• Age: 10 to 14
• Grade: 5 to 8

The thrilling sequel to award-winning author Arthur Slade’s fantasy adventure!

Carmen has defeated her twin brother, Corwin, thanks to the pact she made with Brax the dragon. Now it’s time for her to fulfill her end of the bargain.

Brax takes Carmen to Drachia, the land of beasts, where Carmen soon learns that Brax had been banished from his father’s kingdom for accidentally killing his sister, Brenna.

But soon after their arrival in the dragon capital, the two of them are quickly embroiled in plots and schemes to take the crown away from Brax’s father, King Xerx.

When Carmen becomes separated from Brax, she finds herself alone as an outsider in a strange land where she is seen as either a slave or food. She must use her assassin training, and the magical bond she shares with Brax, to survive and set out to save him.

Arthur Slade delivers with another exciting, fast-paced read full of action, magic and a healthy dash of humour.

The first volume in ARTHUR SLADE’s Hunchback Assignments series won the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, and the second volume, The Dark Deeps, was a finalist for the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award and the CLA Young Adult Book Award. Slade is also the author of Dust, a national bestseller and the winner of the 2001 Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature, the Mr. Christie’s Book Award and the Saskatchewan Book Award for Children’s Literature. His other books include Tribes, Megiddo’s Shadow, Jolted, Monsterology, Villainology and the Canadian Chills series. He lives in Saskatoon. Visit him online at arthurslade.com.

Arthur Slade's profile page

• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection

“Although there is a lot of action in Dragon Assassin, there is also surprising dimensionality to the characters of Carmen and Braxos. Braxos’ dry wit adds a touch of humor to this action-heavy tale.” (Dragon Assassin)—CM