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Dragonback #1
Dragon and Thief
Jack Morgan 13 has a dragon on his back - literally. The warrior K'da species are symbiotes, can only live six hours without their humanoid host. Draycos 30s is the sole survivor of the three ships destroyed scouting for their refugees, and Jack is the only possible choice. They may be an odd couple, but together they're more than the sum of their parts. They are destined to travel far and wide, facing many perils - human, alien, and other, as they seek justice and safety - Jack for himself, and Draycos for his people.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
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3,757 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
459books8,218followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
April 20, 2017
Final review, first posted on :
Dragon and Thief blends dragons and space opera in an exciting middle grade science fictional adventure. The dragon in the title is Draycos, a warrior-poet of an alien species called the K’da, who are able to shift from a three-dimensional being to a two-dimensional tattoo that attaches to your skin, moving around your body at will. The K’da are also a symbiont species, requiring a host to attach themselves to at least every six hours, or they fade away and die. In return, they offer their host protection and companionship.
The K’da have been linked with the humanoid Shontine people for years, but recently both have been under attack from a vicious people called the Valahgua, who are doing their best to exterminate the K’da and the Shontine and gain control over their part of space. Fleeing the Valahgua and their powerful weapon of mass destruction, the Death, the K’da and Shontine are seeking to colonize an empty planet when they run into an enemy ambush. Draycos� ship crashes on the planet Iota Klestis, where he is the sole survivor � but not for long, if he can’t find a new host.
Enter Jack Morgan, the 14-year-old thief � or, more accurately, reformed thief, since his Uncle Virgil, a lifelong con man and Jack’s sole family member, died and Jack decided to go straight. Before his death, Uncle Virge uploaded his personality into their shipboard computer, where his voice keeps Jack company and helps him to avoid being forced into foster care. Despite his reformed ways, Jack has been falsely accused of theft by a megacorporation, and he is temporarily hiding out on Iota Klestis while he and Uncle Virge try to figure out who has framed Jack and what they should do next. When Jack sees the wreck of Draycos� spaceship and goes to explore it, Draycos literally leaps at the chance to adopt him as a new host. The two of them have a lot to get used to with their drastically different ways of life, but perhaps they can help each other with their respective problems.
Dragon and Thief is a fast-paced adventure, moving from spaceship to planet to spaceport and back to spaceships, with dangerous villains stalking our heroes while they try to evade capture and resolve their troubles. Jack is an enjoyable main character, quick-thinking and courageous, and Uncle Virge’s cynical virtual personality provides some humorous relief as well as adding to the tension of the story. The real star of the book, however, is clearly Draycos. Young readers will be enchanted with this fierce but noble warrior who shifts into a flat gold-and-red tattoo, and Jack and Draycos figure out some creative uses for Draycos� unusual abilities during the course of their adventures.
Dragon and Thief is a quick read at less than 250 pages. I especially recommend it for younger teen boys, but anyone who enjoys YA space adventures is likely to appreciate this book. Even though the main character is a 14-year-old boy, Timothy Zahn writes with enough complexity to engage older readers, while keeping the plot and language clear enough that younger readers won’t get lost. While Dragon and Thief DZ’t end on a cliffhanger, not all of Jack’s and Draycos� problems are resolved by the end of this volume, and enthusiastic readers will want to check out the remaining five books in this DRAGONBACK series.
Dragon and Thief is a 2003 book that was recently reissued in trade paperback. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review. Thanks!
Dragon and Thief blends dragons and space opera in an exciting middle grade science fictional adventure. The dragon in the title is Draycos, a warrior-poet of an alien species called the K’da, who are able to shift from a three-dimensional being to a two-dimensional tattoo that attaches to your skin, moving around your body at will. The K’da are also a symbiont species, requiring a host to attach themselves to at least every six hours, or they fade away and die. In return, they offer their host protection and companionship.
The K’da have been linked with the humanoid Shontine people for years, but recently both have been under attack from a vicious people called the Valahgua, who are doing their best to exterminate the K’da and the Shontine and gain control over their part of space. Fleeing the Valahgua and their powerful weapon of mass destruction, the Death, the K’da and Shontine are seeking to colonize an empty planet when they run into an enemy ambush. Draycos� ship crashes on the planet Iota Klestis, where he is the sole survivor � but not for long, if he can’t find a new host.
Enter Jack Morgan, the 14-year-old thief � or, more accurately, reformed thief, since his Uncle Virgil, a lifelong con man and Jack’s sole family member, died and Jack decided to go straight. Before his death, Uncle Virge uploaded his personality into their shipboard computer, where his voice keeps Jack company and helps him to avoid being forced into foster care. Despite his reformed ways, Jack has been falsely accused of theft by a megacorporation, and he is temporarily hiding out on Iota Klestis while he and Uncle Virge try to figure out who has framed Jack and what they should do next. When Jack sees the wreck of Draycos� spaceship and goes to explore it, Draycos literally leaps at the chance to adopt him as a new host. The two of them have a lot to get used to with their drastically different ways of life, but perhaps they can help each other with their respective problems.
Dragon and Thief is a fast-paced adventure, moving from spaceship to planet to spaceport and back to spaceships, with dangerous villains stalking our heroes while they try to evade capture and resolve their troubles. Jack is an enjoyable main character, quick-thinking and courageous, and Uncle Virge’s cynical virtual personality provides some humorous relief as well as adding to the tension of the story. The real star of the book, however, is clearly Draycos. Young readers will be enchanted with this fierce but noble warrior who shifts into a flat gold-and-red tattoo, and Jack and Draycos figure out some creative uses for Draycos� unusual abilities during the course of their adventures.
Dragon and Thief is a quick read at less than 250 pages. I especially recommend it for younger teen boys, but anyone who enjoys YA space adventures is likely to appreciate this book. Even though the main character is a 14-year-old boy, Timothy Zahn writes with enough complexity to engage older readers, while keeping the plot and language clear enough that younger readers won’t get lost. While Dragon and Thief DZ’t end on a cliffhanger, not all of Jack’s and Draycos� problems are resolved by the end of this volume, and enthusiastic readers will want to check out the remaining five books in this DRAGONBACK series.
Dragon and Thief is a 2003 book that was recently reissued in trade paperback. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review. Thanks!
November 18, 2016
Originally reviewed at .
Dragon and Thief is a short, scifi story based upon a really cool idea (If you � like me � think sentient, symbiotic aliens who live on your skin as tattoos, talk to you, and can turn into warrior-poet dragons is cool.), and I can see middle grade readers (the intended audience) really enjoying it. I even believe others (who might only know Timothy Zahn from his Star Wars Expanded Universe novels) will find this straightforward tale an entertaining adventure worth their time.
