![Douris cup Jason Vatican 16545](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Douris_cup_Jason_Vatican_16545.jpg)
This is a list of
dragons in
literature
Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...
. For fictional dragons in other media, see the
list of dragons in popular culture
This is a list of dragons in popular culture. Dragons in some form are nearly universal across cultures and as such have become a staple of modern popular culture, especially in the fantasy genre.
Dragons in fiction
This list of dragons in ...
. For dragons from legends and mythology, see the
list of dragons in mythology and folklore
This is a list of dragons in mythology and folklore.
African dragons
American dragons
European dragons
This is a list of European dragons.
Northeast Asian dragons
Oceanian dragons
South Asian dragons
Southeast Asian ...
.
Before 1900
Antiquity (until fifth century AD)
*
Epic of Gilgamesh
The ''Epic of Gilgamesh'' () is an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia, and is regarded as the earliest surviving notable literature and the second oldest religious text, after the Pyramid Texts. The literary history of Gilgamesh begins with ...
(2150-1400 BCE):
Humbaba
In Ancient Mesopotamian religion, Humbaba ( Assyrian spelling), also spelled Huwawa ( Sumerian spelling) and surnamed ''the Terrible'', was a monstrous giant of immemorial age raised by Utu, the Sun / justice / truth god.
Humbaba was the guardi ...
, a dragon slain by Gilgamesh.
*
Book of Job (5th century BC?):
leviathan
Leviathan (; he, לִוְיָתָן, ) is a sea serpent noted in theology and mythology. It is referenced in several books of the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms, the Book of Job, the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Amos, and, according to some ...
(chapter 41).
*
Apollonius of Rhodes
Apollonius of Rhodes ( grc, Ἀπολλώνιος Ῥόδιος ''Apollṓnios Rhódios''; la, Apollonius Rhodius; fl. first half of 3rd century BC) was an ancient Greek author, best known for the ''Argonautica'', an epic poem about Jason and t ...
, ''
Argonautica
The ''Argonautica'' ( el, Ἀργοναυτικά , translit=Argonautika) is a Greek epic poem written by Apollonius Rhodius in the 3rd century BC. The only surviving Hellenistic epic, the ''Argonautica'' tells the myth of the voyage of Jason ...
'' (3rd century BC): the dragon guarding the golden fleece (Book 2), and the dragon whose teeth can be sown like seed to make an army grow (Book 3).
* Pseudo-Apollodorus, ''
Bibliotheca'' (after 1st century BC): the sea monster Perseus slays to rescue Andromeda, and the dragon guarding the apples of the Hesperides (Book 2).
*
John of Patmos
John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, accordin ...
,
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament (and consequently the final book of the Christian Bible). Its title is derived from the first word of the Koine Greek text: , meaning "unveiling" or "revelation". The Book of ...
(1st century AD):
Satan as a dragon (chapters 12-13, 16:13, 20:2).
Middle Ages
![St George and the Dragon-altar wing-NG-Praha](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/St_George_and_the_Dragon-altar_wing-NG-Praha.jpg)
* ''
Beowulf'' (8th - 11th century): The unnamed dragon from the end of the Old English epic, which dies by the combined efforts of Wiglaf and Beowulf.
* ''Life of Efflamm'' (late 11th-12th century): The dragon defeated by Efflam and
Arthur
Arthur is a common male given name of Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. Another theory, more wi ...
.
*
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth ( la, Galfridus Monemutensis, Galfridus Arturus, cy, Gruffudd ap Arthur, Sieffre o Fynwy; 1095 – 1155) was a British cleric from Monmouth, Wales and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography ...
, ''
Historia Regum Britanniae
''Historia regum Britanniae'' (''The History of the Kings of Britain''), originally called ''De gestis Britonum'' (''On the Deeds of the Britons''), is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. I ...
'' (c.1136): the dragons in the underground lake whose fighting upsets
Uther Pendragon
Uther Pendragon (Brittonic) (; cy, Ythyr Ben Dragwn, Uthyr Pendragon, Uthyr Bendragon), also known as King Uther, was a legendary King of the Britons in sub-Roman Britain (c. 6th century). Uther was also the father of King Arthur.
A few ...
's tower, as revealed by
Merlin.
*
Jacobus de Voragine
Jacobus de Voragine (c. 123013/16 July 1298) was an Italian chronicler and archbishop of Genoa. He was the author, or more accurately the compiler, of the '' Golden Legend'', a collection of the legendary lives of the greater saints of the medi ...
, ''
The Golden Legend
The ''Golden Legend'' (Latin: ''Legenda aurea'' or ''Legenda sanctorum'') is a collection of hagiographies by Jacobus de Voragine that was widely read in late medieval Europe. More than a thousand manuscripts of the text have survived.Hilary ...
'' (c. 1260): the dragon slain by
St. George.
*
Fáfnismál
''Fáfnismál'' (''Fáfnir's sayings'') is an Eddic poem, found in the Codex Regius manuscript. The poem is unnamed in the manuscript, where it follows ''Reginsmál'' and precedes ''Sigrdrífumál'', but modern scholars regard it as a separate poem ...
in the
Poetic Edda
The ''Poetic Edda'' is the modern name for an untitled collection of Old Norse anonymous narrative poems, which is distinct from the ''Prose Edda'' written by Snorri Sturluson. Several versions exist, all primarily of text from the Icelandic med ...
(by 13th century): ''
Fáfnir
In Nordic and wider Germanic mythology, Fáfnir (Old Norse pronunciation: fɑːvnər is a mighty dwarf who is the son of Hreidmar, and brother of Regin and Ótr. Once cursed by Andvari's ring and gold, Fafnir slays his father out of greed ...
''.
*
Völsunga saga
The ''Völsunga saga'' (often referred to in English as the ''Volsunga Saga'' or ''Saga of the Völsungs'') is a legendary saga, a late 13th-century poetic rendition in Old Norse of the origin and decline of the Völsung clan (including the st ...
(late 13th century): ''
Fáfnir
In Nordic and wider Germanic mythology, Fáfnir (Old Norse pronunciation: fɑːvnər is a mighty dwarf who is the son of Hreidmar, and brother of Regin and Ótr. Once cursed by Andvari's ring and gold, Fafnir slays his father out of greed ...
''.
* ''
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' is a late 14th-century chivalric romance in Middle English. The author is unknown; the title was given centuries later. It is one of the best-known Arthurian stories, with its plot combining two types of ...
'' (14th century): The "
worms Worms may refer to:
*Worm, an invertebrate animal with a tube-like body and no limbs
Places
*Worms, Germany
Worms () is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, situated on the Upper Rhine about south-southwest of Frankfurt am Main. It had ...
" Sir Gawain battles.
*
Amadis de Gaula (14th century): ''Endriago'', a monster Amadis battles.
*
Jacques de Longuyon
Jacques de Longuyon of Lorraine is the author of a chanson de geste, '' Les Voeux du paon'' ("The Vows of the Peacock"), written for Thibaut de Bar, bishop of Liège in 1312. It was one of the most popular romances of the 14th century, and intr ...
, ''
Les Voeux du Paon'' (1312):
Melusine
Mélusine () or Melusina is a figure of European folklore, a female spirit of fresh water in a holy well or river. She is usually depicted as a woman who is a serpent or fish from the waist down (much like a lamia or a mermaid). She is als ...
, a beautiful woman who seems faithful but refuses to take communion in church. When confronted, she turns into a dragon and flees. She has been depicted in Russian art of the 18th century as a woman's head on a dragon's body.
Early modern period
*
Edmund Spenser, ''
The Faerie Queene
''The Faerie Queene'' is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. Books IIII were first published in 1590, then republished in 1596 together with books IVVI. ''The Faerie Queene'' is notable for its form: at over 36,000 lines and over 4,000 sta ...
'' (1590): Unnamed dragon slain by Redcrosse knight (Book 1, Canto 11-12).
*
Christopher Marlowe, ''
Doctor Faustus'' (1604): The dragons that draw Faustus's chariot.
*
Marie Catherine d'Aulnoy,
The Green Serpent (1698): A handsome king turned into a green dragon by enchantment.
Nineteenth century
*
Jacob
Jacob (; ; ar, يَعْقُوب, Yaʿqūb; gr, Ἰακώβ, Iakṓb), later given the name Israel, is regarded as a patriarch of the Israelites and is an important figure in Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. J ...
and
Wilhelm Grimm
Wilhelm Carl Grimm (also Karl; 24 February 178616 December 1859) was a German author and anthropologist, and the younger brother of Jacob Grimm, of the literary duo the Brothers Grimm.
Life and work
Wilhelm was born in February 1786 in Hanau, ...
, "
The Two Brothers
The Two Brothers is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm, tale number 60. It is Aarne-Thompson type 303, "The Blood Brothers", with an initial episode of type 567, "The Magic Bird Heart". A similar story, of Sicilian origin, wa ...
