What do you think?
Rate this book
Dragonback #6
Dragon and Liberator
Jack Morgan 14, and Draycos, poet/warrior K’da dragon hiding as tattoo on his back face Neverlin, who killed Jack’s parents and destroyed the scout fleet of which Draycos was the sole survivor. When their friend Alison is captured, Jack gives himself up, and Draycos is imprisoned too. How will the duo prevent both species' annihilation?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2008
7 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
481 books8,504 followersTimothy 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 26, 2010
Timothy Zahn is, by one specific unit of measure, my favorite author. That is, I own and have read over thirty of his books. That's more than any other author that I have read, though there are a few that approach that number. This is a skewed scale, obviously. Some authors haven't been writing as long as Zahn and some authors I just haven't known about for as long. Therefore I refer to Zahn by the moniker of a favorite author.
Dragon and Liberator is both a great book and a slightly mediocre one.
First, this book is the poster child for why I love multibook series. This sixth book that finishes up the Dragonback series is one huge climax. This makes it intensely fast-paced – one of Zahn's signature abilities – and very satisfying as mysteries and foreshadowings from the previous five books are all pulled together for this final showdown. A single book can not convey the level of tension and character development that can be put into a well written series. A single book can not drag on an on with the kind of inflated prose that can be put into a poorly written series, either. Thankfully, this is one of the former type.
Which is another fascinating point. These characters really have grown. So much that if you compare them to the way they were in the first book that they don't even seem like the same characters. On the other hand the changes are so subtle that you don't remember changes taking place. This is how people change, we rarely think to ourselves that we need to start seeing the world in a different way. Rather our viewpoints change as a reflection of our experiences.
The problem with having read so many of Zahn's books is that I begin to see recycled situations and scenarios. Even certain character traits tend to get stirred into the new pot. It recalls memories of listening to a John William's soundtrack. When listening to Harry Potter you hear hints of E.T. and Star Wars. Sometimes there are sprinkles of Indiana Jones thrown in. The soundtrack is still new but it's definitely distinguishable as a John William's piece just from hearing it.
Being a John Williams is not a bad thing.
There are a few Deus Ex Machina-seeming moments in this book that, while Zahn apparently planned on them from the beginning, the foreshadowing was so subtle that I literally had to reread those parts to make sure I understood what had happened.
This series has progressed from the first book to become something quite spectacular. Not only do the characters change and grow up because of what happens to them but the story ramps up the danger with each book. I still remember the first time one of the good guys was forced to kill an enemy instead of just outsmart them. It was almost breathtakingly shocking. In this final book the enemy has quit trying to capture Jack and Draycos – it's now a death sentence. In return, Draycos and Jack are taking the war to the enemy. They're in a battle for survival and they've finally come to the realization that playing nice isn't going to cut it anymore.
Jack has fully accepted Draycos' warrior ethic by this point and when faced with a decision to put his own life in danger to save others he doesn't hesitate. He reflects on it while he's doing it and realizes that what he is doing is not because he likes the other persons, or cares for them, but because it is right. This point is a character climax for Jack. He's been conditioned his entire life to look out for himself first and others if they will be useful.
This book was a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. It starts with Alison and Taneem getting locked in a safe aboard the enemies ship and Jack and Draycos arrested on Brum-a-Dum and the action escalates from there into three hundred pages of the signature Zahn avalanche of clever plots and brilliant action.
This book is perfect for people of all ages.
Dragon and Liberator is both a great book and a slightly mediocre one.
First, this book is the poster child for why I love multibook series. This sixth book that finishes up the Dragonback series is one huge climax. This makes it intensely fast-paced – one of Zahn's signature abilities – and very satisfying as mysteries and foreshadowings from the previous five books are all pulled together for this final showdown. A single book can not convey the level of tension and character development that can be put into a well written series. A single book can not drag on an on with the kind of inflated prose that can be put into a poorly written series, either. Thankfully, this is one of the former type.
Which is another fascinating point. These characters really have grown. So much that if you compare them to the way they were in the first book that they don't even seem like the same characters. On the other hand the changes are so subtle that you don't remember changes taking place. This is how people change, we rarely think to ourselves that we need to start seeing the world in a different way. Rather our viewpoints change as a reflection of our experiences.
The problem with having read so many of Zahn's books is that I begin to see recycled situations and scenarios. Even certain character traits tend to get stirred into the new pot. It recalls memories of listening to a John William's soundtrack. When listening to Harry Potter you hear hints of E.T. and Star Wars. Sometimes there are sprinkles of Indiana Jones thrown in. The soundtrack is still new but it's definitely distinguishable as a John William's piece just from hearing it.
Being a John Williams is not a bad thing.
There are a few Deus Ex Machina-seeming moments in this book that, while Zahn apparently planned on them from the beginning, the foreshadowing was so subtle that I literally had to reread those parts to make sure I understood what had happened.
