When Dealing with Dragons, Dana Swift
When Dealing with Dragons, Dana Swift
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When Dealing with Dragons

Author: Dana Swift

Narrator: Charlotte Lobdell, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick

Unabridged: 12 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/30/2026

Synopsis

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.

About Dana Swift

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. Dana currently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and goldendoodle, Kala, who’s antics inspired the dragons in When Dealing With Dragons. Her debut, Cast in Firelight, and its sequel, Bound by Firelight, were published with Delacorte Press.

About Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick

A proudly queer artist, Dylan is a passionate narrator with a deep, abiding love for intricate character work. They bring a distinct voice to each piece they work on, always ensuring that not only is the narration tailored to the author’s voice, but that each character voice within, has it’s own unique sound. Having spent much of their career steeped in theatre and traditional voiceover, Dylan has a knack for bringing vibrant energy to all their work, regardless of genre.Additionally, their work won them inclusion in the Deadline Award’s “Trailblazer Cohort”, and their first solo-narrated work, “Go Luck Yourself” by Sara Raasch, was named an Apple Music Must Listen.As a narrator, Dylan is most inspired by the depth of character that is afforded by audiobooks as a medium. A lover of fantasy, science fiction, and all manner of romance, Dylan loves bringing bizarre worlds and heightened situations to life, grounding and infusing them with humanity and vulnerability.

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Quotes

"A remarkably unique world. When Dealing with Dragons crafts an exemplary balance between cozy sanctuary antics and breakneck adventure—it’s top-tier dragon fantasy." —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

"Dragon conservation, rivals-to-lovers, and plenty of adventure: When Dealing with Dragons takes you on a wild ride from start to finish." –Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling coauthor of My Lady Jane

"A delightful, dragon-filled love story with clever world building, endearing characters, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that you will be shipping from the very first chapter!" —Romina Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Castle of the Cursed

“A romance with a heart of gold that soars on dragon wings! I could not put this one down until the last breathless page!” —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch

"If you're a fan of dragons, you need to pick up this new fantasy by Dana Swift... light and funny, whip-smart and immersive story perfect for fans of found family and making this broken world a better place, one small action at a time." —Kamilah Cole, Dragon, Lambda, and Lodestar Award-nominated author of the bestselling Divine Traitors duology

"Adeptly interweaving issues of class, animal abuse, and exploitation, Swift’s compelling fantasy world puts a microscope on our own. An absolutely riveting read for romance diehards and dragon enthusiasts alike." —Booklist (starred)

"A tender and thrilling adventure, When Dealing with Dragons is a sweeping tale of true love, sacrifice, and the importance of protecting the beautiful yet fragile pieces of the natural world in a time when some seek only to profit from it." —R.M. Romero, award-winning author of The Ghost of Rose Hill

"Pure gold. With complex characters, a heart-fluttering slow burn romance, and magic as intricate as filigree, the world feels both lived in and loved. Swift writes dragons like you’ve never seen before. Cozy and clever, fierce and tender—this is a gem of a read. " —Mikayla Bridge, author of Of Flame and Fury

"When Dealing with Dragons is the perfect addition to any romantasy lover’s bookshelf. The yearning alone had my heart soaring like the gilded dragons I met on the page. If you are looking for a story that is equal parts sweet, adventurous, swoon-worthy, and ferocious, this book is for you." —Angela Montoya, author of Sinner's Isle and A Cruel Thirst

"This book has everything: heart-stopping dragon racing, daring rescues, and breathtaking romance. Dana Swift had me laughing and crying, sometimes at the same time. I loved it!" —Erika Lewis, award-winning author of the Kelcie Murphy series

"James Herriot meets fantasy... Compulsively readable and filled with sweet romance. Come for the dueling dragons, stay for the Elphaba/Fiyero vibes between our two main characters. A perfect companion to a cup of tea and a fresh baked batch of fiery cinnamon cookies!" —Amanda Quain, author of Dashed

"A charming and heartfelt high-flying adventure, When Dealing with Dragons is a book that you won't be able to put down. Swift takes us into a magical world you'll want to visit again and again." —Aleisa Mora, @wtfalesia on TikTok (>700k followers)

"This wholesome dragon adventure with a unique alchemical spin will have your heart soaring. With two characters who love as fiercely as they advocate, prepare to swoon as this romance takes flight!" —Vanessa Montalban, author of A Tall Dark Trouble

"A story that takes flight from the very first page. Dana Swift creates a world with unique magic that challenges the status quo of society while also giving us a love story that swept me off my feet, and made my heart soar along with her dragons.” – R.J. Valldeperas, author of Their Will Undone

"Equal parts sweet and swoony. Full of secrets, magic, and soaring dragons, Swift’s created a world that you won’t want to leave. This is the romantasy I’ve been waiting for." –S. Isabelle, author of The Witchery

"When Dealing with Dragons had me kicking my little feet and giggling! It's a cozy escape into a world filled with dragons, perfect for anyone who has ever felt a deep connection with animals and magical creatures of all kinds. " —Jenny Omaly, booktoker @jennyomaly

"Swift blends high-stakes action with a heartfelt romance, exploring the ethical implications of animal exploitation... A thrilling and romantic YA fantasy... this is a strong addition to any collection." —The Library Journal

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