Books With Dragons to Read, Including Fantasy Novels

From “House of the Dragon” to “Fourth Wing” and more, dragons are having a bit of a moment in pop culture. These fire-breathing mythological creatures have been a staple of fantasy storytelling for a long time, and it’s no wonder — they’re powerful, magical, and they have enough lore to fit neatly into any story that needs an extra-powerful twist.

Not all dragons are created equal, though, as the wide variety of books about dragons makes very clear. While most books featuring dragons are set in some kind of classic epic-fantasy world, others put more of a quirky twist on the legends. Our picks for the best books with dragons include rich, sweeping fantasies like “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros and “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon alongside more unconventional takes on dragon lore like “When Women Were Dragons” by Kelly Barnhill and “Tooth and Claw” by Jo Walton. Whether you like your dragons scary, silly, or somewhere in between, this roundup of recommendations has something for everyone. And if you want even more great books, check out the 2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge.