A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Chronicles, Volume Three [Paperback]

Jane Yolen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004 | Series: Pit Dragon Chronicles (Book 3)

Jakkin and his girlfriend, Akki, discover a primitive cult that sacrifices dragons.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up Here is the third and concluding volume in the indefatigably creative Jane Yolen's ``Pit Dragon'' trilogy. Jakkin and Akki, whom readers met in the two preceeding volumes, have survived in the Austarian wilds through bonding with the dragon Heart's Blood, and in this volume continue their harrowing journey to freedom and spiritual enlightenment. Like the two volumes preceeding it, A Sending of Dragons ' particular strengths are in the almost encyclopedic detail which Yolen has lavished upon her fully realized alternative world of Austar IV, in her sympathetic portrayal of the dragons as both victims and telepathic partners, and in the symbolic sub-text which enriches her narrative and reinforces her universal theme of the inter-dependency and unique value of all life forms. Similarly the shortcomings reflect those of the two companion volumes: these include certain stylistic shortcomings and a tendency toward one-dimensional characterization. Nevertheless the trilogy remains an ambitious and rewarding work of speculative fiction. The two previous volumes should be read for a more complete understanding and appreciation of this concluding volume. Michael Cart, Beverly Hills Public Lib .
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152051287
• ISBN-13: 978-0152051280
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sending of Dragons, December 8, 1999

By 

Robert Crookall - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Trilogy, Volume Three (Mass Market Paperback)

This final volume of the Pit Dragons Trilogy is perhaps the most interesting, because it takes us away from the mainstream culture of Yolen's world, with it's Pit fights and its caste-system, and shows us another side of the planet Austar. Incidentally, this was the first Pit Dragon book I read - having found the British, Julia MacRae edition of it in an Australian second-hand bookstore.

Jakkin and Akki have undergone a dragon-related physical transformation which enables them to share their thoughts telepathically and to survive the supercold Dark After of the Austarian night. Their peaceful existence with Heart's Blood's dragon hatchlings (Sssargon, Sssasha, and the Triplets) in the mountains of Austar is disturbed when there is a sign that they are being hunted by humans.

They flee into the caves of the mountains, where they encounter an indigenous society of humans who are similarly bonded with the dragons. However, as they soon discover, these people's relationship with the dragons is much less benevolent than that which they themselves possess.

So, for the last time, we see Jane Yolen's uncanny ability of deeply touching us with the courage and love of her characters, both human and draconian, and provoking our thoughts with her ingeniously invented cultures. Although the ending of this book ties off all the loose ends of the series, there is plenty of scope for more storytelling in Yolen's fascinating world of loving, feeling, and emphatic dragons. Hopefully this will not be our last visit to Austar.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a great book!, December 19, 1999

By 

Justin (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Trilogy, Volume Three (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is an exciting thriller; a great adventure. Wish there were more books in the series because this book sort of leaves you hanging expecting that there would be more. I really would like to give it 4 and a half stars. You should read the other two first otherwise it will be confusing. Dragon's Blood was really good, but Heart's Blood was the best.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moooore!!!!!!!!!!!, May 2, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Trilogy, Volume Three (Mass Market Paperback)

This is sooo great! I can't believe Jane Yolen stoped writing these books! I really wish she had written more! But,I suppose it is good for you'r imagination to think up what happens next. This is such a good book for readers like me. Because of these books,dragons became my favorite animals! Well,if you would like to read this book,I won't stop you for one second!!!!!!!!!!!