" (1812): A seven-headed dragon who demands maidens in one of
Grimm's Fairy Tales
''Grimms' Fairy Tales'', originally known as the ''Children's and Household Tales'' (german: Kinder- und Hausmärchen, lead=yes, ), is a German collection of fairy tales by the Grimm brothers or "Brothers Grimm", Jacob and Wilhelm, first publi ...
.
*
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (; 27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898), better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English author, poet and mathematician. His most notable works are '' Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865) and its sequ ...
, "
Jabberwocky
"Jabberwocky" is a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll about the killing of a creature named "the Jabberwock". It was included in his 1871 novel ''Through the Looking-Glass'', the sequel to '' Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865). The ...
" in ''
Through the Looking-Glass
''Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There'' (also known as ''Alice Through the Looking-Glass'' or simply ''Through the Looking-Glass'') is a novel published on 27 December 1871 (though indicated as 1872) by Lewis Carroll and the ...
'' (1871): The
Jabberwock
"Jabberwocky" is a nonsense poem written by Lewis Carroll about the killing of a creature named "the Jabberwock". It was included in his 1871 novel ''Through the Looking-Glass'', the sequel to ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (1865). The bo ...
, a fearsome dragonlike beast with "jaws that bite", "claws that catch", and "eyes of flame."
*
Richard Wagner, ''
Der Ring des Nibelungen
(''The Ring of the Nibelung''), WWV 86, is a cycle of four German-language epic music dramas composed by Richard Wagner. The works are based loosely on characters from Germanic heroic legend, namely Norse legendary sagas and the '' Nibe ...
'' (1876):
Fafner.
*
William Morris
William Morris (24 March 1834 – 3 October 1896) was a British textile designer, poet, artist, novelist, architectural conservationist, printer, translator and socialist activist associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement. He ...
, ''
The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs
''The Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the Niblungs'' (1876) is an epic poem of over 10,000 lines by William Morris that tells the tragic story, drawn from the Volsunga Saga and the Elder Edda, of the Norse hero Sigmund, his son ...
'' (1877):
Fafnir.
*
Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame ( ; 8 March 1859 – 6 July 1932) was a British writer born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is most famous for ''The Wind in the Willows'' (1908), a classic of children's literature, as well as '' The Reluctant Dragon''. Both books w ...
,
The Reluctant Dragon (1898): A dragon who does not want to act like a dragon.
Twentieth century
By publication date of first installment in a series.
1900s
*
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum (; May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919) was an American author best known for his children's books, particularly ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the ''Oz'' series, plus 41 other novels (not includ ...
,
Land of Oz
The Land of Oz is a fantasy world, magical country introduced in the 1900 children's novel ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by William Wallace Denslow, W. W. Denslow.
Oz consists of four vast quadrants, th ...
series (1900): Dragons appear in ''
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
''Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz'' is the fourth book set in the Land of Oz written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by John R. Neill. It was published on June 18, 1908 and reunites Dorothy Gale with the humbug Wizard from ''The Wonderful Wizard ...
'' (1908), ''
Tik-Tok of Oz
''Tik-Tok of Oz'' is the eighth Land of Oz book written by L. Frank Baum, published on June 19, 1914. The book has little to do with Tik-Tok and is primarily the quest of the Shaggy Man (introduced in ''The Road to Oz'') to rescue his brother, ...
'' (1914), and ''
The Tin Woodman of Oz
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...
'' (1918).
1910s
*
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
, art name , was a Japanese writer active in the Taishō period in Japan. He is regarded as the "father of the Japanese short story", and Japan's premier literary award, the Akutagawa Prize, is named after him. He committed suicide at the age of ...
, "
Dragon: the Old Potter's Tale" (1919): a vague shadowy image which observers believe is a dragon ascending to heaven.
1920s
*
E. Nesbit
Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English writer and poet, who published her books for children as E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 such books. She was also a political activist a ...
, ''
The Last of the Dragons'' (1925): the last dragon on earth, who is tired of being expected to fight a prince for a princess, and becomes the princess's pet instead. Drinks
petrol
Gasoline (; ) or petrol (; ) (see ) is a transparent, petroleum-derived flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines (also known as petrol engines). It consists mostly of organic c ...
("that's what does a dragon good, sir") and, at his own request, is eventually transformed by the king into the first aeroplane.
1930s
*
C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge Univers ...
, ''
The Pilgrim's Regress
''The Pilgrim's Regress'' is a book of allegorical fiction by C. S. Lewis.
This 1933 novel was Lewis's first published work of prose fiction, and his third piece of work to be published and first after he converted to Christianity. It charts th ...
'' (1933): the cold Northern dragon, slain by John, and the hot Southern dragon, slain by Vertue. The Northern dragon is so greedy that his anxiety for his gold hardly lets him sleep. He recalls eating his wife, saying, "worm grows not to dragon till he eats worm", a loose translation of the Latin saying, ''
Serpens, nisi serpentem comederit, non fit draco''. The Guide explains that dragons always live alone because they have become dragons by eating their own kind. Lewis reiterates the notion of cannibalistic dragons in ''
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'' is a high fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1952. It was the third published of seven novels in '' The Chronicles of Narnia'' (1950–1956). Macmillan US published a ...
'' (see below).
*
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (, ; 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer and philologist. He was the author of the high fantasy works ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''.
From 1925 to 1945, Tolkien was the Rawlins ...
, world of
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of much of the English writer J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy. The term is equivalent to the '' Miðgarðr'' of Norse mythology and ''Middangeard'' in Old English works, including ''Beowulf''. Middle-earth is ...
(1937):
**
Glaurung
J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium features dragons based on those of European legend, but going beyond them in having personalities of their own, such as the wily Smaug, who has features of both Fafnir and the ''Beowulf'' dragon. ...
is described as the Father of Dragons in Tolkien's legendarium, and the first of the Urulóki, the Fire-drakes of
Angband (first introduced in ''
The Silmarillion
''The Silmarillion'' () is a collection of myths and stories in varying styles by the English writer J. R. R. Tolkien. It was edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher Tolkien in 1977, assisted by the fantasy author Guy Gavri ...
'', 1977; also appears in''
The Children of Húrin
''The Children of Húrin'' is an epic fantasy novel which forms the completion of a tale by J. R. R. Tolkien. He wrote the original version of the story in the late 1910s, revised it several times later, but did not complete it before his dea ...
'')''.
**
Ancalagon the Black, who is the largest dragon of Middle-Earth (''
The Fellowship of the Ring
''The Fellowship of the Ring'' is the first of three volumes of the epic novel ''The Lord of the Rings'' by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It is followed by '' The Two Towers'' and ''The Return of the King''. It takes place in the ficti ...
'', 1954; ''
The Silmarillion
''The Silmarillion'' () is a collection of myths and stories in varying styles by the English writer J. R. R. Tolkien. It was edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher Tolkien in 1977, assisted by the fantasy author Guy Gavri ...
'', 1977)
**
Scatha the Worm (''
The Return of the King
''The Return of the King'' is the third and final volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's ''The Lord of the Rings'', following '' The Fellowship of the Ring'' and '' The Two Towers''. It was published in 1955. The story begins in the kingdom of Gondor, ...
'', Appendix A.II, 1955)
**
Smaug
Smaug () is a dragon and the main antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's 1937 novel ''The Hobbit'', his treasure and the mountain he lives in being the goal of the quest. Powerful and fearsome, he invaded the Dwarf kingdom of Erebor 150 years prior ...
the Golden (''
The Hobbit
''The Hobbit, or There and Back Again'' is a children's fantasy novel by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the ''N ...
'', 1937): Smaug is a classic, European-type dragon; deeply magical, hoards treasure and burns innocent towns. Contrary to most old folklore and literature, J. R. R. Tolkien's dragons are very intelligent and can cast spells over mortals. See also dragons listed at
Dragon (Middle-earth)
J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium features dragons based on those of European legend, but going beyond them in having personalities of their own, such as the wily Smaug, who has features of both Fafnir and the ''Beowulf'' drago ...
.
1940s
*
Ruth Stiles Gannett
Ruth Stiles Gannett Kahn (born August 12, 1923) is an American children's writer best known for ''My Father's Dragon'' and its two sequels—collectively sometimes called the My Father's Dragon or the Elmer and the Dragons series or trilogy.
Educ ...
, ''
My Father's Dragon'' (1948): a young dragon rescued by a little boy from its abusive animal masters.
*
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (, ; 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer and philologist. He was the author of the high fantasy works ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''.
From 1925 to 1945, Tolkien was the Rawlins ...
, ''
Farmer Giles of Ham
''Farmer Giles of Ham'' is a comic medieval fable written by J. R. R. Tolkien in 1937 and published in 1949. The story describes the encounters between Farmer Giles and a wily dragon named Chrysophylax, and how Giles manages to use these to ...
'' (1949):
Chrysophylax Dives
''Farmer Giles of Ham'' is a comic medieval fable written by J. R. R. Tolkien in 1937 and published in 1949. The story describes the encounters between Farmer Giles and a wily dragon named Chrysophylax, and how Giles manages to use these to ...
