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Pern #23
Sky Dragons
Sky Dragons
496 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
311 people are currently reading
5085 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
478 books7,754 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
July 26, 2012
I think that Goodreads should give you a negative option when rating books- minus one star would be perfect for this book. Todd McCaffrey has completely ruined Pern. I am a huge fan of Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, but Todd needs to put this pass out of its misery and go do something else. One indicator for me that a book will be bad is when it is a new book in a popular series with a huge following, and the book is actually sitting on the shelf at the library, instead of on hold for three months. Sky Dragons was on the shelf. I suppose that is the only redeeming quality here- I did not have to pay to be tortured.
So many things are wrong with this book, it is nearly impossible to know where to begin. The first problem is that there are too many characters, and it's impossible to keep track of who they are, what they do, and where they go. It's also impossible to feel any connection to any of the characters- Xhinna was on my nerves after the first page- and there was zero character development. Of course the main problem with this entire Pass that Todd has created is that there is nothing new. Plague? Moreta did that. Go back in time while risking life and dragon to save Pern? Lessa did that. Impress a dragon you're not supposed to Impress? Jaxom did that. Evil Lord Holder starving his dependents and neglecting his duties as Lord Holder? Chalkin did that to Bitra in Dragonseye. Female character acting out of "tradition"? Menolly did that, and she was much more awesome than Xhinna. All Todd has done is taken all the elements from the real Pern and mixed them up, given them new names, and created some weird alt-Pern with characters the reader never bonds with and ends up not caring about.
Enough. Don't bother. If you feel the need to live in Pern's world for awhile, go find one of the real Pern books, the ones with Lessa, F'lar, Robinton, Menolly, and Jaxom. Let this one go.
So many things are wrong with this book, it is nearly impossible to know where to begin. The first problem is that there are too many characters, and it's impossible to keep track of who they are, what they do, and where they go. It's also impossible to feel any connection to any of the characters- Xhinna was on my nerves after the first page- and there was zero character development. Of course the main problem with this entire Pass that Todd has created is that there is nothing new. Plague? Moreta did that. Go back in time while risking life and dragon to save Pern? Lessa did that. Impress a dragon you're not supposed to Impress? Jaxom did that. Evil Lord Holder starving his dependents and neglecting his duties as Lord Holder? Chalkin did that to Bitra in Dragonseye. Female character acting out of "tradition"? Menolly did that, and she was much more awesome than Xhinna. All Todd has done is taken all the elements from the real Pern and mixed them up, given them new names, and created some weird alt-Pern with characters the reader never bonds with and ends up not caring about.
Enough. Don't bother. If you feel the need to live in Pern's world for awhile, go find one of the real Pern books, the ones with Lessa, F'lar, Robinton, Menolly, and Jaxom. Let this one go.
July 31, 2012
This is a sad end to the great work which Anne McCaffrey has given us through the years, and I think that a lot, if not all, of the blame has to be placed at the feet of Todd. I have tried to keep an open mind to their collaborations in the last few years, and Todd's solo efforts, but things seemed to have gotten steadily worse.
But, where to begin ...
Sky Dragons reads more like an early draft, rather than a final edit. Scenes do not flow from one to the other, there are many short scenes which pop up without context, or set up, and disappear just as quickly. Many scenes do not appear to have enough room to breathe and develop before something else happens in the story.
One of the larger background questions of Pern novels in the last decade is "Are there more stories to tell on Pern?" After 'All the Weyrs of Pern', it seemed unlikely, but then stories in and around the ninth pass continued to prove that that was still a rich area for the new stories, and even 'Red Star Rising' proved that going back into history could also work, but in general the third pass stuff hasn't worked.
A lot of the basic background of the stories: plagues and the time travelling, have felt rehased from other books. Moreta dealt with plague, and that was a great book, and she was a great, strong character. And Lessa's timing it was more believable, and more of a character achievement. And Lessa was a strong, impressive character. By comparison Fiona and Xhinna aren't as well written characters, I don't like or care about them as much other Pernese figures, and their achievments are likewise less impressive.
I was looking forward to 'After the Fall is Over' for a while now, and maybe if something does come out, I might read it - but I will pass on anything else which comes out from Pern now. I'll just try and remember the better stories.
But, where to begin ...
Sky Dragons reads more like an early draft, rather than a final edit. Scenes do not flow from one to the other, there are many short scenes which pop up without context, or set up, and disappear just as quickly. Many scenes do not appear to have enough room to breathe and develop before something else happens in the story.
