Zahn, Timothy. Dragon and thief

ZAHN, Timothy. Dragon and thief. (The Dragonback series, book 1). Tor, Starscape. 248p. c2003. 0-765-34272-3. $5.99. JS
Fourteen-year-old Jack Morgan is an orphan, raised by his Uncle Virgil to be a smuggler and con man. On the run from the law for a crime he didn't commit, he lands on a planet he thinks is deserted. There he meets Draycos, an alien from another part of the galaxy. His race is in danger of extermination; he is part of an advance team hoping to find a sale new home on Jack's planer. But they've been sold out to their enemies by a mysterious group of humans. Draycos is the only survivor. He is lucky to find Jack--members of his race must attach themselves to a host body every few hours or they die. Jack becomes Draycos's host and the two team up to clear Jack's name and defeat the enemies of Draycos's people.
This first book in the Dragonback series is a fast-paced suspense novel, full of exciting twists and turns in the story. But it's not a simple adventure tale; the partnership of a con man and an honorable warrior raises some interesting questions about morality. Just enough of the story is wrapped up at the end to feel satisfying, while leaving plenty of questions to be answered in future installments of the series. Samantha Musher, Lib. Science Student, Simmons College, Boston, MA

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kliatt
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group