11 Books + Fantasy Series with Dragons to Read if Your Suffering From an Onyx Storm Book Hangover
If, like me, you’re still reeling from that Onyx Storm ending, and you’re nursing a book hangover, or maybe nothing’s quite hitting every time you start a new read, perhaps you need more dragons in your life. One can never have too many. I’ve collected some of my favorite fantasy books and series with dragons (and wyverns) below, as well as a few anticipated reads for 2025 with dragons. There’s also a little something for everyone from a short novella, alternate historical fiction fantasy, as well as Romantasy, and in my opinion, some timeless classics. I hope you find something here that will keep your mind off the fact that we will be waiting potentially years to see Xaden and Violet again. Trust me, I’m reeling just like you are. But in the meantime, if you need to hear from Xaden, don’t miss my latest project over at Valor & Lore, The Book Boyfriend Hotline…
Here there be dragons…why does that just sound right? :) Have any you think should be added to the list? Drop them in the comments below!
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
An alternate historical fiction with DRAGONS?! I’m currently reading this as part of the Books are my Third Place casual buddy read in our Discord, and it’s giving me major Babel by R.F. Kuang vibes so far…but with dragons.
Synopsis:
“In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.
Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isn’t worried. She’s going to follow the rules, get a summer internship studying dragon languages, be smart, be sweet, and make sure her little sister never, ever has to risk growing up Third Class. She just has to free one dragon.
By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.
With her parents and cousin arrested and her sister missing, Viv is brought to Bletchley Park as a codebreaker—if she succeeds, she and her family can all go home again. If she doesn’t, they’ll all die.
As Viv begins to discover the secrets of a hidden dragon language, she realizes that the fragile peace treaty that holds human and dragon societies together is corrupt, and the dangerous work Viv is doing could be the thread that unravels it.”
Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
This completed trilogy is so high on my TBR. Several mutuals have talked it up, and I can’t wait to finally get to it.
Synopsis:
“Game of Thrones meets Fourth Wing in a debut young adult fantasy that's full of rivalry, romance . . . and dragons.
Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone--even the lowborn--a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders.
Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn't be more different. Annie's lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee's aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.
But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.
With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he's come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.
From debut author Rosaria Munda comes a gripping adventure that calls into question which matters most: the family you were born into, or the one you've chosen.”
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
I believe this is a completed duology—I have both of them sitting on my TBR shelf, and they sound so good. If you like grimdark fantasy, I think this is the vibe.
Synopsis:
“The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.
Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war.
Young, gift-less Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He's going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn't get the chance.
Those closest to him are brutally murdered, and his grief swiftly turns to anger. Fixated on revenge, Tau dedicates himself to an unthinkable path. He'll become the greatest swordsman to ever live, a man willing to die a hundred thousand times for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.”
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
If you’re in the mood for a cozy classic. I LOVE this book so much, and it’s a great place to start with Tolkien if you haven’t ever read his work yet. This special edition is one of my favorites with sprayed edges and Tolkien’s own illustrations.
Synopsis:
“Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey ‘there and back again.’ They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon . . .”
A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin (aka Game of Thrones)
Will we ever get the final two books in this series? It’s unclear…but I absolutely devoured these as they were coming out. And the dragons are some of the best. This series is dark and gritty.
Synopsis:
Does this really need an introduction? ;)
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
aka the series that is my Roman Empire!!! If you somehow have never read this series, please drop everything and read it immediately. The dragons in this series are Wyverns (just to make a clear distinction), and I swear you will fall in love with Abraxos.
Synopsis:
“One of the best fantasy series of the past decade." -TIME Magazine Discover the global phenomenon of the #1 New York Times-bestselling Throne of Glass series in this gorgeous 8-book box set! In a land without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She has no love for the vicious king who rules from his throne of glass, but she has not come to kill him. She has come to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King's Champion.”
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Who said rereads were off the table? No, but seriously…
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Set in the Victorian age in an alternate history, it’s written as if it’s a memoir, and I am SO excited to finally read this series.
Synopsis:
“You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart―no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon's presence, even for the briefest of moments―even at the risk of one's life―is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .
All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.”
Firebird by Juliette Cross
Release Date: April 8th
I know, I know, we’re allllll drooling over these absolutely stunning sprayed edges! The dragon?! This is a limited first edition print run. I am so excited to start my ARC of this, and will absolutely be reporting back.
Synopsis:
“House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash in this epic, scorching dark romantasy.
A conqueror captivated…
A witch prophesied to save them all…
A world where dragons rule Rome.
From the moment Roman general and nephew to the emperor Julianus Dakkia laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the Dacian dancer. Years later, the fierce beauty stands before him on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her, an action that may mean his head on the imperial gate. But he and his dragon know one thing: she belongs to them.
Malina can’t believe that the centurion who had once bestowed a secret talisman on her is the Roman general of legendary brutality. His prowess as a warrior cannot be denied, yet they don’t reveal the secret he hides. All Malina knows is his protection and gentle touch. And she cannot deny how her soul has always seemed to answer his.
As they navigate a world where flying deathriders conquer and burn, their love will ignite a firestorm that can only end in heartbreak or death. Or both.”
The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond
This novella is such a great, quick read. If you love the idea of Lady Knights, and traditional dragons that also speak with lots of magic, you will probably love this as well.
Synopsis:
“Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.
A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it's that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.
Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.”
The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker
Release Date: October 7th
They’re keeping pretty mum on the details about this sequel to When the Moon Hatched. We don’t have a cover reveal yet, and the only description says, “Prepare for more danger, magic, romance, and dragons!” Haven’t read book one yet? Check my full review of it here.
Have a most anticipated read you’re looking forward to that’s not on the list? Help the community out and share it below in the comments!
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