Sending of Dragons

The final volume in the Pit Dragon trilogywhich began with Dragon's Bloodconcludes a riveting saga that intertwines elements of fantasy and science fiction. The planet of Austar, whose climate and history have much in common with Australia's, serves as backdrop to the social hierarchy of the descendents of the original criminal/warden settlers. This book forces Jakkin and his friend Akkiwho became part dragon in the last book, Heart's Bloodunderground, where they encounter a horrifying race of not-men, whose society is also based on the breeding and destruction of dragons. Yolen's tightly plotted, adventurous trilogy constitutes superb storytelling. She incorporates elements of freedom and rebellion, power and control, love and friendship in a masterfully crafted context of a society sick with perversion. All phenomena relating to dragonsbirth, mating, physiology, telepathy, their training, breeding and careare meticulously evoked. The world of the dragons, which are complex creatures, provides a unique foundation for this compelling trilogy. Ages 12-14. (October)