Black Dragon Codex (The Dragon Codices)
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, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.