The fun begins when Draycos, the aforementioned K’da symbiote, survives the destruction of the starship he is traveling on and is forced to find a new host within six hours. This causes our alien to join with the problem teenager Jack Morgan, who is a trained thief but DZ’t really enjoy his chosen profession. But instead of this joining calming things down for our dynamic duo, it results in each gaining new enemies, whom they must flee before, while also trying to pull off a tricky robbery of the most powerful people in the galaxy.
Other than the cool concept (How can you not love an alien warrior tattoo?), what keeps a reader turning pages here is the two main characters and their struggle to co-exist once they find themselves united. While it might seem strange, Draycos and Jack really don’t hit it off right away. Draycos is a true warrior-poet with a deep devotion to always doing right according to his moral code. Jack Morgan, on the other hand, has grown up as a thief, trained by his con man uncle Virgil; his general attitude is one of self-preservation and no concern for the harm his action might do to others. So, naturally, these two spend a great deal of time dealing with their interpersonal conflicts, learning about one another, and attempting to overcome their differences and work together as a team.
No story is perfect however, and I did have one problem with Dragon and Thief, specifically the feeling that nothing was resolved by its end. I mean, I knew going in that this was the first installment of a series, but my expectation was that, at least, something would be resolved in this narrative. Instead, the story read more like an extended introduction to the characters and a setup for the conflicts going forward in the series, creating dangling plot threads everywhere while leaving little feeling of satisfaction.
Overall, Dragon and Thief was a fun read that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys middle grade or young adult stories. The idea was cool; the characters are interesting; and the science fiction elements are easy to digest. No, our heroes don’t blow up the Death Star at the end, but they definitely have a lot of future adventures set up for the rest of the series to focus on.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Dragon and Thief is a short, scifi story based upon a really cool idea (If you � like me � think sentient, symbiotic aliens who live on your skin as tattoos, talk to you, and can turn into warrior-poet dragons is cool.), and I can see middle grade readers (the intended audience) really enjoying it. I even believe others (who might only know Timothy Zahn from his Star Wars Expanded Universe novels) will find this straightforward tale an entertaining adventure worth their time.
The fun begins when Draycos, the aforementioned K’da symbiote, survives the destruction of the starship he is traveling on and is forced to find a new host within six hours. This causes our alien to join with the problem teenager Jack Morgan, who is a trained thief but DZ’t really enjoy his chosen profession. But instead of this joining calming things down for our dynamic duo, it results in each gaining new enemies, whom they must flee before, while also trying to pull off a tricky robbery of the most powerful people in the galaxy.
Other than the cool concept (How can you not love an alien warrior tattoo?), what keeps a reader turning pages here is the two main characters and their struggle to co-exist once they find themselves united. While it might seem strange, Draycos and Jack really don’t hit it off right away. Draycos is a true warrior-poet with a deep devotion to always doing right according to his moral code. Jack Morgan, on the other hand, has grown up as a thief, trained by his con man uncle Virgil; his general attitude is one of self-preservation and no concern for the harm his action might do to others. So, naturally, these two spend a great deal of time dealing with their interpersonal conflicts, learning about one another, and attempting to overcome their differences and work together as a team.
No story is perfect however, and I did have one problem with Dragon and Thief, specifically the feeling that nothing was resolved by its end. I mean, I knew going in that this was the first installment of a series, but my expectation was that, at least, something would be resolved in this narrative. Instead, the story read more like an extended introduction to the characters and a setup for the conflicts going forward in the series, creating dangling plot threads everywhere while leaving little feeling of satisfaction.
Overall, Dragon and Thief was a fun read that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys middle grade or young adult stories. The idea was cool; the characters are interesting; and the science fiction elements are easy to digest. No, our heroes don’t blow up the Death Star at the end, but they definitely have a lot of future adventures set up for the rest of the series to focus on.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
October 11, 2018
My GR friends know that I have enjoyed a number of Zahn books over the past couple of years: A bit of his Star Wars world and a lot of his other SF thrillers. This is my first venture into his young adult library. On the plus side it has all of his signature talents at world building and some of his impressive innovation as well.
This novel (which became a series) features two main characters:
Jack � a barely teenage thief and con artist who has to get by on his wit and ability to “read� those around him.
Draycos � A self-styled “warrior/poet� of the K’da species that is virtually unknown is Jack’s part of the universe.
I won’t give you much of the plot except to say that they meet unexpectedly and find that they had better stay together until certain threats are resolved.
“Does that mean it does disturb you?� Draycos asked again... “A little, I guess,� Jack said. He had the side panel loose enough to swing inward, exposing the wires and soft foam sound insulation packed in between the side of the phone box and the elevator wall. “I mean, let’s face it. You K’da are superior to humans in about every way I can think of.� He took the cylinder back and pressed it into the insulation. It fit, barely. “You’re faster, you’re stronger, and you’re probably smarter,� he went on, pushing the panel back into place and starting to fasten the screws again. “You can turn two-dimensional and look through walls�. What can’t you do?� “We cannot live alone,� Draycos said softly. “Not for longer than six hours.�
Yes, Draycos is a dragon-shaped “tattoo� that can go from a two-dimensional form on Jack’s body to a three-dimensional terror at a moment’s notice. The when and where of that make up part of the plot’s tension.
Jack’s uncle, Virgil, was a robber, safe-cracker and con-artist who took care of Jack when his parents died. What that means is that Virgil made Jack into his cat’s paw and they lived a life of crime. Virgil holds to a con’s view of the world.
“The fact remains that Uncle Virge sees all actions and plans of action in terms of whether they will aid you or harm you.� “What’s wrong with that?� Jack demanded. “Who else is going to think about what I need?� “I agree that you should take care of yourself,� Draycos said. “But there should also be more to guide your decisions and actions than simply your own comfort or safety.�
Yes, a lot of this dialogue deals with this tension between moral philosophies. Zahn (through Draycos) is teaching morality to the reader. This and the utterly unexplained nature of the K’da are what dragged down the story for me. It’s unlikely that I will soon venture into Book #2, but then I wasn’t the target audience for this.
This novel (which became a series) features two main characters:
Jack � a barely teenage thief and con artist who has to get by on his wit and ability to “read� those around him.
Draycos � A self-styled “warrior/poet� of the K’da species that is virtually unknown is Jack’s part of the universe.
I won’t give you much of the plot except to say that they meet unexpectedly and find that they had better stay together until certain threats are resolved.
