They are big and terrible. they are small and cute. they are both terrifying and majestic. dragons have been an enduring fixation of literature almost since storytelling was invented. they can take many forms in the narrative, from simple monsters to evil yet clever villains, helpful allies, and divine beings like gods. but one thing is clear: dragons are incredible and a lot of fun to read about. here are the top 10 books featuring these fire-breathing giants, showcasing dragons of all shapes and sizes in all their glory for your viewing pleasure.
10. ‘tea with the black dragon’ by r.a. macavoy
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tea with the black dragon from r.a. Macavoy is a Hugo-nominated fantasy novel that has a classic premise: a girl meets a boy and the boy turns into a dragon. Martha’s daughter Elizabeth is in trouble in San Francisco and Martha rushes to the strange town to help her missing son. But when she arrives, the only person who knows where Elizabeth might be is the mysterious stranger Mayland Long. did we mention mr. How long can he transform into a dragon? It’s up to these two to find Elizabeth, even as Martha begins to develop romantic feelings for her new dragon companion.
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9. ‘three hearts and three lions’ by poul anderson
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three hearts and three lions by poul anderson tells of a man transported to a world of fantasy. Holger Carlsten is a resistance fighter fighting the Nazis during World War II, but when he is wounded in battle, the unlucky engineer finds himself transported to another world. in a medieval context, he finds himself in a battle in which the forces of law fight against chaos. Monsters abound in this land, including werewolves, giants, trolls, fairies, and yes: dragons. Revered as a champion, Holger must take up arms and join the brave knights, ready to slay some dragons (along with other fearsome beasts) as leader of the forces of law.
8. ‘her majesty’s dragon’ by naomi novik
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her majesty’s dragon by naomi novik tells a historically accurate account of the napoleonic wars, with an added twist: dragons! Yes, this is an alternate history novel where dragons are used as the main fighting force, adding a new and exciting element to the tides of war sweeping Europe. When Captain Will Laurence finds an unhatched dragon egg, his life is turned upside down when the dragon hatches and imprints on him. Joining the Air Corps, Laurence and his dragon, Temeraine, must take to the skies to defend Britain from France’s own dragon armies.
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7. ‘the great china zoo’ by matthew reilly
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matthew reilly’s great china zoo is basically a jurassic park but with dragons. China has kept the existence of living dragons a secret for years, but is preparing to reveal them to the world at the world’s first dragon zoo. A small group of VIPs are brought to the zoo to see the beasts first hand and inspect the security of the place. because, surely, nothing can go wrong? Right? it’s a joke. Get ready for tons of action and lots of dragon destruction when things get out of hand.
6. ‘tooth and claw’ by jo walton
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jo walton’s tooth and claw is a unique twist on dragon literature. Told from the point of view of the dragons themselves, this is a world of politics, family, and relationships, but instead of humans, they’re all dragons. In a society where the weak are literally eaten and the strong thrive as tyrants, this is a story like no other as it shows what the reality of a dragon’s world is really like.
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5. ‘the hero and the crown’ by robin mckinely
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The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinely is a rich young adult novel filled with feminist themes and a terrifying dragon as the main antagonist. Aerin is an outcast in her own realm, a woman scorned by rumors that she is the spawn of a witch. Determined to earn her birthright, she decides to slay a dragon, but modern dragons are a far cry from the terrible beasts of old. they are just vermin, and while certainly formidable, they are nothing more than pests. until the day a knight rides into the castle and reports the return of a great dragon from the old days. Maur, said to be as big as a mountain, has returned and is pillaging the kingdom. Seeing her opportunity, Aerin leaves with only her horse as a companion to confront Maur and kill him.
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4. dragonsbane by barbara hambly
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Barbara Hambly’s Dragonsbane centers on a young prince who must join forces with a retired dragon slayer and a witch who can’t quite use her magic. Joining forces to form a motley dragon-slaying “crew,” the trio must journey to slay the terrible beast or die trying.
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3. robin hobb’s ‘dragon keeper’
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Image via Amazonrobin hobb’s dragon keeper tells of the resurgence of dragons in a world that hates and fears them, but might need them to save it. Talking about a boy who travels up the river to find a dragon egg in order to raise more dragons to defend the land from him, they find a group of newly hatched but injured baby dragons. With the help of wacky companions, the boy must transport these dragons to their new home through the wild, with no hope of ever returning, but all riding on their return journey.
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2. ‘tierramar’ by ursula k. the script
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terramar by ursula k. The script needs no introduction. Some of the most acclaimed works of fantasy literature, the world of Earthsea features a unique setting (an island archipelago) and people of color as its protagonists. Dragons are a huge component of the setting, from fearsome Western-style monsters to more refined, almost Eastern-style creatures. this is a series that is a classic for a reason and you should delve into it for sure, especially as a dragon lover.
1. ‘the hobbit’ by j.r.r. tolkien
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the hobbit of j.r.r. Tolkien started many people’s love of dragons and fantasy. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit enjoying a comfortable life when the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves lure him out of his sleepy little town. Together, they traveled through Middle-earth to seal the Great Dragon Smaug’s treasure from his lair on the Lonely Mountain. Smaug himself is an inspired creation and the highlight of the book, but the rest is a classic adventure tale sure to please any fantasy lover, even today!
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