Dragon Books for Adults
I realized how many dragon books for adults I have read recently and I wanted to make a list of my favorites.
There are a lot of books about dragons written for kids. But I think adult dragon books need to be written well in order for them to feel like they are adult stories. I think the steaks are higher. The stories need to be more gripping, the characters need to be nuanced, and the world-building needs to be layered.
The Best Dragon Books for Adults
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best New Adult Dragon Book
The Best Adult Dragon Book
The Best Dragon Book for Teens
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
New Dragon Books for Adults
Fourth Wing
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Year: 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: Empyrean Series Book #1 of 5
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
If you have not heard of this book and love fantasy, this is the book for you. Don’t be intimidated by the length of this dragon book. I started and finished this 528-page bad boy in a day and a half. I cannot remember the last time I did that!
Violet Sorrengail had spent her life studying to be a scribe until her father died and her mother, the commanding general, ordered her to join the dragon riders. Violet will become one of the hundreds of candidates who fight to the death to be a part of this elite group.
Unlike the other candidates who have worked towards this their whole lives, Violet is small and brittle and never meant for this to be her path. And other candidates do not have the children of rebel leaders waiting to take revenge.
This adult fantasy book has everything that you would want in a fantasy from epic world-building to amazing abilities, magical creatures, non-stop action, and romance.
Trigger Warnings
Graphic sexual content, death
Why Jackie loves it
I loved every second. It lives up to the hype and then some. The world-building is amazing and the book pulled me in from the first page. Usually the story begins with an event and the story commences after this catalyst moment. Fourth Wing begins after that crucial moment so I felt I was immersed in the story from page one.
Why Kirsten loves it
I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book, but Jackie was right when she told me how much I would love it. Even though I do not usually love world-building, fantasies like this, the plot line and romance throughout this book, kept me hooked the whole time.
Adaptation Information
It’s early days yet, but the rights to turn this book series into a TV series were acquired by Amazon Prime Video.
Find this book in: Adult Fantasy Books / Fourth Wing Series in Order / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / Dragon Books for Adults
For More Books Like This: The Best Books Like Fourth Wing
When the Moon Hatched
Author: Sarah A. Parker
Year: 2024
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Moonfall Series, 1
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Raeve is an assassin for the rebellion. She shows no mercy and leaves no witnesses until one night when she lets a mysterious stranger live. When The Guild of Nobles’ prisons Raeve, she expects death but instead finds herself carried away by Kaan Vaegor’s dragon.
Kaan is a King mourning the loss of the love of his life when he finds Raeve in the prison cell. She cannot help but feel the connection between them but cannot understand why.
This is the first book in the Moonfall Series and I cannot wait to see what happens.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Content, Graphic Violence
Why Jackie loves it
I was immediately sucked into this world of Fae and dragons. The storytelling is fantastic, and the characters are unique and surprising. I loved how strong Raeve is and yet, her character is also vulnerable. I cannot wait for the next book. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2024.
Find this book in: Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing/ Dragon Books for Adults / Best New Fantasy Books and Sci-Fi Books of 2024 / Giftable Books
A Dawn of Onyx
Author: Kate Golden
Year: 2022
Genre: Sacred Stones #1
More info:
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range:
Plot
Arwen Valondale has always had the ability to heal with the touch of her hands. When she is captured by the King of Onyx’s soldiers while trying to save her brother, she is brought back to the vicious king’s kingdom as a prisoner. Soon she finds herself training with a healer and unable to escape due to the vicious beasts in the surrounding forest.
Why Jackie loves it
While technically published in December 2022, this YA fantasy novel is currently being re-released and I am so glad that it is. This is a breakout TikTok YA fantasy romance book that is the first in the series.
Find this book in: Books like ACOTAR/ The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Dragon Books for Adults
Adult Dragon Books
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening
Author: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Year: 2019
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: Zodiac Academy Book 1 of 12
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Whew. I have found my newest adult fantasy romance series addiction. Orphan twins Tory and Darcy find out they are actually Fae after their 18th birthday. And not just any Fae, they are the heirs to the throne and they only need to graduate from Zodiac Academy to claim their throne.
The problem comes in the form of the four Heirs – The boys in each elemental order who have been raised to share the throne and rule Solaria together in the Twins’ absence.They aren’t planning to give up their claim anytime soon and they use their considerable magic in the air, fire, earth, and water elements to put these girls to the test.
This urban fantasy series is on fire hot, with lots of steam, bullying romance, and deadly situations. Even though this is one of a few great books set in high school, do NOT read this one if you are under 18.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is something about this series that is seriously addicting. There is romance, adventure, and some serious girl power in this series.