One of the larger background questions of Pern novels in the last decade is "Are there more stories to tell on Pern?" After 'All the Weyrs of Pern', it seemed unlikely, but then stories in and around the ninth pass continued to prove that that was still a rich area for the new stories, and even 'Red Star Rising' proved that going back into history could also work, but in general the third pass stuff hasn't worked.
A lot of the basic background of the stories: plagues and the time travelling, have felt rehased from other books. Moreta dealt with plague, and that was a great book, and she was a great, strong character. And Lessa's timing it was more believable, and more of a character achievement. And Lessa was a strong, impressive character. By comparison Fiona and Xhinna aren't as well written characters, I don't like or care about them as much other Pernese figures, and their achievments are likewise less impressive.
I was looking forward to 'After the Fall is Over' for a while now, and maybe if something does come out, I might read it - but I will pass on anything else which comes out from Pern now. I'll just try and remember the better stories.
November 8, 2018
I'm not sure what to say. This was another book in what seemed a long series of books about the same characters and time span. There was a dragon sickness, thread fall was coming and they needed to save the dragons. There were several books dedicated to timing it to the past to have hatchings and raise hatchlings so that they would have more dragons during the time they needed it. This was another of those. Then they learned to fight thread really high where there isn't much oxygen. That was great until they ran out of oxygen. Again, the characters were okay and the story was just okay. To me, this whole bunch of books was just a bit too much. They just drew this time out way too much and the characters as well. I'm ready to move on and thankfully that was the last in that series of long drawn out story.
May 15, 2012
Sky Dragons by Todd & Anne McCaffrey
This is a tale of dragons from Pern, the home of Anne McCaffrey’s dragonesque imagination. Plague has decimated the dragons of Pern and their riders to the point where there is an insufficient defense against Thread. This book details how a small band of courageous dragon riders preservers.
I don’t know if I own every book that Anne McCaffrey authored but if I don’t it isn’t for lack of trying. I am a major dragon fan and some of my all time favorite dragon tales are from Pern. This book was apparently co-authored with Anne’s son Todd. It gives a glimmer of hope that the wonderful tales won’t cease with the sad demise of the towering Anne McCaffrey. The flavor was most definitely Pernese and was totally satisfying.
The interaction between dragon riders, dragons and folks in general has always been the strength of the Pern books. Sure the dragons and the exotic setting with the abundant action are a factor but the love and loyalty of the protagonists are the spine of the book.
I do not remember Mrreows so they may be new. Much like the dolphins of Pern, I think there could be a story featuring them.
This was an excellent rendition of Pern.
I highly recommend it.
Anne McCaffrey’s talent brought many a happy hour to me and my family, may she rest in skies free of Thread.
This is a tale of dragons from Pern, the home of Anne McCaffrey’s dragonesque imagination. Plague has decimated the dragons of Pern and their riders to the point where there is an insufficient defense against Thread. This book details how a small band of courageous dragon riders preservers.
I don’t know if I own every book that Anne McCaffrey authored but if I don’t it isn’t for lack of trying. I am a major dragon fan and some of my all time favorite dragon tales are from Pern. This book was apparently co-authored with Anne’s son Todd. It gives a glimmer of hope that the wonderful tales won’t cease with the sad demise of the towering Anne McCaffrey. The flavor was most definitely Pernese and was totally satisfying.
The interaction between dragon riders, dragons and folks in general has always been the strength of the Pern books. Sure the dragons and the exotic setting with the abundant action are a factor but the love and loyalty of the protagonists are the spine of the book.
I do not remember Mrreows so they may be new. Much like the dolphins of Pern, I think there could be a story featuring them.
This was an excellent rendition of Pern.
I highly recommend it.
Anne McCaffrey’s talent brought many a happy hour to me and my family, may she rest in skies free of Thread.
June 20, 2022
Last of the prequel books before the original stories. This has been a nice group of books to fill in alot of gaps in the development of the Dragonrider's customs and the planets makeup. good read. Recommended
July 26, 2012
Someone is going to bash me for this one so if you're not conservative, probably better just move on to another review.
Ugh. I have been a long time fan of Anne McCaffery. I stumbled upon Dragonsinger years and years ago and was hooked. I hate to say anything negative, especially as she died in the last year, but I just can't give this book a good review. I've felt like her books have really gone downhill in the last decade, and her's books with her son Todd and/or his books are just not that great. This one put the nail in the coffin and I'm done with the series.
