Dragons are one of fantasy’s most famous and majestic creatures. From early dragons, like the Dragon in the epic poem Beowulf, to the ones found in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s Dragonlance books, dragons always tickle the imagination of readers, whether or not they’re fans of fantasy. And because of the persistent appeal of dragons to people of all ages, it makes sense that dragons can be found everywhere. The dragons are not only found in the Dungeons and Dragons-based books or the epic fantasies of the twentieth century. They’re also pretty big in young adult literature, flying through different genres from high fantasy, to urban fantasy, and even to science fiction!
So since there are so many YA books dealing with dragons, it’s sometimes difficult to choose which ones to read. Well, guess what? We’ll do the work for you! Here’s a list of the best books featuring dragons – written especially for YA readers! The list includes popular works like Tolkien’s and Le Guin’s, to some lesser known – but still engaging – works! Ready for some flying, flame-spewing reptilian action? Then browse through the list and pick out the next dragon book to put in your reading list!
Published in 2012, Seraphina is Rachel Hartman’s Morris Award-winning debut novel about Seraphina Dombegh, a musician of the royal court who gets pulled into a murder investigation and gets involved in unraveling a plot threatening the peace of the kingdom of Goredd. It’s set in a world where dragons and humans live together but mistrust each other, and this mistrust heightens the tensions that underlie the plot.
What do the readers say?
- “I loved this book even more the second time I read it than I did the first. The characters are interesting and engaging, and I love the new look at dragons. For all that she’s half-dragon, Seraphina is a very believable human being, caught between different loyalties and just trying to keep everyone she loves alive. But don’t take my word for it–read it yourself!” – Tamora Pierce, bestselling YA author [review from Amazon]
Dragons Are People Too by Sarah Nicolas
In a world where dragons are disguised as humans, teenager, were-dragon, secret government operative and the president’s son’s protector Kitty Lung is just trying to live a normal life as a normal human being. But when another operative breaks the most important rule among dragons and changes into his dragon form in public, Kitty and her fellow dragons’ secret comes out – dragons exist, and now the whole world knows about it. Now the government is hunting down dragons, and the president’s son has been kidnapped by an enemy. Only Kitty and a fellow dragon Bulisani are the last dragons roaming free, and it’s up to them to save their kind and the president’s son before it’s too late.
What do the readers say?
- “High-concept fantasy and romance are NOT on my list of preferences, so I expected this book to be way out of my comfort zone. …but Dragons Are People, Too is an adrenaline rush-inducing action-filled adventure of an urban fantasy where the were-dragon characters are really just like normal teenagers, except for the scales, the flying, the hard-to-control transformations betwixt their humanoid selves and their dragon bodies, and the complications, of course.” – Meg, Amazon user. [5-Star Review from Amazon]
In a world where the flawed Avoidables live with the pristine Perfects, and dragon and animal half-breeds live, Hope, a one-armed avoidable, sometimes leaves the confines of her Lower Side community to watch how the Perfects live in their Upper Side homes. She meets – and falls in love with – Jason, a Perfect, who ignores the fact that she has only one arm and is an avoidable.
What do the readers say?
- “I really loved the story idea behind Avoidables. Cities all around the world divided into two sections, The Avoidables and The Perfects. I really enjoyed Hope as a character and enjoyed seeing her grow in such a short amount of time. I personally love stories like this, when they are not what you are expecting at all…” – MissCassieRose, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Island-World was once ruled by the Dragons, who had Human slaves at their beck and call. But the Humans – the Sylakians – fought back and spread all across the Islands, colonising and making the world their own. They’ve taken over the Islands, defeating the last bastion of freedom, Immadia. Against this backdrop, the disgraced Aranya, executed by the Sylakian Empire but still living, rises from the depths as the new force against the Sylakians. She is the new princess of Immadia, the Dragon Shapeshifter.
What do the readers say?
- “Marc Secchia definitely has an eye for imagery. All the locations and battles you journey through in this book are portrayed so vividly that you could reach out and touch the stormy clouds. There was also a great amount of world building – at appropriate times (rather than in big chunks at the beginning) which meant you knew the world as well as being able to see it.” – Anna (Enchanted by YA), Goodreads user and reviewer. [Review from Goodreads]
King’s Warrior by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
Princess Kamarie and the squire Oraeyn – who is not very excited to go along the journey – must go on a quest to find the legendary king’s warrior and ask for his aid against the Dark Warriors invading her country. Along the journey they meet the mysterious warrior Brant, whose vengeful nature Kamarie cannot wholly understand, but must trust, if she wants to save the country.