“Does that mean it does disturb you?� Draycos asked again... “A little, I guess,� Jack said. He had the side panel loose enough to swing inward, exposing the wires and soft foam sound insulation packed in between the side of the phone box and the elevator wall. “I mean, let’s face it. You K’da are superior to humans in about every way I can think of.� He took the cylinder back and pressed it into the insulation. It fit, barely. “You’re faster, you’re stronger, and you’re probably smarter,� he went on, pushing the panel back into place and starting to fasten the screws again. “You can turn two-dimensional and look through walls�. What can’t you do?� “We cannot live alone,� Draycos said softly. “Not for longer than six hours.�
Yes, Draycos is a dragon-shaped “tattoo� that can go from a two-dimensional form on Jack’s body to a three-dimensional terror at a moment’s notice. The when and where of that make up part of the plot’s tension.
Jack’s uncle, Virgil, was a robber, safe-cracker and con-artist who took care of Jack when his parents died. What that means is that Virgil made Jack into his cat’s paw and they lived a life of crime. Virgil holds to a con’s view of the world.
“The fact remains that Uncle Virge sees all actions and plans of action in terms of whether they will aid you or harm you.� “What’s wrong with that?� Jack demanded. “Who else is going to think about what I need?� “I agree that you should take care of yourself,� Draycos said. “But there should also be more to guide your decisions and actions than simply your own comfort or safety.�
Yes, a lot of this dialogue deals with this tension between moral philosophies. Zahn (through Draycos) is teaching morality to the reader. This and the utterly unexplained nature of the K’da are what dragged down the story for me. It’s unlikely that I will soon venture into Book #2, but then I wasn’t the target audience for this.
April 9, 2009
A dragon-like warrior who requires a host to live more than six hours, fleeing the massacre of his people, finds a new host and a new set of problems in teenaged Jack Morgan, who has been educated to be a thief but doesn't like the job. Jack and his con man and thief Uncle Virgil were fleeing their enemies when Uncle Virgil died. That's when Draycos, escaping the ruins of his ship and his dead host, finds Jack. Now the two of them are fleeing people who will stop at nothing to find Uncle Virgil, alive--including torture Jack. Now Jack, with Draycos's help, has to pull off one of Uncle Virgil's trickiest robberies--against their part of the galaxy's most powerful businessmen!
I'd recommend this not only for science fiction fans, but particularly for people looking for reading for boys. Jack is an intrepid kid, and a dragon who can transform himself to a tattoo-like ride-along is just too cool for words!
I'd recommend this not only for science fiction fans, but particularly for people looking for reading for boys. Jack is an intrepid kid, and a dragon who can transform himself to a tattoo-like ride-along is just too cool for words!
April 25, 2017
Boring and too juvenile for me. Not to mention too predictable
May 7, 2011
What is better than a sentient, two-dimensional life-form that lives on your skin like a tattoo and gives excellent advice? One that becomes an awesome, three-dimensional warrior-poet dragon, of course. Draycos, the K'da warrior, needs a host, and he finds one in Jack Morgan a fourteen year old reformed con man. As their unlikely friendship solidifies there are battles--in space and in person--mysteries, and con artistry all around. With an amoral, personality-filled AI rounding out the strange little family, what more do you want in a scifi novel?
October 4, 2010
I think I read that this is suppose to be a teen series. Other than only being 250 pages, and the protagonist being 14, I don't know why that would be. Zahn rarely uses swearing and other "adult" content, so that "lack" doesn't seem to contribute either.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book. It starts a little slow, but the typical good writing of Zahn prevails, plus this has a fast, satisfying, better than you're usual Zahn ending.
There were two problems/objectives and only one of them resolves. It is a series: the second objective/problem will resolve in the next book and new issues will come up, or it'll dangle out across several. I'll read the next one and find out . . .
Note that I almost didn't read it because the word "dragon" conjures up the idea of "fantasy," which I do not like. This is Science Fiction all the way. The word dragon is used descriptively, of the alien's looks that the 14 year old encounters (and granted, SF can have dragons).
Regardless, I enjoyed the book. It starts a little slow, but the typical good writing of Zahn prevails, plus this has a fast, satisfying, better than you're usual Zahn ending.
There were two problems/objectives and only one of them resolves. It is a series: the second objective/problem will resolve in the next book and new issues will come up, or it'll dangle out across several. I'll read the next one and find out . . .
Note that I almost didn't read it because the word "dragon" conjures up the idea of "fantasy," which I do not like. This is Science Fiction all the way. The word dragon is used descriptively, of the alien's looks that the 14 year old encounters (and granted, SF can have dragons).
June 6, 2012
In terms of children's literature, this series is ancient, with this first book written in 2003. But I'm glad I picked it off the maybe-to-be-weeded shelf at my library and gave it a try, because it's quite a good science fiction/ thief heist adventure for middle-grade kids. Now I have another series to complete, thanks to a cliffhanger ending that should have been obvious to me given that this is a six-book series. This really isn't anything other than a light, fast-paced diversion, but it's well-written and engaging and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I hope I can talk some boys at my library into reading it and maybe reviving this series, now that science fiction is semi-back-in-vogue.
December 8, 2020
While I did enjoy the story in this book I found it to be about average. Nothing really stood out to me. It's a mix of mystery, fantasy and sci-fi. The dragon in here has the unique ability to turn itself into a tattoo on the body of it's host and if it doesn't have a host to return to, it'll die in six hours. At first this ability really confused me in the story as I was really unsure what was going on - the author described the process in a very confusing manner - but later he explained it more clearly saying the dragon turns into a tattoo.
I think I prefer traditional dragons better.
I actually found the main character, Jack, somewhat annoying. I didn't like his attitude. He kept making comments like "whatever" or things along that line. He felt that he was alone and didn't need anyone. Including the dragon. It's hard for a person to care about a character when they have that type of attitude. I just couldn't relate to him at all. One would think he should be happy to find a dragon! But instead he was only thinking of how he could maybe get rid of it. This just really ruined the story.
A big part of the plot is about this criminal organization that's after Jack and his uncle. Very rich, powerful people..and how they try to frame him for stuff. Lots of spy stuff, investigation, etc. I'm not too sure I believe some of the stuff they got away with in the story, especially the stuff on the cruise ship. I find it hard to believe that a young teen can outsmart professional security people. And that is a big problem I have with the story.
This one ends with some questions left unanswered so I'll continue reading the series to see what happens. I understand that all together there are six books in this series.
The theme in here by the way is about good and evil, about doing the right thing..even if it's hard. The dragon is a very moral character and he's trying to teach Jack to be a better person.
I think I prefer traditional dragons better.
I actually found the main character, Jack, somewhat annoying. I didn't like his attitude. He kept making comments like "whatever" or things along that line. He felt that he was alone and didn't need anyone. Including the dragon. It's hard for a person to care about a character when they have that type of attitude. I just couldn't relate to him at all. One would think he should be happy to find a dragon! But instead he was only thinking of how he could maybe get rid of it. This just really ruined the story.
A big part of the plot is about this criminal organization that's after Jack and his uncle. Very rich, powerful people..and how they try to frame him for stuff. Lots of spy stuff, investigation, etc. I'm not too sure I believe some of the stuff they got away with in the story, especially the stuff on the cruise ship. I find it hard to believe that a young teen can outsmart professional security people. And that is a big problem I have with the story.
This one ends with some questions left unanswered so I'll continue reading the series to see what happens. I understand that all together there are six books in this series.
The theme in here by the way is about good and evil, about doing the right thing..even if it's hard. The dragon is a very moral character and he's trying to teach Jack to be a better person.
May 30, 2022
I was really surprised by this book! I was expecting your typical dragon story, but this is completely different from anything I've ever read about. It's half dragon-fantasy, part science-fiction space wars, part murder mystery, with a smattering of corporate espionage.
The writing is fast-paced and perfectly crafted. Difficult to put down once you've started reading.
Fantastic story and I loved loved the characters so much! Draycos is an especially fascinating character. Every word he says is dripping with meaning. It amazes me that he's so calm and wise all the time, when you know his whole world is falling apart. I loved seeing him trying to adapt to the language and culture of Jack's side of the universe. Jack is clever and full of nerve and a bit sassy too. Incredibly well-rounded characters, likeable and... the word that comes to mind is..."spicey".
Update: Reading this for the second time, I enjoyed it just as much as the first time! I'm going to dive into the rest of the series immediately!
The writing is fast-paced and perfectly crafted. Difficult to put down once you've started reading.
Fantastic story and I loved loved the characters so much! Draycos is an especially fascinating character. Every word he says is dripping with meaning. It amazes me that he's so calm and wise all the time, when you know his whole world is falling apart. I loved seeing him trying to adapt to the language and culture of Jack's side of the universe. Jack is clever and full of nerve and a bit sassy too. Incredibly well-rounded characters, likeable and... the word that comes to mind is..."spicey".
Update: Reading this for the second time, I enjoyed it just as much as the first time! I'm going to dive into the rest of the series immediately!
November 12, 2018
“Jack muttered a word that had once cost him a week of desserts.�
Entertaining science fiction for young readers that harks back to the early days of SF, before we got all cynical and crude. Not that our fourteen-year-old protagonist isn’t a cynic, but that’s part of the fun. Thinking smarter you know everything at that age is such a burden, and a delight to those around you.
“It is interesting, is it not, that people so often turn out to be different than we expect.� “Don’t fool yourself, kiddo.�
Lots of typos which appeared to be OCR scanning errors. Someone at Open Road flunked proofreading. Still, we appreciate their making these books available.
Ship named Essenay? Pig Latin (Es-See-Nay) for Nessie, perhaps, as in Loch Ness� Nessie?
Entertaining science fiction for young readers that harks back to the early days of SF, before we got all cynical and crude. Not that our fourteen-year-old protagonist isn’t a cynic, but that’s part of the fun. Thinking smarter you know everything at that age is such a burden, and a delight to those around you.
“It is interesting, is it not, that people so often turn out to be different than we expect.� “Don’t fool yourself, kiddo.�
Lots of typos which appeared to be OCR scanning errors. Someone at Open Road flunked proofreading. Still, we appreciate their making these books available.
Ship named Essenay? Pig Latin (Es-See-Nay) for Nessie, perhaps, as in Loch Ness� Nessie?
December 5, 2016
The nitty-gritty: A fun and fast start to a series with spaceships, dragons and plenty of action.
I do love when publishers decide to re-release older books in order to make them available to a new audience, and when I heard about Dragon and Thief, a book originally published in 2003, I thought I’d give it a try. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never read Timothy Zahn before, and this seemed like a great opportunity. Dragon and Thief is the first in the Dragonback series, and I’m assuming if this does well, Tor will continue to publish the series. My reaction in three words? Cute and charming. Although I have seen the “young adult� moniker floating around, I feel this book falls firmly in middle grade territory, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to kids ages ten and up. Which was slightly problematic for me, because this story felt very young. There is absolutely no swearing, very little violence, and the dialog felt a bit old-fashioned to me (Jack uses expressions like "I will be dipped in butter" a lot). These things aren’t bad, don’t get me wrong, I’m just saying perhaps I wasn’t the best audience. But despite that personal drawback, Dragon and Thief is full of cool ideas, interesting relationships, and best of all, an awesome heist story. Oh, and did I mention it takes place in space?
Jack Morgan is a fourteen-year-old boy, on the run after being framed for theft. He’s hiding out on a planet in his ship the Essenay, hoping to come up with a plan to clear his name, when a fight erupts in the skies above, forcing one of the ships involved to crash-land on the planet’s surface. When Jack goes to investigate, he gets more than he bargained for. The lone survivor is a dragon-like creature called a K’da, an alien species who must live symbiotically with a host in order to survive. Jack gets the surprise of his life when Draycos, the K’da, asks if Jack will agree to be his host, since the K’da can only live without one for several hours, and his host is now dead. Not quite understanding the ramifications, Jack agrees, and before he knows what’s hit him—literally—Draycos has melded right into Jack’s skin, forming a dragon shaped tattoo across his back. Draycos can emerge from Jack at will, and it turns out he’s an amazing fighter, but Jack knows his new friend is going to take some getting used to.
Draycos explains to Jack that someone is out to destroy his people, along with a species called the Shontine who usually act as hosts to the K’da. The two make a bargain. Draycos will help Jack clear his name, if Jack will help him save the K’da and the Shontine from destruction. It’s a tall order, but Jack’s up for the challenge.
There is a lot to like about this story. First of all, I loved the relationship between Jack and Draycos. Jack is a fairly surly teenager and goes through most of the story annoyed with his new companion, but that made things more interesting. Draycos is unfamiliar with human ways, and his innocence was charming, even if Jack didn’t think it was. But after a few demonstrations of Draycos� fighting skills, and after he gets them out of a couple of tight spots, Jack reluctantly agrees that it’s not such a bad thing to have a dragon watching your back—while he’s on your back! I do have to admit that I struggled a bit with the mechanics of exactly how Draycos merges with Jack. Zahn explains things pretty thoroughly, and yet I couldn’t quite grasp it. I guess it’s one of those situations where you have to just let it go and enjoy the story without over-thinking things.
My favorite part of the story involves Jack’s “Uncle Virge,� and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to tell you this because it is in the blurb on the back of the book. We learn after about fifty pages or so that Uncle Virge, who Jack has been conversing with while on his ship, is actually dead, and he’s turned his personality and wealth of knowledge into a virtual identity, a voice that helps Jack run the ship and even survive. Uncle Virge is also Jack’s little secret, since the men chasing him have no idea he’s dead. It makes for a wonderful cat and mouse scenario, and when Jack is captured and is forced to steal something, Uncle Virge plays an interesting role in helping him out.