This grouping of recent books by her and her son and the ones solely by her son seem to be getting away from the great story telling and have determined to set some sort of social movement toward communal living and promoting the gay lifestyle. If you want to be gay, fine, but I don't want to read about it. I'm not going to yell or throw stuff in your yard, I'm not going to try to keep you from getting housing or jobs, but I don't want to read about your love life either. This series has had too much focus on both heterosexual partner swapping, gay and semi-gay relationships, and the complete redefining of a family as any group of people that live in proximity. Not true. I didn't start this series to be indoctrinated into a new social structure, I just wanted to read about dragons.
Its the sad ending of a once great series. More will be written, but I'm definitely done.
Ugh. I have been a long time fan of Anne McCaffery. I stumbled upon Dragonsinger years and years ago and was hooked. I hate to say anything negative, especially as she died in the last year, but I just can't give this book a good review. I've felt like her books have really gone downhill in the last decade, and her's books with her son Todd and/or his books are just not that great. This one put the nail in the coffin and I'm done with the series.
This grouping of recent books by her and her son and the ones solely by her son seem to be getting away from the great story telling and have determined to set some sort of social movement toward communal living and promoting the gay lifestyle. If you want to be gay, fine, but I don't want to read about it. I'm not going to yell or throw stuff in your yard, I'm not going to try to keep you from getting housing or jobs, but I don't want to read about your love life either. This series has had too much focus on both heterosexual partner swapping, gay and semi-gay relationships, and the complete redefining of a family as any group of people that live in proximity. Not true. I didn't start this series to be indoctrinated into a new social structure, I just wanted to read about dragons.
Its the sad ending of a once great series. More will be written, but I'm definitely done.
December 12, 2022
Todd McCaffrey co-wrote this, or rather wrote this. Anne was ill and passed away before the book was published.
The plot--same as the previous two books written by Todd; ie., plague, deaths, dragons lost, dragons found, people lost, people found, time travel, sex with everybody, more dragonriders, More Plague and More Disasters. I give this book 3 stars only because it is Pern. I almost didn't finish it, but I dug in so I could say I read it.
I hope this is the last Pern book I have to read by Todd.
The plot--same as the previous two books written by Todd; ie., plague, deaths, dragons lost, dragons found, people lost, people found, time travel, sex with everybody, more dragonriders, More Plague and More Disasters. I give this book 3 stars only because it is Pern. I almost didn't finish it, but I dug in so I could say I read it.
I hope this is the last Pern book I have to read by Todd.
March 1, 2015
Sky Dragons (Pern, #24)
McCaffrey, Anne
It is better sweet to turn the last page of An Anne Mccaffrey book, knowing that this is the last book she put her hands on and approved. I have read all her books, and #24 is no different then the first, with tears streaming down your face as you feel the ebb and pull of the events that occur with in the pages, wishing the characters could live forever. Greiving for a friend lost as those characters do mourn their losses. My only hope is with out the inspiration and detailed attention of Anne Mccaffrey, that Todd and his niece are able to continue the stories, I don't know what a world it would be like for me to know I have the final Anne Mccaffrey, and #24 is the last of Pern i will read. I have grown up reading this author, anticipated every new book since i was 13 years old, waiting for each to be published, waiting for what new adventure, what new love will come into my life from the pages of her books. Xhiana is another of those loves, and when i read the final line i wanted to know more, like always when i close the book for the last time, it feels like the story is just beginning, and not ending.
April 10, 2012
I received this book from Netgalley (an uncorrected proof)
At the end of Dragon’s Time the plague and sickness are over but there are few dragons and riders left, Sky Dragon’s starts where that one left off, sort of, at first it is a little off putting because they don’t tell the story of how they came to be where they are till later.
For the main part of the book we have some familiar folks, and some new faces but I do believe Todd & Anne have set us up for a new story arc that I am sure Todd will finish on his own after the sad death of his mother Anne McCaffrey, I for one am very glad that Pern will not end!
I must admit this one did move a little slow for me, it’s not the strongest Pern novel out there but still a good story more about characters than action although there is action. Since the big story arc about the sickness ended in the last book this one is about rebuilding Pern before threadfall. This small group of dragonriders becomes a dysfunctional family as they fight and love to save Pern.
I did enjoy this book and am curious to see where it goes from here. I will purchase the completed book when it comes out to see what correction/updates have been made to it.
If you are a fan of Pern of course you should read this and if you’ve never read any of the Pern books why not??What are you waiting for??This is a wonderful series!
3 ½ Stars
At the end of Dragon’s Time the plague and sickness are over but there are few dragons and riders left, Sky Dragon’s starts where that one left off, sort of, at first it is a little off putting because they don’t tell the story of how they came to be where they are till later.
For the main part of the book we have some familiar folks, and some new faces but I do believe Todd & Anne have set us up for a new story arc that I am sure Todd will finish on his own after the sad death of his mother Anne McCaffrey, I for one am very glad that Pern will not end!
I must admit this one did move a little slow for me, it’s not the strongest Pern novel out there but still a good story more about characters than action although there is action. Since the big story arc about the sickness ended in the last book this one is about rebuilding Pern before threadfall. This small group of dragonriders becomes a dysfunctional family as they fight and love to save Pern.
I did enjoy this book and am curious to see where it goes from here. I will purchase the completed book when it comes out to see what correction/updates have been made to it.
If you are a fan of Pern of course you should read this and if you’ve never read any of the Pern books why not??What are you waiting for??This is a wonderful series!
3 ½ Stars
June 28, 2012
Meh. If this had been a book set anywhere other than Pern (or other much-loved sci-fi/fantasy world), I probably wouldn't have finished it. The characters are sappy, there's very little dramatic tension, the time travel meme is simultaneously way overused and limited in arbitrary ways, and a lot of the descriptions of personal relationships reads like a "non-traditional sexuality is ok" pamphlet. In large part it feels like we've read this before in Dragongirl and Dragon's Time.
Having said all that, it's still Pern. There are still dragons. It was kind of neat to see a book from the perspective of a rider of a "lesser" dragon (a blue) instead of the "royalty" (queen/bronzes). There are a few points which give nods to previous (and in my opinion, better) books.
If you're a Pern fan and have read all the rest of the books, this one's worth it for completeness. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Having said all that, it's still Pern. There are still dragons. It was kind of neat to see a book from the perspective of a rider of a "lesser" dragon (a blue) instead of the "royalty" (queen/bronzes). There are a few points which give nods to previous (and in my opinion, better) books.
If you're a Pern fan and have read all the rest of the books, this one's worth it for completeness. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
August 6, 2012
Originally posted at: http://lasrsff.blogspot.com/2012/07/s...
Sky Dragons is the latest installment in the Pern Series and the last book which will feel the touch of Anne MacCaffrey herself. It's thrilling as a reader and lover of the Pern series that this latest and last book by her is as wonderful and thrilling as the first. The Pern series does need to be read in order because there are elements, which are developed and explained in early books and may leave readers confused, if they're picking up Sky Dragons for the first time.
Sky Dragons revolves around the first female blue dragon rider and a small group of dragon riders and potential dragon riders who travel back in time with the hopes of breeding enough dragons to help repopulate the Weyrs in their own time. They establish Sky Weyr after an attack and some are stuck in a time drama which leaves the young blue rider Xhinna, as the oldest dragon rider in the group and therefore Weyrleader, the first female to ever take the position. She must see to the youngsters both human and dragon as she tries to save them from vicious predators. She becomes the leader of a wing of Queen dragons. Throw in some fancy flying and daring unprecedented ideas and you have a wonderful story that brings adventure, romance, danger, and drama all together in a smooth and delightful mix.
While I enjoyed this story it wasn't quite as enjoyable as some of her other works. There were a few areas of confusion where even I was wondering what was going on. They were quickly sorted out when it became apparent that as the dragons were moving back and forth through time so was the story and there were time leaps to allow maturing of the characters. Also a heads-up: a lesbian relationship figures prominently in the story, so if that's something which offends you, you may choose not to read this book.
Overall, the book was well written, as delightful as the first in the Pern series and made me a bit melancholy because it will be the last of these special books from an amazing author. It's a book that has joined my collection and I encourage anyone to pick up and read Sky Dragons by Anne and Todd MacCaffrey.
Sky Dragons is the latest installment in the Pern Series and the last book which will feel the touch of Anne MacCaffrey herself. It's thrilling as a reader and lover of the Pern series that this latest and last book by her is as wonderful and thrilling as the first. The Pern series does need to be read in order because there are elements, which are developed and explained in early books and may leave readers confused, if they're picking up Sky Dragons for the first time.
Sky Dragons revolves around the first female blue dragon rider and a small group of dragon riders and potential dragon riders who travel back in time with the hopes of breeding enough dragons to help repopulate the Weyrs in their own time. They establish Sky Weyr after an attack and some are stuck in a time drama which leaves the young blue rider Xhinna, as the oldest dragon rider in the group and therefore Weyrleader, the first female to ever take the position. She must see to the youngsters both human and dragon as she tries to save them from vicious predators. She becomes the leader of a wing of Queen dragons. Throw in some fancy flying and daring unprecedented ideas and you have a wonderful story that brings adventure, romance, danger, and drama all together in a smooth and delightful mix.