.
1950s
*
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein (; July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accu ...
, ''
Between Planets
''Between Planets'' is a juvenile science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, originally serialized in '' Blue Book'' magazine in 1951 as "Planets in Combat". It was published in hardcover that year by Scribner's as part of the ...
'' (1951): the sentient inhabitants of
Venus
Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is sometimes called Earth's "sister" or "twin" planet as it is almost as large and has a similar composition. As an interior planet to Earth, Venus (like Mercury) appears in Earth's sky never f ...
are huge flightless dragons, who are described as highly intelligent with an enormous aptitude for scientific research, who are very warm and friendly to humans. Since humans can't pronounce their real names, they habitually take - while conversing with humans via a special device - the name of a prominent past human scientist (the book's main dragon protagonist calls himself "Sir Isaac Newton").
*
C. S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge Univers ...
, ''
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'' is a high fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1952. It was the third published of seven novels in '' The Chronicles of Narnia'' (1950–1956). Macmillan US published a ...
'' (1952), one of the
Chronicles of Narnia
''The Chronicles of Narnia'' is a series of seven high fantasy novels by British author C. S. Lewis. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes and originally published between 1950 and 1956, ''The Chronicles of Narnia'' has been adapted for radio, telev ...
: The unnamed elderly dragon who dies, and then
Eustace Scrubb
Eustace Clarence Scrubb is a fictional character in C. S. Lewis's ''Chronicles of Narnia''. He appears in ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'', ''The Silver Chair'', and '' The Last Battle''. In ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'', he is accompani ...
, who becomes a dragon by magic when he greedily sleeps on the dragon's hoard. Eustace actually eats much of the dead dragon by instinct; Lewis explains that dragons like to eat other dragons, and are therefore usually alone, echoing his thoughts on dragons in ''
The Pilgrim's Regress
''The Pilgrim's Regress'' is a book of allegorical fiction by C. S. Lewis.
This 1933 novel was Lewis's first published work of prose fiction, and his third piece of work to be published and first after he converted to Christianity. It charts th ...
'' (see above).
*
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury (; August 22, 1920June 5, 2012) was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of modes, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery fictio ...
, "
The Dragon" (1955): set simultaneously in the recent and distant past, the short story features a pair of
knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
s setting out to fight what they think is a dragon. After they are killed by it, it is revealed that the "Dragon" is actually a steam train.
1960s
*
Michael Ende
Michael Andreas Helmuth Ende (12 November 1929 – 28 August 1995) was a German writer of fantasy and children's fiction. He is known for his epic fantasy ''The Neverending Story'' (with its 1980s film adaptation and a 1995 animated television ...
, ''
Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver'' (1960): ''Nepomuk'', half-dragon by birth – his mother was a hippopotamus –, kind and helpful, later on warden of the Magnetic Cliffs. ''Frau Mahlzahn'' (Mrs. Grindtooth): A pure-blood dragon and the main villainess of the story. Very knowledgeable, runs a school for human children in Sorrowland, likes to torment lesser beings with her power.
*
Oliver Postgate
Richard Oliver Postgate (12 April 1925 – 8 December 2008), generally known as Oliver Postgate, was an English animator, puppeteer, and writer. He was the creator and writer of some of Britain's most popular children's television progra ...
and
Peter Firmin
Peter may refer to:
People
* List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name
* Peter (given name)
** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church
* Peter (surname), a su ...
, ''The Ice Dragon'' (1962), one of the books in ''
The Saga of Noggin the Nog'': an ice dragon whom Noggin intends to fight, but instead helps.
*
Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the '' Earthsea'' fantasy series. She was ...
, world of ''
Earthsea
''The Earthsea Cycle'', also known as ''Earthsea'', is a series of high fantasy books written by the American writer Ursula K. Le Guin. Beginning with ''A Wizard of Earthsea'' (1968), '' The Tombs of Atuan'', (1970) and '' The Farthest Shore'' ...
'' (1964): the portrayal of dragons undergoes significant changes from book to book. In the original, they resemble Smaug, with unbounded greed for hoards of precious jewelry; later, they grow in stature and nobility, to become virtual demi-gods who speak the "Language of Creation" as their mother tongue. Later still, it is revealed that they share an ancestry with humanity, and that some rare humans (always women) can change into dragons at will (or they may be considered as dragons who can take human form at will). In contrast to the dragons of C.S. Lewis's fiction, the dragons of Earthsea do not eat each other. Like Tolkien's Smaug, they are susceptible to drowning.
**
Kalessin the creator of the world of Earthsea. (''
The Farthest Shore
''The Farthest Shore'' is a fantasy novel by the American author Ursula K. Le Guin, first published by Atheneum in 1972. It is the third book in the series commonly called the Earthsea Cycle. As the next Earthsea novel, '' Tehanu'', would not b ...
'', 1972)
** Orm, the great dragon who slew and was slain by the legendary Warrior Mage Erreth-Akbe.
** Orm Embar, Orm's descendant, who died battling the evil magician Cob on the eastern shores. (''
The Farthest Shore
''The Farthest Shore'' is a fantasy novel by the American author Ursula K. Le Guin, first published by Atheneum in 1972. It is the third book in the series commonly called the Earthsea Cycle. As the next Earthsea novel, '' Tehanu'', would not b ...
'', 1972)
** Yevaud (''
A Wizard of Earthsea
''A Wizard of Earthsea'' is a fantasy novel written by American author Ursula K. Le Guin and first published by the small press Parnassus in 1968. It is regarded as a classic of children's literature and of fantasy, within which it is widely in ...
'', 1968)
** Orm Irian and Tehanu, each of whom was a dragon in human form who acted as a diplomat between her races.
** various dragons
*
Ruth Manning-Sanders
Ruth Manning-Sanders (21 August 1886 – 12 October 1988) was an English poet and author born in Wales, known for a series of children's books for which she collected and related fairy tales worldwide. She published over 90 books in her lifeti ...
, ''
A Book of Dragons'' (1965): 14
fairy tales about dragons.
*
Anne McCaffrey
Anne Inez McCaffrey (1 April 1926 – 21 November 2011) was an American-Irish writer known for the ''Dragonriders of Pern'' science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, ''Weyr Search'', 19 ...
,
Dragonriders of Pern
''Dragonriders of Pern'' is a science fantasy series written primarily by American author Anne McCaffrey, who initiated it in 1967. Beginning in 2003, her middle child Todd McCaffrey has written Pern novels, both solo and jointly with Anne. ...
series (1967): The (genetically engineered) Dragons of
Pern
''Dragonriders of Pern'' is a science fantasy series written primarily by American author Anne McCaffrey, who initiated it in 1967. Beginning in 2003, her middle child Todd McCaffrey has written Pern novels, both solo and jointly with Anne. ...
.
Dragons
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...
in Pern (genetically modified
fire-lizards, which were Pernese natives) are ridden by "dragonriders" to protect the planet from a deadly threat, the Thread. The dragons include Faranth,
Mnementh,
Ramoth, and
Ruth
Ruth (or its variants) may refer to:
Places
France
* Château de Ruthie, castle in the commune of Aussurucq in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département of France
Switzerland
* Ruth, a hamlet in Cologny
United States
* Ruth, Alabama
* Ruth, Ar ...
.
*
Clifford D. Simak
Clifford Donald Simak (; August 3, 1904 – April 25, 1988) was an American science fiction writer. He won three Hugo Awards and one Nebula Award. The Science Fiction Writers of America made him its third SFWA Grand Master, and the Horror W ...
,
The Goblin Reservation (1968): A beautiful dragon from a previous universe plays a key role in the novel's unexpected denouement.
1970s
*
John Gardner, ''
Grendel'' (1971): Grendel's
omniscient
Omniscience () is the capacity to know everything. In Hinduism, Sikhism and the Abrahamic religions, this is an attribute of God. In Jainism, omniscience is an attribute that any individual can eventually attain. In Buddhism, there are diffe ...
advisor, revealing to Grendel the meaning of the universe, and enchanting Grendel to be impervious to man-made weapons. (Based on the unnamed dragon from
Beowulf.)
*
Astrid Lindgren, ''
The Brothers Lionheart'' (1973):
Katla.
*
Gerald Durrell
Gerald Malcolm Durrell, (7 January 1925 – 30 January 1995) was a British naturalist, writer, zookeeper, conservationist, and television presenter. He founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo on the Channel Island o ...
, ''The Talking Parcel'' (1974): Tabitha, last remaining dragon and Keeper of the Eggs.
*
Gordon R. Dickson
Gordon Rupert Dickson (November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was a Canadian-American science fiction writer. He was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2000.
