10 Best Fantasy Books with Dragons
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Looking for the best fantasy books with dragons? I always get overwhelmed with fantasy book lists with hundreds of books, so I’ve narrowed it down to ten of my all-time favourite dragon books for you to add to your TBR.
Some are series, others are standalone – all are incredibly written with strong characters and an emphasis on dragons in the storylines. Enjoy!
Prefer your books with vampires? Head to our next book list for 10 epic fantasy books about vampires (with no romance).
All-Time Best Fantasy Books with Dragons
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, Book 1) by Christopher Paolini
Eragon is a poor farm boy who stumbles upon a polished stone in the nearby forest. He thinks it might be worth something, and maybe he can feed his family through the winter by selling it at the market.
But when a baby dragon hatches from the stone, Eragon’s life is shattered, and he’s thrust into a dangerous world of magic and power.
To keep the dragon safe and survive the cruelty of the evil king who wants the dragon for himself, Eragon will have to take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders, but will he succeed?
If you loved How to Train Your Dragon, you’ll love this fast-paced dragon book from Paolini.
Temeraire (Book 1) by Naomi Novik
This fantasy book about dragons follows the adventures of Captain Willian Laurence and his dragon Temeraire, a pair thrown together to fight for Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
Will Laurence has been at sea all this life, rising to become Captain of his own ship. But the war isn’t going well, and Britain is slowly losing to Napoleon’s campaign.
In the middle of the madness, Laurence finds himself transporting precious cargo – a dragon egg on its way to the Emperor.
When trained, dragons are fierce creatures, capable of decimating entire armies from the skies. This could be the only hope to win the war.
But when the dragon hatches, it ignores its trainer and chooses Laurence to imprint on, destroying his world as he knew it. He’ll lose his place as captain, his wealth, his beautiful fiance… Now, it’s his duty to train Temeraire and turn the tides on the war.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for centuries, but the unwed Queen Sabran must conceive a daughter to protect her rule and the realm. With time running out, assassins are getting closer to ending the rule her house has held for a thousand years.
Sabran’s lady-in-waiting, Ead, is an outsider at court. She’s loyal to a hidden society of mages and keeps Sabran safe using forbidden magic.
Across the sea, Tané has been training to be a dragonrider since she was small. But now, she’s forced to make a choice that could change her entire life forever…
Will Queen Sabran have her heir before the assassins get close enough? Can Ead keep her safe with forbidden magic? And can one dragonrider change the course of history?
It’s easy to see why this fantasy book with dragons quickly became a bestseller – it’s fast-paced with deep characters and a gripping storyline.
The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
Centuries ago, a powerful dragon named Tintaglia helped the people of the Trader cities stop an invasion and save their homes. But the Traders have long forgotten the promises they made to the powerful dragon and have become weary of tending the earthbound dragons left behind.
The poor creatures are weak and deformed by the toxic river, and cost too much for the Traders to keep. But if neglected, the dragons rampage and cause destruction before a painful death, so a decree is made.
A group of Traders will take the dragons upstream, closer to their mystical homeland, a location locked deep inside the creatures’ ancestral memories.
Thymara and Alise are among the group tasked with escorting the dragons, and they are about to embark on a quest of hardships, betrayal, and untold joy beyond their wildest dreams…
Dragonquest (Book 2) by Anne McCaffrey
So, this is actually book two of the series. And I’ll warn you — there are about 23 books in this universe, so it’s a commitment. However, I really loved book two in the saga. It’s worth reading book one to get the backstory, and you might just fall in love and keep the entire saga going.
When the deadly silver threads begin to fall, it’s up to the bold dragonriders to take to the air and destroy the shimmering strands before they can reach the ground. It’s a task that has been taken on for centuries; without the dragonriders, Pern would be destroyed.
But F’lar knows there must be a better way, and he has to find it before the rebellious Oldtimers breed any more dissent among the people of Pern. What are the silver threads? Where do they come from?
