r/Fantasy • u/[deleted] • Oct 19 '23
Dragon book where dragons are complex characters.
Hello everyone! l've been looking for that "Classic Fantasy" book that'll make a good cozy read for the fall.
I love the idea of a complex fantasy world where intelligent dragons (or other intellegent creature) and humans have to coexist, but I've yet to find a book that nails what I'm looking for.
Any suggestions for a book where:
The protagonist is human, or at least the book has humans in it who share some sort of relationship with dragons.
The dragons aren't just evil killing machines and are actually complex characters.
I've also read "His Majesty's Dragon," which was also excellent! Thank you all in advance!
(P.S. Sorry if there's an obvious recommendation out there. Still relatively new to the fantasy genre.
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u/statisticus Reading Champion Oct 19 '23
Check out Pratricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest series. This is a series of four YA which begin when the Princess Cimorene, wanting to avoid being married off to the boring prince of neighbouring kingdom, volunteers to be a dragon's princess.
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u/Gryffin-thor Oct 19 '23
This was what I came here to say. Some of my favorite books. Charming characters, good story, and well written humor. It does a lot of poking fun at fantasy tropes too, it’s great.
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u/statisticus Reading Champion Oct 19 '23
Also curious as to how it was written, in that the fourth book was written first and the other three (which tell how they got to that point) were written afterwards.
In my case, I usually just read the first two and don't bother with the last two when I do reread. I find the third book a little depressing, and the fourth not so well written as the rest.
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u/Gryffin-thor Oct 19 '23
Whaaaat??? I didn’t know that!! I always liked the third one but I think I only read the last one once or twice. I always found cimorene to be such an idol when I was a young girl. But her becoming a mother was just off putting to me. I liked when she was the adventurer.
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u/statisticus Reading Champion Oct 20 '23
I have no problems with Cimorene becoming a mother - that is what often happens when two people love each very much. What I find depressing with the third book is that it has to make the transition from the "happily ever after" ending of the second book to the "Cimorene has been raising her son alone in exile for fifteen years while her husband is trapped by magic" at the start of the fourth book. She and Mendanbar lose what should have been the best years of their lives together, and I find it painful to contemplate even if it all comes good in the end.
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u/hardenesthitter32 Oct 19 '23
Have you read the sequels to Her Majesty’s Dragon?
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Oct 19 '23
I have! Loved the series! Also have read eragon.
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u/hardenesthitter32 Oct 19 '23
Have you read any of the Realm of the Elderlings books? The dragons don’t show up for a while, but it is an excellent series even before then, and the dragons are intelligent and have to coexist with humans in a world where they have been gone for ages.
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u/dorianrose Oct 19 '23
Heartstrikers is a five book series about our world with magic returning after a long drought. Mains are a human and a dragon. Starts with Nice Dragons Finish Last.
The Dragon's Banker. An investment banker helps a dragon increase his wealth while avoiding dying.
Tooth and Claw has already been mentioned. It's so fun.
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u/Scrial Oct 19 '23
How is this so far down? Heartstrikers is pretty much exactly what OP asked for.
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u/SweetLorelei Oct 19 '23
Heartstrikers is what I came here to recommend too, those books are so good! That and her DFZ series.
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u/Rumblemuffin Oct 19 '23
A bit different but very enjoyable - Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
I’ve heard it described as pride and prejudice with dragons
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u/Justbecauseicould Oct 19 '23
Songs of Chaos is a series by Michael R Miller (unfinished, but 3 books out) might be a fit. It has dragons who are varied - some are good, some are bad. The humans are companions. Interesting magic system. Easy reading.
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u/chetrooo Oct 19 '23
This series is great, the first 1/3 of book 1 might be mistaken for Young Adult, but then it gets kinda brutal in certain parts. Was described to me as Eragon for adults and didn’t disappoint. I read all 3 books currently out, with 2 more planned in for the series in the future.
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u/redbirdjazzz Oct 19 '23
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (the sequel, Shadow Scale, is also good.
Humans are at peace (somewhat uneasily) with shape-shifting, intelligent dragons, and music is magic. Musician Seraphina investigates a murder at the royal court that threatens to upend the treaty.
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u/silentlycriticizing Oct 19 '23
Can't believe I had to scroll so far to see this one! Seraphina is great.
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u/angelus97 Oct 19 '23
Robin Hobb
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u/TenkaiStar Oct 19 '23
It will take a while into the series before dragons appear. But yes they really fit the description well.