Biography
Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
, ''
Dragon Knight'' series (1976):
** Bryagh, a major character. (''
The Dragon and The George'', 1976)
** Jim Eckert, main character in the series: reluctant knight and magician, part-time dragon and ''de facto'' member of the Cliffside dragons
** Gorbash, major character in ''
The Dragon and The George'' novel and minor character in the rest of the series: largest dragon of the Cliffside dragons, grandnephew of Smrgol
** Secoh, major character in the series: a member of the Mere-Dragon clan, which have become diminutive as the result of a blight
** Smrgol, major character in ''
The Dragon and The George'' novel: an elderly and respected member of the Cliffside dragons and the paternal granduncle of Gorbash
** Various other dragons.
*
Piers Anthony
Piers Anthony Dillingham Jacob (born 6 August 1934) is an American author in the science fiction and Fantasy (genre), fantasy genres, publishing under the name Piers Anthony. He is best known for his :Xanth books, long-running novel series set in ...
, ''
Xanth
Xanth ( ) is a series of novels by author Piers Anthony, also known as ''The Magic of Xanth''.
Anthony originally intended for Xanth to be a trilogy, but a devoted fan base persuaded the author to continue writing the series, which is now open-en ...
'' novels (1977): Stanley Steamer, the Gap Dragon; and Stella Steamer, Stanley Steamer's female counterpart.
*
Diana Wynne Jones
Diana Wynne Jones (16 August 1934 – 26 March 2011) was a British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, and short story writer. She principally wrote fantasy and speculative fiction novels for children and young adults. Although usually d ...
, ''
Charmed Life'' (1977):
Chrestomanci
''Chrestomanci'', sometimes branded ''The Worlds of Chrestomanci'', is a heptalogy of children's fantasy books written by British author Diana Wynne Jones, published from 1977 to 2006. In the context of the Parallel universe (fiction), parallel ...
's pet dragon (rescued from poachers who killed its mother).
*
Robert Asprin
Robert Lynn Asprin (June 28, 1946 – May 22, 2008) was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, known best for his humorous series '' MythAdventures'' and '' Phule's Company''.
Background
Robert Asprin was born in St. J ...
, ''
MythAdventures
''MythAdventures'' or ''Myth Adventures'' is a fantasy series created by Robert Lynn Asprin. After twelve novels by Asprin, published 1978 to 2002, he and Jody Lynn Nye continued the series with seven more books. After his death in May 2008, she ...
'' series (1978):
Gleep
GLEEP, which stood for Graphite Low Energy Experimental Pile, was a long-lived experimental nuclear reactor in Oxfordshire, England. Run for the first time on August 15, 1947, it was the first reactor to operate in western Europe.
It was built at ...
.
*
Michael Ende
Michael Andreas Helmuth Ende (12 November 1929 – 28 August 1995) was a German writer of fantasy and children's fiction. He is known for his epic fantasy ''The Neverending Story'' (with its 1980s film adaptation and a 1995 animated television ...
, ''
The Neverending Story
''The Neverending Story'' (german: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende, published in 1979. The first English translation, by Ralph Manheim, was published in 1983. The novel was later adapted into several ...
'' (1979): ''Falkor'' (''Fuchur'' in the original German version), the
luckdragon, and ''Smerg'', an evil dragon.
*
Robert Don Hughes, ''
Pelmen the Powershaper'' series (1979–1985): Vicia-Heinox, the two-headed dragon.
1980s
*
Robert Munsch
Robert Norman Munsch (born June 11, 1945) is an American-Canadian children's author.
Personal life and career
Robert Munsch was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1945. He grew up in a family of 9 children. He graduated from Fordha ...
, ''
The Paper Bag Princess'' (1980): A dragon who destroys Princess Elizabeth's kingdom and kidnaps her beloved Prince Ronald. Princess Elizabeth defeats the dragon by getting him to show off his full skills, exhausting him.
*
David and Leigh Eddings, ''
The Belgariad
''The Belgariad'' is a five-book fantasy epic written by David Eddings, following the journey of protagonist Garion and his companions, first to recover a sacred stone, and later to use it against antagonist Torak. It was a bestseller from the fir ...
'' (1982) and ''
The Malloreon
The Malloreon is a five-part fantasy book series written by David Eddings, which follows '' The Belgariad''. The Malloreon is set in the same world as The Belgariad, but expands on several aspects of the setting, especially the eastern continent ...
'' series (1988): Unnamed dragons. There used to be three: two males and one female but the males killed each other in the first mating season leaving the female alone for millennia.
*
Raymond E Feist,
Riftwar
''The Riftwar Cycle'' is the name given to the series of books authored or co-authored by Raymond E. Feist that revolve around the fantasy worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan.
The Riftwar Universe
The majority of Feist's works are part of The Riftw ...
trilogy (1982–1986): Rhuagh, Ryath, Shuruga and others.
*
Laurence Yep
Laurence Michael Yep (; born June 14, 1948) is an American writer. He is known for his children's books, having won the Newbery Honor twice for his ''Golden Mountain'' series. In 2005, he received the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his ...
,
Dragon series (1982–1992): Shimmer the dragon princess.
*
Jane Yolen
Jane Hyatt Yolen (born February 11, 1939) is an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, and children's books. She is the author or editor of more than 350 books, of which the best known is ''The Devil's Arithmetic'', a Holocaust novella. He ...
, ''
The Pit Dragon Trilogy'' series (1982–2009): Heart's Blood and several others.
*
Terry Brooks
Terence Dean Brooks (born January 8, 1944) is an American writer of fantasy fiction. He writes mainly epic fantasy, and has also written two film novelizations. He has written 23 ''New York Times'' bestsellers during his writing career, and ha ...
, ''
Magic Kingdom of Landover
The ''Magic Kingdom of Landover'' series is a series of six fantasy novels by Terry Brooks following the adventures of a former trial lawyer named Ben Holiday and the collection of friends and enemies that he encounters when he purchases a magica ...
'' novels (1986): Strabo.
*
R. A. MacAvoy, ''Tea with the Black Dragon'' (1983) and ''Twisting the Rope'' (1986): Mayland Long, who used to be a
Chinese dragon
The Chinese dragon, also known as ''loong'', ''long'' or ''lung'', is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most ...
.
*
Alan Dean Foster
Alan Dean Foster (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction. He has written several book series, more than 20 standalone novels, and many novelizations of film scripts.
Career ''Star Wars''
Foster was the ghost ...
,
Spellsinger series (1983–1994): Falameezar-aziz-Sulmonmee, a friendly
Marxist dragon.
*
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John Pratchett (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English humourist, satirist, and author of fantasy novels, especially comical works. He is best known for his '' Discworld'' series of 41 novels.
Pratchett's first no ...
, ''
Discworld
''Discworld'' is a comic fantasy"Humorous Fantasy" in David Pringle, ed., ''The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Fantasy'' (pp.31-33). London, Carlton,2006. book series written by the English author Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld, a flat ...
'' novels (1983), notably ''
The Colour of Magic
''The Colour of Magic'' is a 1983 fantasy comedy novel by Terry Pratchett, and is the first book of the ''Discworld'' series. The first printing of the British edition consisted of only 506 copies. Pratchett has described it as "an attempt to ...
'' (1983) and ''
Guards! Guards!
''Guards! Guards!'' is a fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, the eighth in the '' Discworld'' series, first published in 1989. It is the first novel about the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. The first ''Discworld'' point-and-click adventu ...
'' (1989): Errol, Ninereeds and other dragons. Pratchett's Discworld novels describe two types of dragons: Noble Dragons (''Draco Nobilis'') which are typical European-type dragons, which are extinct by the time the books take place but can be summoned by magic or created with a lot of magic and imagination; and the Swamp Dragons (''Draco Vulgaris''), which are the size of small dogs, bred as pets, and, due to their complex, fire-producing anatomy, have a tendency to self-destruct.
*
Steven Brust,
Vlad Taltos novels (1983–present):
jheregs, tiny dragon-like creatures, and dragons, huge reptiles that cannot breathe fire but have tentacles that pick up psychic impressions.
*
Steven Brust, ''
To Reign in Hell
''To Reign in Hell'' is a 1984 fantasy novel by American writer Steven Brust. It deals with the revolt of angels in Heaven from a point of view that casts Satan as a sympathetic protagonist. The novel appears to be heavily influenced by J ...
'' (1984):
Belial
Belial ( he, , ''Bəlīyyaʿal'') is a term occurring in the Hebrew Bible/ Old Testament which later became personified as the devilSee the reference to "Beliar" in ''The Ascension of Isaiah'', at EarlyChristianWritings.com', specifically at ...
, one of the Firstborn angels, takes the form of a colossal, insane dragon living beneath a volcanic mountain range.
*
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman (born November 26, 1955) is an American fantasy author. He wrote the ''Dragonlance'' novels with Margaret Weis. He also wrote role playing game material while working for TSR and has cowritten novels with his wife, Laura Hick ...
, and
Margaret Weis
Margaret Edith Weis (; born March 16, 1948) is an American fantasy and science fiction author, of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the ''Dragonlance'' role-playing game (RPG) world. She is ...
