Dana Swift created amazing universe that I would love to come back over and over. Magic system based on metals? Everything felt well-thought and full of possibilities for more stories. Farren and James were amazing main characters, their dynamic shifting from rivals (one sided) to lovers made my heart flutter! And don't get me even started on how much James is whipped. It's very easy to make this type of character overwhelming, but here author managed to balance it perfectly! Dragons aren't only on the background but are the core of this story that feel like animal companions, mistreated animals than some bloodthirsty monsters. My heart was breaking at some scenes, because of things that were happening. I will for sure remember this book warmly and come back in future to reread (or re-listen).

Vets, dragons, and academic rivals to teen love. When Dealing with Dragons grabbed me from the start and kept me up half the night needing to read the next page. Farren and James are such easy to love main characters and I’m really happy we get both POVs. The romance is adorable, featuring academic rivals where she is sure he hates her and he has just awkwardly been in love with her for years. I love an awkward MMC! Unfortunately there are class differences between them plus they are competing for the same university scholarship. World building here is really great, I loved how the dragon metal is incorporated into their society and while it's horrible, the way dragons are used and raced is sadly realistic to how humans tend to treat anything they consider “lesser”. I will warn there is discussion and depictions of animal cruelty and treatment that our heroes are fighting against and are disgusted by, but most of society accepts as normal. Audiobook Review - I first read the book as an ARC and then got it to listen to as an ALC. Both narrators are great and it is an easy listen. Thanks Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC.

i have never ever read anything this extraordinarily unique!! the magic system in this book was truly the work of art, and that alone made this a five star book for me!! i want to thank wednesday books for this e-arc and the chance to read this one early. it was truly my pleasure. i sometimes think im ageing out of ya books and then I read something like this and I'm instantly proved wrong. from the start i knew i was going to love this. i mean who could not love dragons? and what an amazing time i had with the dragons!! like oh my, they can turn themselves to metal? and the humans who ride them have the ability to craft that metal? so so so cool! i would describe this as more like a cosy fantasy with a romance sub plot. the stakes are highish but in the end the book focuses more on taking care of the dragons and the young love. and the safe haven for the dragons seemed like the cutest place ever. i genuinely loved this book so much, the love between family, the awkward crushes, the dragons!! 5 stars!

This was such a sweet read...and by that, I mean endearing and delightful. Happy to have discovered it (and this author as well). First off, I was pulled in by the uniqueness of the premise. This is a unique world in the dragon genre of books as it centers around the veterinarians who care for the dragons and the dragons' own ability to shield themselves with various metals and shed those metals thus providing their owners/human counterparts both a source of income and prestige (depending on the value of the metal). The shielding only takes place when the dragons are experiencing overwrought emotions (i.e. fear, nervousness, threat, etc.). "Crafting" the shed metals gives the humans (especially the "silvers") advantages in every way. This story revolves around an elite "silver" family whose son James is a champion racer. Farren is an apprentice vet to her father, and in addition to handling the physical needs of the dragons, she also provides "spotter" assistance at the races. As a member of a "copper" family, Farren is often ignored/looked down on as her "crafting" ability is concentrated in that metal (which is on the lower scale of the totem pole). As she and James maneuver their way through his summer internship with her father, they have to find a way to co-exist with their class animosity and competitiveness towards the other. This is a story about class/economic differences and also about found family when your blood family is not much of an option (for varying reasons). It's a story about secrets that are kept protecting those you care about at all costs. And it's the sweetest, purest story about love (also for various reasons) that I've read in a long while...the love of family, the love for dragons, the love between a forbidden relationship. While the villains in the story (and there are several) are dastardly and reviling, the heroes are uplifting and cheer worthy, and that's why I loved Farren and James so much as characters. They are good-hearted young people (17-18 years-old) who come to find surprising kindred souls in each other. There are surprises here (I won't spoil those), and I also must add a trigger warning for some abuse (nothing too graphic on page). But my main praise of this book must go to the sweetness (yes, I keep using that word, but it fits so perfectly) of both Farren and James as characters, both individually and as a couple. There are no obligatory teen sex scenes here and very little cursing (which I found very refreshing especially for this genre). I recommend this book for its excellent (and original) world-building, its charming mains, and its multiple messages of the various types of love and how healing each can be. My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books for providing the free early arc of When Dealing with Dragons for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I love this book so much, the romance is touching and feels authentic, I love the idea of dragon conservationists, and you can't help but fall in love with the cast of characters. This belongs on every young (and young at heart) fantasy reader's bookshelf!