Dreaming of Dragons

Get hooked on some great series featuring these mythical creatures!

The Dragon Quintet edited by Marvin Kaye (Fantasy)
In this stand alone collection, editor Marvin Kaye has brought together new works by five of fantasy's most renowned authors in these stories that celebrate the dragon's power and magic. Orson Scott Card, Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Moon and Michael Swanwick each have a different original tale to weave that features marvelous, mythical dragons. (Note: this story collection is shelved under “Dragon.”)

The Dragon Jousters series by Mercedes Lackey (Fantasy)
Inspired by the culture of ancient Egypt, the legends of Atlantis – and the science of animal behavior and biology, Lackey draws on her extensive knowledge of animals – and her professional background as an avian expert – to create possibly the most exciting, authentic and believable portrayal of dragons ever imagined. In the first novel, Joust, a young slave with no family sees his opportunity for freedom by hatching and taming a dragon of his own. The series continues with Alta, Sanctuary, and Aerie.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin (Fantasy & Young Adult)
The series begins with a young wizard, Ged, who unleashed a great evil while dueling with a classmate at wizard school. This event triggers a journey in which Ged must find a way to fix what he has done, interacting with a host of magical creatures, including dragons. The series continues the story of the Earthsea universe, developing a rich cast of characters and a lush world that fantasy readers have enjoyed for decades now. Although Ms. Le Guin originally imagined a trilogy, the series now contains six titles beginning with A Wizard of Earthsea, and concluding with The Other Wind.

Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin (Fantasy)
Martin weaves a very real world of political intrigue, religious conflict, and supernatural drama. A formidable cast of characters provides us with different viewpoints to move the reader through the epic plot. This series is not for the faint of heart – Martin is willing to kill off main characters and does so regularly. Currently, there are four books in the projected seven book series, the first being A Game of Thrones, followed by A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords and A Feast For Crows.

The Pern Chronicles by Anne McCaffrey (Fantasy & Young Adult)
On the planet Pern, deadly Thread falls from the sky. The planet’s only hope for survival is a fleet of genetically engineered fire-breathing dragons and their telepathic riders who fly up to burn the stuff out of the sky before it reaches the planet’s surface. There are 17 novels in this series and they were not published in chronological order of the plot. The first book in the series is Dragonflight.

The Temeraire Trilogy by Naomi Novik (Fantasy)
This trilogy retells the Napoleonic wars with a fantastic twist. We know that history records battles of land and sea between England and France, but Novik informs us that the history books missed the aerial battles. The first book, His Majesty’s Dragon, introduces us to Captain Laurence of the HMS Reliant whose Naval career ends when he captures a dragon egg from the enemy, and becomes a part of the aerial corps, a group more tolerated than admired. The trilogy continues with Throne of Jade and Black Powder War.

The Inheritance Trilogy by Christopher Paolini (Young Adult)
On a hunting trip, a young boy finds a beautiful blue stone and believes he can sell it to get his family through the winter. But when a tiny dragon emerges from it one night, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a much larger prize. Soon he learns of the dragon legacy of Alagaësia and must decide if he will become a part of it. The first books of the trilogy are Eragon and Eldest.

The Dragon Prince Trilogy by Melanie Rawn (Fantasy)
The good Prince Rohan and his wife, a Sunrunner witch, seek to protect the dragons in a world where dragon-hunting is a common occurrence. As the Prince and Sioned come to power, they face many challenges in their mission to keep the dragons’ secrets. This trilogy begins with Dragon Prince, set before Rohan inherits the throne; continues with The Star Scroll, set during Rohan’s first years of power; and concludes with Sunrunner’s Fire.

The Dragonvald Trilogy by Margaret Weis (Fantasy)
In the world of Dragonvald, an ancient race of dragons has kept apart from the race of men and refrained from meddling in their affairs. Since a renegade dragon, Maristara, seized the human realm of Seth three centuries earlier, Amazonian priestesses with magical powers and the Mistress of Dragons have kept the peace. But evidence that Maristara has indulged in her taste for human flesh means renewed trouble. This series begins with Mistress of Dragons and continues with The Dragon’s Son and Master of Dragons.

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede (Young Adult)
Beginning with Dealing with Dragons, this series is intended for a Young Adult audience but is also enjoyed by adults. The heroine is Princess Cimorene, who refuses to act like a proper princess. In fact, she would rather be housekeeper to a dragon. The four books of the series (ending with Talking to Dragons) take readers through Cimorene’s life, from maiden to mother, and through her many adventures with dragons.

List updated 10/07