When Dealing with Dragons

by Dana Swift

Bonding with dragons gave humans magic to craft metal―now, two school rivals have to work together to protect a priceless secret, all while fighting their growing attraction to each other, from Dana Swift, author of Cast in Firelight.

Copper-crafter Farren Walsh is set on following in her father's footsteps to become a dragon veterinarian. The only thing more powerful than her love for these magnificent creatures is her hate for those who exploit them for their precious metal. That includes her classmate, an arrogant dragon racer named James Murphy, whose silver-crafting family represents the worst of human greed and dragon abuse―plus, he's the biggest competition for the college scholarship she desperately needs.

When James strongarms his way into interning at her family's dragon sanctuary for the summer, it puts everything at risk. Farren isn't just the plain copper-crafter she seems. She's hiding a secret that could not only change her life, but their society as a whole. And James, trying to find refuge from his controlling father, harbors his own secret, years-long crush on Farren. Hating James might be harder than she thought, but Farren can't risk getting too close: the fate of an endangered species is at stake.

When Dealing with Dragons is a delightful young adult dual-POV romantasy about cross-class romance, finding family, and creating a better world for creatures big and small.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 23, 2026

About the author

Dana Swift started making up fantasy worlds when she was eleven years old and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned degrees in English and Advertising. While in college, Dana competed as a saber fencer and learned a thing or two about fighting, parrying and how it feels to fall in love with your sparring partner. She currently lives with said husband in Miami, Florida.

Reviews

[Dana Swift]

I’m not going to rate my own book, but I did want to use this space to post updates and answer any questions that come up about my new YA Fantasy, WHEN DEALING WITH DRAGONS! If more questions arise I’ll happily add to this list.

For now I have a google form if you would like to request an ARC: https://forms.gle/JoAtQwKgsEDeejTN9

I also have a google form for the preorder campaign! There are going to be amazing character art/scene art, stickers, and bookmarks so be sure to preorder before June 30th and fill out the form here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

1. Is WHEN DEALING WITH DRAGONS a series?
This book was written as a standalone. But! I'm working on a companion novel that will hopefully be released in 2027. That companion novel will have two different main characters and their own love story, but it will be in the same world. Farren and James will have cameo appearances in the companion novel so if you love WHEN DEALING WITH DRAGONS you're going to want to read the next one!

2. Content level: How explicit is the romance?
There are no sex scenes in the book. It never goes beyond kissing.
As for other content, there is no cursing in the book. I very much wrote it to be YA, and even a bridge book between middle grade and young adult so all teens can enjoy it!

3. Will there be an audiobook?
Yes! The audiobook comes out June 30, 2026, the same day as the hardcover and e-book. Excitedly, the audiobook will be dual narrated for the two points of view!

4. Will there be foreign translations?
Yes! I'm so happy to report a few foreign countries have bought the rights to publish WHEN DEALING WITH DRAGONS. Here are the languages the book will be translated into I can publicly announce (so far):

English (US and UK) - Book 1 & 2
German - Book 1 & 2
Italian - Book 1
Hungarian - Book 1
French - Book 1

[kylie’s been jinxed ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 ˎˊ˗

ᯓ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴅᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴs ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴊᴜɴᴇ 30, 2026!
⤿ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.25 sᴛᴀʀs!! ★★★★☆
⤿ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪs ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ: ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴs, ғᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ, ʀɪᴠᴀʟs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs, ᴀɴᴅ ғᴏᴜɴᴅ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ!!

ᯓ ✨ ᴘʀᴇᴍɪsᴇ:
⤿ Farren Walsh and James Murphy are two rivals that would like to have nothing do with each other (perhaps). James has always been the star dragon racer, coming from a prestigious family and set to win the scholarship Farren has her eyes on. Farren is keeping secrets close to her heart, which James is getting (dangerously) close to.

ᯓ ✨ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
⤷ A light-hearted book, filled with compassion, found family and first love! Perfect for anyone who needs to curl up for a day and be transported to a wonderful world filled with dragons.

The dragons were super fun to read about as well. I quite liked how they shifted between the fierce, protective beasts and kind, caring creatures. The idea of having dragons that shed rare metals with magic powers when scared is super cool, although what ends up happening is rather gruesome.

The pacing is quick. The story goes on turbocharge after the 50% mark, it kept me engrossed - but it did feel rushed. There were some parts that I felt could have taken their time, but I was never bored while reading this.

The dual point-of-view was really entertaining, I liked watching them fall for each other - my heart melted a little bit.

The writing irked me a little bit in the beginning, but once I adapted it was fine. The chapters are littered with a funny, but dry humor. (I would like to argue that I am just as entertaining)

Additionally, this book is a super clean young-adult fantasy. The author herself elaborated that the romance is not explicit in any way.

In this case, I enjoyed how the characters receive their happy ending. I will definitely be up to reading the companion novel to this when it comes out!

ᯓ✨ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs:

⤷ Farren Walsh. A talented dragon veterinarian in training, dedicated to protecting her family (dragons included)!

⤷ James Murphy. A privileged dragon racer, wishing for something no noble titles can give him.

Their personalities and strengths compliment each other quite well and they are so fun to read about!

ᯓ 🫧 ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤿ 4.25 stars!!

