. And I enjoyed the bond between Eragon and the dragon.

3. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Shape-shifting dragons! Six of Cranes is a magical fantasy with dragons, a curse and magic. It also weaves East Asian worldbuilding and folklore into the plot.

It follows Shiori. She is the only princess in Kiata. Shiori lives in a land where magic is banned. And demons are locked away inside a mountain. But forbidden magic runs through her veins.

Shiori normally conceals it. But on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she loses control. And she attracts the attention of her stepmother Raikama.

4. The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

Are you a fan of cozy fantasy books? This is a cute, heartwarming graphic novel about tea dragons. The Tea Dragon Society is about dragons who grow leaves you can make tea from. But the tea is infused with memories.

We follow Greta a blacksmith apprentice. One day she finds a lost tea dragon in the marketplace. Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners.

This is the most adorable take on dragons. And the whimsical illustrations of the tea dragons sell this book.

5. The Girl who drank the moon by Kelly Barnhill

A magical story concept with whimsical world-building. This features a dragon side-character. Fyrian the dragon is small, cute and adorable.

Every year the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope to keep her from terrorizing the town.

But the witch Xan is kind. She rescues the abandoned children. And delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest.

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6. Fire with Fire by Destiny Soria

This book is perfect for Eragon fans. We follow a character who bonds with a dragon.

We follow Dani and Eden Riviera. They were both born to slay dragons. And they couldn’t be more different. Dani wants a normal life and let’s training take a backseat. While training is always Eden’s priority. But they’ve always agreed on one thing — with dragons its either kill or be killed.

That is until Dani meets a dragon. And forges a rare magical bond with him.

7. When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

An urban fantasy with dragons. This high fantasy features angsty romance and an awesome main character.

When the Moon Hatched is an incredible urban fantasy with dragons. This high fantasy features an angsty romance, fae and an awesome main character.

We follow Raeve, a valued Elding Blade of a rebellion group. Her job is to kill, complete orders and never get caught. But, the crown employs a renowned bounty hunter to capture a member of the Ath. And Raeve’s world is turned upside down.

8. Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

An incredible high fantasy standalone with dragons. Don’t let the size put you off. It has a large info-dump. But this is an incredible fantasy.

A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens.

The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door.

9. A Dawn of Onyx by Kate Golden

A new adult romantasy with dragons and magic. Plus it also has warring kingdoms and fae.

We follow Arwen Valondale. She never expected to be the brave one, offering her life to save her brother’s. Now she’s been taken prisoner by the most dangerous kingdom on the continent, and made to use her rare magical abilities to heal the soldiers of the vicious Onyx King.

Searching for books about dragons? Highly recommend this fast-paced series.

 10. The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole

A villainous main character transforms into a dragon. Book of Azrael is darker in tone and it has a forbidden romance.

A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of Eoria to save her dying sister. She called upon anyone who would listen, not expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer. Now she does what Kaden asks, even if that means securing an ancient relic from the very creatures that hunt her

A fast-paced and addictive read.

11. Promised in Fire by Jasmine Walt

Dragons, fae and new adult romance. This is a completed trilogy and an addictive read.

Adara has been an outsider for as long as she can remember. Born and raised in the earth fae realm, she’s a water fae who can’t control her magic, making her not just useless, but downright dangerous at times. When a training mishap accidentally unleashes a hidden magic inside her, Adara suddenly finds herself on the run. 

Highly recommend for fans of fae and dragons.

12. A Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

I was unsure whether to include this. Technically, it includes Gryverns which are similar to dragons.

We follow Diem Bellator. She lives in a world colonized by the gods and ruled by the Descended, their cruel offspring. She yearns to escape her poor village. Her mother’s sudden disappearance—and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past—offer Diem an unexpected opportunity to unlock the mysteries her mother left behind.

13. Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu

An enemies to lovers romance with dragons, magic and a morally grey main character.