,
Dragonlance
''Dragonlance'' is a shared universe created by Laura Hickman, Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived ''Dragonlance'' whil ...
universe (1984): Cyan Bloodbane, a green dragon;
Khisanth,
Skie,
Malystryx, Pyros, Flamestrike, Silvara, Khirsah — among others
*
Robin McKinley
Robin McKinley (born November 16, 1952) is an American author best known for her fantasy novels and fairy tale retellings. Her 1984 novel ''The Hero and the Crown'' won the Newbery Medal as the year's best new American children's book. In 2022 ...
, ''
The Hero and the Crown'' (1984): numerous small dragons, which cannot speak, and the huge, sentient dragon Maur, which is a malevolent force even after death.
*
Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly (born August 28, 1951) is an American novelist and screenwriter within the genres of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and historical fiction. She is the author of the bestselling Benjamin January mystery series featuring a fre ...
, ''
Dragonsbane'' (1985): Morkeleb, the black dragon around whom revolves the plot.
*
Paul Edwin Zimmer
Paul Edwin Zimmer (16 October 1943 – 18 October 1997) was an American poet and author.
He was also an accomplished swordsman and founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. His sister Marion Zimmer Bradley was also a science ...
,
A Gathering of Heroes (1987), part of the Dark Border series: Komanthodel, the ancient evil dragon.
*
Melanie Rawn
Melanie Rawn (born 1954) is an American author of fantasy literature. She received a BA in history from Scripps College and worked as a teacher and editor before becoming a writer.
She has been nominated for a Locus award on three occasions: in ...
, the
Dragon Prince series
The ''Dragon Prince'' and ''Dragon Star'' trilogies comprise six connected fantasy novels written by Melanie Rawn. The ''Dragon Prince'' trilogy focuses on Prince Rohan of the Desert and his Sunrunner wife, Sioned, while the ''Dragon Star'' trilo ...
(1985–1994):
**
Azhdeen, a dragon belonging to
Pol.
**
Elisel, a dragon belonging to the
Sunrunner Sioned.
** Various unnamed dragons.
*
Stephen King, ''
The Eyes of the Dragon
''The Eyes of the Dragon'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Stephen King, first published as a limited edition slipcased hardcover by Philtrum Press in 1984, illustrated by Kenneth R. Linkhauser. The novel would later be published for th ...
'' (1987): Niner, the dragon that Roland killed. Its head is mounted on the wall of his sitting room.
*
Donn Kushner
Donn Jean Kushner (March 29, 1927 – September 15, 2001) was an American-born Canadian scientist and writer. He taught biology at the University of Ottawa and Toronto from 1965 to 1992 and authored both adult and children's books, some of whic ...
, A Book Dragon (1987): Nonesuch, the last in a long line of dragons, learns to adapt as humans become more prevalent in the world. He survives through his unusual ability to change size.
*
Lucius Shepard
Lucius Shepard (August 21, 1943 – March 18, 2014) was an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leaned into other genres, such as magical realism.
Career
Shepard was a native of Lynchburg, Virginia where ...
, stories (e.g., ''The Man Who Painted the Dragon Griaule'', 1984; ''The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter'', 1988): Griaule, a gigantic dragon, paralyzed and moribund yet still capable of casting a baleful influence.
*
Martin Baynton
Martin Baynton is a British author, illustrator, and TV producer now living in New Zealand. His children's book Jane and the Dragon (1988), has become a modern classic which has since been adapted for television and produced by Weta Workshop and ...
, ''
Jane and the Dragon'' (children's book series, 1988, later adapted into a
TV show): features a twist on the conventional tale, with a friendly and chatty dragon who befriends a teenage girl training to be a knight.
*
R.A. Salvatore, novels set in the
Forgotten Realms
''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the '' Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as ...
(1988–present):
** ''
Icewind Dale Trilogy
''The Icewind Dale Trilogy'' is a trilogy of epic fantasy novels by the American writer R.A. Salvatore. The books are ''The Crystal Shard'', '' Streams of Silver'' and ''The Halfling's Gem''. They tell the tale of ranger Drizzt Do'Urden the dro ...
'' (1988–1990): Ingeloakastimizilian, also known as Icingdeath, is a White Frost Dragon who fights Drizzt Do'Urden and Wulfgar.
** ''Streams of Silver'' (1989): Shimmergloom the shadow dragon is mentioned.
** ''Sojourn'' (1991), ''Servant of the Shard'' (2000): Hephaestus the red dragon is a minor character.
*
Tad Williams
Robert Paul "Tad" Williams (born March 14, 1957) is an American fantasy and science fiction writer. He is the author of the multivolume '' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn'' series, '' Otherland'' series, and '' Shadowmarch'' series as well as the stan ...
, the ''
Memory, Sorrow and Thorn'' series (1988–1993): Igjarjuk, the ice dragon. (''
The Dragonbone Chair
''The Dragonbone Chair'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Tad Williams, the first in his ''Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn'' trilogy. The saga follows a young man named Simon as he is caught up in an epic adventure.
Plot introduction
The story ...
'', 1988)
*
Susan Fletcher, ''The Dragon Chronicles'' novels (1989–1996): Byrn, Pyro, Embyr, Synge, and others.
*
Gary Gentile
Gary Gentile (born 1946) is an American author and pioneering technical diver.
Diving
Gary Gentile is a wreck diver. It has been suggested that Gary Gentile may be the most experienced wreck diver in the world. He has dived on the wreck of the ...
, ''A Time For Dragons'' (1989), ''Dragons Past'' (1990), and ''No Future For Dragons'' (1990): Various dragons.
*
Rick Cook, Wizard's Bane (1989), LRD, little red dragon guards the compiler book.
*
Jean Marzollo, ''Baby Unicorn and Baby Dragon'' (1989): A young dragon named Moon to match the crescent mark on his head. Became a great friend of Star after the Eight-Horn Friendship Spell in the prequel ''The Baby Unicorn''.
1990s
*
Patricia C. Wrede, ''
Enchanted Forest Chronicles
The ''Enchanted Forest Chronicles'' is a series of four young adult fantasy novels by Patricia C. Wrede titled '' Dealing with Dragons'', '' Searching for Dragons'', '' Calling on Dragons'', and '' Talking to Dragons''. Additionally, the '' Book o ...
'' series (1990–1993): Various dragons.
*
Jackie French Koller, "The Dragonling" series (1990–1998): Zantor and various other dragons
*
Robert Jordan
James Oliver Rigney Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007), better known by his pen name Robert Jordan," Robert Jordan" was the name of the protagonist in the 1940 Hemingway novel ''For Whom the Bell Tolls'', though this is not how the n ...
, ''
The Wheel of Time
''The Wheel of Time'' is a series of high fantasy novels by American author Robert Jordan, with Brandon Sanderson as a co-author for the final three novels. Originally planned as a six-book series, ''The Wheel of Time'' spans 14 volumes, in ad ...
'' series (1990–2011): A depiction of a
Chinese dragon
The Chinese dragon, also known as ''loong'', ''long'' or ''lung'', is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most ...
as the sigil of ''the Dragon'', Lews Therin Telamon.
*
Christopher Rowley
Christopher Rowley (born 1948) is an American writer specializing in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He is also a former journalist and television screenswriter.
Christopher Rowley was born in 1948 in Lynn, Massachusetts, to an Ameri ...
,
Bazil Broketail
''Bazil Broketail'' is a 1992 fantasy novel by author Christopher Rowley, the name of its main character, and the name of the further series of books featuring him. Bazil is a leatherback dragon
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature tha ...
book series (1992–1999): Bazil Broketail and many others.
*
Bruce Coville
Bruce Farrington Coville (, born May 16, 1950) is an author of young adult fiction. Coville was first published in 1977 and has written over 100 books.
Biography
Coville was born on May 16, 1950, in Syracuse, New York, where he resided . Br ...
, ''
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher'' (1992): Tiamat.
*
Andrzej Sapkowski
Andrzej Sapkowski (; born 21 June 1948) is a Polish fantasy writer, essayist, translator and a trained economist. He is best known for his six-volume series of books '' The Witcher'', which revolves around the eponymous "witcher," a monster-hun ...
,
The Witcher
''The Witcher'' ( pl, Wiedźmin ) is a series of six fantasy novels and 15 short stories written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series revolves around the eponymous "witcher", Geralt of Rivia. In Sapkowski's works, "witchers" are be ...
series (''Sword of Destiny'' novel, 1992): Villentretenmerth, the golden dragon - intelligent shape-shifting creature, the only dragon among others (green, black, red and white) that can tolerate humans and even take their form. Also known as Borch Three Jackdaws in his human form.
* Tamora Pierce,
The Immortals quartet (1992–1996): Skysong, as well as Flamewing, Wingstar, Diamondflame, Icefall, Steelsings, Jadewing, Jewelclaw, Moonwind, Rainbow and Riverwind.
*
Dick King-Smith
Ronald Gordon King-Smith OBE (27 March 1922 – 4 January 2011), was an English writer of children's books, primarily using the pen name Dick King-Smith. He is best known for ''The Sheep-Pig'' (1983). It was adapted as the movie ''Babe'' (1995 ...
, ''
Dragon Boy'' (1993), Albertina, Montague, and Lucky Bunsen-Burner, Gerald Fire-Drake and his family
*
R.A. Salvatore, ''The Spearwielder's Tale'' trilogy (1993–1995): Robert (also known as Robert the Wretched), the antagonist.
*
Terry Goodkind
Terry Lee Goodkind (January 11, 1948September 17, 2020) was an American writer. He was known for the epic fantasy series ''The Sword of Truth'' as well as the contemporary suspense novel ''The Law of Nines'' (2009), which has ties to his fantasy ...
,
The Sword of Truth
''The Sword of Truth'' is a series of twenty-one epic fantasy novels and 6 novellas written by Terry Goodkind. The books follow the protagonists Richard Cypher, Kahlan Amnell, Nicci, Cara, and Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander on their quest to defeat op ...
(1994):
Scarlet, the red dragon
Gregory, Scarlet's hatchling that Richard saves in Book One.
*
Bruce Coville
Bruce Farrington Coville (, born May 16, 1950) is an author of young adult fiction. Coville was first published in 1977 and has written over 100 books.
Biography
Coville was born on May 16, 1950, in Syracuse, New York, where he resided . Br ...
, the series
The Unicorn Chronicles (1994): ''Ebillan'' and ''Firethroat'', dragons.
*
Daniel Hood,
Fanuilh series of books (1994–2000): Fanuilh, a miniature dragon and
familiar
In European folklore of the medieval and early modern periods, familiars (sometimes referred to as familiar spirits) were believed to be supernatural entities that would assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to r ...
.
*
Harlan Ellison and
Robert Silverberg
Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is an American author and editor, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Gr ...
, "
The Dragon on the Bookshelf" (1995): Urnikh.
*
Robin Hobb, ''
Realm of the Elderlings
This is a complete list of works by American author Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, who writes under the pen names Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb.
Writing as Megan Lindholm Novels
Short fiction
Writing as Robin Hobb
Novels
Short fiction
...
'' series (1995): dragons and humans coexisted in the distant past. Their essences became mixed in some cases, producing scaled humans referred to as Elderlings, or small, rubbery-skinned dragons, called "Others" and treated as abominations. Humans carved living dragon statues out of special living stone; these statues were later used as a weapon against the Outislanders by King Verity Farseer of the Six Duchies.
** Hobb's dragons would begin life as
sea serpent
A sea serpent or sea dragon is a type of dragon sea monster described in various mythologies, most notably Mesopotamian (Tiamat), Judaeo-Christian (Leviathan), Greek (Cetus, Echidna, Hydra, Scylla), and Norse (Jörmungandr).
Mythology and fo ...
s, who would swim upriver to a special beach where they would cocoon themselves and hatch as dragons the next year. After a natural disaster changed the shape of the land, the serpents could no longer find their cocooning grounds and remained in the sea, as the cataclysm wiped out all but two of the dragons.
*
Graham Edwards, the ''
Ultimate Dragon Saga'' trilogy (1995–1997): Cumber, Fortune, Wraith and many other dragon characters.
*
Frank E. Peretti,
''The Oath'' (1995): Giant, silver, unnamed dragon; a pact was made with this demonic creature by the citizens of a mining town in the northwest
*
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...
, ''
A Song of Ice and Fire'' series (1996–present), and the CCG based on the books: Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal, the dragons hatched by Daenerys Targaryen. Also, Balerion the Black Dread, Meraxes and Vhaghar, ridden by Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters in the conquest of Westeros.
*
Cornelia Funke
Cornelia Maria Funke () (born 10 December 1958) is a German author of children's fiction. Born in Dorsten, North Rhine-Westphalia, she began her career as a social worker before becoming a book illustrator. She began writing novels in the late 19 ...
, ''
Dragon Rider'' (1997): Firedrake, Slatebeard, Maia, Shimmertail and several unnamed dragons. The cannibal Nettlebrand from the same book may also be considered a dragon due to his appearance.
*
Elizabeth Kerner, ''Song in the Silence'' (1997): the Kantri, a society of telepathic dragons, including Akhor, the king; Shikrar, his soulfriend; Kedra and Mirazhe, the first new parents in centuries, and Idai, and old and wise admirer of Akhor.
*
J. K. Rowling
Joanne Rowling ( "rolling"; born 31 July 1965), also known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote ''Harry Potter'', a seven-volume children's fantasy series published from 1997 to 2007. The ser ...
, "Harry Potter" series (1997–2007): Various dragons (including Norwegian Ridgebacks, Hungarian Horntails, Swedish Short-Snouts, Common Welsh Greens, Hebridean Blacks, and a Chinese Fireball - see
magical creatures in Harry Potter
Magical creatures are an aspect of the fictional Wizarding World contained in the ''Harry Potter'' series and connected media, all created by British author J. K. Rowling. Throughout the seven main books of the series, Harry and his friends en ...
). Dragons are mentioned throughout the ''
Harry Potter'' books and a baby dragon appears in the first installment and dragons later play a significant role in the fourth and seventh. They are portrayed as having strong magic (even in their blood), but they do not exhibit any hints of intelligence or
self-awareness. Within the series, dragons are considered very dangerous by most characters (
Rubeus Hagrid
Rubeus Hagrid () is a fictional character in the ''Harry Potter'' book series written by J. K. Rowling. He is introduced in '' Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' as a half-giant and half-human who is the gamekeeper and Keeper of K ...
being a notable exception) and private ownership of dragons is illegal.
**
Norbert
Norbert is a Germanic given name, from '' nord'' "north" and ''berht'' "bright". Norbert is also occasionally found as a surname.
People with the given name
Academia
* Norbert Angermann (born 1936), German historian
* Norbert A’Campo (born 19 ...
,
Hagrid's baby dragon, in ''
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'' is a 1997 fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling. The first novel in the ''Harry Potter'' series and Rowling's debut novel, it follows Harry Potter (character), Harry Potter, a youn ...
''
** Hungarian Horntail, Welsh Green, Swedish Short-snout, and Chinese Fireball in ''
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''
** Ukrainian Ironbelly that guards some of the deepest vaults of
Gringotts
J. K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter'' universe contains numerous settings for the events in her fantasy novels. These locations are categorised as a dwelling, school, shopping district, or government-affiliated locale.
Dwellings
The Burrow
The We ...
in ''
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows''
*
T. A. Barron
Thomas Archibald Barron (born March 26, 1952) is an American writer of fantasy literature, books for children and young adults, and nature books.
Biography
Barron spent his early childhood in Harvard, Massachusetts, a town full of apple orcha ...
, ''The Fires of Merlin'' (1998), ''The Mirror of Merlin'', and ''The Wings of Merlin'': Valdearg the Wings of Fire and his daughter Gwynnia (named after
Tiamat
In Mesopotamian religion, Tiamat ( akk, or , grc, Θαλάττη, Thaláttē) is a primordial goddess of the sea, mating with Abzû, the god of the groundwater, to produce younger gods. She is the symbol of the chaos of primordial crea ...
).
*
Anne Bishop
Anne Bishop is an American fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, wh ...
, ''
Black Jewels Trilogy'' (1998): Lorn, Prince of Dragons and Keeper of the Knowledge of the Blood, Race that created the Race of the Blood and Bestower of the Blood Jewels.
*
Joanne Bertin, ''
Dragon and Phoenix'' (1999): Kelder Orolin, Linden Rathan and other dragonlords (or weredragons) in ''
The Last Dragonlord'' (1998) and Minue (a water dragon).
*
Christopher Golden, ''Strangewood'' (1999): Fiddlestick, a small musically emotive dragon.
*
James Clemens, the series ''
The Banned and the Banished'' (1999): Various dragons:
** Ragnar'k, the stone dragon of A'loa Glen
** Conch and others, seadragons bonded to the Mer'ai
*
Steven Erikson, the
Malazan Book of the Fallen
''Malazan Book of the Fallen'' is a series of epic fantasy novels written by the Canadian author Steven Erikson. The series, published by Bantam Books in the U.K. and Tor Books in the U.S., consists of ten volumes, beginning with '' Gardens of ...
series (1999–present):
Soletaken and
Warren
A warren is a network of wild rodent or lagomorph, typically rabbit burrows. Domestic warrens are artificial, enclosed establishment of animal husbandry dedicated to the raising of rabbits for meat and fur. The term evolved from the medieval A ...
-ruling dragons.
*
Harry Turtledove
Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14, 1949) is an American author who is best known for his work in the genres of alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery fiction. He is a student of history and completed hi ...
,
Darkness
Darkness, the direct opposite of lightness, is defined as a lack of illumination, an absence of visible light, or a surface that absorbs light, such as black or brown.
Human vision is unable to distinguish colors in conditions of very low ...
series (1999): in this magical analogue of the
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...
