YA dragon shifter books combine the awe of dragons and mystique of shape-shifting with the familiarity of human joys and challenges.
Are you searching for Young Adult shifter stories featuring these winged creatures? If so, this post has you covered.
Here are 5 fantastic YA dragon shifter books you have to read:
- Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
- Talon by Julie Kagawa
- Firelight by Sophie Jordan
- Firebolt by Adrienne Woods
- Dragon’s Bait by Vivian Vande Velde
I’ve included book descriptions, readers’ ratings and summaries of positive and negative comments for each book below. On the other hand, if you’d like a quick summary, here’s a comparison chart.
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Description
Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty’s anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.
Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered — in suspiciously draconian fashion.
Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen’s Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs.
While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.97
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Seraphina is the first story on our list of YA dragon shifter books. Filled with dragons, this novel captured readers with its multi-dimensional and relatable protagonist as well as its deep world-building.
Seraphina, they said, is a protagonist who acts life-like: she laughs and cries, but also acts foolish, struggles to summon courage and can stay steadfastly loyal. Because of this, readers frequently commented on how much they enjoyed reading about her.
Aside from that, fans often described this YA fantasy book as intelligent and thoughtful. This wasn’t just because of the characters’ realistic personalities, but also because the concept of dragons taking on human shape allowed the story to explore themes other books might not have.
For instance, two key themes revolved around what made someone ‘human’ or ‘not human’ (dragon, in this case) as well as the process of accepting others and one’s self.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t think this book was for them, though, what did they say? Generally, they had two comments. The first was that even though the characters were well-fleshed out and relatable, they weren’t characters that reads connect with emotionally. They were realistic, but not engaging.
These readers said that they felt indifferent as they read instead of eager to see either what the characters would do or what would happen to them.
The second part of the book that critics cited as a negative was the romance. These readers said that while they appreciated that it wasn’t a love-at-first-sight tale, it still seemed like Seraphina fell in love too suddenly.
Talon by Julie Kagawa
Description
The Dragons of Talon:
Once hunted nearly to extinction, they are now poised to take over the world.
The Order of St. George:
The legendary dragonslayers will stop at nothing to wipe dragons from the face of the earth.
These mortal enemies are locked in secret and deadly combat, with humanity none the wiser.
To take her rightful place in the Talon organization, young dragon Ember Hill must prove she can hide her true nature and blend in with humans.
Her delight at the prospect of a summer of “normal” teen experiences is short-lived, however, once she discovers that she’s also expected to train for her destined career in Talon. But a chance meeting with a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught.
As Ember struggles to accept her future, St. George soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian is tasked with hunting her down.
But when faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything the Order has ingrained in him – and what he might be willing to give up to uncover the truth about dragons.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.75
Most Common Rating: 4
Positive Comments
Second on our list of YA dragon shifter books is Talon by Julie Kagawa. Packed with action and adventure, this novel delighted readers with its combination of excitement, dragons and romance.
The characters themselves also captivated these readers, who often said that there wasn’t a single character they didn’t like. Even Ember, who some readers said initially came across as immature, won them over.
Furthermore, they said that experiencing the story from all three main character’s point of views was a wonderful treat.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t enjoy Talon, what did they say?
Critics commonly cited Ember herself as well as the story’s familiarity as the culprits. For instance, they said that Ember didn’t come across as a person yearning for freedom for sympathetic reasons. Instead, she came across to them as childish and self-centered.
Ember speaks contemptuously of Talon and its members, who thwart her from doing what she wants. However, these readers pointed out that what Ember rails against are minor inconveniences. Either that or the logical actions of people who take keeping her alive seriously.
Other readers said that they wished the story would deviate more from standard YA fantasy. The story promises dragons and dragon slayers. It delivers. However, readers said that the story’s execution of these concepts was too predictable for their taste.
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Description
A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life.
Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.
Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life.
Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away; if it dies she will be left as a human forever.
She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide, from New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Firelight is third on our list of YA dragon shifter books. Written by Sophie Jordan, who also writes romance books, this novel combines her specialty in romance with intriguing dragon lore. As such, readers noted that this book is primarily a romance – something they loved.