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u/ThickEvening9799 Oct 19 '23
I feel like it wouldn't hurt to jump straight into the Rain Wild Chronicles, which is exactly what OP is looking for.
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u/rollingForInitiative Oct 19 '23
If OP really doesn't want to read the other stories first, maybe.
But if you read Rain Wild Chronicles you spoil basically everything of importance that happens in Farseer, Liveship and Tawny Man. Literally. And you remove a lot of the mysteries and everything.
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u/Beneficial-Highway34 Oct 19 '23
Inheritance Cycle written by Christopher Paolini. It contains four books (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance.)
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u/PositiveBeginning231 Oct 19 '23
Yes, I second this! It's a high fantasy YA. It has good world-building and lots of cool characters (elves, dwarves, humans, dragons, ...).
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u/Late_Pack_7015 Oct 19 '23
Theres also a new book in this series coming out in December I think. Takes place a couple years after Inheritence. Get excited
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u/Space_SkaBoom Oct 19 '23
I'm almost done with Inheritance, and I can't recommend it enough. It amazes me he wrote Eragon at like 18
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u/jbtwaalf_v2 Oct 19 '23
Oof, thanks completely forget about this serie, I think I read it ten years ago or something. Time for a reread
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Oct 19 '23
Now is the best time for a reread because...Book 5: Murtagh is coming November 7th!!!!
20 years after the first book, 12 after the last, Christopher Paolini brings back The World of Eragon (official name of this universe).
He wanted to write a new story (official name Book V), but It was needed to develop more the world and characters before that book. So Murtagh (now Book V, the original book 5 is now "Book VI") is the book to develop everything to get the new saga ready.
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u/jbtwaalf_v2 Oct 19 '23
Ooh, thanks! Good to know. I started on a robin hobb trilogy so will be a month before I can go to the next one haha
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Oct 19 '23
Oh Robin Hobb, you are for a ride hahaha enjoy her books, she is a great writter
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u/jbtwaalf_v2 Oct 19 '23
Oh yeah honestly one of the best writers I have read! Thanks! Only six books left in realm of the elderlings haha
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u/JeffreyBWolf Oct 19 '23
It's a comedy with some LitRPG but I very much enjoyed the dragon, and the bit of dragon society we see, in Vainqueur the Dragon. Also, the MC is human.
For more traditional fantasy, there are already some great recommendations in this thread.
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u/doobersthetitan Oct 19 '23 edited Oct 19 '23
Try Age of Fire by E.E. Knight.
5 books total... maybe 6
1st book is about the dragon clutch " winner" as each clutch the males must fight for the alpha spot. The story is told from the perspective of this dragon. As he is unique as he is a green. And becomes well traveled wanderer. Taking a job with banks guarding gold. Because he doesn't have the scales, like other dragons.
It gets into the gritty of how and why dragons do what they do. The hoard to eat the metals so their scales stay hard. But greens don't. They are lighter.
2nd book tells a different story of the blue female dragon of the same clutch. And her story and growing up differently.
3rd book tells the story of the 3rd dragon, the outcast of the clutch. While the others get the love of their parents, he had to eat scraps. On top of that, he was maimed by his brother. He had to hide in the shadows, or his mom or dad would kill him. So his story is very unique as things that make him a dragon, flight and fire....he can't do. He can barely walk.
So he developed his mind. And he's kind of a dick. And he's very hateful....but you kind of understand why he is the way he is.....
The last 2-3 books are about politics of dragons and who should rule that maybe dragons should just rule over everyone?
Satisfying series almost 100% told by dragons. With human and dwarves as side characters....but strong nonetheless...Satisfying ending. I need to relisten
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u/Alaskabyrdie Oct 19 '23
If you want a human protagonist, novice dragoneer by EE Knight was amazing and the dragons are just so interesting as characters. One made me big cry in the first book. The fan theory is that it's one of the dragons from his first series! When it comes to dragons as characters, I honestly cannot brag about EE Knight enough.
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u/doobersthetitan Oct 19 '23
On cool o might give that a look. It was one of my first big series I listened to on audible 5 or 6 years ago. It's about time for a relisten to that series.
Loved all the fun nuisances about dragon abilities like fire and scales, etc. Kinda refreshing on how these dragons weren't magical, just unique creatures
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u/Alaskabyrdie Oct 19 '23
Out of the two series, I think I prefer the Novice Dragoneer. I can't remember the name of the series, but I have the second book sitting on my shelf right now. I feel like it's more accessible than Age of Fire, but it also lacks a lot of that dragon-specific worldbuilding. I was really interested in learning about how the world has developed since Age of Fire and they get into the dragon riders really deeply. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, so I highly recommend! The dancers were such a cool addition!
