Of all mythical creatures, dragons cause the greatest interest in humans. We are struck by their power, incredible size, majestic beauty. A lot of legends, legends and traditions have been created about these amazing creatures. These days, they continue to be a source of inspiration for writers. We present to the attention of readers of a book about dragons - a list of the most fascinating works.
Ernest Drake "Dragon Science. All about dragons »
So much has been written about dragons that the thought involuntarily creeps in - but did they really exist? There are entire studies and encyclopedias about these incredible creatures that describe the types of dragons and their features. One of these books conquered the top ratings of the best works and received the status of a bestseller. For more than six months, Ernest Drake's Dragon Science was in first place in the New York Times charts. This is a series of books about dragons, allegedly written by Victorian scientist Ernest Drake. It describes an alternative reality in which dragons actually exist, but because of human activity are on the verge of extinction.
The book attracts the attention of adults and children not only with interesting content, but also with fascinating inserts in the form of mini-books, parts of the dragon, world map, and magic spells.
Westeros Flying Horror
Fantasy books about dragons are presented by one of the most popular works of the genre - the cycle of novels “Song of Ice and Fire”. George Martin, creating his famous saga of the Seven Kingdoms, did not escape the temptation to add dragons to it.
The Targaryen dynasty, ruling for many centuries in Westeros, had a unique gift - its members could control dragons and fly on them. Each of the winged giants obeyed its rider. The first representatives of the dynasty flew on truly huge dragons, terrifying everyone. Subsequently, the offspring of the giants became smaller until the lineage of dragons ceased. As it turned out, 3 dragon eggs were preserved in the world. They were presented to the last representative of the Targaryen dynasty - Daenerys Burerozhennoy at her wedding with Khal Drogo. When Daenerys' husband died, she went up to his funeral pyre, holding precious dragon eggs in her hands. And a miracle happened - the fire did not touch the heiress of the Iron Throne of Westeros, and dragons hatched from eggs that had not been seen in the world for many years.
Michael Reeves, Byron Price: The Last Dragon
Since ancient times, people lived on the same land with wise dragons, and there was no disagreement between them. Centuries later, humanity became crowded, and it decided to oust dragons from their lands. The latter could not stand the competition with a weak but insidious adversary. About dragons, only tradition has survived.
When children die mysteriously in the kingdom of Fandor, its residents accuse neighboring Simbalia of a terrible crime. Stop the inevitable war can anyone who finds the last dragon.
Unfortunately, books about dragon elves do not exist (except for the tetralogy of N. Kuzmina's “Heiress of Dragons,” the main character of which, Princess Aster Kibela ter Kalarian, had three forms - human, elf and dragon).
The novel "Ritual"
Marina and Sergey Dyachenko are one of the most famous and popular modern writers working in the genre of science fiction, fantasy and fairy tales. In 1996, one of the most significant novels of writers, Ritual, was released. As in his other works, Marina and Sergey Dyachenko focused on the description of the psychology of the main characters.
Each of the ancient family of werewolf dragons must undergo a majestic and complex ritual and at its end eat the stolen princess. Arman is the last of a kind. He suffers from an inferiority complex and does not find the strength to perform an ancient ritual. He manages to find a loophole - if the princess is freed by a noble and courageous knight, the ritual will be declared incomplete through no fault of Arman. But the werewolf dragon makes a mistake - instead of a beautiful girl, he abducts the ugly and grumpy Utah. According to ancient custom, a knight must marry a freed princess, but who wants to marry a freak with a terrible character?
In 2015, the novel "Ritual" was filmed under the title "He is the Dragon." The film was particularly successful in China.
"Not the time for dragons"
What happens if two famous writers decide to create a common book? There are many examples of successful co-authorship - it is worth recalling at least Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov, who wrote the sparkling novel “12 Chairs”.
Sergey Lukyanenko and Nick Perumov worked fruitfully in collaboration and now we can enjoy the wonderful fantasy novel “Not the Time for Dragons”.
There are three worlds: The wrong side (the world we are familiar with), the Middle one, populated by people, elves, dwarves and other magical creatures, and the World of the Born, where pure magic reigns. The latter repeatedly tried to work the Middle World, but all the attacks were repelled, albeit at a terrible cost. Another clash is coming with the Born, but this time the magicians of the four elements of the Middle World do not unite, but act alone, starting an internecine war. Thirty-year-old Muscovite Victor is suddenly drawn into this struggle. One late afternoon, a girl with the amazing name Tel knocked on his door. She becomes the conductor of the protagonist in a new world for him.