While I enjoyed this story it wasn't quite as enjoyable as some of her other works. There were a few areas of confusion where even I was wondering what was going on. They were quickly sorted out when it became apparent that as the dragons were moving back and forth through time so was the story and there were time leaps to allow maturing of the characters. Also a heads-up: a lesbian relationship figures prominently in the story, so if that's something which offends you, you may choose not to read this book.
Overall, the book was well written, as delightful as the first in the Pern series and made me a bit melancholy because it will be the last of these special books from an amazing author. It's a book that has joined my collection and I encourage anyone to pick up and read Sky Dragons by Anne and Todd MacCaffrey.
June 29, 2012
Sky Dragons: Dragonriders of Pern takes place after the plague has annihilated most the dragons and riders. This is the story how the remaining dragons and riders survive and rebuild.
This being my first book in this series, I was unfamiliar with all the past characters. Even though I was unfamiliar, I was still able to follow the story rather easily. The authors did a fabulous job giving just enough information to enlighten what I missed but not to bog down the story with details of the past.
I really enjoyed the interaction between the dragon, riders and secondary characters. Strong characters that show devotion toward a common goal bring a special bond to Sky Dragons, even though they might be a bit rough around the edges after the plague. I did find the beginning a little slow moving, but this is a story about rebuilding. This truly was a pleasant book for any dragon fantasy fan. I’m really am going to have to go back and start from the beginning.
This copy of Sky Dragons: Dragonriders of Pern was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
This being my first book in this series, I was unfamiliar with all the past characters. Even though I was unfamiliar, I was still able to follow the story rather easily. The authors did a fabulous job giving just enough information to enlighten what I missed but not to bog down the story with details of the past.
I really enjoyed the interaction between the dragon, riders and secondary characters. Strong characters that show devotion toward a common goal bring a special bond to Sky Dragons, even though they might be a bit rough around the edges after the plague. I did find the beginning a little slow moving, but this is a story about rebuilding. This truly was a pleasant book for any dragon fantasy fan. I’m really am going to have to go back and start from the beginning.
This copy of Sky Dragons: Dragonriders of Pern was given to me by Goodreads First Reads and Random House in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2015
This book was hard to follow with all the various names that are similar. I also didn't feel connected to any of the characters, which is very different from the rest of the series, where I always became attached to certain key characters. It took many chapters before I started to feel like I knew the characters enough to properly enjoy the book.
In previous Pern books there was often a short recap of what had happened, so that after a year or more since the last book we could easily follow along with the story. Once I realized who the characters were this time, and could somewhat remember what had happened to them in the previous books, I wasn't quite so confused.
Overall, I just wasn't that happy with this book. There wasn't really a plot, other than having the dragons and people grow up. In older Pern books, the characters always had a mystery to solve, or a disaster to avert, and in the process they grew. There was only one small part of this book that I thought had more to it, and even that was forgotten after part 2.
In previous Pern books there was often a short recap of what had happened, so that after a year or more since the last book we could easily follow along with the story. Once I realized who the characters were this time, and could somewhat remember what had happened to them in the previous books, I wasn't quite so confused.
Overall, I just wasn't that happy with this book. There wasn't really a plot, other than having the dragons and people grow up. In older Pern books, the characters always had a mystery to solve, or a disaster to avert, and in the process they grew. There was only one small part of this book that I thought had more to it, and even that was forgotten after part 2.
January 18, 2025
Reading chronologically using this list: https://www.howtoread.me/dragonriders...
Previously: Dragon's Time
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I do want to give this book a bit more reverence because co-writing this with her son was Anne McCaffrey's last project...
But let's get the pedophilia out of the way first.
Xhinna has her pick from all the starving, some of them sexually abused, kids that she has a leadership role over. Oh does she now...
Twelve-year-old Jirana is turning all the bronze rider heads. And there's some weird shit also said about her brother.
I must be honest and admit I've already read Moreta, and I don't think this enmeshes itself into the lore effectively. Without giving spoilers, some of the major elements of this are non-existent or actively contradicted in Moreta.
I'm also very much not a fan of this sentiment that in order for women to be effective leaders, they have to be masculine.