My only issue is some rather blatant info dumping, in the style of “I’m an alien from another solar system and I don’t know your Earth ways, why don’t you teach me?� It’s a little too convenient that Draycos really DZ’t understand how to behave around humans, and so it falls to Jack to explain things. I suppose a middle schooler might not catch on to this rather obvious trick, but it was laughably clear to me, unfortunately. Luckily the book is short enough that there aren’t that many things at this point in the story that Jack needs to explain.
Dragon and Thief ends abruptly, more in the manner of a serialized story than a true series. A quick check on ŷ shows that there are five more Dragonback books, and if Tor aims to satisfy readers, I hope they’ll continue to publish the other five volumes in quick succession. For preteens especially—and for those adults who are young at heart—this book is really quite fun, and Zahn manages to slip in an important and timely message: it's best to do the right thing, even when it makes you uncomfortable.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
March 29, 2023
This was an enjoyable and quick read. I rarely read SciFi, but this got my attention.
The idea of a symbiont living on a host in a living tattoo was very original. Allthough, it made me think about that scene in 'Alien' where the alien came out of the chest of it's host...But that's just a side note. I've felt sad for Jack, being on his own, as for Uncle Virge, well, he's not a 'real' uncle anymore, so having a dragon attached to your back (most of the times), must give the feeling that you're never alone again.
The dynamic between Jack and Draycos was funny. Jack being a typical teenager at moments, as for Draycos being very polite, but also very curious at Jack's world.
Also, it feels like Jack is torn between Draycos, who insist on doing the right thing and uncle Virge/Virgil, who is a conman.
I've felt that this book was an introduction of what is to come next in the other books.
The idea of a symbiont living on a host in a living tattoo was very original. Allthough, it made me think about that scene in 'Alien' where the alien came out of the chest of it's host...But that's just a side note. I've felt sad for Jack, being on his own, as for Uncle Virge, well, he's not a 'real' uncle anymore, so having a dragon attached to your back (most of the times), must give the feeling that you're never alone again.
The dynamic between Jack and Draycos was funny. Jack being a typical teenager at moments, as for Draycos being very polite, but also very curious at Jack's world.
Also, it feels like Jack is torn between Draycos, who insist on doing the right thing and uncle Virge/Virgil, who is a conman.
I've felt that this book was an introduction of what is to come next in the other books.
August 26, 2024
A clean adventure story. So glad I picked this one up! No cursing or sexual content. Some violence but nothing graphic. It is difficult to find a decent fantasy story that is interesting. Not perfect but I fill like it was close enough to earn the 5 stars. Excited to see where the story goes.
February 3, 2014
Until this week, I was only familiar with Timothy Zahn as the best author of Star Wars' Expanded Universe. The thing I love about his Star Wars book is that they're all over the place, having multiple story lines going on at the same time, with the characters constantly traveling from one end of the galaxy to the other, and back again.
While Dragon and Thief is a fluffy, simple, and short young adult book, it has that very same charm: the two main characters travel across space, and with every possible solution to their problems comes another problem they'll have to solve first. It certainly makes for a wonderful little page-turner.
Dragon and Thief definitely isn't a deep or serious read. It's simply an exciting and entertaining novel for young teens that you'll keep reading for the action-packed story, rather than the stereotyped protagonists.
While Dragon and Thief is a fluffy, simple, and short young adult book, it has that very same charm: the two main characters travel across space, and with every possible solution to their problems comes another problem they'll have to solve first. It certainly makes for a wonderful little page-turner.
Dragon and Thief definitely isn't a deep or serious read. It's simply an exciting and entertaining novel for young teens that you'll keep reading for the action-packed story, rather than the stereotyped protagonists.
June 22, 2017
I had no idea Timothy Zahn had ever written anything young adult, and fantasy, too? I was thrilled when I noticed!
As it turns out, it's not fantasy, but space opera, but it's still quite a good one. Jack Morgan was raised by his crooked Uncle, who was a safe cracker and thief, but who died and left Jack a legacy of being framed for a crime he didn't commit. Trying to go straight, Jack and the AI of his Uncle that runs his small freighter stumble upon a fire fight... it turns out the K'da, a symbionic race of dragons, are trying to feel from evil bad guys trying to destroy their civilation and, of course, can bond with humans... so what you get is a 14 year old with most of the skills of James Bond that has a full body Dragon tattoo that comes to life and kicks butt.
The plot follows Jack trying to figure out how to get free of being framed up by a megacorp, and ends up getting mixed up in a plot by one of the board members.. there's also a link to Draycos (the K'da) and probably will all connect together soon.
This resembles 60s YA sci fi much more the the current, with a clear wish fufillment main character (who wouldn't want a pet dragon that is physically bonded to them?) with a strong moral lesson... I definitely like the old ways better!
As it turns out, it's not fantasy, but space opera, but it's still quite a good one. Jack Morgan was raised by his crooked Uncle, who was a safe cracker and thief, but who died and left Jack a legacy of being framed for a crime he didn't commit. Trying to go straight, Jack and the AI of his Uncle that runs his small freighter stumble upon a fire fight... it turns out the K'da, a symbionic race of dragons, are trying to feel from evil bad guys trying to destroy their civilation and, of course, can bond with humans... so what you get is a 14 year old with most of the skills of James Bond that has a full body Dragon tattoo that comes to life and kicks butt.
The plot follows Jack trying to figure out how to get free of being framed up by a megacorp, and ends up getting mixed up in a plot by one of the board members.. there's also a link to Draycos (the K'da) and probably will all connect together soon.
This resembles 60s YA sci fi much more the the current, with a clear wish fufillment main character (who wouldn't want a pet dragon that is physically bonded to them?) with a strong moral lesson... I definitely like the old ways better!
March 19, 2020
The first in the series of 6 books by Timothy Zahn, this middle school level science fiction book is awesome!
The story takes place in outer space with adventures, intrigue, suspense and space wars! Jack Morgan is the young orphan who has to use all the wits and experience he has gained in his young life to survive an interstellar frame-up. He witnesses a space fight and in the wreckage, he finds no survivors, he thinks. But he becomes the host for the only survivor, Draycos, a K' da warrior. The definition of symbiotic- two things helping each other and being better together than alone describes these two as they learn each other's strengths and support each other's weaknesses. The dragon melds into Jack, like a dimensional tattoo when he is resting and can leap into action showing his super strengths. This first book in the series sets up their relationship and how Jack is wary of trusting anyone, and that Draycos is dependent on him for life itself, and will protect him at all costs. The story has several sticky situations that come up, with each surprising the other as to what a good team they make. The other main character is Uncle Virge, Jack's recently deceased mentor in the art of the con. However, he programmed himself into the spaceship and is a sort of conscience and mentor after his death. The ending sets up expectations for many future adventures and makes me want to explore the next books in the series. Highly recommend.
The story takes place in outer space with adventures, intrigue, suspense and space wars! Jack Morgan is the young orphan who has to use all the wits and experience he has gained in his young life to survive an interstellar frame-up. He witnesses a space fight and in the wreckage, he finds no survivors, he thinks. But he becomes the host for the only survivor, Draycos, a K' da warrior. The definition of symbiotic- two things helping each other and being better together than alone describes these two as they learn each other's strengths and support each other's weaknesses. The dragon melds into Jack, like a dimensional tattoo when he is resting and can leap into action showing his super strengths. This first book in the series sets up their relationship and how Jack is wary of trusting anyone, and that Draycos is dependent on him for life itself, and will protect him at all costs. The story has several sticky situations that come up, with each surprising the other as to what a good team they make. The other main character is Uncle Virge, Jack's recently deceased mentor in the art of the con. However, he programmed himself into the spaceship and is a sort of conscience and mentor after his death. The ending sets up expectations for many future adventures and makes me want to explore the next books in the series. Highly recommend.
August 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It reminds me a bit of the Dragonriders of Pern. The dragon here is a symbiote, not a love interest. A comrade, not a perfect male specimen. It's a nice change!
The tale begins with a whole lot of destruction and desolation, which almost just put me off and set the book aside. Combine this with the 14 year old age of the protagonist, and I had a bit of a struggle getting into this story. But once it got moving, it really drew me in.
It seems silly in a book like this, but there are lot of interesting relationships. We have Dracyos trying with every fiber of his being to convince Jack to do the honorable thing and his Uncle trying just as hard to make him do the selfish thing. These are both well done.
There are a lot of aliens here and none (beyond the K'da) are well drawn or illustrated . . . they are just there. I am not sure all the aliens are necessary to the story and they become a bit confusing.
There is no mystery - it is really more of a suspense story and I enjoyed the way it played out. I know there will be more and I desperately want to move on in the series but I am annoyed that the price went up because I didn't realize the next 2 books were on sale.
Still. Enjoyable series that makes me want to know more - even if it is about a kid. That isn't easily done. 4 stars.
The tale begins with a whole lot of destruction and desolation, which almost just put me off and set the book aside. Combine this with the 14 year old age of the protagonist, and I had a bit of a struggle getting into this story. But once it got moving, it really drew me in.
It seems silly in a book like this, but there are lot of interesting relationships. We have Dracyos trying with every fiber of his being to convince Jack to do the honorable thing and his Uncle trying just as hard to make him do the selfish thing. These are both well done.
There are a lot of aliens here and none (beyond the K'da) are well drawn or illustrated . . . they are just there. I am not sure all the aliens are necessary to the story and they become a bit confusing.
There is no mystery - it is really more of a suspense story and I enjoyed the way it played out. I know there will be more and I desperately want to move on in the series but I am annoyed that the price went up because I didn't realize the next 2 books were on sale.
Still. Enjoyable series that makes me want to know more - even if it is about a kid. That isn't easily done. 4 stars.
November 20, 2022
Good book, obviously a children's novel but pretty fun main characters and mix of short-term and long-term conflicts. I liked the character development for the main characters that was caused by their more internal conflicts they are fighting about while they are working together on their external conflicts.
September 22, 2017
I enjoy dragon books, but I never expected it to be in science fiction. I thought this interesting. The beginning starts out bland, but as I read on, it became more and more in-depth and detailed, therefore making it a better read.
June 5, 2019
Great for young readers and for more advanced readers looking for a nice quick sci-fi dragon experience!
March 3, 2023
This is one my brother recommended to me and I absolutely loved it! It has a fun and unique magic system, a great duo, and an engaging mystery. I can't wait to read more in the series.
March 21, 2023
Waffling between a 4 & 5, but rounded up. I really enjoyed this book--it is fun, quick, has really interesting concepts with cool execution. There were about two moments in the book where I felt "hmm, this does not jive with my logic" but that could partially be because I've been reading too much grimdark lately and felt a vacuum-like need for more sociopolitical depth and twistiness.
One of my fellow BR-ers mentioned that this feels like a slice of a larger picture, and I agree--this book has a very nicely defined arc, and also, without cliffhanger, sets up for the next arc, and the big over-arching series arch too. Definitely sticking around for the series.
I really like Draycos--he made me laugh a lot--and I like his interactions with Jack. The characters felt a little surface-simplistic, but have interesting backstories--and again, this feeling could be from grimdark overload. Try comparing these to the First Law boyos and they are like 2D to 4D. BUT! That's not really a problem because 1) lighthearted YA book and 2) 1st in a series--I'm looking forward to seeing more depth develop.
One of my fellow BR-ers mentioned that this feels like a slice of a larger picture, and I agree--this book has a very nicely defined arc, and also, without cliffhanger, sets up for the next arc, and the big over-arching series arch too. Definitely sticking around for the series.
I really like Draycos--he made me laugh a lot--and I like his interactions with Jack. The characters felt a little surface-simplistic, but have interesting backstories--and again, this feeling could be from grimdark overload. Try comparing these to the First Law boyos and they are like 2D to 4D. BUT! That's not really a problem because 1) lighthearted YA book and 2) 1st in a series--I'm looking forward to seeing more depth develop.
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November 29, 2023It was okay....not my cup of tea 🍵
And that's alright 😊
And that's alright 😊
August 29, 2018
The concept was pretty cool. I also liked how Jack, although introduced as a fourteen-year-old, gradually reveals himself to be wiser beyond his years. I also enjoyed finding out who Uncle Virgil really was.
In my opinion, the book slowed down once Jack got captured and after his "magic" demonstration. It also seemed to stretch belief that Jack could, by then, find himself in a position of galaxial (is that a word?) importance.
In my opinion, the book slowed down once Jack got captured and after his "magic" demonstration. It also seemed to stretch belief that Jack could, by then, find himself in a position of galaxial (is that a word?) importance.
March 15, 2016
The Boy With The Dragon Tattoo...that can fight and compose poetry
Sometimes, an author comes up with a simple but attractive idea that's so ingenious in its design, that I wonder why I haven't seen this idea before in other things.
In this case, it's the idea of a draconian alien of human intelligence and the capacity for mild deadpan snark that can convert itself into a tattoo on a host body and therefore turn from a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional object. A portable companion that can be easily hidden with a shirt. A tattoo that makes for an effective spy.
Pardon me for saying this, but that's just cool. I am honestly surprised that there was never an eighties cartoon with a similar premise. I have never read a book by Timothy Zahn before, but the summary blurb was just too enticing to resist.
Now, I was sold on one of the major ideas, but how did the actual book hold up?
Extremely well, in fact. I ended up voraciously devouring this book (a breezy 250 pages) in two sittings and eagerly look forward to the sequel.
What makes this book so strong, besides the concept, are the two main characters. Draycos (the titular dragon) is a warrior-poet who has a strong moral code and believes in doing the right thing and is, at times, at a loss for words in regards to how humanity can act at times. Jack Morgan (the titular thief) is a youth that is in hiding for a crime he didn't commit and for his ties to his con artist uncle Virgil. And, while he isn't exactly a bad person, he's more focused on self-preservation and looking out for himself. A series of events leads them to discover one another and lend aide to each other, and they both learn some things about each other and themselves while attempting to solve several mysteries that concern both them and two maligned races that might soon be wiped out of existence by something called "The Death".
It's the first book out of a series so not everything is resolved (in fact, not much of anything is resolved, and you find yourself tripping over all the dangling plot threads), but at the very least, there are some things that are gained in the process so the book feels more than just an extended prologue/origin story.
I think what I like most about this book is there is a nice, refreshing subtlety to the writing. A lot of Draycos' personality comes through not by what he says but in his body language, and I welcomed those descriptions of how he would lay on the floor like a dog or how he would ingest a blended dinner of motor oil and raw steak despite his high end intelligence. It really showed that, while he is sentient, Jack was not just talking to a human in the shape of a dragon but rather an actual alien being.
Meanwhile, Jack Morgan is a con artist, and while he does show us that he isn't totally willing to just drop his talents in the name of "being good", he also has a lot of personal turmoil over his upbringing and has standards. We end up getting a lot of personal moments with him. You can feel Jack's regret and the book does a great job showing rather than just telling.
However, while I enjoyed this book from start to finish, I do have one minor gripe, and it's one that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book that much but still needs to be noted: Save for the K'Da, the other alien races get little to no description whatsoever. One race, the Shontine, supposedly are similar to humans in that a K'Da can be host to both, but about four other races show up and the only descriptors I got was the one is big and kind of stupid, one wants to wipe out all Shontine and K'Da, one doesn't give reliable information when asked to be a witness for a crime scene, and another is tall and has weird birthday/christening parties. Considering Draycos gets an adequate amount of descriptors involving scale color, size, body language, and look, it's not just a fault of the writing either. I'd be fine with just a word or two describing skin color hidden here or there, or a descriptor of how many limbs one of these beings has. Fur, number of eyes, something.
...well, okay. Two minor gripes. Draycos looks nothing like how the cover depicts and is described as wingless multiple times in the novel. Had to note this for completion's sake.
Overall, a very fun, quick read that I definitely recommend. They don't actually do anything about the life-destroying laser beam that killed Draycos' best friend and previous host in this book, but hey, there's several novels after this one in the series. I'm positive that when I pick up the other books, they will address it.
Sometimes, an author comes up with a simple but attractive idea that's so ingenious in its design, that I wonder why I haven't seen this idea before in other things.
In this case, it's the idea of a draconian alien of human intelligence and the capacity for mild deadpan snark that can convert itself into a tattoo on a host body and therefore turn from a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional object. A portable companion that can be easily hidden with a shirt. A tattoo that makes for an effective spy.
Pardon me for saying this, but that's just cool. I am honestly surprised that there was never an eighties cartoon with a similar premise. I have never read a book by Timothy Zahn before, but the summary blurb was just too enticing to resist.
Now, I was sold on one of the major ideas, but how did the actual book hold up?
Extremely well, in fact. I ended up voraciously devouring this book (a breezy 250 pages) in two sittings and eagerly look forward to the sequel.
What makes this book so strong, besides the concept, are the two main characters. Draycos (the titular dragon) is a warrior-poet who has a strong moral code and believes in doing the right thing and is, at times, at a loss for words in regards to how humanity can act at times. Jack Morgan (the titular thief) is a youth that is in hiding for a crime he didn't commit and for his ties to his con artist uncle Virgil. And, while he isn't exactly a bad person, he's more focused on self-preservation and looking out for himself. A series of events leads them to discover one another and lend aide to each other, and they both learn some things about each other and themselves while attempting to solve several mysteries that concern both them and two maligned races that might soon be wiped out of existence by something called "The Death".
It's the first book out of a series so not everything is resolved (in fact, not much of anything is resolved, and you find yourself tripping over all the dangling plot threads), but at the very least, there are some things that are gained in the process so the book feels more than just an extended prologue/origin story.
I think what I like most about this book is there is a nice, refreshing subtlety to the writing. A lot of Draycos' personality comes through not by what he says but in his body language, and I welcomed those descriptions of how he would lay on the floor like a dog or how he would ingest a blended dinner of motor oil and raw steak despite his high end intelligence. It really showed that, while he is sentient, Jack was not just talking to a human in the shape of a dragon but rather an actual alien being.
Meanwhile, Jack Morgan is a con artist, and while he does show us that he isn't totally willing to just drop his talents in the name of "being good", he also has a lot of personal turmoil over his upbringing and has standards. We end up getting a lot of personal moments with him. You can feel Jack's regret and the book does a great job showing rather than just telling.
However, while I enjoyed this book from start to finish, I do have one minor gripe, and it's one that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book that much but still needs to be noted: Save for the K'Da, the other alien races get little to no description whatsoever. One race, the Shontine, supposedly are similar to humans in that a K'Da can be host to both, but about four other races show up and the only descriptors I got was the one is big and kind of stupid, one wants to wipe out all Shontine and K'Da, one doesn't give reliable information when asked to be a witness for a crime scene, and another is tall and has weird birthday/christening parties. Considering Draycos gets an adequate amount of descriptors involving scale color, size, body language, and look, it's not just a fault of the writing either. I'd be fine with just a word or two describing skin color hidden here or there, or a descriptor of how many limbs one of these beings has. Fur, number of eyes, something.
...well, okay. Two minor gripes. Draycos looks nothing like how the cover depicts and is described as wingless multiple times in the novel. Had to note this for completion's sake.
Overall, a very fun, quick read that I definitely recommend. They don't actually do anything about the life-destroying laser beam that killed Draycos' best friend and previous host in this book, but hey, there's several novels after this one in the series. I'm positive that when I pick up the other books, they will address it.
October 20, 2019
This is a great start to a great series. 13-year-old jack morgan, a thief, must make a choice. Save an entire race from annihilation, or continue as normal. With the aid of Draycos, a Poet-Warrior of the Kda, They embark on an epic adventure throughout which you will find yourself unable to stop reading. I highly recommend this book if you are into sci-fi, action, adventure, or mystery. Definitely a must-read. This book is 266 pages long.
December 26, 2014
When I found Dragon and Thief on goodreads, I saved it to my to-read list simply because it had "dragon" and "thief" in the title. I was winding down on my "thief" streak, and ready for a new binge - which turned out to be "dragon"s. (I am slightly obsessive with certain trends until their hold on me weakens; then, unless they are very good, I forget about them until years later).
The Dragonback series was the most fabulous start to any streak I have ever had.
What's really good about the Dragonback series is the way Draycos and Jack have such an amazing relationship. Right from the beginning, they just fit together - the reason for that is in the last book, Dragon and Liberator. Of course, though, nothing must ever go right - there must be a thorn in their side somewhere. This thorn presents itself in unhelpful, snide, manipulative, somewhat likable and grudging Uncle Virge, who tried at every opportunity to break apart Jack's friendship with his dragon-friend and ship said dragon off to the local police force along with the huge, bulky problem the dragon lugs along with him, all nicely wrapped and tied off with a lovely bow.
What does Jack say? Why, no, of course. Or there wouldn't be more than fifty pages in total (this is an approximation).
Anyway, you don't really get to Draycos' problem until Dragon and Slave, the second book. This first book is no less readable, though - in fact, it's even more amazing because it's your first taste of Draycos and Jack, and they always aim to please, yes?
Granted, the description is weird. And grammatically incorrect on so many levels. And it doesn't even tell you what the book is about properly. It's as if whoever wrote it decided to give us the important details and let us figure it out all on our own. I almost passed by the entire series because of that, honestly. I didn't, though, and IT WAS WORTH IT. Every. Single. Word.
Ah, I'm halfway through Dragon and Judge, so I bid thee farewell and good luck and well met. I hope you can find your way to the Dragonback friends on your own, though; methinks I'll be a little too busy reading.
The Dragonback series was the most fabulous start to any streak I have ever had.
What's really good about the Dragonback series is the way Draycos and Jack have such an amazing relationship. Right from the beginning, they just fit together - the reason for that is in the last book, Dragon and Liberator. Of course, though, nothing must ever go right - there must be a thorn in their side somewhere. This thorn presents itself in unhelpful, snide, manipulative, somewhat likable and grudging Uncle Virge, who tried at every opportunity to break apart Jack's friendship with his dragon-friend and ship said dragon off to the local police force along with the huge, bulky problem the dragon lugs along with him, all nicely wrapped and tied off with a lovely bow.
What does Jack say? Why, no, of course. Or there wouldn't be more than fifty pages in total (this is an approximation).
Anyway, you don't really get to Draycos' problem until Dragon and Slave, the second book. This first book is no less readable, though - in fact, it's even more amazing because it's your first taste of Draycos and Jack, and they always aim to please, yes?
Granted, the description is weird. And grammatically incorrect on so many levels. And it doesn't even tell you what the book is about properly. It's as if whoever wrote it decided to give us the important details and let us figure it out all on our own. I almost passed by the entire series because of that, honestly. I didn't, though, and IT WAS WORTH IT. Every. Single. Word.
Ah, I'm halfway through Dragon and Judge, so I bid thee farewell and good luck and well met. I hope you can find your way to the Dragonback friends on your own, though; methinks I'll be a little too busy reading.
October 22, 2014
I picked this book because I needed my "dragon" spot filled on the reading bingo. I asked a friend which dragon book I should read and she said this one. You could make a case that Draycos is not really a dragon because he’s an alien. But it’s in the title! And Jack calls him a dragon more than once. Draycos is a symbiotic alien, he can’t live apart from his host for more than a few hours. But he will help and defend that host using all of his skill as a warrior. He can also got through walls using some barely-explained dimensional shifting. Draycos is on a mission to save his people from their enemies, but when the refugees make it to our end of the galaxy, the enemies are waiting for them. Draycos has no choice but to escape with a human kid, Jack. Jack’s a thief, or at least he was a thief. Now he’s trying to be legal, but he was framed for a theft he didn’t do. So he’s avoiding authorities tip this all blows over. Not the best situation for rallying people to save the symbiotic dragons.
Anyway, when I started this book I was a little disappointed. The thief kid, Jack, was reformed. No more high stakes scams! The plot didn’t really grab me til about 1/3 of the way through. Draycos is now living on Jack’s skin like an animated tattoo. Jack is using his conman skills to clear his name. Then we get to the main conflict: Jack has to steal a thing from a vault on a space cruise ship, using just his wits and multitool. It’s like the Italian job in space with a dragon and a kid. Now, this is the kind of adventure I signed up for!
The plot has appropriate twists and reveals. The concept of symbiotic dragons is cool. While Jack is a great name for a hero, I thought he was a weird mixture of too mature and not grownup at all. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up training to be a conman and then live by yourself for a while. The book is clearly written for a younger audience than me, and it took a while for the story to get going, in my opinion. But the book was short enough that the beginning was slow only in comparison to the rest of the book. In the end it was worth it and I’ll probably pick up the next books sometime.
Anyway, when I started this book I was a little disappointed. The thief kid, Jack, was reformed. No more high stakes scams! The plot didn’t really grab me til about 1/3 of the way through. Draycos is now living on Jack’s skin like an animated tattoo. Jack is using his conman skills to clear his name. Then we get to the main conflict: Jack has to steal a thing from a vault on a space cruise ship, using just his wits and multitool. It’s like the Italian job in space with a dragon and a kid. Now, this is the kind of adventure I signed up for!
The plot has appropriate twists and reveals. The concept of symbiotic dragons is cool. While Jack is a great name for a hero, I thought he was a weird mixture of too mature and not grownup at all. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up training to be a conman and then live by yourself for a while. The book is clearly written for a younger audience than me, and it took a while for the story to get going, in my opinion. But the book was short enough that the beginning was slow only in comparison to the rest of the book. In the end it was worth it and I’ll probably pick up the next books sometime.
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August 3, 2015I absolutely loved this book when I first read it at 14. The series as a whole is surprisingly touching, and even though the books each relate a separate adventure, it combines into a whole very well. The plot is exciting and takes a lot of interesting, clever twists. Unlike a lot of YA fiction, the dialogue is engaging and not at all shallow. Especially in the later books of the series, Zahn does an excellent job of foreshadowing without really giving the truth away to his readers, so despite that our view of events is slightly more omniscient than the characters', we don't actually know that much more than Jack. I absolutely love the idea of Draycos' symbiotic shifting between two- and three-dimensional, and Zahn plays it out really well. Jack is a likable, believable protagonist, and his change from a somewhat morally ambiguous boy to a gallant young hero - even his change in this first installment alone - is convincing and a strong emotional draw. The series as a whole is excellent - I have and will probably continue to recommend it - and Dragon and Thief is a wonderful setup and definitely worth reading in its own right. Exciting, intriguing, and still solidly believable. This book added me to the legion of Timothy Zahn's fans.
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