TL;DR: Wings of Fire is the ultimate "gateway" fantasy series for the 8-to-12-year-old crowd. Think Game of Thrones but with dragons and written for middle schoolers. It’s addictive, surprisingly violent (dragons get melted by acid and disemboweled), and features complex themes of destiny and choice. If your kid is obsessed, they’re likely also deep into the Wings of Fire graphic novels and probably roleplaying as a "RainWing" on Roblox.
Quick Links:
- Wings of Fire (Original Series)
- Wings of Fire: The Graphic Novels
- Warriors by Erin Hunter (The "cat version" for fans)
- Percy Jackson & The Olympians (Similar reading level/vibe)
If you’ve seen your kid carrying around a book with a massive, colorful dragon on the cover, you’re looking at the work of Tui T. Sutherland. The Wings of Fire series is a sprawling epic set in the world of Pyrrhia, where seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations.
The story kicks off with five "dragonets" (baby dragons) who are part of a prophecy to end the war. But here’s the hook: the books aren't just about "good vs. evil" dragons. They’re about political intrigue, blood feuds, and kids—well, dragons—trying to figure out if they actually have to do what the adults tell them to do.
There are currently 15 main books, several "Legends" (prequels), and a wildly popular line of graphic novel adaptations that make the series accessible even to reluctant readers.
Ask our chatbot for a reading order of the Wings of Fire series
It’s easy to dismiss this as "just another dragon book," but Wings of Fire has a cult-like following for a few specific reasons:
- The Tribe System: Much like the Hogwarts houses in Harry Potter, kids love to identify with specific dragon tribes. Are they a studious NightWing? A lazy but deadly RainWing? A fierce SkyWing? This "identity" factor fuels tons of fan art and online roleplay.
- It Doesn't Talk Down to Them: Sutherland writes for the "middle grade" audience, but she treats them like adults. The stakes are life and death. The characters deal with trauma, parental abandonment, and the moral ambiguity of war.
- The "Gore" Factor: Let’s be real—kids at this age are often fascinated by the macabre. These books don't shy away from the physical reality of a dragon war.
We need to have a "no-BS" conversation about the violence in these books. If you are expecting How to Train Your Dragon, you are going to be shocked.
In the first few chapters of the first book, a dragon’s neck is snapped, and another has its wings ripped off. Throughout the series, you’ll encounter dragons being dissolved by "magical death spit" (acid), characters being burned alive, and some pretty descriptive battle scenes.
Is it "brain rot"? No. It’s high-stakes fantasy. But if you have a particularly sensitive 8-year-old, the graphic novels might actually be more intense because the violence is visualized. In the prose books, the reader’s imagination does the heavy lifting; in the comics, you see the blood.
Learn more about the violence levels in Wings of Fire vs. Warriors
For years, a Wings of Fire animated series was in development at Netflix with Ava DuVernay. Netflix eventually scrapped it (as they do with many good things), but Amazon MGM Studios has since picked it up.
While we don't have a firm release date yet, this is going to be a massive moment for the fandom. Expect the "dragon fever" to spike once the first trailer drops. If Amazon leans into the "PG-13" vibe of the books, it could be a rare show that captures both the 10-year-olds and their older siblings.
The Wings of Fire obsession rarely stays on the page.
If your kid plays Roblox, they are almost certainly playing the "Wings of Fire" Early Access game. It’s a roleplaying (RP) game where kids customize their dragons and act out stories. It’s generally harmless and actually encourages creative writing and collaborative storytelling, but like all things Roblox, you should keep an eye on the chat.
On YouTube, there is a massive community of "MAP" creators (Multi-Animator Projects). They take scenes from the books and set them to popular music. It’s a cool display of digital art, but some of these fan-made animations can lean even harder into the "gore" than the books do.
So, when should you let them dive in?
- Ages 7-8: Only if they are advanced readers and not prone to nightmares. You might want to read the first Wings of Fire book with them to gauge their reaction to the "gladiator arena" scenes.
- Ages 9-12: This is the "sweet spot." They can handle the themes, and they’ll love the complexity of the world-building.
- Ages 13+: Many teens stay in the fandom because the lore is so deep, but they might start moving toward "Young Adult" series like Fourth Wing (which, fair warning, is much more adult and contains explicit content—don't let the "dragon" theme fool you into thinking it's for kids).
Beyond the violence, there are a few things that make Wings of Fire a "modern" series:
- Diverse Representation: Sutherland is great at including diverse family structures and LGBTQ+ characters. There are several prominent same-sex dragon couples (like Sundew and Willow). It’s handled very naturally as just another part of the world’s fabric.
- Complex Morality: The "villains" often have tragic backstories. It’s a great jumping-off point for conversations about why people (or dragons) make bad choices.
- The "Merch" Trap: Between the books, the graphic novels, the "Forge Your Dragon World" workbooks, and the potential for upcoming toys, this can become a pricey hobby.
Wings of Fire is a high-quality, engaging, and smart series. Yes, it’s a bit bloody. Yes, you will hear the word "Pyrrhia" more times than you ever wanted to. But in an era of "brain rot" YouTube shorts and mind-numbing mobile games, a kid being deeply invested in a 15-volume book series is a massive win.
If they finish the series and are looking for something new, here are a few Screenwise-approved pivots:
If they liked the "tribal" aspect and the high stakes, they’ll love the Warriors series. It’s about feral cats living in clans. Warning: it is arguably more violent than the dragons.
This is the perfect show to watch alongside the books. It has the same blend of humor, magic, and serious stakes.
For the older kid (11+) who wants a more "classic" high-fantasy feel with deeper vocabulary and longer chapters.
- Check the Graphic Novels: If you have a reluctant reader, grab Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (Graphic Novel). It’s a great "hook."
- Talk About the Violence: Ask them, "What was the craziest thing that happened in the battle?" It gives them a chance to process the more graphic parts of the book with you.
- Set Roblox Limits: If they are playing the Roblox version, make sure they know how to report players who get weird in the RP chat.
Ask our chatbot for more book recommendations for 10-year-old boys