But, about the story itself: it's got some pretty unique elements actually. We're in a new place, we're flying higher than we've ever flown before (so far in the chronological read through), there's a major wrench thrown into the time travel, ladies are leading wings, relationships are put to the test, there's a new kind of cute baby animal, and the stakes are high.
It's a fitting end for this story line and these characters.
Next: Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Previously: Dragon's Time
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I do want to give this book a bit more reverence because co-writing this with her son was Anne McCaffrey's last project...
But let's get the pedophilia out of the way first.
Xhinna has her pick from all the starving, some of them sexually abused, kids that she has a leadership role over. Oh does she now...
Twelve-year-old Jirana is turning all the bronze rider heads. And there's some weird shit also said about her brother.
I must be honest and admit I've already read Moreta, and I don't think this enmeshes itself into the lore effectively. Without giving spoilers, some of the major elements of this are non-existent or actively contradicted in Moreta.
I'm also very much not a fan of this sentiment that in order for women to be effective leaders, they have to be masculine.
But, about the story itself: it's got some pretty unique elements actually. We're in a new place, we're flying higher than we've ever flown before (so far in the chronological read through), there's a major wrench thrown into the time travel, ladies are leading wings, relationships are put to the test, there's a new kind of cute baby animal, and the stakes are high.
It's a fitting end for this story line and these characters.
Next: Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 9, 2013
I still enjoy the Pern series, but something has been lost since the late Anne McCaffrey quit writing them solo. I've tried to warm up to Todd's writing style, but to my way of thinking, he tends to introduce way too many characters at a time, without really developing any of them. Maybe if I could read one book immediately after putting its predecessor down, it wouldn't be such work to keep track of all the characters. The world of Pern is still a wonderful place, but I feel like I need a flowchart to keep track of the different characters, times, events and locations since Todd has come on board. Even reading the original three books in the series, and the Harper Hall trilogy after that, I did not have these issues. Subsequent books by Anne only also seemed to fall into logical sequences in my brain, even though they jumped around in time, characters, events and locations. Maybe I am just more accustomed to her style. At any rate, I do not mean to denigrate this wonderful series, or this particular book, as both are worth a look. I guess I just really miss Anne McCaffrey and her wonderful imagination and writing style. I still look forward to reading every book in the Pern series.
October 3, 2024
takes a deep, cleansing breath.
What the ACTUAL FARDLING HECK, this is not how Pern works, okay maybe lesbians can Impress blues, but green dragons do not lay queen eggs, definitely not multiple ones per clutch, and blue dragons cannot be Weyrleaders, no bronze or gold would ever submit to a blue, and that poor little girl with precognition so thorough that she knew when she and the queen she was going to Impress would die was just creepy, and maybe you get an empathic whisper from an egg before it hatches but the unborn hatchling isn't going to telepathically warn you of impending danger, and calling wild felines Mreeows and Meeyus is just too cutesey, and for the love of Mike just have Lorana re-Impress, she's already riding everyone else's dragon and she's so very special anyway, rules never apply to her, and there is so much blithe polyamory in this book I'm starting to wonder if the rumors of massive Weyr-wide orgies that the Holders mutter about all originated from this one weird little time-travel quasi-Weyr.
This book never happened, much like Highlander 2 never happened. Tra-la-la.
What the ACTUAL FARDLING HECK, this is not how Pern works, okay maybe lesbians can Impress blues, but green dragons do not lay queen eggs, definitely not multiple ones per clutch, and blue dragons cannot be Weyrleaders, no bronze or gold would ever submit to a blue, and that poor little girl with precognition so thorough that she knew when she and the queen she was going to Impress would die was just creepy, and maybe you get an empathic whisper from an egg before it hatches but the unborn hatchling isn't going to telepathically warn you of impending danger, and calling wild felines Mreeows and Meeyus is just too cutesey, and for the love of Mike just have Lorana re-Impress, she's already riding everyone else's dragon and she's so very special anyway, rules never apply to her, and there is so much blithe polyamory in this book I'm starting to wonder if the rumors of massive Weyr-wide orgies that the Holders mutter about all originated from this one weird little time-travel quasi-Weyr.
This book never happened, much like Highlander 2 never happened. Tra-la-la.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2012
I have lots of confusing feelings about this book. Here goes in no particular order.
I found it very difficult to remember who all the characters were from previous books and hence had trouble caring about some of the characters.
I'm not sure how realistic it was but fair play to Todd and Anne for portraying a lesbian relationship and broadening the dragon choices to include more women. In fact women form the majority of the main characters in this book.
