It’s St George’s day. My nephew’s birthday. I sent him birthday wishes through Facebook, and thought about his mother.
It’s also world book night. Last year I signed up as a giver, and walked the streets trying to give books away. Harder than you’d think. This year I thought about having a small baby and decided to be sensible and didn’t apply. Being sensible. There’s a first!
On twitter someone put the two idea together and asked about dragon books. I *love* dragon books. So I thought I’d write a post.
One of the first ones I remember reading is the Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley. She’s a wonderful author. There’s also Dragonhaven by her. Both YA safe, though very different. One classical fantasy, the second nearer to speculative fiction, with a much more contemporary setting and male lead character rather than female.
Then of course there are the Dragons of Pern. I much prefer the earlier books in the series, and I think my favourite two are Dragonsinger and Dragonsong, though I’ve got a soft spot for the White Dragon too. Not quite as appropriate for younger YA readers as the music based ones though, scenes of an adult nature and all that.
I’m sure I remember Tea with the black dragon as a good book, though that’s about all I remember. I’ve recently been reading the Rain wild chronicles by Robin Hobb which are her most dragony so far and excellent if you make it past the first half of dragon keeper. Book three is out very soon, I’ll be sure to let you know what I think.
Of course there’s the Hobbit with probably one of the most famous drains ever, and there’s Eustace as a dragon in voyage of the dawn treader.
I’m beginning to struggle now. I’m sure there’s some by Andre Norton, possibly co written by Mercedes Lackey, elvenblood perhaps? Oh, and how could I miss out the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik? Incredibly detailed alternate history with dragons as battle technology in Napoleon’s time.
And that’s about all I can think of right now. Have I got your favourite? Let me know in the usual place.
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