This series has progressed from the first book to become something quite spectacular. Not only do the characters change and grow up because of what happens to them but the story ramps up the danger with each book. I still remember the first time one of the good guys was forced to kill an enemy instead of just outsmart them. It was almost breathtakingly shocking. In this final book the enemy has quit trying to capture Jack and Draycos – it's now a death sentence. In return, Draycos and Jack are taking the war to the enemy. They're in a battle for survival and they've finally come to the realization that playing nice isn't going to cut it anymore.
Jack has fully accepted Draycos' warrior ethic by this point and when faced with a decision to put his own life in danger to save others he doesn't hesitate. He reflects on it while he's doing it and realizes that what he is doing is not because he likes the other persons, or cares for them, but because it is right. This point is a character climax for Jack. He's been conditioned his entire life to look out for himself first and others if they will be useful.
This book was a roller-coaster ride from start to finish. It starts with Alison and Taneem getting locked in a safe aboard the enemies ship and Jack and Draycos arrested on Brum-a-Dum and the action escalates from there into three hundred pages of the signature Zahn avalanche of clever plots and brilliant action.
This book is perfect for people of all ages.
December 20, 2022
In this final book of the series, Jack and Draycos are running out of time to stop the genocide of Draycos' entire race, the K'da. The machinery of war is lining up to annihilate the K'da spaceships that will be arriving soon, but Jack and Draycos don't know where the final rendezvous point will be. Their only hope is to follow their enemies and hope that they can warn the K'da in time.
I loved this book so much! Every book in the series is action-packed and full of mystery and danger. I loved that the plot answers all of the questions that came up in the previous books, but then new mysteries and new questions are introduced, so you are always wondering and guessing what could possible happen next. And finally everything comes together for an exciting conclusion and all our questions are explained.
Alison Kayna has become completely entangled in Draycos' plans, and it is interesting to see how this group trusts each other, but only partially. They trust each other for now, but things could change quickly as the situation unfolds. You can never quite tell if certain people are only pretending to side with the enemy as double agents, or if they have truly changed their allegiance.
Draycos' warrior ethic of always doing what is right and noble gets this ragtag group into trouble sometimes, but in the end, they fully embrace his morality and are ready to lay down their lives to save the innocent K'da. He inspires them with both physical courage and moral courage.
I love all the characters, the plot, the themes, the writing style! Everything about this series is just so delightful!
I loved this book so much! Every book in the series is action-packed and full of mystery and danger. I loved that the plot answers all of the questions that came up in the previous books, but then new mysteries and new questions are introduced, so you are always wondering and guessing what could possible happen next. And finally everything comes together for an exciting conclusion and all our questions are explained.
Alison Kayna has become completely entangled in Draycos' plans, and it is interesting to see how this group trusts each other, but only partially. They trust each other for now, but things could change quickly as the situation unfolds. You can never quite tell if certain people are only pretending to side with the enemy as double agents, or if they have truly changed their allegiance.
Draycos' warrior ethic of always doing what is right and noble gets this ragtag group into trouble sometimes, but in the end, they fully embrace his morality and are ready to lay down their lives to save the innocent K'da. He inspires them with both physical courage and moral courage.
I love all the characters, the plot, the themes, the writing style! Everything about this series is just so delightful!
July 14, 2018
I love it when a plan comes together
January 26, 2021
Hard to believe I've finally reached the end of this fantastic series! The end was quite emotional and a few scenes made me cry. But my guess about Alison ended up being right!
As one can guess, the danger and action really ramps up in this final book of the series as the refugee fleet of K'da and Shonteen are arriving in our galaxy. And a fleet of enemy ships is waiting to destroy them and they have the super weapon called the Death. Jack and Draycos plus Alison and Taneem must be at their bravest to save everyone. And that involves risking their own lives multiple times. Plus we finally learn the truth about Alison (which I had guessed).
The story includes a few fun twists too, especially about the K'da. Lots of action, sneaking about and adventurous stuff.
This is one series I would buy for myself so I can reread it again. In fact I'm going to do that. I just love the K'da, especially Taneem. Draycos is wonderful too, but I have a soft spot for Taneem.
The thing on the end with Uncle Virgil made me cry, which I hadn't expected at all.
As one can guess, the danger and action really ramps up in this final book of the series as the refugee fleet of K'da and Shonteen are arriving in our galaxy. And a fleet of enemy ships is waiting to destroy them and they have the super weapon called the Death. Jack and Draycos plus Alison and Taneem must be at their bravest to save everyone. And that involves risking their own lives multiple times. Plus we finally learn the truth about Alison (which I had guessed).
The story includes a few fun twists too, especially about the K'da. Lots of action, sneaking about and adventurous stuff.
This is one series I would buy for myself so I can reread it again. In fact I'm going to do that. I just love the K'da, especially Taneem. Draycos is wonderful too, but I have a soft spot for Taneem.
The thing on the end with Uncle Virgil made me cry, which I hadn't expected at all.