, the dragons are beasts, highly pugnacious and under complete human control. In the storyline they are the analogue of
fighter planes
Fighter aircraft are fixed-wing military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat. In military conflict, the role of fighter aircraft is to establish air superiority of the battlespace. Domination of the airspace above a battlefield ...
and dragon riders are obviously intended to represent fighter pilots of the
Luftwaffe
The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...
and the
RAF
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
.
*
Jeffrey A. Carver, science fiction novels set in the
Star Rigger Universe: ''Dragons in the Stars'' (1992) and ''Dragon Rigger'' (1993); dragons live in the hyperdimensional "Flux" of interstellar space.
Twenty-first century
By publication date of first installment in a series.
2000s
*
Chris d'Lacey, "The Last Dragon Chronicles" series, starting with ''The Fire Within'' (2001): Gadzooks, G'reth, Gretel, Gawain, and other dragons. These dragons are made of clay and brought to life by the fire/essence (known as the "auma") of one of Earth's last true Dragons, called Gawain. It is possible that Gawain's line might rise to full draconicity as a result of the actions taken by the student David Rain, his girlfriend the
sibyl
The sibyls (, singular ) were prophetesses or oracles in Ancient Greece.
The sibyls prophesied at holy sites.
A sibyl at Delphi has been dated to as early as the eleventh century BC by PausaniasPausanias 10.12.1 when he described local tradi ...
Zanna, the clayworkers Liz and Lucy Pennykettle, scientist Anders Bergstrom, and the witch Gwillanna.
*
Cressida Cowell
Cressida Cowell FRSL (born 15 April 1966) is a British children's author, popularly known for the book series, '' How to Train Your Dragon'', which has subsequently become an award-winning franchise as adapted for the screen by DreamWorks Ani ...
,
How to Train Your Dragon
''How to Train Your Dragon'' (abbreviated ''HTTYD'') is an American media franchise from DreamWorks Animation and loosely based on the eponymous series of children's books by British author Cressida Cowell. It consists of three feature films: ' ...
series (2003)
*
Emily Rodda, ''
Deltora Quests third installment (2000–2004): Dragons are portrayed as very intelligent and proud; as being divided into seven distinct
tribe
The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in part due to confli ...
s; as having the capacity to reproduce by
parthenogenesis
Parthenogenesis (; from the Greek grc, παρθένος, translit=parthénos, lit=virgin, label=none + grc, γένεσις, translit=génesis, lit=creation, label=none) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which growth and developmen ...
; and as each having a virtue to which it adheres, such as Strength, Honor, Luck, Faith, Hope, Joy, and Truth.
*
Emily Rodda,
Deltora Quest 3
''Deltora Quest 3'' (known in North America as ''Dragons of Deltora'') is a series of children's fantasy books, written by Australian author Emily Rodda. It follows the adventures of three companions, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine, as they journey a ...
(2000–2004): The various Gem Dragons.
*
Neal Asher
Neal Asher (born 4 February 1961) is an English science fiction writer. He lives near Chelmsford.
Career
Both of Asher's parents are educators and science fiction fans. Although he began writing speculative fiction in secondary school, he did ...
, several books (e.g., ''
Gridlinked
''Gridlinked'' is a science fiction novel by British writer Neal Asher. His first novel, it was published by the Macmillan Publishers imprint Pan Books in 2001. It contains elements of the technological inventiveness of hard science-fiction wi ...
'', 2001): The entity Dragon.
*
Robin Hobb, ''The Tawny Man'' trilogy (2002–2003): Icefyre and Tintaglia, the last remaining dragons; and ''The Rain Wild Chronicles'' (2009–2013): Various dragons
*
Christopher Paolini
Christopher James Paolini (born November 17, 1983) is an American author and screenwriter. He is best known for '' The Inheritance Cycle'', which consists of the books '' Eragon'', ''Eldest'', '' Brisingr'', ''Inheritance'', and the follow up sho ...
, the ''
Inheritance Cycle
''The Inheritance Cycle'' is a tetralogy of young adult high fantasy novels written by American author Christopher Paolini. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia (), the novels focus on the adventures of a teenage boy named Eragon and his d ...
'' (2002–2011):
**
Glaedr (''
Brisingr
''Brisingr'' is the third novel in the ''Inheritance Cycle'' by Christopher Paolini. It was released on September 20, 2008. Originally, Paolini intended to conclude the then ''Inheritance Trilogy'' in three books, but during writing the third bo ...
'', 2008)
**
Saphira
This is a list of key characters in '' The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the ...
(''
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
'', 2002)
**
Shruikan (''
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
'', 2002)
**
Thorn
Thorn(s) or The Thorn(s) may refer to:
Botany
* Thorns, spines, and prickles, sharp structures on plants
* ''Crataegus monogyna'', or common hawthorn, a plant species
Comics and literature
* Rose and Thorn, the two personalities of two DC Com ...
(''
Eldest
''Eldest'' is the second novel in the '' Inheritance Cycle'' by Christopher Paolini and the sequel to '' Eragon''. It was first published in hardcover on August 23, 2005, and was released in paperback in September 2006. ''Eldest'' has been relea ...
'', 2005)
**
Fírnen
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
(''
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. Officia ...
'', 2011)
*
Robin Wayne Bailey
Robin Wayne Bailey (born 1952) is an American writer of speculative fiction, both fantasy and science fiction. He is a founder of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame (1996) and a past president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America ...
, ''
Dragonkin'' series (2003): The dragons of Wyvernwood.
*
Margaret Weis
Margaret Edith Weis (; born March 16, 1948) is an American fantasy and science fiction author, of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the ''Dragonlance'' role-playing game (RPG) world. She is ...
,
Dragonvarld
Dragonvarld is a trilogy of fantasy novels by Margaret Weis. Within the series, this also refers to the setting; the word Dragonvarld is said to be the Dragon name for Earth ("Dragon World"). It resembles Earth of the Late Middle Ages or the ear ...
trilogy (2003–2005): Maristara, an evil black dragon; Braun, her grandson; Draconas, the walker, a dragon in human form; and various other dragons.
*
Tony DiTerlizzi
Tony M. DiTerlizzi (born September 6, 1969) is an American fantasy artist, children's book creator, and motion picture producer.
In the gaming industry, he is best known for his work in the collectible card game '' Magic: The Gathering'' and on ...
and
Holly Black
Holly Black (''née'' Riggenbach; born November 10, 1971) is an American writer and editor best known for her children's and young adult fiction. Her most recent work is the ''New York Times'' bestselling young adult ''Folk of the Air'' series. ...
, ''
The Spiderwick Chronicles'' (2003–2004) and ''
Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles'' (2007–2009):
** In ''
The Spiderwick Chronicles'' serial (2003–2004), Book Five, ''The Wrath of Mulgarath'': The snake-like poisonous dragons raised by the ogre Mulgarath as his weapons of mass destruction. Mentioned as the European Wyrm variety.
** In ''
Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles'' serial (2007–2009), Book Three, ''The Wyrm King'': A Hydra, a dragon or snake-like creature with multiple heads and gills appears, called the Wyrm King.
*
Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey (born June 24, 1950) is an American writer of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar. Her Valdemar novels include i ...
, the ''Dragon Jousters'' series (2003–2006): Avatre and several others.
*
Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey (born June 24, 1950) is an American writer of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar. Her Valdemar novels include i ...
and
James Mallory,
The Obsidian Trilogy (2003–2006): Ancalader, the dragon bonded to Jermayan.
* Keith Baker, world of
Eberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') role-playing game. The game is set primarily on the continent of Khorvaire following a vast destructive war. Eberron is designed to accommodate traditional ''D&D'' elements a ...
(2004):
** Eberron, one of the progenitor dragons. Eberron's bones compose the world.
** Khyber, one of the progenitor dragons. Khyber rules the underworld and his children are the demons and monsters of the world.
** Siberys, one of the progenitor dragons. Siberys is the "Dragon Above", his remnants compose the Ring of Siberys, a golden ring of crystal-like shards that glitters in the night sky.
*
Bryan Davis, Dragons in Our Midst series (2004): Clefspeare, Hartanna, Firedda and others.
*
Christopher Pike, ''Alosha'' series (2004): Dragons also start life as legless, wingless, tailless, and without fire; in this form, they are known as Kouls. Later in life, a Koul develops legs, a tail, wings, and fiery breath. To do this, a Koul must risk its life for protection of others, learn to swim, and take a literal "leap of faith" from a high place.
*
Donita K. Paul, ''
Dragonkeeper Chronicles'' (2004–2008): Celisse, Metta, Gymn, Greer and others.
*
E. E. Knight, the
Age of Fire
Age of Fire is a series of fantasy/adventure novels written by E. E. Knight, who is also known for writing the '' Vampire Earth'' series of novels. Age of Fire is eventually succeeded by the Dragoneer Academy Series which is a Spin-Off of the A ...
series (2005): Auron (later AuRon), the gray, scaleless dragon. Also included are Natasatch (his mate), Irelia (his green mother), AuRel (his bronze father), Jizara (green sister), Wistala (green sister), NooMoahk (black dragon), Rugaard (copper dragon), and many others.