What do the readers say?
- “King’s Warrior sets a solid foundation for a series of fantasy novels. We are introduced to lovable characters, characters who we can relate to as they grow and are faced with challenges and decisions that change their lives. The world is built carefully and thoughtfully, there is room for expansion within the given universe, and there are still questions left to be answered and story to be told at the end of this first novel.” – Gabriel, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Princess Cimorene is tired of the mundane life she leads in her castle, and contrives to have the castle stuff teach her things that are “improper” for a princess to learn, such as fencing, cooking, and learning Latin. But when her parents take her to the neighboring kingdom on a state visit, she learns that she is supposed to be wed to the annoying Prince Therandil. Unwilling to be tied to such a person, she runs away and meets dragons. She volunteers to become a “captive” of the dragon Kazul, with whom she becomes friends. She is satisfied with this lie, but must deal with fending off people who are trying to save her.
What do the readers say?
- “It has everything a book needs: excitement, adventure, a touch of romance, and a highly believable main character. Who can honestly say that they haven’t felt the way Cimorene does: sick and tired of their life, in her case a boring life of a princess, with nothing better to do then ‘lady-like activities’… It’s a wonderful twist on the fairy tales of weak princesses being captured by vicious dragons, and being saved by the big strong princes… I definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. And the last thing I say is, “ENJOY!” – Alex, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dragon of the Lost Sea by Laurence Yep
The exiled dragon princess Shimmer must go on a journey to restore the Inland Sea, her beloved homeland. The Inland Sea has turned into the Lost Sea because Civet, a powerful witch, has sealed up all of its waters in a blue pebble. Together with her young human ally Thorn, Shimmer goes on a quest to disable the witch Civet, and turn things back to the way they were.
What do the readers say?
- “I picked up this book at a second hand store one day when I was about eleven, mainly because it looked like a good book. I was absolutely awestruck. I am now sixteen and it remains one of my favorite fantasies. I have read it at least ten times, and never get bored.” – C. Parkinson, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn
Teenager Jack Morgan escapes with his Uncle Virgil’s spaceship after being falsely accused of committing a crime. When Jack encounters a crashed ship, he rescues the only survivor, Draycos, who can help clear Jack’s name and prove his innocence. The catch is that they have to team up. Which is fine, until Jack learns that Draycos is not what he seems.
What do the readers say?
- “…The story is amazing. Zahn throws in little hints here and there that you won’t pick up on until your third time through. Then you’ll realize how well planned it all is, that every detail is important, and that the ending is foreshadowed from the first book. It is a satisfying tale of two races coming together to face a third, and about understanding how stories of the past aren’t always what they seem.
This book in particular is fun, but the series is one of those where the whole is more than the sum of the parts. Jack and Draycos are so well matched, and they both learn so much from each other. They learn to read, do what’s right, and to trust each other.” – Denae C., Amazon user. [Review on Amazon]
Eragon, a fifteen-year-old boy who believes that he is only a mere farm boy, discovers a stone that hatches into a blue dragon called Saphira. His discovery of Saphira puts his life in danger, as the evil King Galbatorix, upon learning about Eragon and Saphira, sets his minions out to capture them. With the help of the storyteller Brom, Eragon and Saphira escape, and find friends in the rebel group of Varden, who all seek to defeat Galbatorix.
What do the readers say?
- “Great fantasy novel for teens and young adults! I’m still impressed by the fact that Paolini was a teen himself when he wrote it. The Inheritance Cycle still remains one of my favorite series.” – Jessica Crabtree, Amazon user. [Review on Amazon]
In the Shadow of the Dragon King by J. Keller Ford
Eona, the Mirror Dragoneye, cannot control her powers, though she must be her country’s savior. She is faced with the difficulty of trying to control her powers, while dealing with the High Lord Sethnon’s army, which is leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Eona tries to help the Pearl Emperor Kygo wrest back power and regain his throne, but by doing so she risks bargaining with a dark enemy. Eona’s story is full of conflict and intrigue with Eona herself at the center, the young lady whose responsible for ultimately saving the world.
What do the readers say?
