Pit Dragon Series by Jane Yolen

Dragons are trained to fight to the death, and two determined teens help free them in this spellbinding saga. Training a dragon to be a fighting champion is the only way to freedom for fifteen-year-old Jakkin.

Second in the thrilling young adult fantasy series from the award-winning author of Dragon’s Blood. “Readers . . . will welcome this one with delight.” —Booklist An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Jakkin now has everything he’s ever wanted—the rank of freeman, a string of victories in the dragon pits, and the companionship of his dragon, Heart’s Blood. Everything, that is, except for his beloved Akki, who vanished a year ago. To find her, Jakkin must become a rebel spy... moreSecond in the thrilling young adult fantasy series from the award-winning author of Dragon’s Blood. “Readers . . . will welcome this one with delight.” —Booklist An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Jakkin now has everything he’s ever wanted—the rank of freeman, a string of victories in the dragon pits, and the companionship of his dragon, Heart’s Blood. Everything, that is, except for his beloved Akki, who vanished a year ago. To find her, Jakkin must become a rebel spy. He will risk everything he holds dear—Heart’s Blood, her hatchlings, even his hard-won freedom—and join in a game fiercer than any dragon pit match, a game he’ll lose no matter how well he plays. “Eloquent . . . rich in symbolism.” —The Horn Book less

Jakkin and his girlfriend, Akki, discover a primitive cult that sacrifices dragons.

Austar IV isn't the planet it once was, and when Jakkin and Akki finally return to the dragon nursery, their homecoming arouses mixed emotions. Together they've survived the insurmountable, and now they can weather the brutal conditions of Dark After and communicate with the dragons they love. But with this knowledge comes responsibility. What they've learned about survival could transform the planet--or, if entrusted to the wrong hands, bring about its destruction... moreAustar IV isn't the planet it once was, and when Jakkin and Akki finally return to the dragon nursery, their homecoming arouses mixed emotions. Together they've survived the insurmountable, and now they can weather the brutal conditions of Dark After and communicate with the dragons they love. But with this knowledge comes responsibility. What they've learned about survival could transform the planet--or, if entrusted to the wrong hands, bring about its destruction. Akki's insistence that she return to the Rokk to finish her training and begin new experiments drives a chasm between her and Jakkin. Suddenly she finds herself in the midst of a political battle that could claim her life. Only Jakkin can save her. If only he could reach her. . . . less