ᯓ✨ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ:
⤿ The Prison Healer (Lynette Noni)
⤿ Fireborne (Rosaria Munda)

Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✨ || ᴘʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ:
₊⊹⁀➴ i am so excited to read this! the cover is wonderful - i think that i will read any book with a purple cover.

✨ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇs:

➤ 5% = i absolutely adore it when books have funny chapter titles 🥹

➤ 60% = they’re not too good at fake hating 😁

➤ 100% = i’m smiling so hard rn!!

[Rachel Sperber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perks of being friends with the author (and also a huge fan of hers) I was sent a PDF copy of her next release and have been devouring it ever since. Admittedly, I’m more of an audiobook reader than an e-book reader, but every time I had time to pick up the book, I was drawn into the world and her writing.

If you loved the Cast in Firelight duology, you’ll love this as well. It’s got Dana’s wonderful humor, character banter, and beautiful writing, but a new world and characters. Farren and James are fantastic POV characters, each with their secrets and coming of age stories within the course of the novel.

I don’t want to give too much away with the release date so far away, but I loved all of the characters in the book, especially the dragons, and the world building and magic was fascinating. I laughed at the humor, cooed over the dragons, and loved watching the characters interact throughout the whole journey. There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming. It’s the perfect mixture of cozy, budding romance, and dragons, along with breakneck adrenaline and intriguing societal commentary. I can’t wait to discuss this with other fellow readers!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review still coming, but I absolutely devoured this book! I really enjoyed the world building with magic being sourced from dragon bonds and metal, and the main rivals to lovers couple is just adorable and my favorite type of pairing.

[amber | spinmeastory · Rating 5 out of 5]

when dealing with dragons by dana swift 🐉🌊🩺

“Humans or dragons? Which would dominate over the other? It’s an age-old question our forefathers debated and why crafting began. But it’s never been one or the other. We were meant to work together.”

★★★★★

Hell yeah. THIS BOOK GETS ALL THE STARS (all five of them!). This one had me deep in my feels. I absolutely devoured this YA romantasy. It felt innocent and wholesome, but the stakes? Surprisingly high for YA. And I was hooked from start to finish. I have the softest spot for Farren and James 🥹

Friends, family, enemies: this is how you do a standalone romantasy 👏🏻 I’ll admit, I was a little nervous going in because it’s YA, but there were some intense moments that gave it a more mature edge without losing that heartfelt sweetness. And the ending? Wrapped up beautifully, full of hope and giddiness for these two cuties.

* The plot? Unique. The metal magic system storyline was so cool!
* The pacing? Chef’s kiss 🤌🏻
* Dual POV?! Dana can do no wrong!
* Rivals-to-lovers? Forbidden romance? Tropes that get me every single time.
* The cover? I gasped! It’s STUNNING.

There is something so refreshing about a YA romance that choses innocence and emotional intimacy. The slow burn simmered beautifully, the tension built naturally, and the tenderness made it impossible not to root for the two of them 🥹

Lastly, authors, I’m begging, PLEASE bring back chapter titles because this book had some of the BEST ones and I loved every second of it.

I didn’t even get to the dragons!!!!!!!! Farren and her family live and work at a dragon sanctuary. I REPEAT, DRAGON. SANCTUARY. Dragon vets are a thing!

Many, many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest, albeit, dramatic review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dealing with Dragons by Dana Swift was such an interesting read—unlike anything I’ve picked up before.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was the class system. The idea that a person’s social standing is determined by the type of metal they can magically weild with felt both unique and thoughtfully developed. The fact that the dragons produce this metal—and are sadly taken advantage of and poached for it—added an emotional layer to the story and made the stakes feel even higher.

The world-building was beautiful. I loved discovering the different types of dragons, and the sanctuary in particular was described so vividly that I could picture it perfectly. It felt magical and immersive.

I also really connected with the characters—both human and dragon alike. Farren is such a genuinely good person, always striving to do her best for everyone around her (dragons included), even when it costs her personally. James has so many layers, and it didn’t take long before I was rooting for him and his big heart. The author did a fantastic job giving the dragons their own distinct personalities as well. Hort and Nity will absolutely hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Starr ❇✌❇]

dragon conservationist? 🥺

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this book up! Such a cute premise (dragon veterinarians!), such an original story, and I loved all the cheesy romance. 🧀 It’s a cozy read and I appreciated the romance was clean. There were a few predictable moments and some surprising ones. The ending didn’t feel as polished as the rest of the book, but with all of that said, it was a comforting read. 🐉

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 💕

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars.

🐉 The vibes:
- YA romantasy
- Social classes
- Dragons
- Rivals
- Forbidden love
- Closed door

🐉 My thoughts:
I loved this so much. There are some books that have me so giddy, excited, and on the edge of my seat the entire time; books that I cannot put down and pain my soul when I can’t be reading it. This was that book for me. There’s rivals, pining, yearning, and dragons. Say less. It’s standalone which makes it the perfect read to consume and not get involved in a huge commitment.

🐉 The dynamic between Farren and James gave me all of the feelings of first love, but the depth of the characters individually and also together was everything. Farren and James are the most precious little things ever.

🐉 The class system involving metals was really cool. The social classes gave this story such an angst all throughout that I loved. It created a forbidden love situation that had me screaming and wondering how these two would make it work. The dragon veterinary moments were some of my favorites. Farren’s family was such a good part of the story.