- “The writing is very well done, doing an excellent portrayal of ancient Asian culture and society in this novel, creating amazing characters, and handling magic, mystery, romance, and self-discovery all deftly in this duology. I highly recommend these two books for anyone looking for something different than the usual Young Adult (or Adult) fantasy, and a truly remarkable story.” – Dakota @ Magic in Every Books, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Ember and Dante Hill are brother and sister and associated with the dragons of Talon, dragons who have hid in society and taken on a human form ever since the Order of St. George had hunted dragons. Ember wants to live a free teenage life before she becomes one of the Talon, but when she meets a rogue dragon, the beliefs she has held onto so firmly are challenged.
This is the classic story of Bilbo Baggins, who lives a comfortable life, until the wizard Gandalf and a few dwarves take him away on an adventure to get to the dragon Smaug’s treasure hoard and raid it. It is on this journey that Bilbo encounters Gollum and a magic ring, which becomes integral to the later story of the Lord of the Rings.
What do the readers say?
- “One of the best-written stories of all time. Tolkien knew how to write, how to spin a fable, and how to address the problems people’s motivations and fears. If you have only seen the movies… read the book and prepare to be amazed.” – The Iron Marshall, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
When We Were Dragons by Brandon Berntson
Justin Silas, a dragon who can take on a mortal form at will, lives in the world of Paramis. Cerras, god of Paramis, has slept for a thousand years, leaving dragonkind and mankind to exist in peace. Lane, a traitorous dragon, hopes to usurp Cerras and succeed him with the help of dark forces. All of these problems on Paramis are heightened when the world itself crashes with Earth, and affects the life of Charlie Underhill, a boy with special powers. It is up to him, with the help of Justin and the Old Ones, to restore hope and peace in the worlds.
What do the readers say?
- “A well written book with wonderful characters and a moralistic undertone of unity in the face of change. A unique spin on dragon’s, magic, mortal beings of different cultures and their actions/choices when their world’s collide, literally.” – Hippy_Lettuce, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Chronicles of the Dragon by Craig Halloran
The dragon-born warrior man Nath must save dragons in order to become a dragon himself. But his journey to become a dragon is often interrupted by his inherent curiosity about the other races – the men, the elves, and the dwarves. Nath journeys with his friend Brenwar the Dwarf and, armed with the sword Fang, travels to the Mountain of Doom and the City of Narnum on the path to become a dragon.
What do the readers say?
- “This story is well written, original and promising. The Hero, Nath Dragon, is appealing because I think people can relate to him. He’s got responsibilities, but when he doesn’t fulfill them, his father calls him out. Nath has to fulfill his destiny or never return home. I really enjoyed this story and I’ll be reading more.” – Shannon Bowyer, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Lilae is a slave who must escape captivity in order to save humanity. Liam is a prince who protects the Tryans and the fairies from the Shadow Elf raiders. When the only hope of surviving is finding a dragon, Liam must set off and find the aid of a fallen god to help him in the war. In a twist of fate, Liam and Lilae’s dreamscapes collide, and their paths – once clear – are complicated by each other.
What do the readers say?
- “Rise of the Flame is epic in every sense of the word! This book has everything–complex characters, a well-developed fantasy world, romance, action, and plot twists. The author certainly knows how to tell a story. I was hooked from the first page… and I guarantee you’ll be too! If you enjoyed Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, you’ll love this book.” – Kirstin, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Coming of Dragons by A.J. Lake
What do the readers say?
- “For the fans of fiction: a must read! Fast-paced and accurate, I never put the book down once. The plot is well-planned and detailed, as well as exiting and interesting. Curiosity to find out what happens next in this book is absolutely over-whelming! The beginning, when I started, was not the greatest of beginnings (I have to say) but after you get to know the situation and the characters, I sort of grew to love them.” – Danielle Gilad-Barzilay, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Jessa Lebron lives in Stratford, Connecticut, a town acting as a gateway adjoining the prisons in which supernatural criminals – from vampires to shifter to fey – are imprisoned. Jessa, herself a wolf shifter, soon discovers secrets that threaten to shatter her beliefs, and that the biggest of them all is the fact that she is dragon marked – dangerous and should be eliminated in order to prevent the rise of the dragon king. Hunted and now imprisoned in a supernatural prison, Jessa must work together with the dragon-shifter Braxton to free themselves and the other dragon marked.
What do the readers say?