George Martin "The Princess and the Queen"
Creating a large-scale work - and the saga of the Seven Kingdoms of George Martin, stretching for 7 books this is exactly this - the writer is often forced to pay special attention to the history of the world he created. Martin finished the guide to Westeros and several stories dedicated to the most interesting moments in the chronology of the invented universe.
The story “The Princess and the Queen” is part of the chronicle of events that happened a century and a half before the “Game of Thrones”. She describes a civil war between members of the Targaryen dynasty caused by the extinction of dragons.
Despite the fact that the story is designed primarily for those readers who are already familiar with the vast world of “Ice and Fire”, it will be interesting to other fans of the fantasy genre. Intrigues, betrayals, powerful dragons led by riders from the royal house of the Targaryen, fierce battles - all this is in Martin's book. And true fans of the writer's work will finally find out what led the great dynasty to perdition and who made the first fatal step that destroyed the dragons.
Eugene Schwartz "Dragon"
The philosophical play of the famous Soviet playwright and screenwriter will make the reader reflect on the fact that everyone has an oppressive cruel dragon lurking in his soul. Some can kill him in themselves, while others he gradually subordinates to his will. The wandering knight Lancelot arrives in the city, which for 400 years has been ruled by a tyrant in the guise of a Dragon. To the surprise of Lancelot, the inhabitants are not at all eager to get rid of the despot. They believe that they live quite happily and do not crave change. When the knight defeats the dragon, the inhabitants of the city immediately obey another tyrant. Lancelot understands that just killing a dragon is not enough - you need to eradicate it in yourself.
Pavel Shumilov “Caravan of the Dead”
The Russian science fiction writer has created several cycles of novels in which dragons are among the main characters. “Caravan of the Dead” is the second part of the author’s fascinating dilogy. This is a kind of medieval construction, in which the feudal culture is masterfully described.
Hennen Bernhard "Dragon's Lair. Gained Strength "
This is the author’s first book from the Dragon Lair series. In an alternate reality, people are ruled by devantarian demons, and dragons rule elves. The brave elven hunter Nandaleya is trained by the wisest of the dragons, and Artax, a young peasant, receives the power of demons and becomes the head of the people. And once Nandaleya and Artax will meet ...
The Riders of Pern Cycle by Ann Ainez Mackaffrey
The American writer has created 15 novels about the planet Pern and its inhabitants. “Morita is the lady of dragons” is one of the most interesting books of the cycle.
Once upon a time, immigrants from Earth colonized Pern, not knowing that the alien planet Scarlet Star, approaching every 200 years, carries with it the debate of the Threads, destroying all life in its path. To combat them, people genetically modified local small dragons and created huge fire-breathing giants. By 1543 the turnover on Pern as a result of a deadly disease is dying almost the entire population. There are very few dragon riders left, and among them is Morita, who had suffered the disease and survived. Its task is to deliver a life-saving vaccine to the most remote corners of the planet.
Another fascinating novel by Mackaffrey from the same cycle is “The Wanderings of the Dragon”.
Dragonlance, or Dragon Spear
A very interesting project is a whole fictional universe about which a great many fantasy novels have been created. The Spear Saga is a fascinating read with many colorful characters.
Christopher Paolini "Eragon"
The first part of the famous tetralogy "Heritage" was written in 2003 and immediately gained popularity among readers. Literary critics were less supportive of the novel. The author was reproached for the stereotyped and schematic plot lines and the explicit imitation of such venerable writers as Ursule Le Guin and John Tolkien.
According to the plot of the book, in Alageysia there used to be many dragon riders to whom the winged giants obeyed. They were killed by the most powerful of them, Galbatorix, who then seized power in the country. Young Eragon finds a strange stone, which turns out to be a dragon egg. When a dragon hatches from it, the main character becomes its protector and the new dragon rider.
The novel was filmed in 2006.
John Tolkien The Hobbit
Conceived initially as a children's fairy tale, the book led to the appearance of one of the best series of fantasy novels known as The Lord of the Rings.