🐉 And the action scenes involving the dragons was great. It’s been such a long time since I’ve read a book with dragons that connected for me that didn’t feel overly cheesy or silly. The dragons in this book gave me exactly what I look for in a dragon book. They’re big and strong beasts, but we also see a heartwarming side also.

🐉 This is definitely fantasy because we have dragons, but also there are cars and phones, and the way they talk feels modern. So I guess maybe urban fantasy is what I would classify this as based on that.

🐉 Overall, this is a favorite for me. It had so many elements that just worked so well. The friendships, the romance, the family, the dragons, and the action. I LOVED THIS.

Note- closed door; brief mentions of sex
Release date: June 30, 2026.

Thank you so much to Dana Swift, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

[Rebekka Röttger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the chance to read an early version of this and can say that it is one of the best young adult romantasy novels I read in a while. Absolutely lovely characters and a very cute romance. I was a bit hesitant at first, because the similar named Dealing with Dragons is one of my favourite children's novels, but this one needn't fear the comparison. In fact, I think Ferran and Cimorene would get along splendidly.

[Hailey Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

STOP READING THE REVIEWS AND GO READ THIS BOOK! This book completely blew me away, absolute infinity star read. Unique metal magic system, dragons and a sweet romance full of quiet yearning. I dabble in YA romantasy from time to time, it’s not always my favorite, but I could not put this book down, it was truly perfect!

Perfect pacing, with so many happy and sad emotional moments. I RARELY cry when I read, but this book had me tearing up every other chapter. 15% of the way through, and I texted every book lover I knew and told them to add this book to their tbr. I absolutely loved the romance, but the fantasy elements/plot had me in a chokehold.

If any part of you is considering reading this book, DO IT!

[Sarah Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Wednesday Books for the ARC!

This book was so sweet, I loved learning about the Walshes and their dragon sanctuary.

Going into this, I knew that there was a little enemies to lovers situation with the higher class dragon racer versus lower class dragon veterinarian, but the last 20% had me shocked. I was way too optimistic in thinking that the worst thing to happen to Farren and James would be a little miscommunication. I went from giggling & kicking my feet to full on crying at record speed.

Nity will always hold a special place in my heart <3

[BookishKB]

💫🐉 When Dealing with Dragons 🐉💫

📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

✨What to Expect
• Dragon sanctuary
• Academic rivals
• Dual POV
• Dragon veterinarian
_ _ _

📅 Pub Date: June 30, 2026
📝 Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“When Dealing with Dragons” by Dana Swift is a charming YA fantasy packed with dragons (complete with well-developed and unique worldbuilding), heart, and an adorable rivals-to-lovers romance, all wrapped in a thoughtful story about empathy, ambition, and standing up for what’s right. Before going into the review, I do want to provide a content warning for child physical abuse, which, while not described in detail, is mentioned throughout the book.

The book follows Farren Walsh, who helps run her family’s dragon sanctuary in a world where dragons are often treated as commodities rather than living creatures. She’s passionate, driven, and fiercely dedicated to protecting dragons, even when market forces and powerful families prioritize profit over their welfare. Enter James Murphy, heir to a wealthy family deeply involved in dragon racing and everything Farren stands against. Though expected to follow his family’s path, James secretly wants to become a dragon veterinarian, putting him at odds with his own future. As their paths collide, their rivalry slowly turns into something deeper, forcing both of them to question the system they live in.

One of the biggest highlights here is the romance. Farren and James have a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic filled with tension, snarky banter, and plenty of teenage angst, but their relationship develops in a way that feels organic and age-appropriate. The dual POV lets you understand both sides of their conflict, and while the story largely centers on Farren’s journey, James’s perspective adds emotional depth, especially as he struggles with family expectations and his own dreams. Their push-and-pull dynamic is sweet, believable, and easy to root for.

Of course, the real stars of the book are the dragons. There are so many different kinds (playful, fierce, protective, and even baby dragons), each with distinct personalities that make them impossible not to love. The worldbuilding surrounding dragons is especially creative, with a metal-based system that shapes society, politics, and class divisions. The story explores themes of animal welfare and exploitation in a way that mirrors real-world conversations about ethical treatment and conservation, giving the fantasy setting surprising depth.

The world itself feels rich and thoughtfully constructed, blending modern elements with magical creatures in a way that’s intriguing rather than confusing. Between the dragon sanctuary life, racing culture, and societal tensions, there’s plenty to explore, and the story raises meaningful questions about empathy, responsibility, and the cost of progress.

Beyond the romance and dragons, the book also shines through its characters. Farren’s perfectionism and determination make her relatable, while James’s softer, more conflicted personality adds emotional balance. The supportive family dynamics, especially Farren’s family, provide warmth, and the story’s themes of friendship, loyalty, and personal growth give it emotional weight.

The pacing is fast and engaging, with cliffhangers, mysteries, and steady emotional development that make it hard to put down. The tone balances humor, heartfelt moments, and exciting fantasy elements, making it appealing for younger readers while still enjoyable for adults. I would absolutely love a sequel to this book as I want to stay in the world Swift created.