- “I very rarely give a five star rating. I am an avid reader of many genres. I absolutely loved this book. This was a fresh take on supernaturals. I have not read any other story with a concept like this. The main characters were well developed. They were interesting for their strengths and weaknesses. The solidarity that the main characters have is so refreshing. While the hint at romance is give, it doesn’t seem to me that there will be any of those annoying and detracting love triangles” – Lis, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dragon Trials by Ava Richardson
Dragon Riders Agathea Flammea and Seb – both with vastly different backgrounds, the former highborn and the latter poor – must investigate the rumors about an old threat that is reemerging: the Darkening. The two may be the only ones who can save the world, and so must learn to reconcile their differences and work together to save their kingdom.
What do the readers say?
- “Overall it is a fun and quick read. You have two primary characters (Seb & Thea) and the point of view switches between them throughout the book. Which I feel was handled well and helped drive things forward giving you an attachment to both of them.” – Daniel Fredette, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Menolly arrives at Harper Hall to formally begin her schooling. She only wants to further her knowledge in singing and music and to become a Harper. But the threat of the destructive force called the Thread looms, and the dragons and their riders – who are supposed to protect the world from the Thread – dwindle in number. What could Menolly do in the face of this danger?
What do the readers say?
- “I love Menolly. This series of books draws you in and introduces you to a shy, awkward, self conscious adolescent young woman who is very talented, and does not fit in or understand why she doesn’t. Very well written coming of age story. And with dragons and fire lizards, what’s not to love?” – Dean Grant, Jr., Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Vivian Maylor never believed in her mother’s ramblings about Dreamworlds. But one day, she hears a patient in an emergency room ranting about dragons, and Vivian watches as the patient combusts – which shatters Vivian’s beliefs about what her mother has been talking about all along. She gets sucked in further when she meets a mysterious man she’s only met in her dreams, and plunges into a world where the line between dream and reality is blurred.
What do the readers say?
- “The ending was great! It left me wanting the next installment, but didn’t make me want to scream and throw things because I needed more immediately to feel like I got closure. There is a lot to be done to make things right, a lot of riddles still to be solved, additional character development to be had, etc, so I can’t wait to see what book #2 has in store when I finally get my hands on it. Bottom line is that Kerry has a winner here and I couldn’t put it down.” – LITERAL ADDICTION‘s Michelle Olson, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Draconis’ Bane by David Temrick
Tristan Vallious is a prince born into the world of the Seven Kingdoms, where dragon magic has faded and turbulent storms destroy ships. Young, arrogant, and abusive, Tristan is sent away to the border by his parents, to be placed under the command of his brother. There, he is supposed to overcome his issues while serving his kingdom and fighting against enemies. But he is attacked by a magical assassin and falls under the perilous Nightmare Spell, which is supposed to kill the afflicted swiftly. Tristan is now standing at the crossroads, and the fate of the world – of men and of dragons – rests on his shoulders.
What do the readers say?
- “I’m a sucker for fantasy novels involving dragons and magic, so naturally I picked this one up. No disappointment here! Loved the storyline and the creative twists and turns the plot took. The author told this story as he envisioned it, unapologetically including a fair amount of blood and death, but I’m not complaining. I was left devoid of any expectations as I continued reading and settled comfortably into the wild ride of not knowing what was coming next. I love that element of thrill and surprise in a book. For anyone who enjoyed The Game of Thrones or Eragon, this is in the same vein.” – Monica LaSarre, Amazon user and author. [Review from Amazon]
Rare Form: Descended of the Dragons Book One by Jen Crane
Stella Stonewall’s world is rocked when she meets the brooding Rowan Gresham, who takes her into a magical world in which Stella fits into immediately and perfectly – leaving behind the mundane world she’s always known but never felt like home. Enrolling at Radix Citadel for Supernatural Learning, Stella has to learn to adjust to her new life in the world of Thayer, while trying to stay alive long enough to discover and to learn to control the animal form that lives within her.
What do the readers say?
- “This was a quick and enjoyable series. I enjoyed the world created by the author. It was an interesting plot that keeps the reader engaged. There aren’t many fight scenes and most of the books are about discovering this new world and adjusting in it. While the story line only follows Stella, she is surrounded by friends and teachers that are also well developed and have stories of their own taking place. There were several laugh out loud moments and good interaction between the characters.” – life’s journey, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Indigo discovers drawings of mythical creatures in his grandfather’s notebook. Little does he know, this is only the beginning of a series of events that are fantastic in nature, as he meets and treats an injured magpie-cat, a cockatrice, and a dragon. He goes on a journey to figure out the secrets that his family is hiding, and as he goes on, he will be faced with choices that will change the world forever.
