Black Dragon Codex (The Dragon Codices) [Hardcover]

R.D. Henham (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: The Dragon Codices

What happens when an evil black dragon becomes your ally?

Snatched from the street by a young black dragon, Satia seems destined to end her life as a snack. But her position as a menu item quickly changes when her black dragon captor runs into two young red dragons and a wanna-be Dragonlord. In a quick twist of events, the black dragon is transformed into an ordinary teenaged boy. Always one step ahead of their pursuers, Satia makes a bargain with her captor: her life in exchange for her help. But now she must live up to her end of the bargain. With no magic and only the strength of two humans, how will Satia outwit the Dragonlord and his minions?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–8—Satia, a girl raised by thieves, is in the wrong place at the wrong time when she is kidnapped. Septimus, the dragon who has snatched her, is transformed into a boy by his mother's magic in an effort to save him from the High Dragonlord Thordane's army, and she is taken captive. Septimus and Satia strike a bargain: he will help her return home if she will help him free his mother from Thordane's grasp. While the book is packed with magical creatures and exciting battles, it is weak on characterization. The strongest one is Satia, who uses her skill at lying to talk their way out of many a tricky situation. With short chapters and accessible language, this story will appeal to young fantasy lovers and is a good choice for reluctant readers.—Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Mirrorstone (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786949724
• ISBN-13: 978-0786949724
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Other

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dragons, May 27, 2010

By 

Chelonia "Red-eared sliders forever" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Dragon Codex (The Dragon Codices) (Hardcover)

Septimus is a young black dragon in need of a magical item for his hoard. Getting such an item is a rites of passage thing for black dragons. He goes to an auction to buy a chalice but is out bid. Septimus tries to snatch the chalice anyway, but is chased away.

Satia is a thief and a liar living on the street in Gwynned. She is watching the auction from a roof top when Septimus escapes.

On his way Septimus picks up Satia, meaning to make a meal of her, but as he returns to his cave, he is attacked by red dragons and a wizard. The wizard catches Septimus' mother. To save her son she turns him into a human boy. Since it's not his magic, he lost all his dragon magic and power in the process, and his helpless when the wizard takes off with his mother.
Satia and Septimus make a deal: She will help him free his mother and afterwards he will return her safely to Gwynned. On their quest they come across goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, draconians, red dragons, and a confused old knight.

Will they be able to free the dragon? Is any of these shady characters reliable?


An evil dragon and a liar and thief may not be the most sympathetic characters, but both Septimus and Satia are courageous. The story is good and I really liked the ogre solution, which wasn't expected at all.
Another great Dragon Codex book. Any dragon lover would like this one. Books like these aren't just for YA. I sure enjoy them and i'm twice that age.