A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Chronicles, Volume Three (Paperback)

by Jane Yolen (Author)

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: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Magic Carpet Books (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152051287
• ISBN-13: 978-0152051280
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,795 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #19 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( Y ) > Yolen, Jane
  #50 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( Y ) > Yolen, Jane

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Robert Crookall (Wollongong, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Trilogy, Volume Three (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 "pennyd1" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Sending of Dragons: The Pit Dragon Trilogy, Volume Three (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 (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!!!!!!!!!!!