October 20, 2019
This is a great finale to Timothy Zahn's great series. Jack and draycos set out on there final harrowing mission to save both of their races from annihilation. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with its action, suspense, and intrigue. In this book, Jack finally meets the Valahgua, and their hideous minds keep him always thinking. This book cleared up many loose ends and had an ending that felt truly complete. this book is 374 pages long.
July 27, 2017
I had some mixed thoughts at first after reading the finale of this excellent series, but in the end I think Mr. Zahn did a pretty great job of wrapping things up.
While I definitely had some issue with the climax (including the rather silly Deus ex Machina used to save the day), he at least made it a semi-logical one that the bad guys actually knew about, and did have some hope to get around.
In the end, the story had a definitely moral to tell, and told it well without being too ham fisted, and gave us a very entertaining journey along the way.
All the mysteries are cleared up, which was nice, and a good ending quite fitting with the tone fo the story.. quite a rare thing, but exactly what I expected from an excellent author.
While I definitely had some issue with the climax (including the rather silly Deus ex Machina used to save the day), he at least made it a semi-logical one that the bad guys actually knew about, and did have some hope to get around.
In the end, the story had a definitely moral to tell, and told it well without being too ham fisted, and gave us a very entertaining journey along the way.
All the mysteries are cleared up, which was nice, and a good ending quite fitting with the tone fo the story.. quite a rare thing, but exactly what I expected from an excellent author.
March 24, 2014
In this, the epic culmination of the Dragonback series, Timothy Zahn masterfully ties together all the plot threads that he's been weaving. A moment that almost could have been deus ex machina turns out to have been subtly hinted at from the first book. While our characters aren't promised a life of ease and bliss forever more, and in fact we know they'll face more challenges, we are left with the feeling that they'll be happy in their lives. All in all, a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic series!
April 2, 2013
Please vote on list Best Timothy Zahn novels.
A thrilling conclusion to the Dragonback series and my personal favorite. I was especially happy because Zahn manages to bring all the plot threads to a satisfying conclusion. It was great reading about Jack and seeing him mature throughout the series. Excellent suspense and action just as there was in the previous entries. A terrific read and I'm a little sad to be done with series. Recommended for science fiction adventure fans.
A thrilling conclusion to the Dragonback series and my personal favorite. I was especially happy because Zahn manages to bring all the plot threads to a satisfying conclusion. It was great reading about Jack and seeing him mature throughout the series. Excellent suspense and action just as there was in the previous entries. A terrific read and I'm a little sad to be done with series. Recommended for science fiction adventure fans.
April 15, 2019
The time has come for Jack and Draycos to fulfill their destiny, or die trying. The K’da/Shontine refugee fleet has nearly completed its two years of faster-than-light travel, fleeing across the void between adjacent spiral arms of the galaxy. Despite all of their efforts, their enemies have assembled an attack force at the rendezvous point for the refugee fleet.
The time has also come for answers. Who are the K’da, and where did they come from? Why are their enemies willing to pursue them beyond the edge of the world? Who is Alison Kayna, and whom does she work for? What exactly is the connection between Jack and Draycos, and and why do they ‘nick’?
By now, we also have many answers. We learned in the last volume that Jack’s parents were Judge-Paladins, the circuit judges of the Orion Arm, empowered to hear cases and dispense justice anywhere they might find themselves. While we don’t learn precisely what the limits of their power or jurisdiction are, we do know that are granted ships of unusual power, speed, and armament, such as the one Virgil Morgan stole from Jack’s parents.
I found Zahn’s description of the badges of authority of a Judge-Paladin fascinating: their distinctive hats were a combination of a biretta and a tricorn hat. As a Catholic convert, and a reader of First Things magazine, that seems like a not entirely accidental combination. If someone were to boldly create a symbol of the late twentieth century project to marry orthodox Catholicism to the American Dream, this would be it.
While I’ve had some doubts about Zahn, I have absolutely nothing to make me think that Zahn is a secret disciple of Fr. Neuhaus. Nonetheless, this is a striking example of cultural convergence. I might dismiss it as a coincidence if it weren’t for the uncanny resemblance of Draycos’ ethics of war to the police model of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
An interesting wrinkle in this theory is that book 6 is where the gloves come off. Up til now, Draycos has avoided intentional killing, except for book 1, where he executed a man who had killed a random passerby in an attempt to coerce Jack into helping with Arthur Neverlin’s grand conspiracy. Now that time is short, and the fate of his people hangs upon a precipice, Draycos is quicker to kill, and he even resorts to the use of the Death, the dreaded weapon of the Valahgua, smuggled into the Orion Arm to finish the fleeing refugees.
I saw a comment in another review that seems pertinent here. I hadn’t particularly noticed, but book 1 was a bit of a departure from Zahn’s usual style, and even a bit over the top in how the story and even the terminology was simplified. Now that we are down to book 6, I feel like Zahn has gotten more comfortable with the juvenile novel thing, and relaxed back into something that feels more normal for him.
Which is a good thing, insofar as Zahn skillfully wraps up all of his plot threads and hints from the previous five volumes into a hell of a conclusion. This is an excellent series, with some interesting ideas and especially well done character development. I encourage you to pick these books up.
