“The dragon within my heart stirred, shifting her wings, as if remembering they could be used to fly.”
Dragons have been staple features in folklore and mythology for thousands of years, and they continue to dazzle us across all forms of entertainment even today. And whilst they are still mainly found in the fantasy genre, books about dragons can be found across an array of new categories. Rebecca Yarro’s bestselling TikTok sensation, Fourth Wing, shows how these winged beauties have sprung into the realms of romantasy, for example. So, whether you’re a fan of the classic beasts from ancient myths, have been hooked since reading a fairytale during your childhood, or found an appreciation for romantasy with added flying and fire-breathing, join us at What We Reading for the best books with dragons!
His Majesty’s Dragon (Temeraire #1) – Naomi Novik
First up in our collection of the best dragon books is His Majesty’s Dragon, the first entry in Naomi Novik’s lauded Temeraire series. A blend of historical fiction and classic fantasy, the story introduces an alternate world where aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars. Valiant riders ride mighty fighting dragons bred for size and speed.
When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, Captain Will Laurence’s life changed forever. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as the master of the dragon Temeraire, he is put through a crash course on the art of battle in the air. As France’s own dragon-borne rally to breach British soil in Napoloen’s biggest gamble, Laurence and Temeraire soon find themselves taking to the skies in a baptism of fire.
Of Blood And Fire (The Bound And The Broken #1) – Ryan Cahill
Ryan Cahill’s The Bound and the Broken series introduces readers to Epheria, a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the South squabble and fight, only being kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors from a bygone time, who serve the empire in the North. In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from the sudden and tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer is preparing for The Proving – a test of courage and skill that not everyone survives.
But, when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen suddenly finds himself thrust into the mire of a war that has been raging for centuries.
Once There Were Heroes (A Time Of Dragons #1) – Philip C. Quaintrell
Once There Were Heroes is the first book in Philip C. Quaintrell’s A Time of Dragons series. Set in the land of Eridor, individuals who have done brave deeds and etched their names into the history books earn the right to become a dragon rider. Dragon eggs will sometimes wait millennia to find a warrior worthy enough to bond but, with no heroes left, the dragon rides are a dying breed.
There is a war going on between the dragon-riding realm of Erador and the alchemical elf-like Andarens, capable of riding their own mutated winged beasts and taking them into battle with them. But, whilst the two sides jostle for supremacy, others have been waiting, biding their time in the shadows while the heroes of Verda die out. They worship something ancient. Something forgotten by myth and legend. Something that doesn’t take sides in war.
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) – Christopher Paolini
When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it’s just a lucky find for this otherwise poor farm boy. Perhaps it will fetch enough of a price for some meat over the winter. But, when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes that he has stumbled upon a legend almost as old as the Empire itself.
In an instant, his simple life is shattered and he is thrown into a new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the wise words of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must traverse the dangerous terrains and malevolent foes of an Empire whose ruler’s evil knows no limit. Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle is one of the most famous and beloved dragon books of all time, a must-read for any fantasy fans!
A Natural History Of Dragons (The Memoirs Of Lady Trent #1) – Marie Brennan
All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, knows Isabella, Lady Trent to be the world’s most revered dragon naturalist. She is a remarkable woman, responsible for bringing the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. Yet, before becoming the accomplished professional she is today, there was once a bright, bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history and dragons defied the conventions of her day.
Marie Brennan’s The Memoirs of Lady Trent are the true accounts of a pioneering spirit who risked life and reputation to satisfy her scientific curiosity. How she searched for love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities, her perilous expeditions to the mountains of Vystrana and the many earth-shattering discoveries she made that would change the world forever.
Dragon Mage (Rivenworld #1) – M.L. Spencer
Aram believes he is nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark, obscure corner of the world. As far as he is aware, he hardly has possession of his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him. Two things he has never known.
But, unknown to him, Aram bears a gift so old and so rare that many people would kill him to have it, and many others would manipulate him to make use of it for their own gain. These magics are so powerful that Aram earns a place at an academy dedicated to training warrior mages for the greatest honour of all: dragon riders. M.L. Spencer’s Rivenworld series kicks off by following Aram on his journey of earning the respect of his peers, discovering a calibre of magic that hasn’t existed for centuries, and becoming a Champion as an ancient myth rises to threaten the world of magic.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