We follow Elara, she has been cursed by fate. A prophecy promises she will fall for a Star, and it will kill them both. But when one descends to wreak havoc on Elara’s Kingdom, she is forced to flee into the arms of her enemy in the neighbouring country.

If you’re searching for books about dragons, you’ll love this series.

14. Fireborne by Rosario Munda

Fireborne is one of the best books about dragons. This is a compelling ya fantasy romance.

Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone–even the lowborn–a chance to test into the governing class of Dragonriders. Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn’t be more different.

Perfect if you’re after dragon books!

15. Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling

This new adult fantasy has dragons, romance and a sassy female main character.

We follow Elowen Atarah, Princess of Imirath. She is a princess with a link to five dragons. It should have been a blessing but it became her curse. The little girl in shackles became a knife-wielding woman with a thirst for retaliation.
Now, Queen of Aestilian, a secret kingdom she forged through strength and survival, Elowen needs a way to feed her rising population.

16. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Searching for books about dragons? If you haven’t already, you need to read Fourth Wing! It features trials, dragons, and an enemies-to-lovers romance.

We follow Violet Sorrengail. She was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant and live a quiet life among books. But the commanding general – her mother – orders Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become elite dragon riders.

But Violet is smaller than everyone else, with a brittle body. And with fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. 

17. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Searching for books with movie adaptations? How to Train Your Dragon is a middle-grade fantasy book with an excellent adaptation.

We follow Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. He is the son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans. He tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan by catching and training a dragon. Can Hiccup do it without being torn limb from limb?

If you’ve seen the movie, I recommend reading the book. It is funny and heartwarming. The audiobook is also amazing with David Tennant narrating it.

18. Dragonfall by L.R Lam

Dragonfall is an incredible fantasy book with beautiful writing. It has a dragons, a prophecy and a heist.

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods.

Thief Arcady scrapes a living on the streets of Vatra. Desperate, Arcady steals a powerful artefact from the bones of the Plaguebringer. The spell connects to Everen, the last male dragon foretold to save his kind, dragging him through the Veil. 

19. The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

A norse-inspired high fantasy with dragons. We follow three different characters each on a separate mission. This is full of unexpected twists. Plus it includes a revenge plot.

The gods warred and drove themselves to extinction. But the bones of the dead gods still hold great power for those brave – or desperate – enough to seek them out.

Now, as whispers of war echo across the mountains and fjords, fate follows in the footsteps of three people.

20. To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

Eragon meets Babel. We follow an indigenous girl who bonds with a dragon. This historical fantasy discusses racism in academia.

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. 

She enters a colonizer-run dragon academy. But she quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things.

21. The Bone Ships by R.J Barker

A unique fantasy series with beautiful worldbuilding and high-stakes adventure. Dark, gritty and ruthless. This is hard to get into at first but the payoff is worth it.

For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war.

The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.

Now the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favour. 

22. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

An addictive read with an African-inspired world and dragons. Fast-paced with short chapters, making it impossible to put down.

The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable fight for almost two hundred years. Their society has been built around war and only war. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.

23. A Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons

This high fantasy seems to split readers. But I loved it. With unreliable narrators and complex narrative structures you need to pay close attention when you read this.

Kihrin is a bastard orphan who grew up on storybook tales of long-lost princes and grand quests. When he is claimed against his will as the long-lost son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds that being a long-lost prince isn’t what the storybooks promised.

24. A Ruin of Roses by K.F. Breene

This dark fantasy romance is on the spicier side and is definitely 18+. A fast-paced Beauty and the Beast retelling with dragon shifters.

Set in a kingdom locked in time. The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. And the last dragon shifter. He watched the main character trespassing and takes her back to the castle as his prisoner.

Highly recommend if you’re after books about dragons.

Those were my picks for the best books about dragons

Whether you’re looking for  ya fantasy or urban fantasy – I hope you found a book to read.

What books about dragons would you recommend? Let me know in the comments below.

This post was all about books about dragons

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