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Quick answer: If you loved Eragon, read its sequel Eldest, then Dragonflight, His Majesty's Dragon, Seraphina and Fourth Wing. All pair dragons with coming-of-age quests, ancient magic and loyal friendships.
Christopher Paolini's Eragon follows a farm boy who finds a dragon egg and becomes a Rider in a land ruled by a tyrant. Young adult and older readers love its sweeping quest, its dragon bond and its classic fantasy feel. The books below keep the dragons, the training and the sense of destiny, with options for a range of reading levels.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldest | Christopher Paolini | Teen | the sequel |
| Dragonflight | Anne McCaffrey | Teen | classic dragon riders |
| His Majesty's Dragon | Naomi Novik | Adult | historical dragons |
| Seraphina | Rachel Hartman | Teen | dragons and politics |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | All ages | origins of the genre |
| A Wizard of Earthsea | Ursula K. Le Guin | Teen | classic wizard tales |
| Pawn of Prophecy | David Eddings | Teen | farm-boy quests |
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | Brandon Sanderson | Teen | clever magic systems |
| Graceling | Kristin Cashore | Teen | strong heroines |
| Alanna: The First Adventure | Tamora Pierce | Teen | knights and training |
| Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | Adult | older readers |
| Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy | Tui T. Sutherland | 8-12 | younger dragon fans |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | J.K. Rowling | All ages | magic school |
| Throne of Glass | Sarah J. Maas | Teen | assassin fantasy |
| Dragon Rider | Cornelia Funke | 9-13 | family-friendly dragons |
1. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Eragon travels to the elves to continue his training while his cousin faces danger at home. A larger, more political second book that fans of the first will want next.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
On the planet Pern, a young woman becomes a Weyrwoman and bonds with a queen dragon to defend the world from falling spores. A science fantasy classic.
Best for: classic dragon riders.
3. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
A British naval captain bonds with a dragon during the Napoleonic Wars. Historical fantasy with a loyal friendship at its heart.
Best for: historical dragons.
4. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
A musician at a royal court hides a secret about dragons in a land that has a fragile treaty with them. Thoughtful and original.
Best for: dragons and politics.
5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins travels with dwarves to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug. The classic adventure that started modern fantasy.
Best for: origins of the genre.
6. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
A young wizard unleashes a shadow and must face it. Beautiful writing and wise ideas in a short, powerful story.
Best for: classic wizard tales.
7. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
A farm boy named Garion leaves home with his aunt and a storyteller on a quest to find a stolen orb. The first book of the Belgariad.
Best for: farm-boy quests.
8. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
A street thief joins a crew planning to overthrow an immortal ruler. Inventive magic and a satisfying plot.
Best for: clever magic systems.
9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa has a deadly Grace and serves a cruel king until she escapes. A strong heroine and a romance.
Best for: strong heroines.
10. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
A girl disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight. Fast, brave and the start of a classic series.
Best for: knights and training.
11. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail must survive a brutal war college for dragon riders. Fast, romantic and addictive.
Best for: older readers.
12. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
Five young dragons are raised to end a war between tribes. A great pick for younger siblings.
Best for: younger dragon fans.
13. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
An orphan learns he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts. The starter for modern fantasy readers.
Best for: magic school.
14. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
An assassin competes to be the king's champion. A long series with courts and romance.
Best for: assassin fantasy.
15. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
A young dragon, a boy and a brownie search for a hidden valley. A lighter dragon quest for younger readers.
Best for: family-friendly dragons.
How to Choose
If you want to continue the Inheritance Cycle, read Eldest next. For classic dragon bonds, choose Dragonflight, His Majesty's Dragon or Seraphina. For more farm-boy quests, try Pawn of Prophecy or The Hobbit. For strong heroines and training stories, pick Graceling, Alanna or Throne of Glass. Younger siblings can enjoy Wings of Fire and Dragon Rider. Fourth Wing is for adults and contains mature content. Because many of these are series, check how many books are planned before you commit. For a quicker read, try Dragon Rider or Seraphina, which are lighter on page count than most epic fantasy.
Related: What Age Is The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank) Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · What Age Is Eragon Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eragon about?
Eragon finds a dragon egg, becomes a Dragon Rider and joins a rebellion against the evil king Galbatorix.
How many books are in the Inheritance Cycle?
Four: Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance.
What age is Eragon for?
About 10 and up.
Who wrote Eragon?
Christopher Paolini, who started it when he was 15.
Is there a movie?
Yes, a 2006 film that differs from the book.
Is Eragon like The Lord of the Rings?
It borrows classic fantasy ideas, but Paolini's dragons and bonds make it its own story.
Is Eragon appropriate for 10-year-olds?
There are battles and a few frightening scenes, but most 10-year-olds who read fantasy are fine.
What is the Inheritance Cycle?
The four-book series that begins with Eragon and ends with Inheritance.
Do the dragons talk?
Yes, Saphira speaks to Eragon through their mental link.