Overall, “When Dealing with Dragons” is a delightful fantasy filled with lovable characters, inventive worldbuilding, and meaningful themes about compassion and responsibility. If you enjoy dragon-centered stories, sweet rivals-to-lovers romance, and immersive YA fantasy worlds, this one is an easy recommendation, and it definitely leaves you hoping for more stories in this universe.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dealing With Dragons was a fun read! I initially picked it up because of the references to dragon veterinarians in the blurb, which sounded like a really fun concept and, while there was only some veterinary action, it was still a good time if simplistic with its characters and writing.
We follow protagonists Farren and James, the daughter of dragon conservationists and the son of a wealthy family with a dragon-racing empire who exploit the powerful creatures both in the races and for the precious metal they shed. Both are in competition for a prestigious scholarship, and Farren’s only advantage is her medical knowledge until James forces his way into a summer internship at her family’s rescue centre. And that’s not her only problem, Farren is hiding a powerful secret, a secret that James’ presence puts at risk and would spell doom for her family if his ruthless father were to ever suspect anything. Meanwhile, James seeks sanctuary from the expectations and brutality of his family and fights his growing feelings for Farren.
Overall, this was a solid read. A strong point was definitely the worldbuilding concept. I really loved the concept of the dragon metals and metal crafting as well as seeing all of the different types of dragon (though I do wish we’d seen more!), it was really unlike anything else I’d seen before! I also really liked the animalistic intelligence behind the dragons, they weren’t human but were definitely more than just wild animals and I loved seeing their dynamics with the human characters. I think some worldbuilding details were a bit sparse - I would’ve liked more exploration of what exactly bonding with dragons is/entails as it’s mentioned a lot but was never really explained properly. Personally, I also would have liked a little more depth from the world in general as there wasn’t much wider context behind it in terms of whether we’re in an alternate Earth or an entirely different world. It certainly felt like a different world with all of the unusual placenames, but then some details just didn’t quite make sense without wider context like the level of technology or very Earth-like traditions. Ultimately, this doesn’t matter too much in a very self-contained ya story but I think it would’ve improved the reading experience for me if there was more depth.
The main characters were also strong. I really liked how no-nonsense and competent Farren was, far from a damsel in distress that needs saving! James was a pretty typical male love interest but I did like how caring he was with the dragons. The rest of the side characters did pale in comparison to them, however. They were effective in what they needed to do for the story but often felt quite thin. The same was true of the writing style, which was serviceable but got very repetitive and rambly in places. Some extra editing was probably needed just to tighten it a little.
The plot was very fun, I loved all of the twists throughout and it really kept me guessing! I will say that it didn’t quite fit the cosy vibes the book’s marketing seems to be going for, there’s a lot of quite horrific animal cruelty and dragon death but I did appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from the reality of exploitation in the way it mirrored some real-world practices. I would, however, be aware of it going in.
Overall, this was a fun read. I know I would have been absolutely obsessed with the dragons when I was younger and so I’d definitely recommend this for those in the 14-16 age range. I would personally have preferred a bit more depth but the loveable characters and dragons meant that the book served its purpose as a quick, entertaining time! If there are any other books in this world, I’ll be picking them up.

[Lea Jankowska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!
5 ⭐️
Dana Swift is a truly incredible author, and When Dealing With Dragons is a book that my teenage self would’ve dreamed of. A world where bonding with dragons gives you the ability to craft metal, which is exploited by the powerful in order for society to use these metals for anything ranging from buildings, medicine to fashion accessories. The population is societally divided by metal crafting classes, in which copper-crafting FMC Farren and her silver-crafting rival James share the dream of becoming dragon veterinarians, hoping to protect these dragons from the cruelty they may have to endure for their metal.

The romance between our two MCs is so realistically portrayed, which is hard to come by nowadays, and truly makes me wish that my 15 year old self would’ve had the chance to read novels like this. James isn’t a classically badass, broody MMC that hates everything except his girl. He is kind, soft and caring, despite his upbringing, and sees the best in Farren and these dragons. Another point for the fact that the FMC is actually slightly taller!! The emotional turmoils that so many go through during our teenage years, and how these emotions might be processed, are beautifully portrayed, and a big part of the story. It is exactly what should be coming out in the YA space.

Moreover, Dana Swift’s writing might be one of the most genre-appropriate fantasy YA novels I have read. It is a perfect example of how books should be written for teenage audiences. Swift explores so many core societal issues that arise in our own world, like animal cruelty for the sake of monetary gain, societal disparities between economical classes, questioning the ethicality of how materials are sourced, as most people, like in our world, never really think about, and more!
The emotional turmoils that so many go through during our teenage years, and how these emotions might be processed, are beautifully portrayed, and a big part of the story. It is exactly what I want to see coming out in the YA space.
The romance between our two MCs is just so realistically portrayed, which is hard to come by nowadays, and truly makes me wish that my 15 year old self would’ve had the chance to read novels like this. James isn’t a classically badass, broody MMC that hates everything except his girl. He is kind, soft and caring, despite his upbringing, and sees the best in Farren and these dragons. Another point for the fact that the FMC is actually slightly taller!!

The stakes are perfect if you are in the lookout for a cosy read that still has the depth and thrill of a higher fantasy,

If you choose to read When Dealing With Dragons, you can expect dragon racing, magical crafting, veterinary, familial love, male yearning and so much more :) While it might not be the perfect cup of tea for older audiences, I would absolutely recommend it to younger adults and any readers looking for a easy to read, cosy and empathetic read (with dragons!!)

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dealing with Dragons is a Young Adult-approved fantasy praising the dragon species and commenting on the hierarchy between social classes that are uniquely categorised by metals.