*
Gareth P. Jones,
Dragon Detective Agency
Gareth P. Jones is an English children's writer, and author of the ''Dragon Detective Agency'' series of books.
He is best known for his comic-gothic book ''The Considine Curse'', which won the Blue Peter Book Award
The Blue Peter Book Awards ...
(2006): Dirk Dilly.
*
Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik (born April 30, 1973) is an American author of speculative fiction. She is known for the ''Temeraire'' series (2006–2016), an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars involving dragons, and her ''Scholomance'' fantasy series (2020 ...
,
Temeraire series (2006):
Temeraire and the other dragons of the
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...
.
*
James A. Owen
James A. Owen is an American comic book illustrator, publisher and writer. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series ''Starchild'' and as the author of ''The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' novel series, that began with ' ...
,
The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series (
Here, There Be Dragons
''Here, There Be Dragons'' is a fantasy novel by James A. Owen. It is the first book in '' The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica'' series. A sequel, followed by several more books, have since been released, including '' The Search for th ...
, 2006): Samaranth, an Eastern-type dragon who offers guidance to the main characters. Also various other dragons.
*
Janet Lee Carey
Janet Lee Carey (born January 11, 1954) is an American college professor who writes fantasy fiction for children and young adults. Her novels ''The Dragons of Noor'' (2010) won a Teens Read Too Gold Star Award for Excellence, ''Dragon's Keep'' ...
, ''Dragon's Keep'' (2008), ''Dragonswood'' (2012), and ''In the Time of Dragon Moon'' (2016)
*
Dave Freer
Dave Freer is a South African–born, Australian-based science fiction author writing mostly humorous or alternate history novels.
Biography
Freer was born and educated in South Africa. He grew up on the edge of a city next to a ~500-acre natu ...
, ''Dragon's Ring'' (2009): Fionn, a black dragon who plans to destroy Tasmarin.
*
Catherine Rayner
Catherine Rayner is an Edinburgh-based British illustrator and writer of children's books. She was born in Harrogate in 1982, and grew up in Boston Spa, later studying at Leeds College of Art and Edinburgh College of Art.
She won the Kate Gre ...
, ''
Sylvia and Bird'' (2009).
*
Philip Reeve
Philip Reeve (born 28 February 1966) is a British author and illustrator of children's books, primarily known for the 2001 book '' Mortal Engines'' and its sequels (the 2001 to 2006 '' Mortal Engines Quartet''). His 2007 novel, '' Here Lies Art ...
, ''No Such Thing As Dragons'' (2009).
*
Rick Riordan
Richard Russell Riordan Junior (; born June 5, 1964) is an American author, best known for writing the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million co ...
,
Percy Jackson
Perseus "Percy" Jackson is a fictional character, the title character and narrator of Rick Riordan's ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series. He is also one of seven main protagonists of the sequel series '' The Heroes of Olympus'', appear ...
series
**''
The Sea of Monsters
''The Sea of Monsters'' is an American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology written by Rick Riordan and published in 2006. It is the second novel in the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series and the sequel to ''The Lightning Th ...
'' (2006): The dragon Peleus guards the Golden Fleece at Camp Half-Blood.
**''
The Titan's Curse
''The Titan's Curse'' is an American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology written by Rick Riordan. It was released on May 1, 2007, and is the third novel in the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series and the sequel to '' The Sea o ...
'' (2007): The dragon Ladon guards the apples of the Hesperides.
*
Jessica Day George
Jessica Day George is an American author who lives in Utah. She is a ''New York Times'' bestselling author of Young Adult fantasy novels, and she received the 2007 Whitney Award for Best Book by a New Author for ''Dragon Slippers''. Having attend ...
, ''
Dragon Slippers'' series (2006–2009) introduces several dragons who befriend the main character, Creel, as well as her friends.
2010s
*
Stephen Deas, ''Memory of Flames'' series (2009–2011): centered around a world inhabited by dragons, which are ridden by knights. Plot centers around their re-awakening consciousness.
*
Tui T. Sutherland
Tui Tamara Sutherland (born July 31, 1978 in Caracas, Venezuela) is an American children's book author who has written more than 50 books under her own name and under several pen names. In 2009, she appeared as a contestant on ''Jeopardy!'', be ...
, ''Wings of Fire'' series. Follows the adventures of dragons in the world of Pyrrhia.
*
Marie Brennan
Marie Brennan is the pseudonym of Bryn Neuenschwander, an American fantasy author. Her works include the ''Doppelganger'' duology ('' Doppelganger'' and its sequel '' Warrior and Witch'', respectively retitled ''Warrior'' and ''Witch'' on late ...
, ''Lady Trent'' series (2013–2015): Lady Trent's memoirs on how she first started studying dragons in a Victorianesque world.
*
Laurence Yep
Laurence Michael Yep (; born June 14, 1948) is an American writer. He is known for his children's books, having won the Newbery Honor twice for his ''Golden Mountain'' series. In 2005, he received the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his ...
& Joanne Ryder, ''A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans'' (2015): told from the point of view of a dragon named Miss Drake.
*
Julie Kagawa
Julie Kagawa (born October 12, 1982) is an American author, best known for publishing and writing '' The Iron Fey Series'' consisting of 15 books including: ''The Iron King'', ''The Iron Daughter'', ''The Iron Queen'', and ''The Iron Knight''.
...
, ''Talon'' series (2014–2018): revolves around dragons with the ability to disguise themselves as humans and an order of warriors sworn to eradicate them.
*
George R. R. Martin
George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...
, ''
The World of Ice & Fire; The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones'' (2014): A list of dragons mentioned in the book on page 33; Balerion, Vhagar, Meraxes and page 81; Sunfyre, Dreamfyre, Tessarion, Morghul, Shrykos, Syrax, Caraxes, Vermax, Arrax, Tyraxes, Stormcloud, Meleys, Moondancer, Silverwing, Seasmoke, Vermithor, Sheepstealer, Grey Ghost, The Cannibal, Morning. Brief bios of the dragons on page 81.
*
Todd Lockwood
Todd Wills Lockwood, (born July 9, 1957 in Boulder, Colorado, United States) is an American artist specializing in fantasy and science fiction illustration. He is best known for his work on the role-playing game ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and for his ...
, "The Summer Dragon (Evertide #1), released on May 3, 2016, heavily features dragons."
*
Kazuo Ishiguro
Sir Kazuo Ishiguro ( ; born 8 November 1954) is a British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer. Ishiguro was born in Nagasaki, Japan, and moved to Britain in 1960 with his parents when he was five.
He is one of the most cr ...
, ''
The Buried Giant'' (March 2015)
*
James Bennett, ''
Chasing Embers'' (September 2016): The Ben Garston novels from Orbit Books, dragons at war in human form.
*
Jasper Fforde
Jasper Fforde (born 11 January 1961) is an English novelist, whose first novel, '' The Eyre Affair'', was published in 2001. He is known mainly for his '' Thursday Next'' novels, but has published two books in the loosely connected '' Nursery Cr ...
:
The Last Dragonslayer
''The Last Dragonslayer'' is a young adult fantasy novel by Jasper Fforde. It is set in an alternative world in which magic is real, but has become weakened and is also being replaced by modern technology. The setting is almost like modern Brit ...
(nov 2010)
Jillian Boehme ''Stormrise'' (Sept. 2019)
*
Rachel Hartman:
Seraphina (2012) and
Shadow Scale (2015) describe the story of Seraphina, who is half-dragon and half-human. The companion novel,
Tess of the Road (2018), tells the story of Seraphina's half-sister, Tess.
*
Brandon Mull
Brandon Mull is an American author best known for his children's fantasy series, ''Fablehaven'', as well as '' Dragonwatch'', ''The Candy Shop War'', the '' Beyonders'' trilogy, and the ''Five Kingdoms'' series.Howard, Chris (March 7, 2008)Inter ...
,
Fablehaven
''Fablehaven'' is a fantasy book series for children written by Brandon Mull. The book series, which includes '' Fablehaven'', '' Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star'', '' Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague'', '' Fablehaven: Secrets of the D ...
(2006-2010) and
Dragonwatch
''Fablehaven'' is a fantasy book series for children written by Brandon Mull. The book series, which includes ''Fablehaven'', '' Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star'', '' Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague'', '' Fablehaven: Secrets of the D ...
(2017-2020) series:
Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary and
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison both have dragons in them and the sequel series, Dragonwatch, has many more.
*David Cartwright, ''Dragon Fire'' (The Camelot 2050 Trilogy #2) (August 2018). A resurgent Morgana le Fay uses a biomechanical dragon as a weapon of mass destruction against the forces of Camelot.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragons In Literature
*
literature
Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...
literature
Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...