These readers said that the ‘Romeo and Juliet’ love story between a dragon and dragon hunter immediately caught their interest. Jacinda and Will had every reason to despise and stay far away from each other. And yet, they found themselves drawn to each other regardless.
Fans found themselves on their edge of their seats, feeling both Jacinda’s turmoil and her excitement over newfound love.
They also reported that Firelight flowed well, the pages flitting by thanks to a quick pace and dramatic story line.
Negative Comments
Fans found much to enjoy about Firelight and ultimately, the most common rating readers gave this novel was 5 stars. But what did critics say?
It seems like this is a YA fantasy novel that stirs up strong feelings in readers, whether positive or negative. Critics were as frustrated with Jacinda and the romance as the fans were delighted.
These readers’ criticisms had a common thread: Jacinda came across to them as self-pitying and selfish. Some of them said that her selfishness reached the point where she seemed outright foolish instead.
However, others said that Firelight disappointed them because it stayed so close to standard the YA fantasy format in general. These readers loved the promise of a story filled with dragon shape-shifters, unique draki mythology and a love story that succeeds despite impossible odds. However, they described these twists as tacked-on rather than a fundamental aspect of the novel.
Firebolt by Adrienne Woods
Description
Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.
Now Elena’s in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a Prince wants Elena’s heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh. And the only way Elena’s going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.
Teenage girls don’t believe in fairy tales. Now it’s time for Elena to believe – in herself.
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.98
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
Another story on our list of YA dragon shifter books is Firebolt. Fans of this fantasy novel praised it for its fast pace and lovable character cast. Danger constantly keeps the protagonist, Elena, on the run and readers bit their nails, anxious to know what would happen next.
Add to that great characters and fans were delighted! Each member of the cast had something unique about their personality to enjoy and to distinguish them from one another.
Related to that, several readers described Lucian as a compelling love interest and said that Firebolt’s romance made their hearts flutter.
Negative Comments
What did critics say about Firebolt? Typically, these readers fell into one of two camps: one camp didn’t enjoy Elena as a protagonist, while the other thought the romance between her and Lucian wasn’t convincing.
According to these critics, Elena came across as immature and self-pitying. Because of this, they found themselves irritated with her as the story progressed.
This also made it difficult for them to accept the romance between her and Lucian. Critics struggled to see what they saw in the other that made them so magnetic.
Dragon’s Bait by Vivian Vande Velde
Description
Fifteen-year-old Alys is not a witch. But that doesn’t matter–the villagers think she is and have staked her out on a hillside as a sacrifice to the local dragon.
It’s late, it’s cold, and it’s raining, and Alys can think of only one thing–revenge. But first she’s got to escape, and even if she does, how can one girl possibly take on an entire town alone?
Then the dragon arrives – a dragon that could quite possibly be the perfect ally. . . .
What Do Readers Say?
Goodreads Rating: 3.93
Most Common Rating: 5
Positive Comments
What’s last on our list of YA dragon shifter books? It’s a book readers described as having fun and refreshing twists: Dragon’s Bait.
Taking the ‘innocent maiden sacrificed to a dragon’ trope, Dragon’s Bait has maiden and dragon as co-collaborators against the corrupt townspeople who sentenced her.
Readers were delighted by the unexpected reversals: supposed enemies become allies, prey becomes predator and predator becomes prey. They also reported that they connected to Alys, the protagonist, and felt her pain, anger and eventual healing throughout the novel.
Others mentioned that the liked the deeper thematic elements to the novel, which centered around revenge and forgiveness. Readers said that this had enough of a presence to stir their imaginations while not being so in-your-face that it jarred them out of the story.
Negative Comments
If readers didn’t enjoy Dragon’s Bait, what did they say? Generally, they said that Alys and Selendrile, the main characters, weren’t that developed.
They remarked that, likely due to the book’s shorter length, Alys’ changing feelings happen too quickly. Others said that Selendrile comes comes across less as a mysterious, intriguing character and more as a vaguely characterized one.
Top 5 YA Dragon Shifter Books You Have to Read
How Do These Fantasy Novels Compare?