The book exceeded my expectations! With all the hype around dragons in romantasy, this book separates itself by emphasizing the bond between dragon and human. Farren and her family's love for their practice and dragons is how it should be done in a society dominated by the idea of making the most profit from the dragon's metals. The Walsh family and James are among the few people who truly care about these magnificent creatures. This social critique gave it a critical twist that served the story's plot. I had never read this kind of magical system, so it was very refreshing to me to delve deeper into the worldbuilding. It also commented on female degradation and a little bit on misogyny, BUT near the end is a twist that you may or may not see coming!

The Characters
Farren is passionate, intelligent, diligent, and can be commanding (in a self-respecting way). It was a pleasure reading through her POV because you could feel her struggle with self-identity secrecy. She's in this battle between what she wants and what's best for her family and the dragons. Farren is anything but selfish, contrary to some side characters. She thinks that golden boy James Murphy hates her guts, considering his family's reputation, too. But that's far from it. James is absolutely smitten with Farren Walsh, and that's evident in the way he always tries to protect her and those he loves in general. Growing up with a manipulative father, he struggles with family expectations and what his heart desires. So the moments in which we follow him finding himself are so emotionally connecting.

Relationship and dynamics
Farren and James' relationship is more of a he-falls-first, she-falls-later-and-together-they-fall-hard. Throughout the story, it has elements of rivals-to-lovers, Romeo-and-Juliet-romance, fake-hating, and forced-to-spend-time-together. They exchange delightful banter, and as they get to know each other, they find themselves individually too.

Side Characters
The side characters, such as the Walsh and Murphy families, and Farren's (ex)best friend, and a jerk of a classmate, are layered in such a way that makes them distinct. While the latter two are a bit more flat (and I would have loved to read more about Farren's best friend), the first two are more in-depth, which gives you a good indication of the separate ideals and social class system.

Ultimately, it's an intriguing dragon-centred young adult fantasy with weaved-in themes of social critique and politics. The pacing and writing-style were accessible and easy enough to follow, which makes you pay more attention to the plot and lets you fully immerse yourself in the story. It balances these lighter and heavier moments well, so it can be read by anyone.

Thank you, Dana Swift and NetGalley, for the chance to read this e-ARC of When Dealing with Dragons.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When Dealing with Dragons" is a dual POV YA romantasy following 2 rival teens as they are forced to work together on a dragon sanctuary. Farren and James have been bitter enemies for years. Farren has always found James to be self centered, uncaring about the dragons he trains, and worst of all, he's the only one who could possibly beat her out for the scholarship she desperately needs to attend college. When a dragon riding accident leaves James injured, his family finds it in his best interest to intern at Farren's family's dragon sanctuary over the summer while he heals. While Farren and James learn to work together, secrets start to emerge and the safety of all the dragons on the sanctuary may be at risk.

This was an EXCELLENT YA romantasy.

In depth world and character building: I really felt like I could understand the character justifications for their feelings and actions. Everything about the world and the metal crafting was so unique and interesting, and I had a hard time putting this book down because it was super engaging.

Action packed with plenty of romance: While you see Farren and James learn to understand their feelings for each other, it did not detract from the fast paced, action packed plot! There were plenty of twists that I didn't see coming, and some seriously intense moments!

Charming Standalone: This book is a standalone that really hit! It was the perfect length, not rushing any romance or world building, so that I really was able to feel connected to the characters and understand the world. I felt like it was perfectly paced and the ending came at just the right time, with an ending that packs a punch and is quite satisfying. I would love to read another novel in this world at some point!

5/5 stars

Wow I'm so glad I requested this ARC! It's perfect for the YA audience as there is only kissing, and the romance felt similar to what a teen might experience. The author really crafted a unique and intricate story and I loved every second of it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Dana Swift & St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy!

I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed the experience. While I know it’s a standalone, I am definitely willing to return to this universe some day to meet new characters and their scaly companions!

When Dealing with Dragons focuses on the romance between Farren and James a bit more than it does on the study & care of dragons. The author did a really good job of displaying how awkward and adorable teenage love can be, however this book definitely could have used more dragons facts!

We learn too little about these beautiful creatures. Most of the descriptions were basic. For example, they take care of a breed called Tree Slinger and it’s grumpy and enormous. That's all we’re told about it…
Please! What colors/patterns do they come in? Do they have round or pointy snouts? How long are their necks? What do they eat? Do they have horns at all and if yes, are they curly, straight? How big is an adult Tree Slinger next to an adult Sprinter or an adult Ocean Swooper? Wait, do Ocean Swoopers have gills or can they only hold their breath for a short amount of time while underwater? If there are Wyverns then there must be Drakes around, yes? What region can they be found in?

I was also confused by the setting/era this took place in? I was under the impression we were in a medieval-fantasy world until suddenly someone turned on the lights and made a phone call about loading up a dragon in the truck. HUH? But their technology is not advanced enough for TV, cameras, internet, flashlights? Is this urban fantasy?

Anyway! The metal crafting was a cool system I hadn't seen before and I liked most of the characters, especially Hort and Dr.Walsh! However the villains were cartoonishly evil. In fact, if animal abuse is one of your triggers, do beware because it gets dark a few times and it's a little jarring compared to the general sweet vibes of the book.

[gerdenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 Star*
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this eArc!
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year (I've literally had it on my goodreads shelf since 2024)... I was a little hesitant the first couple chapters but I quickly became engrossed.

As a whole- I loved this story and I am truly so sad it is a standalone.
The dragons/magic were so unique and interesting- I could have read 500 more pages.
The characters and their relationships were crafted beautifully- I haven't cared so much for main or even side characters this much since Fourth Wing. I can't remember the last time a book made me feel so many things.
Definitely one of the best true romantasy's I have ever read- a balanced love story and plot.

I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed what Dana created (as I plan for a reread)- a reminder before the next section...

The reason I did not give a 5 star rating is because I felt like the book didn't know what it wanted to be.
This is my first Dana Swift book so maybe it's just her writing style, but it is advertised as YA and the writing style feels very YA almost middle school sometimes- but the themes and characters are quite mature and complex (we mention sex very early on, torture and abuse are discussed a lot, and there is occasional cursing).
There also was not a lot of descriptions of places or dragons- I thought we were in a medieval fantasy setting until cars were mentioned (maybe just a me issue).
If the book had been geared more towards an upper YA or adult it easily could have been one of my top 3 favorite novels.
AGAIN, I still LOVED reading this book- the writing style did make easier to read and felt more comfy (despite all of the turmoil we go through), but I think a stronger tone could have matched the strong content of the story better (or maybe it wouldn't have- I'm no expert).

Please PLEASE continue writing in this world... I am obsessed.

[Kiana ⏾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC.

3.5 ⭐

This was one of the most unique dragon books I’ve read in a while, and I think this would have been a great book for my early teen self. I of course adored the dragons, but the combination of the metal-crafting magic and the dragons is what really enticed me. Bending metal to your will and bonding with a dragon through it is so cool. The romance and the main characters were really sweet. Learning about the different types of dragons and seeing Farren and James’s relationship felt very reminiscent of How to Train Your Dragon.

Something I didn’t quite love was how the dragons were tortured, specifically the scene with Hort’s brother, Hendrix. It bothered me that we couldn’t do anything to save him. Especially when we find out later that Mr. Murphy’s treatment of the dragons was in fact against the law. I get that we are trying to show how terribly this society treats dragons (specifically Mr. Murphy’s cruelty), but it was still hard to read.

And Nity's death. I cried over that gorgeous girl. And we brushed past it so fast.

The other part that didn’t quite hit was the metal ranking system. As much as I love the idea of metal-crafting, I have to believe that the metals in this world are much different to our own. Because why is gold the strongest? Still a fun idea, but that didn’t make much sense to me.

Other than that, I think this was a fun YA read. I hesitate to call this a “cozy fantasy” given some of the harsher themes of this book, but how can it not be when the dragons are so cute (and we are playing hide-and-go-seek with three of the baby ones??).

It also feels like there’s so much more to this world that I would love to explore: How did this “bond” form? How do other cities/cultures use metal-crafting? Are there more types of dragons we don’t know about? I need to know!

[Betsy And The Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐉🩶Content🩶🐉
🌶️Spice: kisses only
🙊Language: mild, infrequent, 33 d*mn, Gods name in vain. Note on the Language I seen the author put a comment on Goodreads that the published book will not have cursing in it. I’m just providing what was in the ARC I read and can’t speak for the finished copy.
🤔Other Content: death, violence, animal cruelty towards dragons, and talk about sex.

🐉🩶My Thoughts🩶🐉
Wow this one surprised me so much! I grabbed this when it was read now on NetGalley because I remember my bookish friend Hannah raving about this book on Instagram when she read it. Let me tell you everything she said about it was exactly how I felt reading it!

In this book Dragons have metal classes and bonding with one grants you magic to craft metal. There are Silver, bronze, and copper dragons. Gold dragons are extinct so much so that some people think their existence is a myth. James is a Silver crafter, high class, and Farren is a Copper crafter, lower class. She can’t stand him and he can’t get her out of his mind. They can’t be together because mixing metal classes is forbidden.

Let me just say I was invested from the very beginning! I was so fascinated by the world Dana created here it felt modern but with dragons. It was a book I had a hard time putting down and when I was forced to I was dying to dive back into the world and ride dragons! I haven’t felt this invested in a dragon book since Fourth Wing. I loved that this was a stand alone fantasy book but I think she is gonna write more within the world.

Overall I had the best time reading this book! I loved Dana Swifts writing and I look forward to any books she writes now! I highly recommend this book if you love YA urban fantasy books with dragons!

🐉🩶Thank you so much NetGalley, Dana Swift, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for gifting me an e-arc to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[E. McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book through a giveaway here on Goodreads. When I submitted my entry I found the premise sounded intriguing and so I was ready to read my copy.

Before I share my thoughts I'd like to say that if you're not a fan of first person and/or present tense writing then this isn't the book for you. The entire story is written this way. It took a little getting used to for me but I got there in the end.

For the first half of the story I honestly would not have given this more than two stars. It was slow and clunky at times for my personal taste. It also didn't help that I couldn't stand Farren. She's not the worst but there was a good deal of tell rather than show in the writing. So we get told that she hates James but don't really get to see much evidence of it. Which made it worse when it switched to his POV and you find out he's awkward and abused and without anyone he can be close to in life. This got better about halfway through the book as she got to know him but as a reader I was really struggling to keep pushing forward.