The time has also come for answers. Who are the K’da, and where did they come from? Why are their enemies willing to pursue them beyond the edge of the world? Who is Alison Kayna, and whom does she work for? What exactly is the connection between Jack and Draycos, and and why do they ‘nick’?
By now, we also have many answers. We learned in the last volume that Jack’s parents were Judge-Paladins, the circuit judges of the Orion Arm, empowered to hear cases and dispense justice anywhere they might find themselves. While we don’t learn precisely what the limits of their power or jurisdiction are, we do know that are granted ships of unusual power, speed, and armament, such as the one Virgil Morgan stole from Jack’s parents.
I found Zahn’s description of the badges of authority of a Judge-Paladin fascinating: their distinctive hats were a combination of a biretta and a tricorn hat. As a Catholic convert, and a reader of First Things magazine, that seems like a not entirely accidental combination. If someone were to boldly create a symbol of the late twentieth century project to marry orthodox Catholicism to the American Dream, this would be it.
While I’ve had some doubts about Zahn, I have absolutely nothing to make me think that Zahn is a secret disciple of Fr. Neuhaus. Nonetheless, this is a striking example of cultural convergence. I might dismiss it as a coincidence if it weren’t for the uncanny resemblance of Draycos’ ethics of war to the police model of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
An interesting wrinkle in this theory is that book 6 is where the gloves come off. Up til now, Draycos has avoided intentional killing, except for book 1, where he executed a man who had killed a random passerby in an attempt to coerce Jack into helping with Arthur Neverlin’s grand conspiracy. Now that time is short, and the fate of his people hangs upon a precipice, Draycos is quicker to kill, and he even resorts to the use of the Death, the dreaded weapon of the Valahgua, smuggled into the Orion Arm to finish the fleeing refugees.
I saw a comment in another review that seems pertinent here. I hadn’t particularly noticed, but book 1 was a bit of a departure from Zahn’s usual style, and even a bit over the top in how the story and even the terminology was simplified. Now that we are down to book 6, I feel like Zahn has gotten more comfortable with the juvenile novel thing, and relaxed back into something that feels more normal for him.
Which is a good thing, insofar as Zahn skillfully wraps up all of his plot threads and hints from the previous five volumes into a hell of a conclusion. This is an excellent series, with some interesting ideas and especially well done character development. I encourage you to pick these books up.
January 28, 2021
Check out my blog, One Man Book Club
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
STOP EVERYTHING!!!
Are you telling me there's a ScyFy series written by the king of Star Wars novels about an orphan with his own AI-controlled spaceship AND who has a symbiont relationship with a dragon warrior-poet who lives on his back as a giant golden tatoo?
Yes. Yes I am.
The story was a blast, and I'm a sucker for dragons. Slightly unfortunately, I found the Dragonback series to be well written for the demographic it's targeted for--upper middle grade--but not so well written for my grown up expectations. The writing and plot were both terribly simplistic. Conclusions to conflicts were resolved with unrealistic ease. The characters discovered or revealed a new skill that saved the day exactly when it was needed. The ebooks had an annoying number of misspelled words and misplaced punctuation. BUT, as I usually find with fun middle-grade stories, once I realigned expectations, I sat back, kicked-off my shoes, and enjoyed the story.
By the end of book 6 I was perfectly happy with the resolution and how things were tied up. The annoying things stayed annoying, and there was much more fiction than science. But the 13-year-old nerd in me was too happy to be reading about a quick thinking, 14-year-old thieving conman, his AI powered spaceship, and an awesome poet-warrior dragon living in a tatoo on his back!
Do you have a 13-year-old nerd somewhere inside of you? Or maybe you are a 13-year-0ld nerd! Either way, I bet you're going to enjoy this fun space romp. I did!
No content issues at all.
Best for 12 and up.
Happy Reading!
The Value of a Star: Ratings Explained
STOP EVERYTHING!!!
Are you telling me there's a ScyFy series written by the king of Star Wars novels about an orphan with his own AI-controlled spaceship AND who has a symbiont relationship with a dragon warrior-poet who lives on his back as a giant golden tatoo?
Yes. Yes I am.
The story was a blast, and I'm a sucker for dragons. Slightly unfortunately, I found the Dragonback series to be well written for the demographic it's targeted for--upper middle grade--but not so well written for my grown up expectations. The writing and plot were both terribly simplistic. Conclusions to conflicts were resolved with unrealistic ease. The characters discovered or revealed a new skill that saved the day exactly when it was needed. The ebooks had an annoying number of misspelled words and misplaced punctuation. BUT, as I usually find with fun middle-grade stories, once I realigned expectations, I sat back, kicked-off my shoes, and enjoyed the story.
By the end of book 6 I was perfectly happy with the resolution and how things were tied up. The annoying things stayed annoying, and there was much more fiction than science. But the 13-year-old nerd in me was too happy to be reading about a quick thinking, 14-year-old thieving conman, his AI powered spaceship, and an awesome poet-warrior dragon living in a tatoo on his back!