However, as with the earlier books, many of the characters are extremely young when they impress, making some of the relationships morally dubious.
I got a bit bored in the middle with all the 'eggs being eaten by snakes' plotlines.
Time travel seems to have been totally overused. Again I had lost track of how old characters had got.
Lorana had to lose her dragon and unborn child - why? This book didn't really help explain that plot line.
Better than some previous installments but nowhere near a top Pern novel.
I found it very difficult to remember who all the characters were from previous books and hence had trouble caring about some of the characters.
I'm not sure how realistic it was but fair play to Todd and Anne for portraying a lesbian relationship and broadening the dragon choices to include more women. In fact women form the majority of the main characters in this book.
However, as with the earlier books, many of the characters are extremely young when they impress, making some of the relationships morally dubious.
I got a bit bored in the middle with all the 'eggs being eaten by snakes' plotlines.
Time travel seems to have been totally overused. Again I had lost track of how old characters had got.
Lorana had to lose her dragon and unborn child - why? This book didn't really help explain that plot line.
Better than some previous installments but nowhere near a top Pern novel.
June 27, 2012
I am a big fan of the Dragonriders of Pern series and have read them all several times. This was not one of the better stories, which makes me really sad. I never really cared about the main character, she just wasn't developed in a way to make me want to care. My biggest problem with the book was the two year jump. During this two years, we are told that nearly 2000 dragons have been hatched, but the numbers just don't make sense, knowing what we do of how many eggs are in a clutch. I'm thinking the editing was a bit choppy or they just didn't catch it. I will still reread this one, it just isn't one of my favorites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2012
Parts of this were very enjoyable, but parts got rather confusing with the jumping forward and backward in time. I have found that to be more and more the case in the last few books. I still love the characters, but I have a hard time following where the story is ultimately going which I think is too bad. This, of course, was Anne's last book. The end of an era.
July 29, 2017
This was my least favorite Pern book. It was actually written by Anne's son Todd McCaffrey, who completely embraces his mother's writing style. The story follow Xhinna, the first Blue Dragon rider Pern has ever seen. The story takes place after a plague has wiped out many citizens and most of the dragon force. Dragons can go between places and can also go between times, so Xhinna leads a small colony back in time by three turns (years) in order to rebuild the dragon force so they can continue to fight Thread and save all of Pern. The story moves quite slowly and I didn't find myself invested in any of the characters. There were some interesting moments, but they were just few and far between for my tastes.
December 13, 2017
Love this series of books. It's one of my all time favourites. I decided to re-read the entire Dragonriders of Pern series and over the past couple of months, I have been working my way through them all. Anne McCaffrey has such a wonderful, boundless imagination and such a vivid and descriptive style, her stories transport the reader into the fantastic world that she created and sweeps you up on the breathtaking adventures. Spellbinding!
August 17, 2012
I feel like I grew up with this series as my daughter grew up with the Harry Potter series. I had already heard about the passing of Anne McCaffrey before this book was released, and reading the forward written by her son Todd brought it home to me again. I needed tissues before I even started the story! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this series, and I will keep reading any Pern stories that Todd McCaffrey continues with. Because if I think I grew up with the Dragons of Pern, Todd and his siblings certainly have even more so than anyone else!! He has a slightly different style from his Mum, and not everyone may appreciate it, but I have enjoyed a little science brought back into this fantasy world!
Pern is struggling to overcome the devastation of Plague, now that the cure has been found. The dragons and live stock were affected just as much as the dragon riders and people of Pern have been decimated! Only all of Pern is still in peril from the ravages of Thread fall! Not enough dragons are available to fight Thread and protect the planet they love! With the ability to travel Between places, the dragons can also travel Between times as well!
Young Queen dragon rider Fiona has taken a group of Dragons into the past to have the time to heal and increase the number of dragons for the Weyrs. In Dragon Time, she had gotten caught in Between along with other Dragons and their riders, when their fear for Pern and their dragons and families created a knot that caught people. Eventually they were able to be brought back into the present time, but Blue Rider Xhinna and her dragon Tazith (the first female Chosen by a male Blue dragon) ends up leading the group of dragons and their riders to an unexplored island while they are still in the past. Since the female green dragons have not been chewing Firestone, they are fertile and able to produce a clutch of eggs. These eggs are the start of being able to replenish the decimated population of dragons! Unfortunately there is not a proper Weyr on this island, and tunnel snakes along with large feral felines are a threat to the eggs from below and above!
