Dragonback Bargain

Dragonback #1-3

by Timothy Zahn

Fourteen-year-old Jack Morgan has been through a lot. His parents died years ago, and since his Uncle Virgil was killed, Jack has been alone. But he does have a friend now, named Draycos . . . if you can call a golden-scaled draconic K'da poet-warrior a friend.

The two friends both have scores to settle. Draycos must find and expose those behind a vast conspiracy against his people, and Jack is desperate to thwart the men who framed him for a crime he didn't commit. Alone, Draycos, who must bond with a host or die, is dead; Jack, on his own, is sunk. Together, they might have a chance. Especially when Draycos, who can slip onto Jack's skin like a living tattoo, uses some of his special talents.

They know mercenaries helped launch the ambush that destroyed Draycos's advance team, but when Jack joined up with one such group to get information on the identities of those involved, he and Draycos were nearly killed before they escaped--empty-handed. They also know an alien Brummga was involved. Now, the only way they can get the information they need is for Uncle Virge to "sell' Jack into slavery on a rich Brummga's estate . . . and hope he can crack their computer without getting caught.

Jack thought the mercenary life was hard, until he met Brummgan slavemaster Grazen and tasted life in his high-security compound. If he and Draycos can just survive the experience, they might find a clue that can help in their quests for justice.

Contains:
Dragon and Thief
Dragon and Soldier
Dragon and Slave

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Dragons, Young Adult, Aliens, Ebooks

608 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Timothy 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.

Reviews

[Paul]

I'm not going to rate this -- it's all a bit too YA for me.

Book 1 had it's moments, but I can't see myself ever wanting to read books two or three.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read Dragon and Thief when I realized I had purchased this series edition of the first 3 books. I picked up on Dragon and Soldier where Jack Morgan, who acquired Draycos, an unusual alien that looks much like a dragon and goes between 2 & 3 dimensions in the first book sets them on a quest to find the mercenary group which is out to destroy his people. Jack joins a mercenary group and altho you can tell that Jack is not meant to be a soldier he survives. That takes us to Dragon and Slave where their continuing quest for information has Jack get himself sold as a slave and he finds out that there are things worse than being a soldier. This is a riveting series that keeps you reading.

[Grant English · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series starts slow but push through, it will not disappoint. The longer, grand conspiracy plays out over the course of the seemingly unconnected misadventures of Jack and Draycos, the dragon.

The first book reads slow and clunky but sets up the grander story. It’s a short book and just as it finds it’s feet - it’s over. Book 2 is a definite leap forward in both the story and the characters. And it’s where this series really takes off. No spoilers here…. But Zahn fans (particularly Thrawn fans) will settle in nicely in Book 2. You’re hooked for the rest of series.

Book 3 is the most developed in terms of story and characters. It’s a fun, exciting tome that you won’t be able to put down.

Must read series for Zahn fans.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done story. I'm fairly certain the electronic versions of these books were made via OCR from print copies, because there's too many odd errors that just wouldn't make sense otherwise.
If you like your scifi with some spaceships, a con artist gon straight (well, as much is the universe allows), and a strange new alien life form thrown to the mix, then you'll enjoy this series. If you liked the mobius missions, then this one is right up your alley, you won't be disappointed by this series, it's great fun, and I highly recommend it.

[Larissa Distler · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are three books in "Dragonback Bargain." I found the first book enjoyable, but I lost interest somewhere int the middle of the second book. The characters stopped developing, particular Draycos, but Jack too. I loved the concept and I would really like to read a more in depth version of the books. I understand they are YA, but they were more like JFIC really.

[Junius Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid and easy to read. Not as good as the Quadrail books, but a really interesting character concept surrounding by a sufficiently engaging world.

[Kandi J Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. This is the second or third time I've read it.

[Ford Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and like the series and characters. Third book feels a little forced to get story moving, still, look forward to rest of series.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Moving Books — Easy to Read

Enjoyed these books you will need all six books in series to complete the story. I’ve always enjoyed the books by Zahn

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written YA science fiction adventure.

[Bill Ramsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps a trifle juvenile, but a very fun read.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draycos is near the end of his six hours of three dimensional life when he finds Jack exploring the wreckage of his spaceship which has crash landed on the planet his two races were to inhabit. With his host dead Draycos acts in desperation forming his two dimensional self on the human's skin. Thus starts the adventure of a dragon warrior and an orphan their. Jack needs to clear his name of crimes he didn't commit and Draycos needs to find out who has attacked his people before the rest of the refugees arrive. A very engaging read as these two put their very different talents together to help each other over the objections  of Jack's late uncle who has managed to imprint his voice and personality into the ship's computer system.

[Gerry Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read

Especially when you need a light bit of entertainment while on guard duty! Hopefully I can find more about Jack and Draycos

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F ZAH da bk.3
Fantasy

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terribly deep but a fun read.