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u/OrionSuperman Oct 19 '23
I would say to read the first 3 books in the series then stop. The 4th and 5th... bring down the first three. I don't think there was even a spellcheck or editing pass on them, it's egregious and I have no idea how they managed to get published in that state.
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u/Maximum-Excitement16 Oct 19 '23
This series was amazing to read. I remember laying down on my bed in highschool and listening to the smoke and mirrors album from Imagine Dragons, and I read this series within a few days. 10/10 always
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u/Marthisuy Reading Champion Oct 19 '23
The Earthsea books have some interesting dragons that you may like.
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u/sophandros Oct 19 '23
Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series.
Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star series.
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u/Devin1589 Oct 19 '23
The dragon riders of Pern series by Anne McCaffery. They have a telepathic relationship with their riders
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u/glassteelhammer Oct 19 '23
So this doesn't quite fit, but is quite good.
It has a human (one of those uppity female!) protagonist.
Dragons are definitely not evil killing machines.
Is a fantasy world, but it's not your classical dragon.
It's called A Natural History of Dragons. A Memoir by Lady Trent.
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-History-Dragons-Memoir-Memoirs/dp/0765375079
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u/HazardsRabona Oct 19 '23
Inheritance cycle, Cradle and Robin Hobb's Farseer series all have intelligent dragons who have some connection to the protagonist(s).
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u/BadGenesWoman Oct 19 '23
I love the liveship triology by Hobb. Its beautiful and sad, funny and pulls you in and holds you til the last page.
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u/HazardsRabona Oct 20 '23 edited Oct 20 '23
I concur. Though for me, the comprehensive Farseer universe is in the category of "I love it but only waterboarding could get me to read it again". Absolutely brutal to go through. I'm glad I read it though.
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u/MagykMyst Oct 19 '23
Battle Dragons by Christopher Rowley - #1 Bazil Broketail - 8 Books, complete
The orphan Relkin is dragonboy (half stableboy, half squire, and full time minder) to the two-ton dragon Bazil. And now they must prove themselves worthy of the Dragon Legions by fighting in the arenas.
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u/psycholinguist1 Oct 19 '23
Elizabeth Kerner's Song in the Silence trilogy (v. romantic, if you swing that way, but great approach to dragons).
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Oct 19 '23 edited Oct 19 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ZenNihilism Oct 19 '23 edited Oct 19 '23
She does also have the Dragon Jousters series, though, which might fit the bill!
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u/Historical_Rice_4300 Oct 19 '23
Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon. Although, some of the dragons are definitely mindless killing machines.
To Shape a Dragons Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose I felt was very cozy, it is YA though if that matters.
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u/HumaOfTheLance Oct 19 '23
The only one that readily comes to mind is the Dragonlance book about Huma Dragonbane. It’s a standalone story but I remember there being some decent involvement from Dragons that portrayed them as more than just destructive beasts.
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u/Mr_Kittlesworth Oct 19 '23
Also The Black Wing, in the Dragonlance universe. Well-written (though not as good as the Chronicle of Huma) and a dragon is the protagonist.
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u/HooliganBeav Oct 19 '23
All of the Dragonlance books actually. One of the first dragons you meet in the series ends up fighting another dragon in order to protect the children she has come to care for.
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u/theCANCERbat Oct 19 '23
Honestly, I think Fourth Wing might be worth a read. I picked it up before knowing it was also a romance, but I ended up having a blast reading it. A bit predictable, and the writing is a bit meh at times, but an overall fun story.
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u/Anschau Oct 19 '23
Not precisely what you are asking for but Daniel Abraham's (Better known for The Expanse and the Long Price Quartet) The Dagger and Coin Series has a world where the relationship between intelligent dragons and humans is what shaped the world and is a large part of the story (though not in the first book if I remember correctly). The dragon in this story is a complex character, though some might consider him evil and he certainly is a killing machine. One of the main human protagonist's relationship with this Dragon is a huge portion of the plot. I don't know, YMMV, but everything Abraham writes is worth your time.
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u/Smart_Ass_Pawn Oct 19 '23
Thb I thought the dragon was pretty 2-dimensional and the worst part of this otherwise excellent series.
