Set in a futuristic world with a medieval twist, "Dragon's Blood" by Jane Yolen follows the story of Jakkin, a bond servant with a dream of buying his freedom by raising a dragon to fight in the pits. The plot revolves around Jakkin's struggles, ambitions, and the relationships he forms in a society where dragons are trained for sport. The writing style is praised for its easy narrative flow, engaging storytelling, and the creation of a realistic world that draws readers into a society where dragons are fought and trained telepathically by humans.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Jakkin displaying determination and resilience, while Akki provides strong support, contributing to the overall relatable and engaging dynamic.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines rich detail in world-building typical of older sci-fi with accessible and engaging prose aimed at young adult readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Jakkin, a young boy seeking freedom from servitude on a complex planet, where he steals a dragon hatchling to train for fighting, intertwining personal growth with the harsh realities of his society.

Setting:

The setting is a unique combination of a futuristic society with a medieval atmosphere, centered on the thrilling and often brutal sport of dragon fighting.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast, keeping readers engaged, although there are moments where the action might lag.

THE TWIN MOONS cast shadows like blood scores across the sand. Jakkin hunkered down in a bowl-shaped depression and listened. Inside the wood-and-stone dragonry he could hear the mewling and scratchin...

Notes:

The book is set on the planet Austar IV, a former convict planet.

Dragons are central to the story, and they participate in pit fights for money.

The protagonist, Jakkin, dreams of freedom from being a bond servant.

Jakkin steals a dragon hatchling to train and compete in fights.

The story explores themes of responsibility, friendship, and coming of age.

The series is a blend of science fiction and fantasy, reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's works.

Jakkin's bond with his dragon, Heart's Blood, is telepathic.

The book touches on darker social themes like slavery and indentured servitude.

It's suitable for young adult readers, addressing real-life issues without talking down to them.

The series was impactful for many readers, capturing their love for dragons as children.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of slavery, violence related to animal fighting, and references to prostitution.

From The Publisher:

Dragons are trained to fight to the death, and two determined teens help free them in this spellbinding saga.

Training a dragon to be a fighting champion is the only way to freedom for fifteen-year-old Jakkin.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (16):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (5)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (3)

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Dragon's Blood?

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About the Author:

Jane Yolen is a highly acclaimed author who has written hundreds of books for children and adults and has won numerous awards. She and her husband divide their time between Massachussetts and Scotland. Visit her at janeyolen.com and on Twitter at @JaneYolen.

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Dragon's Blood

Jane Yolen

Book 1 in the series:Pit Dragons