Do you have a 13-year-old nerd somewhere inside of you? Or maybe you are a 13-year-0ld nerd! Either way, I bet you're going to enjoy this fun space romp. I did!
No content issues at all.
Best for 12 and up.
Happy Reading!
March 16, 2024
As the other books, this is YA. Jack is 14 years old, flying around the galaxy in the ship the used to be his con-man Uncle Vergil's. Vergil is dead, but the AI running the ship is based on his personality. In the first book in the series, Jack became the host of a K'da Dragon Warrior. The K'da can exist as a 2 dimensional tattoo on the body of their host or can be three dimensional and interact with the outside world. The K'da, Draycos, is the sole survivor of the forerunners of a race that was forced out of their home and moving to a new planet, which had been sold to them. They were escaping another race of evil beings who had a weapon called Death which was all powerful.
This is the conclusion of the series. Jack and his K'da ally and Allison, a young girl mercenary with fighting skills and now hosting a K'da (since Dragon and Herdsman), must get to the meeting point, defeat the beings intent on destroying the K'da refugee fleet, and break up the Human plot backing the evil beings. Easy for two 14 year olds.
This is the conclusion of the series. Jack and his K'da ally and Allison, a young girl mercenary with fighting skills and now hosting a K'da (since Dragon and Herdsman), must get to the meeting point, defeat the beings intent on destroying the K'da refugee fleet, and break up the Human plot backing the evil beings. Easy for two 14 year olds.
February 5, 2019
What a fantastic conclusion to this series! I loved seeing everything pull together; Zahn really tied together a lot of threads that I've been excitedly following throughout the series. It all felt natural and made sense--but it was never predictable. There was lots of twists and intrigue, and you never quite knew what everyone was up to. Definitely kept me on my toes! But I did like how many characters turned out to be trustworthy, despite my misgivings about them--I like a story where most of the characters you come to care about turn out to be the good guys. Zahn also did a good job of of managing the two stories of Alison and Jack. He kept up the tension and intrigue in both quite well, and I was engaged in both of their storylines. I'm sad it's over, but I'm quite satisfied with the endings for both of them.
May 22, 2024
(4.5 / 5)
I've been anticipating an exciting end to this series, and it didn't disappoint. It seems clear to me that Zahn had at least the skeleton of this entire story planned out from the beginning, as different pieces fall into place in this final book in ways that thrilled me. I even cheered at one point, which caused my husband to give me a funny look. The friendship between Jack and Draycos has been one of my favorite things about this series, and though the action squeezes the characterization out a bit in this book, I still appreciate the way it all comes together in the end.
I'm not generally interested in heavy sci-fi, but the fact that it's written for teens probably helps make it more accessible for someone like me. I really enjoyed this series overall and recommend it for any fans of this kind of sci-fi, young or old.
I've been anticipating an exciting end to this series, and it didn't disappoint. It seems clear to me that Zahn had at least the skeleton of this entire story planned out from the beginning, as different pieces fall into place in this final book in ways that thrilled me. I even cheered at one point, which caused my husband to give me a funny look. The friendship between Jack and Draycos has been one of my favorite things about this series, and though the action squeezes the characterization out a bit in this book, I still appreciate the way it all comes together in the end.
I'm not generally interested in heavy sci-fi, but the fact that it's written for teens probably helps make it more accessible for someone like me. I really enjoyed this series overall and recommend it for any fans of this kind of sci-fi, young or old.
January 7, 2025
This book had an ending that opened up a lot of possibilities for another series - but I don't think it needs one. It had a great conclusion and is a great stand-alone ending to an amazing series!
I have 2 complaints about the series:
First, it focused less on the aliens and more on the mystery of Alison at the end. I feel like based on the ending of the book, it would have been much better to have revealed the secret 2 books ago. It seemed like unnecessary suspense. To me, the interesting part was the revelations about the aliens and the possibilities that arose from that, not Alison.
The second complaint is it felt like getting to the ending was rushed.
Overall, those are minor complaints. I highly recommend this series to everyone!
I have 2 complaints about the series:
First, it focused less on the aliens and more on the mystery of Alison at the end. I feel like based on the ending of the book, it would have been much better to have revealed the secret 2 books ago. It seemed like unnecessary suspense. To me, the interesting part was the revelations about the aliens and the possibilities that arose from that, not Alison.
The second complaint is it felt like getting to the ending was rushed.
Overall, those are minor complaints. I highly recommend this series to everyone!
March 6, 2025
The ending to this series was very typical of Zahn with great reveals and many different groups with different goals converging into a climax. There were some parts of the climax that felt a bit contrived, and the writing style, like the rest of the books in the series, continues to be focused on the Y.A. audience he is writing for. The style is not inherently bad it's just a bit of a whiplash if you are used to his other writings. Overall a fun series with some slow points in the middle and a fun climax at the end.