Bilbo Baggins receives an unexpected offer - to go with a group of gnomes to the Lonely Mountain and help them open the secret door leading to the gnome kingdom, destroyed many years ago by the mighty dragon Smaug. The hobbit is unable to abandon such an adventure and sets off.
The most interesting books about dragons and love
A sense of love is inherent in the most formidable inhabitants of the world - dragons.
Indicative in this regard is the novel by Irina Zinenko and Natalya Listvynska "The personal life of dragons and not only."
Readers will appreciate the light irony and the extraordinary plot of this book. As is known from fairy tales and myths, dragons abduct beautiful princesses and then zealously guard them from saviors. Dragonwoman Karist abducts Prince Tarlan right on his wedding day. She explains to the prisoner that it does not matter to her at all whether he is a prince or a princess - she just wants to get a ransom for him. Clever and clever Tarlan finds a common language with the dragon, but remains her captive. Meanwhile, the news of the abducted prince is spreading outside the kingdom, and there are people who want to free him. None of the princesses who came did not suit Tarlan, and Karist spared him from the saviors. When the dragon hunters seriously injure the dragon, the prince realizes how dear she has become to him, and hurries to the aid of his captor.
Books about dragons and love continue the novel by Elizabeth Lynn "Winter of the Dragons." When twins are born to the Dragon Lord, only one of them inherits the dragon’s blood from his father, and the second remains human. The brother envied his brother and the merciless struggle for power in the country began.
Children's books about dragons
Little readers love stories about flying giants no less than stories about pirates or brave travelers.
Books about dragons for children are always fascinating stories imbued with good and faith in the best.
Cornelia Funke: Lord of the Dragons
The German writer, who wrote more than 40 children's books, five of which were filmed, also touched on the subject of dragons in her work.
Once upon a time, dragons inhabited the whole earth. They were the most powerful and powerful creatures in the world. But there were those who turned out to be stronger than the flying giants. Now dragons are forced to hide and dream about the Podil of Heaven - a secret refuge located somewhere high in the mountains. The young dragon Lung once sets off in search of him. Friends will help him on long journeys - a boy Ben and a kobold named Shernosherstka. In search of the legendary homeland of dragons, they will visit different countries.
Dmitry Emets: “Little Puffer Whelp. Adventure Begins »
A kind and fascinating tale about a dragon named Pykhalka and his new friends. Once upon a time he climbed into a chest and fell asleep. Years later, an old chest was in an ordinary Moscow apartment. Once the mischievous toys of the girl Masha woke the Pykhalka.
Tony DiTerlizzi: "Kenny and the Dragon"
This is a wonderful fairy tale by the writer and part-time artist-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. A dragon appears in a small town. He does not at all resemble his evil fire-breathing relatives. This is a smart and well-read dragon Graham, more than anything in the world who loves to eat creme brulee and carrots. Kenny, the child prodigy, lived in the city. He was so keen on reading smart books that his peers and even the parents of a little know-it-all completely ceased to understand him. The news that a real dragon was wound up in their area led Kenny to terrible excitement - after all, this is a completely unexplored area of knowledge!
“Kenny and the Dragon” is a wonderful children's book about friendship, goodness and courage.
Cressida Cowell: "How to Train Your Dragon"
Remarkable books by the British writer were made into films and cartoons based on a series of her works were a huge success with the audience.
The story of Viking Icking from the island of Oluch is now known to millions of young readers. He was the first to tame one of the rarest dragons - Night Fury.
J.R. R. Tolkien: “Tales of the Wizardland”
This is a collection of works by the great British writer, which includes poems (except for those that are present in the cycle of novels "The Lord of the Rings").
The fairy tale “Farmer Giles from Ham” included in the collection tells the story of a farmer Giles, who once by a random shot from a musketon drove a giant from his fields. The villagers who saw this declared him a hero. At this time, the dragon Chrysophilax Dives learned from the giant about the fertile fields of the Middle Kingdom and goes there to profit. The royal knights in every possible way evade meetings with him, and the dragon approaches Ham, burning everything in its path. Giles is persuaded to fight the monster with the help of the ancient sword presented by the king.
"Tales of the Magic Land" will be interesting not only to small readers, but also to their parents.