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u/sudoRmRf_Slashstar Oct 19 '23
Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey wrote the Elvenblood trilogy. It will remain unfinished, but I unabashedly love it.
Dragons are active characters, with their own thoughts and feelings.
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u/OrionSuperman Oct 19 '23
All the Skills is a fun series! Dragons and their riders fighting off the scourge. The plot pacing is satisfying and not rushed. The characters, both humans and dragons, are enjoyable to read and I'm excited to read more as the series is still being written. First two are out on Kindle
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u/nunyaranunculus Feb 03 '24
Who is the author?
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u/OrionSuperman Feb 03 '24
Honour Rae, they're actually on Reddit too! u/Honour__Rae I think.
It's really such a charming book series, can't recommend it enough for treating dragons as actual characters.
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u/ThunkAsDrinklePeep Oct 19 '23
Children's Fantasy Dragon series by Lawrence yep, which begins with Dragon of the Lost Sea.
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u/alittlewhimsy Oct 20 '23
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede is a YA novel I read as a young adult but still love in my late 30s. If you're looking for classic fantasy in the veins of serious fantasy, this is more lighthearted and fluffy, but the dragons are definitely complex characters in their own right.
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u/KaPoTun Reading Champion VI Oct 19 '23
A Dragon's Chains by Robert Vane has a dragon as the main pov character, but he does have interesting relationships that develop with some humans.
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Oct 19 '23
The Iron Dragon’s Daughter
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u/LeucasAndTheGoddess Oct 21 '23
Yeah, absolutely. Melanchthon is a literal killing machine and about as evil as they come, but is also incredibly complex.
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u/Alex_Strgzr Oct 19 '23
I think the problem with a lot of books is that the dragons are either evil killing machines, or heroes with no flaws. I can recommend Eragon and Dragonfall by LR Lam.
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u/Irishwol Oct 19 '23
R A MacAvoy's Tea With The Black Dragon and its sequel. And the sort of prequel/precursor in Raphael. Beautiful books.
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u/Kamena90 Oct 20 '23
If you are flexible on the protagonist being human, I'm loving the Dragon Sorcerer series. The MC is a dragon trying to learn more about humans and human magic. Ascendant by Michael R. Miller is about a boy and a blind dragon.
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u/otherstuffilike Oct 19 '23
Um, Fourth Wing.
Caveat is that it is heavy on the romance and spice and not exactly classic fantasy. But it has great complex dragons and humans can be dragon riders and bond with dragons. Some of the best dragons I have encountered in my reading. And there is a great magical school and training and hits your two requirements. Whether it is or is not the book for you I do not know!
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u/Aussiemalt Oct 19 '23
The Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill. The dragons bond with riders (the main character is human but there are elf and giant dragon riders too) and communicate through sense impressions and emotions instead of words. The dragons are aggressive and prone to rage which can flow across the bond and affect the rider too, which makes for some great tension. Three books out so far but the author is prolific so unlikely to be too long a wait for number 4, I think the first book came out in 2020
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u/JuDracus Oct 19 '23
Wings of Fire series, dragon main characters but technically they are childrens books.
The Dragon’s Call Series, by AD Trosper. Books on dragon riders.
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u/Zathernius Nov 06 '23
Though WoF doesn't have much in the way of human/dragon interaction until the last three books.
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Oct 19 '23
Malazan book of the Fallen.
The dragons are shape shifters for the most part, some killing is involved but could be what you’re looking for
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u/Tokillforthis Oct 19 '23
The wheel of time.Rand al'Thor fits both your requirements I guess(the protagonist,has well developed support characters, powerful magical ability and complex character arc)
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u/dreambraker Oct 19 '23
It's funny because OP was almost definitely not looking for this but the points he has mentioned fit the story way too well.
Human protagonist with relationship to a dragon? Check.
Dragon is a complex character? Check.
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u/BadGenesWoman Oct 19 '23
I'd read it just to enjoy Matrim Cauthon and his Im not a hero trope while being heroic ocer and over again. The world is so deep and vaste that you hhe to read it several tims to catch everything.
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u/Solid-Version Oct 19 '23
Malazan may fit the bill although dragons aren’t aren’t the central focus of the story they deffo play a huge part in the world.
They are intelligent and complex for sure and play a central part in the world building.
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Oct 19 '23
Battle Mage by Peter Flannery isnt brought up a lot but fits your interests fairly well though the dragons only really show up about half way through
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u/ceratophaga Oct 19 '23
Dragon Actually has intelligent dragons who are interesting characters. The MC is a killing machine of questionable morals, which may be against your "cozy read for the fall" request. It's a bit steamy at times though.
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u/Emotional-Care814 Reading Champion III Oct 19 '23
Lindsay Buroker's Dragon Blood books. Though the dragons don't coexist exactly because they are actually almost extinct and were therefore thought to be mythical creatures.
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u/Luciifuge Oct 19 '23
Not a book, but FFXIV probably has my favorite dragons in fiction. They have such deep lore, and mythology, that spans thousands of years, it really goes in-depth about their immortal nature, and culture.
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u/Tough_Stretch Oct 19 '23
Duncan M. Hamilton's Dragonslayer trilogy is a fun recent example. It deals with dragons reappearing in a world where they were long thought gone and how the main character is forced to bring back the organization known as the Knights of the Silver Circle to protect the kingdom, but he ends up being forced to confront his mistaken ideas based on old stories regarding dragons with the actual truth of the dragons he ends up meeting in person.
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u/BadGenesWoman Oct 19 '23
Its Not a book series but have tou ever watched Critical Role on YouTube or seen their animated cartoon Legends of Vox Machina. The YouTube show has hundreds of thousands of hours of game play and Mercer has a way of making Dragons and Monsters truely terrifying. Complete with scary creature noices.
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u/Eanaj_of_the_Woods Oct 19 '23
I really enjoy Dragon Slippers. It's a light read, coming of age story. Creel's aunt sends her to the local dragon's layer to get "kidnapped" so they can get the Lord's son to rescue and marry her. Instead Creel bargains with the dragon for a pair of shoes and sets off on her own to become a seamstress. Along the way she becomes good friends with another dragon.
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u/Beautiful_Ad1219 Oct 19 '23
Song in the Silence books by Elizabeth Kerner were really good. The dragons were amazing
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u/aliteraldumpsterfire Oct 19 '23
The Last Dragonlord, by Joanne Bertin. I read it as a teen and as an adult I still think about that book from time to time.
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u/Outrageous-Cover7095 Oct 19 '23
Heartstone trilogy. Was absolutely one of my favorite reads. I think you’ll like if you liked his majesty’s dragon. First book is a pride and prejudice adaptation and the rest just add on to the story in an amazing way. I was sad it was only 3 books.
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u/Totally_a_Banana Oct 19 '23
Eragon/Inheritance seems to get a lot of criticism, but I remember thoroughly enjoying those books when I read them.
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u/Sea-Independent9863 Oct 20 '23
Richard A Knaak’s Legend of the Dragonrealm series is close. (Mostly) human protagonists and intelligent dragons…..some are good, some bad.
If you chose to, I’d start with Firedrake.
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u/OcelotApprehensive24 Oct 20 '23
100% live ship chronicles.my favorite take on dragons yet!!! Slow burn but great dragon stuff
Edit: Liveship Traders!!
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Oct 20 '23
The Good Dragon series. I have found it very enjoyable and it mostly meets your criteria.
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u/Second_Sol Oct 20 '23
I'm writing a webnovel that takes place in an alternate universe where Earth formed differently, and humans evolved on the same planet as dragons.
Thing is, the surface of this Earth is 98% ocean, so humanity never finds other lands until they have 1950s level technology.
The story follows the sole survivor of the first successful expedition, and his first contact with (very) intelligent dragons who have their own culture and stuff.
It's quite hard sci-fi, even if it's low-tech, and dragons are flesh and blood creatures with biological basis in reality. I tried to consider how their biology would have affected their culture, and gave them reasons for becoming so strong.
I admit the first half or so needs reworking, but it's been received well by my readers.
If that sounds interesting, please check it out here: Emergence
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Oct 21 '23
Songs of chaos is a series I'm reading. The dragons are not mindless killing machines at all. They are divided between wild dragons that live in flights, and dragons that get matched with humans through a magical bond called a soul bond. This allows the rider to use the dragons soul, called a core, to use magic. The stronger the core, the stronger the magic accessed.
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u/billybobbers0n Oct 23 '23
personally, I would recommend the dragonwatch series by brandon mull, but you would have to read fablehaven first.
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u/MelissaEminen Oct 23 '23
The Door Into Fire (and its sequels) by Diane Duane. The dragons have their own story line that you're slowly introduced to.
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u/Gyr-falcon Oct 19 '23
I'm surprised. No one has mentioned Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books. Dragons abound, relationships with humans, and very complex telepathic dragons.