August 3, 2017
I just finished the entire series and loved all of them. I do wish just a bit more time had been spent of the wrap up at the end but at least it was all tied up. The lessons taught throughout the books as Jack learns about himself and the true way to become a warrior - caring about other before self - are managed well without becoming pedantic or lecturing. I'm encouraging my grandson to read the series.
May 16, 2021
This series was a ride and a half from start to finish, and the conclusion book certainly didn’t disappoint. It kept me hooked and guessing at every twist and turn, and the final battle gave me everything I wanted and more. I even got teary eyed, and that rarely happens with me while I’m reading. I enjoyed every bit of this book, and I truly recommend it.
March 9, 2022
This was a thoroughly satisfying, fun, fast-paced but content-rich series that would be great to recommend to teens 13-16, especially reluctant boy readers. Here are my entire conclusions about the series:
https://bookadept.com/?p=5894
https://bookadept.com/?p=5894
December 27, 2023
Another satisfying conclusion to a kids SF/Fantasy series... this one was stilted a bit by lack of audio, and my attempts to listen to the ebook in a text-to-speech app (never 100% accurate with made up words/terms)
June 17, 2024
What a beautiful and exciting Finale to the dragonback series!I am so glad that the story got tied up so well and I haven't got many burning questions. More importantly, the planning and plotting was incredible. Loved this series!
July 17, 2019
Amazing end to an excellent series!
March 21, 2022
A satisfying end to the series though I felt some questions were wrapped up pretty quickly and could have been explored much further. Maybe the author intended to make a spin-off at one point?
July 12, 2022
The usual great writing by the author elevates this book, but I found the plot to be over-complicated, and the most difficult part to process is the way the bad guys stop everything they are doing to talk, talk, talk… Frost and Neverlin never learn, and give our heroes the time to stall and engage in sabotage and other plotting. After all they’ve planned so far, it makes them look stupid. On the other hand, the action was well written, and I really liked the way the author split the point of view once again between Alison and Jack. Jack especially has grown as a person, but I still like the way the author describes Draycos’ fighting skills. The conclusion to this series is satisfactory, and the danger is very real, at least to Jack. The revelations about the K’da and Alison aren’t completely surprising, but make a lot of sense given the information we are given, little by little, and the way this author is known to pull tricks out of his sleeve at the last minute.
October 20, 2023
Good ending to the series. It's YA so you have to age the characters like 3-5 years in your mind for the story to make sense but otherwise a solid series.
January 23, 2023
4.5/5 ★
October 1, 2023
This last book wrapped up everything really nicely. I wasn't as edge-of-my-seat as I maybe was for the previous, but part of that was digging my feet in while being dragged to the ending. I continue to enjoy the way Zahn pulls my heart one way and mind another in trying to guess what is what. I also enjoyed the theorizing on the origins of k'da, and how that ends up being an important plot point--though a bit too convenient, it felt appropriate for YA.
May 11, 2018
Reader thoughts: What a startling and perfect and unpredictable and suspenseful conclusion the complicated and thought-provoking Dragonback Adventures.
I'm SO glad Alison didn't turn out to be a traitor. It was interesting to see how much help Jack and Draycos had along the way. Zahn works in hints in each of his books, some of which I didn't notice until I was reading them the third time (like Harper? He shows up in book 1, book 3, and in book 6). Brilliant.
I love that Draycos can slip off Jack's back and that they use that to trick the bad guys. I love the spaceship set up, with the death rays and the crawl spaces. I love that Taneem figured out how to take her mic with her when Draycos couldn't. I love that
Perfect ending. Few series end in any sort of satisfying way. I hated that the Pevensies and friends all died at the end of Narnia. Usually too many people die at the end of series. Or they get married and life is just flowers. Well, that doesn't happen here. Jack isn't set free; he's put to work. It's perfect.
I didn't like that Jack could mimic voices. He said in an earlier book that he couldn't do that.
Writer thoughts: I think there are only a handful of endings I'm actually happy with. Spirit's End and Ella Enchanted come to mind.
Consistency is hard with a complicated series like this, but it was still sad to see Jack say he couldn't mimic voices and then say he could. Maybe he was just flustered back in book 2. Or maybe Zahn just forgot. At least it's not as bad as some inconsistencies. SOME authors (I'll refrain from naming which one in particular) misspell their own character's names. Ages go backward, and hair color switches without dye. Background/backstory goes from one character to another. Yes, this was a 10-book series, but it was still sloppy. So, compared to all that, TZ did just fine.
In fact, I have now read this series OUT LOUD twice. That's how awesome it is.
I'm SO glad Alison didn't turn out to be a traitor. It was interesting to see how much help Jack and Draycos had along the way. Zahn works in hints in each of his books, some of which I didn't notice until I was reading them the third time (like Harper? He shows up in book 1, book 3, and in book 6). Brilliant.
