Dragons are probably the most iconic fantasy creatures of all time. Not only are they featured in myths, stories and legends from nearly every culture/civilization, but they are several thousand years old. Serpent-like dragons appeared in Chinese and Indian legends and art as early as 2700 BC and Dragons have really never stopped having their moment since. 

The stereotypical fire-breathing ‘fairy-tale’ dragon we typically think of didn’t come about until the Middle Ages, with stories like Beowulf establishing this depiction in western culture, and further cemented by legendary depictions like Smaug in Tolkein’s The Hobbit, and George R. R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones dragons, recently brought to life on televisions around the world. But, despite all their time in the limelight, modern adaptations have been able to keep the classic creature fresh with new and unique adaptations. Including the friendly dragons becoming popular, especially in children’s literature and media, such as Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. So, whether you’re into the timeless fantasy villain or a unique take on an ancient being, this book list contains some fiery reads.

 

The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return.

 

The Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent – Marie Brennan

Fascinated by dragons since childhood, Lady Isabella Trent devotes her time and considerable energy to the study of natural history, thus defying convention in the alternate Victorian England society in which she lives (where science is not an appropriate study for ladies). Her intellect attracts the notice of famed explorer Lord Hilford, who invites her to join his expedition in search of rock-wyrms, finally giving Lady Isabella the chance to prove herself. Illustrations enhance this artful combination of fantasy and alternate history, with elements of mystery

 

The Night Ends with Fire – K.X. Song

When her opium-addicted father plans to sell her to a violent, ill-tempered man, Mellin, with the Three Kingdoms at war, disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the army where she has visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

 

When Women Were Dragons: A Novel – Kelly Barnhill 

After the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when thousands of women, including her beloved Aunt Marla, transformed into dragons, left a trail fiery destruction and took to the skies, young Alex Green must face the consequences of this event as she learns to accept people as they really are.

 

How to Train Your Dragon – Cressida Cowell

This kids book chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon. (Note for the fans of the movie: The book and the movie are VERY different)

 

Eragon – Christopher Paolini

When fifteen-year-old Eragon comes to learn that he is a gifted Dragon Rider, he realizes that his destiny is to fight the evil powers that will bring complete destruction to the Empire and so leaves his quiet life as a farm boy to succeed in his one true mission in life.

 

The Last Dragon of the East – Katrina Kwan 

At the young age of twenty-five, Sai has led a quiet life, keeping the family teahouse up and running and taking care of his ailing mother. But he has a not-so-secret gift that he’s parlayed into a side career: he was born with the ability to see the red threads of fate between soulmates, which lends itself nicely to matchmaking. But Sai’s ordinary existence is about to be turned upside-down by a pair of shining dragon scales. When his mother’s doctor sells them to him, Sai is thrust into the search for a dragon long thought extinct that will lead him into the throes of a brewing war, facing down challenges both magical and mortal on an unexpected adventure.

 

I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons – Peter S Beagle

Unhappily inheriting his late father’s job as a dragon catcher/exterminator, Robert dreams of quitting and becoming a princess valet because he just really likes the dragons in the new novel by the best-selling author of The Last Unicorn.

 

The Sky on Fire – Jenn Lyons

When an adventuring party saves her from capture by a local warlord, Anahrod soon realizes that these cunning misfits–and their frustratingly appealing dragonrider ringleader–intend to spirit her away to the dragon-ruled sky cities, where they need her help to steal from a dragon’s hoard.