I also found that some of the writing early on made it so that the big reveal of the Walsh family having a gold dragon landed short. As wonderful as it is to drop hints, I had guessed the big reveal at the first mention of Nity's name. Personally I feel that if the cliffs had been mentioned without her name attached then I would have been left curious at the mystery rather than dropping the final puzzle piece immediately.

With that said, the second half of the book really picked up and allowed my rating to jump to where it is now. Not only did the chemistry between the characters improve, I felt the writing did as well. Suddenly things felt like they had a purpose which was so nice. (I would drop the very unnecessary detail about possible racism in one paragraph though. It felt very out of place and then had no evidence anywhere else. It was kind of gross in a way that wasn't necessary to the plot.) The twist at the end that Mr. Murphy was still an awful person but not responsible for the gold theft was beautiful. More so that James still kicked him to the curb rather than trying to make amends with a man who abused him all his life.

Overall the story is pretty good. While I can't say is recommend it to friends, I also wouldn't discourage anyone to not read it if there was interest. Others might enjoy things a lot more than I did. Besides, who knows if there might not be a handful of changes from now until it releases in the summer.

Feel free to give the book a chance if the premise intrigues but I will note that it's got some flaws that had me struggling to finish until the plot really picked up.

[Leslie Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compulsive read had me wishing I could decorate my walls with dragon art. Swift brings a fresh take to the rivals-to-lovers romance trope, giving the reader two unforgettable characters that you can't help but root for. This is a dual POV book, but it is clearly Farren's story. Farren Walsh helps her parents run a dragon sanctuary in a world in which market forces often overshadow ethical treatment of these marvelous creatures. The ethical parallels to animal cruelty situations in our own world are immediately apparent to anyone up to date on discussions of unethical treatment of farm animals (don't even get me started). Swift will find an audience who is primed to be invested in this book.

James Murphy, the second POV, is torn apart by familial obligations (his family is rich and wants him to be a dragon racer) and his own desire to be a dragon veterinarian. Both characters are painfully aware of their goals being potentially squashed by a system that doesn't elevate empathy over profit. Swift deftly develops their relationship in organic ways that show her to be a master of romance craft.

So, now let's focus on dragons. Dragons! So many dragons. Happy dragons, angry mom dragons, playful racing dragons, sad dragons, baby dragons. And then there are the different types, based on metals, which suggests to me that anyone who grew up reading WINGS OF FIRE is going to lose their minds with joy reading this book. My personal favorite dragon is Bex, a protective momma dragon who has quite a journey in the book.

My final thoughts on the book: WHEN DEALING WITH DRAGONS is one of those clever books that is able to give readers the romantic highs and lows they crave, while also encouraging us to question our relationship with the creatures we depend on.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ Rating: 3.5/5
💌 Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

When Dealing with Dragons is a young adult book that approaches dragons from a fresh angle, which made for a really fun and engaging read.
In this world, humans gain the ability to craft metal from dragons, but of course, humans turn this into a social class system, with silver crafters at the top.

The dual perspectives of Farren and James added so much depth to the story. Their relationship was utterly charming. Watching them navigate the awkwardness of getting to know each other, stumbling through conversations, and slowly building trust was both heartwarming and delightful.

It did take me a little while to get fully invested. The beginning didn’t quite pull me in, but around the 30% mark the story really picked up, and from there I found myself much more engaged. Some of the bigger reveals were hinted at quite early on, which made them feel a bit less impactful when they happened. I would have loved a bit more mystery, especially surrounding the cliffs.


I also found myself wishing certain elements had been explored more deeply. Racism is mentioned briefly but not really developed further. Similarly, since the dragons and their sanctuary are so central to the story, I would have loved to learn more about the different species and their behavior.

The world-building felt a little inconsistent at times. Much of the setting has a Regency-era feel, but then things like cars and phones appear, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

That said, I still had a really enjoyable reading experience overall and ended up finishing the book in a day. The combination of the unique premise, the cute dragons, and especially Farren and James completely kept me hooked, and I'd definitely pick up an interconnected novel.

This book really makes me wish for half-stars. I enjoyed it too much for a 3-star rating, but the flaws kept it from being a full 4-star read for me.

[Roslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 4.25 stars

Brimming with longing, mystery, and magic, When Dealing With Dragons was a charmingly delightful read. The story follows two academic rivals, James and Farren, who are brought together, despite their differing ranks in a metal-based class system, to care for dragons while keeping secrets from each other.

At first, I thought the world was in the typical fashion of most fantasy novels; however, I was pleasantly surprised that it took on more modern aspects (vehicles, phones, and so on), which made it feel more unique. I especially found how dragons were used in society to be interesting—I really like the idea of and focus on a dragon veterinary. It makes me wonder more about the world, such as (unless I missed it while reading) if dragons are the only source of metal, and how else they might be used in this society outside of racing.
The dynamic and progression between the main characters appeared fairly natural (though it almost leaned a little forced on Farren’s side when it came to disliking James). In my opinion, the dual-POV worked in this story; however, it did seem as if some things were revealed too soon, as well as it getting occasionally wordy. When it comes to the romance, there’s a definite feel to it that leans into the YA genre, but I still found it cute and enjoyable.

Overall, When Dealing With Dragons was a quick and easy read that I rather enjoyed, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone searching for a YA fantasy with dragons, young love, and found family.