I love that Draycos can slip off Jack's back and that they use that to trick the bad guys. I love the spaceship set up, with the death rays and the crawl spaces. I love that Taneem figured out how to take her mic with her when Draycos couldn't. I love that
Perfect ending. Few series end in any sort of satisfying way. I hated that the Pevensies and friends all died at the end of Narnia. Usually too many people die at the end of series. Or they get married and life is just flowers. Well, that doesn't happen here. Jack isn't set free; he's put to work. It's perfect.
I didn't like that Jack could mimic voices. He said in an earlier book that he couldn't do that.
Writer thoughts: I think there are only a handful of endings I'm actually happy with. Spirit's End and Ella Enchanted come to mind.
Consistency is hard with a complicated series like this, but it was still sad to see Jack say he couldn't mimic voices and then say he could. Maybe he was just flustered back in book 2. Or maybe Zahn just forgot. At least it's not as bad as some inconsistencies. SOME authors (I'll refrain from naming which one in particular) misspell their own character's names. Ages go backward, and hair color switches without dye. Background/backstory goes from one character to another. Yes, this was a 10-book series, but it was still sloppy. So, compared to all that, TZ did just fine.
In fact, I have now read this series OUT LOUD twice. That's how awesome it is.
December 21, 2013
Jack Morgan 14, with K'da dragon poet-warrior Draycos hiding as a tattoo on his back, sneaks aboard one enemy spaceship, while teen Alison Kayna and her newly-awakened dragon Taneem hide inside Foxwolf. The K'da scout ship Draycos escaped from is now filled with Malison Ring human mercenaries and dim-bulb Brummgas soldiers so the body count still looks like the murdered occupants, led by villains, Valahguas, Lordhighest and Lordover, humans Frost and Arthur Neverlin, who killed Jack's parents. Slow.
Jack and Draycos must destroy four Death ray weapons soon to ambush refugee ships, massacre the last K'da and their Shontine hosts. Langston and Harper are humans mistrusted by both sides. The task seems impossible, no compromises to genocide. From "most optimistic Plan A", Neverlin has fast easy shift to "Plan B" p 310, victims unaware of danger.
Jack and Draycos' guerrilla tactics are the focus of suspense and action. Under his mentor's influence, the boy grows from con artist to hero, willing to die doing "what was right" p 150. The rest is slow stuffing that pads the end with wordy explanations. Still, the world created has sequel potential, the team of four could lead more series, any age niche. A secret squad could return to take back Valahguas conquered territory. K-I-S-S. Keep it short 'n' sweet (aka simple).
Jack and Draycos must destroy four Death ray weapons soon to ambush refugee ships, massacre the last K'da and their Shontine hosts. Langston and Harper are humans mistrusted by both sides. The task seems impossible, no compromises to genocide. From "most optimistic Plan A", Neverlin has fast easy shift to "Plan B" p 310, victims unaware of danger.
Jack and Draycos' guerrilla tactics are the focus of suspense and action. Under his mentor's influence, the boy grows from con artist to hero, willing to die doing "what was right" p 150. The rest is slow stuffing that pads the end with wordy explanations. Still, the world created has sequel potential, the team of four could lead more series, any age niche. A secret squad could return to take back Valahguas conquered territory. K-I-S-S. Keep it short 'n' sweet (aka simple).
April 7, 2015
Dragon and Liberator (2008) 364 pages by Timothy Zahn.
The 6th and concluding book in the Dragonback series. 14 year old Jack Morgan, hiding on uninhabited Iota Klestis witnesses an ambush of the Shontine/K'da advance team. When one of the ships crashed Jack goes to investigate, for salvage purposes, and meets the sole survivor a K'da named Draycos. The K'da are a symbiotic race needing a host once every six hours or they go two dimensional and vanish. When they are being hosted, they go two dimensional against the hosts skin, like a big tattoo.
Jack has been learning about himself as a person, during the first five books, growing from the thief andcon artist that Uncle Virge taught him to be, into a noble, always to the right thing human being. Not necessarily taught to him by Draycos, but that part of his character is brought out by the dragon.
In this book Neverlin, Frost, the Valahgua and their troops made from some Malison Ring mercenaries and Brummgas supplied by Patri Chookoock, are assembling their fleet to meet and wipe out the main refugee fleet of Shontine and K'da. Alison Kayna, working with Jack, are trying to find the location of where the Shontine/K'da will arrive, in hopes of being there in time to warn them of Neverlin and his gang.
Jack and Alison plan on looking in the fourth and last safe from the advance fleet to find that location. Alison was kidnapped and forced to open the third safe in book 5, so when it came to this safe it was Alison who went into open it. She got the safe open, but before she could get away, her exit was taken away. She hid in the safe and was taken aboard Neverlin's yacht, the advocatus diaboli. Jack unable to come to the rescue, planned to follow, but in his hurry he got caught by local law enforcement. After making his escape he had to switch tactics and try to follow Neverlin by going to Bentre where some ships were being picked up.
That's just in the first few chapters, the book is fast paced, full of action, the dialog flows smoothly informing the reader without clubbing him over the head. The story is just well written, interesting, and carries a message of doing the right thing. The whole series, YA or not, is a fantastically good read for all ages.