It’s best to go into this one with as little information as possible – it’s an exciting read.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
What list of fantasy books with dragons would be complete without a shout-out to the Memoirs of Lady Trent?
The study of dragons doesn’t come without risks, but it also offers rewards beyond imagination. To stand in a dragon’s presence, just for a moment, is an experience that can never be forgotten.
Isabella, Lady Trent, is the world’s leading dragon naturalist. She single-handedly brought the study of dragons to the forefront of modern science and cleared the myth and misunderstanding shrouding the creatures.
But long before her, there was a bookish young woman who risked her reputation, prospects, and fragile life to satiate her curiosity and defy the conventions of her day.
Here, in her own words, is the true story of an expedition to the mountains of Vystrana, where she made the historic discovery that changed the world forever.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
It’s hard to avoid Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy book, Fourth Wing. It took the internet by storm and became a sensational USA Today bestseller, and you’ll soon understand why.
Enter the elite world of War College for dragon riders.
Violet always planned to enter the Scribe Quadrant to live a peaceful life surrounded by books. But her mother, the commanding general, had different plans.
Now, Violet must join the hundreds of candidates striving to secure a place in Navarre as dragon riders.
But this tiny, fragile girl doesn’t stand a chance. Dragons don’t bond to fragile humans; they incinerate them. Her mother has all but sent her to her death.
And it’s not just the dragons Violet must worry about – many candidates would kill her to help their own chances of bonding with a dragon or just because she’s the daughter of the commander.
But for Violet, there are only two ways out of the War College – graduate or die.
The Shadow of the Gods (The Bloodsworn Saga) by John Gwynne
One hundred years ago, the gods fought and drove themselves to extinction. Now, only their bones remain – a source of great power for anyone brave enough to seek them out.
There’s talk of war throughout Vigrið, and the fate of the lands now rests on three warriors: a huntress, a noblewoman, and a mercenary seeking vengeance.
As the world once more falls under the shadow of the gods, these three will shape the fate of the world.
Set in a Norse-inspired world, this fantasy book with dragons is filled with myth, magic, and vengeance. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop the Bloodsworn Saga.
Dragonfall by L.R. Lam
Years ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them. But now, their descendants worship dragons as gods.
Those “gods” remember the sins of their ancestors and do not forgive.
Arcady, a thief, casts a spell to steal a powerful artifact and accidentally traps Everen, the last male dragon alive. In the human world, the consequences of such an act are deadly.
But Everen quickly realises that the key to regaining his true power lies in this thief that trapped him. All he needs to do is convince the thief to bond with him and then kill them. An easy enough task for a dragon, even without his true powers.
But as the two become closer, the bond they form has the power to shatter the world they both knew forever.
This fantasy book is a little steamy, so if you’re not into romance, this one isn’t for you. But the storyline is interesting, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Ruin of Kings (A Chorus of Dragons, Book 1) by Jenn Lyons
Working as a bard’s apprentice, Kihrin grew up hearing stories of legendary adventures. But growing up in the slums of Quur, he always had to do anything to survive – including becoming a skilled thief.
One day, he raids the wrong house and is marked by a demon for life.
His plight quickly gets the attention of royalty, who claim him as the lost son of the immortal prince. Now, far from living the life of royalty, Kihrin is at the mercy of his ruthless family.
After escaping his jewel-encrusted prison, Kihrin learns he’s at the centre of an ancietn prophecy, and every side – dragons, demons, mages, and humans – want him as their pawn.
Is Kihrin the hero, destined to save the empire? Or is he the villain that will destroy it?
What Are Your Favourite Fantasy Books with Dragons?
I’ve always loved fantasy books with dragons. Any fantasy world with magic, prophecy, betrayal, and dangerous quests will always end up on my TBR.
Hopefully, one of these dragon books sparks your interest. Do you already have a favourite fantasy book about dragons? Leave it in the comments below!
If you love fantasy books with dragons, you’ll love our next books list: the best fantasy books with elves.