To Wednesday Books (as well as NetGalley): thank you for sending an eARC in exchange for my thoughts!

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- dual POV
- Closed door YA Fantasy
- Dragon riders and magically crafting metal
- Strict social classes
- Rivals to dating
- Forbidden love
- Found family
- Plot driven story with big twists

✨ a few of my favorite things:
- the Walsh family and their kindness
- Farren’s competitive and inquisitive nature
- James’s sensitive, gentle, timid personality
- The dragon’s personalities
- James’ brave moments declaring his feelings
- When he dropped his mask and she stopped hiding
- The MC’s journey to dating
- The Walsh parent’s open honest conversations
- The satisfying ending where everything feels wrapped up and clean

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a very cute fantasy with adorable dragons and an easy to grasp magic system. I enjoyed the story and adventure of it all. The rivalry and then learning to flirt and perspective switch was so cute and endearing. Their banter was cute and very smooth at times which I loved. I also especially loved the healing love the Walsh family gives. The found family in this one is so cute. There are such great examples of grace and kindness as well as forgiveness and making amends.

There are strong themes of whose life has more value animals (dragons) or people. As well as ethical practices of animals (dragons).

This one did feel very YA to me expect for the mentions of sex and attraction. The teenager angst and fearlessness against rules and adults felt all very YA. The miscommunication and figuring out feelings was so teen.

This is a YA fantasy with kissing, some cursing, mentions of sex/attraction. There is death, violence, and torture.

**Thank you so much to Dana for letting me read this gifted ARC via NetGalley. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

[willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon conservationist Farren and dragon rider James are academic rivals competing for the prestigious Revers Academy scholarship in this YA romantasy that feels like How to Train Your Dragon plus metalbending a la Avatar the Last Airbender.

What a concept!! I loooveed the forbidden romance of these two who are not supposed to date because they’re from different classes. And the romance was super cute throughout the whole book. If you’re into ‘he’s been in love with her for years but she hates him’, this is IT. The whole setting at Farren’s dragon conservation home was ultimate vibes.

Some of the writing itself felt a bit unpolished to me. I realize this is an arc—so maybe some sentences will be cleaned up—but there were moments (even within the first chapter) where I was getting tripped up or confused.

We also don’t get a lot of worldbuilding, beyond the social class system which is ranked by metals, and even then I wish there was a little more done. There were many plot points relevant to this. While it feels like a fantasy setting, there are also references to cars and phones, and I’m ok with those anachronisms… but POLICE? When they showed up I jumped! In a book that’s FANTASY I can’t imagine why we’d want to put police in there. Ok yes it was plot relevant but I can think of workarounds that are not as jarring—in the worldbuilding sense AND sociological sense.

Anyway, this was a near 5 star romance for me and a 3 star book, so I’m putting it at a 4! While I found it a little underdeveloped at times, I had an enjoyable reading experience.

thank you to netgalley for an arc :)

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of thoughts about this book. When I started it I was immediately sucked into the story and fully invested. Around the halfway point maybe I did feel like things changed some and I still really enjoyed reading it, but it wasn’t quite the same. I’m not sure why. The language really took away from the story in my opinion. As a YA book I think it could have easily been left out and was very unnecessary.

The plot was really good, fast-paced, and super interesting. I enjoyed the romance (though the characters felt very young to me), and the dragons were very unique. I found the idea of crafting metals to be intriguing and I loved reading about the different things people could use metals for, especially the teas for healing.

James was my favorite. He was so sweet, but so misunderstood, and treated really awful. I felt bad for him, and I didn’t really understand why he liked Farren so much, but her character grew on me over time and then I liked her a whole lot more.

I loved Nity and the baby dragons. Hort was also a favorite! The different types of dragons were so cool.

I just finished the book so I’m still processing my thoughts but overall I did enjoy it and I gave it 4 stars. I think I would have given a higher rating if not for the language.

CW: language (over 30 uses of the word d-n, and a handful of other words), violence, someone’s arm is broken deliberately by their father (child abuse), descaling of dragons (inflicting torture), death, animal abuse

No spice- kisses only

•••

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-copy of this book- all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dealing with Dragons is a semi-cosy YA fantasy about two rival teens, both competing for the same university scholarship. Farren is the daughter of the local dragon vet and a Copper, which means she can only craft (manipulate the metal) for copper dragons and lower castes. James is a Silver, and the son of the head of the top dragon breeding, racing academy in the land. Farren hates him. Until he has an accident in a race. After Farren rescues him, and James comes to intern at their dragon sanctuary, they both learn a lot about each other and themselves.

This read like a true YA, and I am NOT saying that in a bad way. I recently saw a mom on Threads asking what her tween daughter should read. She had grown out of middle grade but wasn't quite ready for upper YA, and this would be a PERFECT book for her.

The Dragon Rider reading should go in this order:
- Wings of Fire
- When Dealing with Dragons
- Fireborne
- Fourth Wing

There aren't many books that fit in that second slot, and there need to be more. My only complaint was the world-building. I would have loved to know more about their history and there was some confusion about the era this would be set. They ride dragons but have cars. They also have real doctors who diagnose lymphoma and alternative doctors who give out metal teas. But I loved how the relationship developed between Farren and James, and their relationships with the dragons.

If you love dragon books, you will love this one.

TW: Animal abuse, animal death, physical abuse (All very lightly mentioned. Not very graphic)