What do the readers say?
- “Indigo’s Dragon is right up there with Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon – great, fun children’s fantasy fiction. It is a unique adventure based on the Dragon of Krakow myth, but this dragon’s tail has a twist you won’t expect! I was impressed with the delightful novelty of this book. S. Croft has created unique characters and settings. The locations, from Cumbria to mysterious Polish mountains come to life as do the many wonderful mythical monsters that live there – so many wonderful monsters!” – Jumbone, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Arak, a misfit dragon, is a Dreamer, and is determined to prove his worth by undertaking a dangerous journey that puts his life on the line, when he crashes on ice. But a shifter named Scree comes to his rescue, and the unlikely pair develops friendship between them. Arak must then use his powers to save dragonkind, as a volcano erupts and triggers a chain of events that may spell doom to all.
What do the readers say?
- “The art of this tale for me, lies in how the author brings these disparate threads together while never allowing the narrative pace to slacken. Engrossing, uplifting and superbly crafted, this book is a keeper. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” – Marc Secchia, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
The Dragon Hunter and the Mage by V.R. Cardoso
Half-brothers Aric and Fadan, sons of the Empress, live in a world where the use of magic is outlawed – something that was brought about by Fadan’s father, the Emperor, and something that tore the empire in two. The half-brothers are forbidden from seeing each other, but when they defy the rules set upon them and wander all over the Imperial Citadel together, they manage to discover the Manual of Magic. They now have to choose between two options: bring the Manual to the Emperor, or use it and see if one of them is capable of doing magic. Circumstances tear the brothers away from each other, sending them to different parts of the Empire, and one of them will train as a Dragon Hunter, while the other becomes a magic user. As dark forces amass, will the two brothers see each other again?
What do the readers say?
- “The book created a great blend of magic and swordplay. I thoroughly enjoyed that the two main characters were had distinctly different abilities, one concentrating in magic and one in swordplay. I enjoyed the training in both and would have enjoyed even more about Aric’s training as a dragon hunter. I enjoyed the battle scenes of Aric’s dragon company but given the level of violence in the first battle there should have been casualties… Mr. Cardoso has set up a great world with multiple elements to continue to develop the storyline well into the future. I will definitely read the next book in the series and highly recommend it for other fantasy readers.” – Amazon Customer. [Review from Amazon]
The Six Crystals of Ialana by Katlynn Brooke
The quest to unite the lost crystals of Ialana unites six people who were all born with a secret within themselves. All of them are guided by a dream they share, and all set out on a quest that leads them through mountain caves and deep tunnels, where they all encounter dangerous creatures – but the most dangerous of all is one of their very own. Guided by the shapeshifter Irusan, the heroes forge relationships with each other and ultimately start relying on one another. As they fight their way to save the lost crystals, they are caught up in uncertainty – will they find the crystals in time? Especially when mutant creatures, like the Reptilian Dragon King, are around?
What do the readers say?
- “I loved reading this book. It’s a fairly short, fast-paced work of fantasy fiction. The land of Ialana and the main characters in the book are beautifully written and well illustrated. I only wish there was more of the novel—I was immediately drawn into the world and could not stop reading. The characterization of each of the main characters is incredible. The ensemble cast is truly as faceted as the crystals they have to learn to work with and secure. The dialogue is organic and flows really well. The plot is original, filled with archetypes and the twist at the end was extremely unexpected. I empathized with each of the characters and my heart ached for each of their trials and struggles. I enjoyed every bit of this book and am waiting anxiously for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a well-written piece of fantasy fiction. A great read!” – Dibble, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
Dragon Blood 1: Pliethin by Avril Sabine
Amber’s normal, simple life, is changed dramatically when she moves from her old town to the small Queensland town of Brisbane. She discovers that dragons aren’t just mythical creatures – and that she must be part of their world, a world of clans and survival, ancient traditions, enemies, and dragon warriors.
What do the readers say?
- “I found this book to be very engaging with twists and turns throughout the book… it left me wanting more. I would highly recommend this book to others!” – Tyler Warner, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]
There you go! There are definitely way more excellent dragon books for teens than the ones listed above, and for sure some favorites have been left out – if we included them all, that’d take up a lot of space! But the ones listed above are definitely great dragon books, and if you haven’t read some on the list, consider getting them now!
Do you know other great dragon books for teens? Let us know in the comments!
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