The Book of Dragons: A New Book on Dragon Lore is Coming Summer 2025 | Arcane Eye

More Dragon Lore

It’s shaping up to be a legendary summer for Dungeons & Dragons fans. On top of the dragon-centric adventure anthology Dragon Delves coming out in July, DK Books has officially announced The Book of Dragons, a 224-page hardcover dedicated entirely to the most iconic creatures in fantasy: dragons. Set to release in August 2025, this new title isn’t a rulebook or sourcebook, but rather a visually rich companion volume exploring the lore, physiology, and cultural legacy of dragons in the worlds of D&D.

Written by Michael Witwer and presented from the dual perspectives of Bahamut and Tiamat, The Book of Dragons offers no new mechanics, stat blocks, or player options—instead, it focuses exclusively on the mythology and artistic renderings of dragonkind. Below, we take a closer look at what to expect.

What Is The Book of Dragons About?

Unlike traditional D&D books, The Book of Dragons functions as an art-and-lore compendium, not a gameplay supplement. Each spread dives deep into the biology, behavior, and symbolism of individual dragon types—metallic, chromatic, and gem alike. We’ve seen previews that show dragons explored through annotated anatomical breakdowns, with detailed renderings of classic characteristics.

Interestingly, gem dragons, which were seen as recently as Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons, like the Sapphire and Amythest Dragon are displayed covered in dazzling, translucent gemstone plates, with information about their psychokinetic breath weapons.

On top of providing information about different dragon types, it also dives into the lore behind specific dragons. We see a full-page spread of Havarlan, an ancient silver dragon and Paladin of Bahamut, is profiled as a paragon of justice who helped lead the Talons of Justice during the catastrophic Rage of Dragons.

All of this is brought to life by lavish artwork, rich in color, anatomy, and storytelling. Readers can expect full-page spreads, anatomical callouts, and narrative vignettes that celebrate each dragon not just as a stat block, but as a character in their own right.

A New Approach to Dragon Lore

While The Book of Dragons contains no mechanical content for the D&D roleplaying game—no Feats, stat blocks, or subclasses—it is written to deepen a Dungeon Master’s understanding of dragons and inspire storytelling at the table. From descriptions of underwater adaptations to notes on hoard psychology and species-specific instincts, the book reads like an in-world bestiary penned by draconic sages.

When Is The Book of Dragons Coming Out?

The book is scheduled to release on August 27, 2025, in both print and digital formats, and will retail for $40 USD. Preorders are now available through Amazon, major bookstores, and your local game store.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a Dungeon Master looking to bring more nuance to your next dragon encounter, or a longtime fan of D&D’s most majestic monsters, The Book of Dragons promises to be a feast for the imagination. With breathtaking art and deeply researched lore, it stands as a definitive tribute to the creatures that have defined fantasy for generations.

We’ll be keeping an eye on this one as its release approaches. For now, enjoy some of the stunning sample artwork below—including pages on bronze, sapphire, and silver dragons—and prepare to meet your wyrm.