Why Jackie likes it
I liked this series but didn’t love it as much as Kirsten. The bullying felt too abusive to me and the pranks were a little too dangerous. And despite those reservations, I wanted to see Tory and Darcy kick some butts. As the series progresses and the sisters become more powerful, the story gets a lot more detailed.
Find this book in: Urban Fantasy / Books Like ACOTAR / Books Like Zodiac Academy / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Books Set in College / Adult Fantasy Novels / Adult Fantasy Novels / Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / Dragon Books for Adults
A Game of Thrones: Song of Ice and Fire
Author: George R.R. Martin
Year: 1996
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Locust Award Winner, 1997
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a book that I learned about after I watched the series on HBO. In my case, watching the show first helped me remember (and put a face to) the plethora of characters within this series.
Truth be told, I still needed reminders now and then. Winter is coming. The House of Stark is preparing for winter after a centuries-long summer. They must prepare to defend themselves from the creatures behind the wall.
There is no way to briefly summarize this epic world-building, historical fantasy with powerful women, an intricate, captivating story, and more. There are dragons and war, love and lust, scheming and backstabbing, in this epic world-building fantasy.
Trigger Warnings
Violence, rape, incest
Why Jackie loves it
This book is EPIC and the series is completely EPIC as well.
Find this book in: Books Like Game of Thrones / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Dragon Books for Adults
His Majesty’s Dragon
Author: Naomi Novik
Year: 2006
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Temeraire Book 1 of 9
Age Range:14+
Plot
Captain Laurence is serving in the British Navy when his ship captures a French ship with a dragon egg. Knowing that the dragon must receive its master immediately, Capt. Laurence becomes that master.
Suddenly, Laurence and the dragon, Temeraire, find themselves in the Aerial Corps trying to defeat Napoleon and his army. This epic historical fantasy series is a must-read and perfect if you are looking for books like Fourth Wing.
Why Jackie loves it
I cannot believe that I had not heard of this epic series by Naomi Novik. I love her most recent books and stumbled upon this series after hearing someone talk about it. I love the historical fiction feel of this book. Other than the addition ff dragons, it feels like it could have happened
Find this book in: The Best Books Like Fourth Wing / Dragon Books for Adults
Dragon Books for Teens
The Hobbit (or There and Back Again)
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Year: 1937
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Classic Literary Fiction
Age Range:12+
Plot
An introduction to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit was the first high fantasy book that I ever read. Smaug, a dragon, is the main antagonist in this story. This book opened up a whole new world and genre of book.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys his comfortable life close to home. When a wizard named Gandalf shows up with dwarves on Bibloa’s doorstep, they invite him on a quest. There, he encounters Smaug, a creature named Gollum, and finds a ring that will change his life.
Why Jackie loves it
This YA fantasy is the prelude to the amazing Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is an iconic book which has withstood the test of time.
Find this book in: Dragon Books for Adults/ Books Like Game of Thrones / Book Adaptations on Amazon Prime / Graphic Novels / Books for 12-year-olds
Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Year: 2003
Genre: Fantasy
Age: 11+
More info: Inheritance Cycle #1
Plot
Eragon, a 15-year-old boy, believes that he is merely a farm boy until one day, he discovers a polished blue stone in the forest. When the stone hatches and a dragon emerges, Eragon enters a world full of magic and power that he never knew existed. Eragon discovers he is a dragon rider, one of the few left.
Why Jackie loves it
This middle-school fantasy series is a world of dragons, magic, and power. Almost a “Dragon Masters” for the more mature reader, this series took me into a world of fantasy I won’t forget.
Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / Popular Fantasy Series for Young Adults / Fantasy Books for Teens / Books like Fourth Wing / Dragon Books for Adults and Teens / Dragon Books for Tweens / Best Books for 12-year-olds
Expert Tip
If you are new to fantasy, many adult dragon books are considered high fantasy and may be intimidating. If this is true for you, here is my tip for diving in:
- Consider reading Fourth Wing. Even though it is high fantasy, it has some elements that are unlike other books in this subgenre and it is very addictive
- If fantasy romance does not sound appealing to you, consider reading The Hobbit. Published more than 75 years ago, this book is still one of the best there is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books do you recommend that have dragons in them?
If you are looking for adult dragon books, check out my list above with 8 great dragon books for adults including Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
What is the best dragon book series for adults?
I am so happy that there are a number of new series for adults with dragons in them. My favorite are:
1. Fourth Wing (books 1 and 2 of the 5 book series have been published)
2. Sacred Stone Series (all three books in the series have been published)
3. Moonfall Series (only the first book has been published)
Related Content
Epilogue
How many of these adult dragon books have you read?
Ultimate List of Best Adult Fantasy Novels to Read
If fantasy books are your favorite books, then these are the perfect book lists for you. This list if carefully curated and divided into sub-genres.