The 6th and concluding book in the Dragonback series. 14 year old Jack Morgan, hiding on uninhabited Iota Klestis witnesses an ambush of the Shontine/K'da advance team. When one of the ships crashed Jack goes to investigate, for salvage purposes, and meets the sole survivor a K'da named Draycos. The K'da are a symbiotic race needing a host once every six hours or they go two dimensional and vanish. When they are being hosted, they go two dimensional against the hosts skin, like a big tattoo.
Jack has been learning about himself as a person, during the first five books, growing from the thief andcon artist that Uncle Virge taught him to be, into a noble, always to the right thing human being. Not necessarily taught to him by Draycos, but that part of his character is brought out by the dragon.
In this book Neverlin, Frost, the Valahgua and their troops made from some Malison Ring mercenaries and Brummgas supplied by Patri Chookoock, are assembling their fleet to meet and wipe out the main refugee fleet of Shontine and K'da. Alison Kayna, working with Jack, are trying to find the location of where the Shontine/K'da will arrive, in hopes of being there in time to warn them of Neverlin and his gang.
Jack and Alison plan on looking in the fourth and last safe from the advance fleet to find that location. Alison was kidnapped and forced to open the third safe in book 5, so when it came to this safe it was Alison who went into open it. She got the safe open, but before she could get away, her exit was taken away. She hid in the safe and was taken aboard Neverlin's yacht, the advocatus diaboli. Jack unable to come to the rescue, planned to follow, but in his hurry he got caught by local law enforcement. After making his escape he had to switch tactics and try to follow Neverlin by going to Bentre where some ships were being picked up.
That's just in the first few chapters, the book is fast paced, full of action, the dialog flows smoothly informing the reader without clubbing him over the head. The story is just well written, interesting, and carries a message of doing the right thing. The whole series, YA or not, is a fantastically good read for all ages.
October 9, 2009
Okay; I am way, way, WAY behind on this thing. I'm taking advantage of a trip out of town to try and catch up, but I'm trying to catch up on a couple of other things as well. So, while I will do my best to provide you with my usual scintillating reviews, I will also apologize in advance if some of them seem a bit rushed.
On with the show.
Dragon and Liberator is the final volume in Timothy Zahn's Dragonback cycle, a six-book science fiction series aimed at young adults. I started reading it because I'm a huge Timothy Zahn mark, and kept reading the series because I discovered I actually enjoyed it. It's not deep literature, but it's enjoyable in the usual Zahn fashion: interstellar conspiracies, action, mystery, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at. In short, it's fun.
Dragon and Liberator is the endgame of the long plot which Zahn has been building over the last six books. The K'Da fleet is on its way, and Jack and Draycos need to make one final, desperate push to stop the conspiracy that plans to kill them--and is tied into the one that killed Jack's parents.
Like any Zahn series, this one has a lot of plot threads kicking around that need to be wrapped up. Zahn manages to tie everything together, and even to give readers introductions to a few new characters along the way (we finally meet the Valahgua who have been lurking menacingly in the background for the whole series). The new additions don't create any new plot strands, fortunately, and the whole series manages to tie up in a nice, neat, but satisfying way (while still leaving some room for more, if Zahn really wanted to do it).
Of course, there's all the action and adventure that the previous entries into the series promise. And there's the shades-of-grey morality as well. This series is very much a coming of age story, and is as much about Jack's growth from a selfish, immature thief into an honorable, mature young adult. Not always entirely subtle, but satisfying nonetheless.
If you've been following this series, finish it. It's worth the wait.
On with the show.
Dragon and Liberator is the final volume in Timothy Zahn's Dragonback cycle, a six-book science fiction series aimed at young adults. I started reading it because I'm a huge Timothy Zahn mark, and kept reading the series because I discovered I actually enjoyed it. It's not deep literature, but it's enjoyable in the usual Zahn fashion: interstellar conspiracies, action, mystery, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at. In short, it's fun.
Dragon and Liberator is the endgame of the long plot which Zahn has been building over the last six books. The K'Da fleet is on its way, and Jack and Draycos need to make one final, desperate push to stop the conspiracy that plans to kill them--and is tied into the one that killed Jack's parents.
Like any Zahn series, this one has a lot of plot threads kicking around that need to be wrapped up. Zahn manages to tie everything together, and even to give readers introductions to a few new characters along the way (we finally meet the Valahgua who have been lurking menacingly in the background for the whole series). The new additions don't create any new plot strands, fortunately, and the whole series manages to tie up in a nice, neat, but satisfying way (while still leaving some room for more, if Zahn really wanted to do it).
Of course, there's all the action and adventure that the previous entries into the series promise. And there's the shades-of-grey morality as well. This series is very much a coming of age story, and is as much about Jack's growth from a selfish, immature thief into an honorable, mature young adult. Not always entirely subtle, but satisfying nonetheless.
If you've been following this series, finish it. It's worth the wait.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews