Dragon and Thief - (Dragonback) by Timothy Zahn (Paperback)

About the Book

In this first book of Zahns Dragonback series, Jack Morgan, framed for theft, is hiding on a distant planet. A firefight in the skies leaves a downed ship near Jacks hiding place, with a single unlikely survivor--a dragon that must join with a human host within six hours or die.

Book Synopsis

The first book of six in the popular Dragonback science fiction series from Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn. Fun for readers 10 and older.

Timothy Zahn has been entertaining science fiction readers young and old for decades with exciting, thought-provoking adventures. Dragon and Thief is sure to delight all his fans and gain new teen and adult readers as well.

Jack Morgan has been framed for theft. He's hiding on a distant planet with the virtual presence of his deceased Uncle Virge, a con man who has been his only family since Jack's parents died. Jack knows he must clear his name before the cops catch up with him. A firefight among ships in the skies above leaves a downed ship near Jack's hiding place, with a single unlikely survivor. It looks like a dragon, and it must join with a human host within six hours or die. The only available host is Jack.

Draycos, Jack's new "companion," is a K'da, a dragon-like species that lives symbiotically with the humanoid Shontine. The attackers, determined to exterminate Draycos's people, will find them if they don't flee; so the pair works together to escape the planet and begin a search for the truth behind Jack's frame-up and the identity of the attackers.

With Jack's future hanging in the balance, as well as the future of billions of Draycos's people, the pair must track down the people who framed Jack, and prevent the destruction of the remaining K'da and Shontine. They'll also discover whether their union was mere coincidence, or a friendship written in the stars.

"Zahn keeps the story moving at breakneck speed."--Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover

"The opener of the Dragonback series is a romp of a space thriller. Readers will welcome further adventures."
--"Booklist"
Fourteen-year-old orphan Jack Morgan is hiding out.
"In a spaceship."
Falsely accused of a crime, he pilots his Uncle Virgil's spaceship to a remote and uninhabited planet hoping to escape capture. When another ship crashes after a fierce battle, Jack rescues the sole survivor-- a K'da warrior names Draycos. It turns out Draycos can help Jack clear his name. All they have to do is team up. No problem, right?
Until Jack learns that Draycos is "not "your average alien.
The Dragonback Series, Book 1
"Well paced and smoothly narrated. Jack and Draycos learn to trust each other-- and discover they have enemies in common."
--"Kirkus Reviews"
"This start to a new SF adventure series from Hugo Award-winner Zahn keeps the story moving at breakneck speed."
--"Publishers Weekly"
Ages 10 and up

Review Quotes

For Dragon and Thief:

"Well paced and smoothly narrated. Jack and Drayos learn to trust each other-and discover they have enemies in common."--Kirkus Reviews

"The opener of the Dragonback series is a romp of a space thriller. Readers will welcome further adventures."--Booklist

For Timothy Zahn:

"Through in-depth characterization, as well as toothsome scientific and political mysteries, Zahn unfolds an intricate tale of adventure sure to please his many fans." --Publishers Weekly on Angelmass

"Timothy Zahn's Angelmass is one of those rare novels that satisfies on almost every level. It has a believably complex cast of characters, a relentlessly entertaining story, and a near-perfect mix of theoretical and practical science."--Locus

"Zahn paints every futuristic detail with gleamy realism and mock scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk. Once underway, immensely appealing."--Kirkus Reviews on Angelmass

About the Author

TIMOTHY ZAHN won a Hugo Award for his novella Cascade Point. He is the author of the all-time bestselling original Star Wars tie-in novel Heir to the Empire, and of the popular Blackcollar and Cobra military SF series. His work also includes the novels Angelmass and Manta's Gift.