Dragon and Herdsman: The Fourth Dragonback Adventure

In this, the fourth book of the Dragonback series Timothy Zahn takes the reader to a strange planet where Draycos and Jack are being hunted by the mercenaries that hold the the information the pair need to save Draycos' people from being ambushed. On this planet they find a race of beings called the Phookas who appear to be of the same race as Draycos, but they appear to be at the level of herd animals, which makes Draycos question where he himself may actually have come from. They are acoompanied by Alison someone who Jack metDragon and Soldier: The Second Dragonback Adventure (Dragonback) with her help they defeat the mercenaries, and escape to fight another day, but Alison seems to have her own agenda. Zahn does a great job in developing the relationship between Draycos and Jack. The series keeps getting better and better.

Says Jack in this new "Dragonback" novel. Heh. I plan to steal this for myself and use it as soon as possible. "Dragon and Herdsman" is the pivotal fourth novel in the "Dragonback" series. In this book, an important truth about the fate of Draycos's people, the K'da, is revealed and so is the true nature of a henceforth mysterious character, Alison Kayna. This book finds Jack stranded on a planet full of Phooka, which are actually K'da. Their senses have been dulled by living an idyllic life and Draycos is disgusted at first. But he and Jack both soon find that things are more than they seem. Fans of this series won't want to miss this newest work by Zahn. Things are really getting rolling with this series, which I only just recently started reading. I can't wait to see more!

Dragon and Herdsman (2006) is the fourth novel in the Dragonback series, following Dragon and Slave. In the previous volume, Jack escapes from the Chookoock family estate with 30 ex-slaves in Arthur Neverlin's shuttle. Although he never gets into the Chookoock computer system, he does discover that the Malison Ring mercenaries had ambushed the Shontine/K'da advance party. In this novel, Jack breaks into a Malison Ring recruiting office, but is trapped inside. He is rescued from the building by his former associate Alison Kayna. When they reach the spaceport, her ship is invested with Braxton Universis agents, so Jack gives her a ride to Rho Scorvi. She pays for the fuel on the eight day trip. Alison seems very well informed about spaceships, even discovering the existence of his InterWorld transmitter. Although she is suspicious, Jack keeps secret the existence of Uncle Virge. He also hides the presense of Draycos. Reaching their destination, Jack discovers that the native Erassvas are symbionts with the Phookas. These creatures have all the physical characteristics of the K'da, but not the intellectual abilities. They can even go two-dimensional on their hosts. Draycos is very disturbed over their good natured, yet animalistic behavior. Then Malison Ring ships arrive. The Essenay destroys the two Djinn-90 fighters, but vanishes in an explosion. The remaining transport lands and disembarks mercenary soldiers. Jack takes all the Phookas in the band as well as ten Erassvas for hosts and herds them through the forest. Alison reluctantly tags along. Draycos keeps hidden, but slips out occasionally to scout around and to ambush the mercenaries whenever an opportunity occurs. This novel reintroduces Alison, the somewhat friendly, and always suspicious, mercenary recruit with too much knowledge of soldiering. Keeping her from noticing the Phookas slipping on and off their hosts is just plain tiring and Jack cannot let her notice the off and on again nature of his "tattoo". Then the "Kodiak" attacks his herd and Alison doesn't have a clear shot. The slow and unintelligent Phookas raise unsettling questions within Draycos. Are all his racial legends a lie? A silver-gray Phooka with silver eyes starts to follow Jack or himself with a puzzled look. He calls her Taneem, after a childhood friend who has since died in the fighting against the Valahgua. Taneem is very attractive, but DUMB. Highly recommended for Dragonback fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of derring-do with an alien companion. -Arthur W. Jordin

Very entertaining story; this book is the fourth in a continuing series. I especially enjoy the interplay between honor, ethics, different cultures, and survival, as well as a great action plot. Please, hurry up and write the next one!

This book is the fourth book in Timothy Zahn's young adult series written about teenagers. Though some seem to be under contrary impressions, Zahn did write this with young adults in mind. The book is very good. Though occasionally simplistic in style, the plot is anything but. The characters are, if not overly complex, then definitely believable. You take clear sides in the book, and you want to see it to the finish. The premise is compelling, and the plot is tense. "Dragon and Herdsman" doesn't lose your attention. It doesn't slack in the surprises provided by the last three books. It keeps stringing the reader along with hints about the science and psychology of the dragons, and the massive conspiracy that plans to destroy the remainder of the K'da race. Overall, a good read and a good buy.