In this first book of Zahns Dragonback series, Jack Morgan, framed for theft, is hiding on a distant planet. A firefight in the skies leaves a downed ship near Jacks hiding place, with a single unlikely survivor--a dragon that must join with a human host within six hours or die.

New edition of the first book in the popular Dragonback science fiction series from Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn

Timothy Zahn has been entertaining science fiction readers young and old for more than twenty years with exciting, thought-provoking adventures. Dragon and Thief is sure to delight all his fans and gain new teen and adult readers as well.

Jack Morgan has been framed for theft. He's hiding on a distant planet with the virtual presence of his deceased Uncle Virge, a con man who has been his only family since Jack's parents died. Jack knows he must clear his name before the cops catch up with him. A firefight among ships in the skies above leaves a downed ship near Jack's hiding place, with a single unlikely survivor. It looks like a dragon, and it must join with a human host within six hours or die. The only available host is Jack.

Draycos, Jack's new companion, is a K'da, a dragon-like species that lives symbiotically with the humanoid Shontine. The attackers, determined to exterminate Draycos's people, will find them if they don't flee; so the pair works together to escape the planet and begin a search for the truth behind Jack's frame-up and the identity of the attackers.

With Jack's future hanging in the balance, as well as the future of billions of Draycos's people, the pair must track down the people who framed Jack, and prevent the destruction of the remaining K'da and Shontine. They'll also discover whether their union was mere coincidence, or a friendship written in the stars.

Zahn keeps the story moving at breakneck speed.--Publishers Weekly