Xhinna has an uphill battle to win the respect of her peers, especially after an unforeseen tragedy occurs! One young girl, Jiranna, has inherited her father's ability to foresee potential futures, and she will help Xhinna find a way forward and further into the past to find a way to save Pern and its dragons!
This story is split into 2 parts. The first part deals with Xhinna and the struggles to find a site for the dragons and dragonets to be safe from the feral cats, dubbed Mreeowrs for the sound they make, as well as the tunnel snakes. Their solution is where the book title comes from. A lot of responsibility is thrust on her young shoulders, but Xhinna has help among the other dragon riders, and they are all learning as they go, since the traditional way of doing things won't help. I really love the characters, and the interactions amongst them. Mistakes are made, but also learned from. How they find ways To deal with the tunnel snakes and Meeowrs is interesting! They also get an opportunity to learn to fight thread, and they do it in a very dangerous way that no one has ever done before. Ex queen rider Lorana is on hand to help with discoveries she made in the previous novels.
The second part to the story felt a little rushed, as we jump to the point of the story 2 and some years later and with what they've accomplished. Still, the story could have dragged on if it covered that whole time period, reunions abound, and a part of me wasn't ready for the story to end when it did! But, Todd and his sister have the rights from their mother to still create wonderful tales in the Pern universe.... So I know I will have more to look forward to reading from them!
Pern is struggling to overcome the devastation of Plague, now that the cure has been found. The dragons and live stock were affected just as much as the dragon riders and people of Pern have been decimated! Only all of Pern is still in peril from the ravages of Thread fall! Not enough dragons are available to fight Thread and protect the planet they love! With the ability to travel Between places, the dragons can also travel Between times as well!
Young Queen dragon rider Fiona has taken a group of Dragons into the past to have the time to heal and increase the number of dragons for the Weyrs. In Dragon Time, she had gotten caught in Between along with other Dragons and their riders, when their fear for Pern and their dragons and families created a knot that caught people. Eventually they were able to be brought back into the present time, but Blue Rider Xhinna and her dragon Tazith (the first female Chosen by a male Blue dragon) ends up leading the group of dragons and their riders to an unexplored island while they are still in the past. Since the female green dragons have not been chewing Firestone, they are fertile and able to produce a clutch of eggs. These eggs are the start of being able to replenish the decimated population of dragons! Unfortunately there is not a proper Weyr on this island, and tunnel snakes along with large feral felines are a threat to the eggs from below and above!
Xhinna has an uphill battle to win the respect of her peers, especially after an unforeseen tragedy occurs! One young girl, Jiranna, has inherited her father's ability to foresee potential futures, and she will help Xhinna find a way forward and further into the past to find a way to save Pern and its dragons!
This story is split into 2 parts. The first part deals with Xhinna and the struggles to find a site for the dragons and dragonets to be safe from the feral cats, dubbed Mreeowrs for the sound they make, as well as the tunnel snakes. Their solution is where the book title comes from. A lot of responsibility is thrust on her young shoulders, but Xhinna has help among the other dragon riders, and they are all learning as they go, since the traditional way of doing things won't help. I really love the characters, and the interactions amongst them. Mistakes are made, but also learned from. How they find ways To deal with the tunnel snakes and Meeowrs is interesting! They also get an opportunity to learn to fight thread, and they do it in a very dangerous way that no one has ever done before. Ex queen rider Lorana is on hand to help with discoveries she made in the previous novels.
The second part to the story felt a little rushed, as we jump to the point of the story 2 and some years later and with what they've accomplished. Still, the story could have dragged on if it covered that whole time period, reunions abound, and a part of me wasn't ready for the story to end when it did! But, Todd and his sister have the rights from their mother to still create wonderful tales in the Pern universe.... So I know I will have more to look forward to reading from them!
June 2, 2015
This was a bittersweet book. Published after our Pern Queen, Anne McCaffrey passed. That acknowledgement is at the beginning of the book and set the tone. At least it did for me.
I already had the hardback so all I needed was the audio. I borrowed that from the library. Now I have this on my Audible wishlist. Once again, Emily Durante was the narrator. She is excellent! Her acting skills shine in this recording.
In this book, the McCaffrey's join the 21st century breaking the dragon-glass ceiling for those who love differently, for women. Feminists erupted from Pern and showed they could do anything the guys could. With the framework set up by Fiona and Larana in the previous books Xhinna sets out to save Pern from total destruction by thread. Illnesses cut the human and dragon populations and in the following passes of thread all could die. Xhinna comes up with some solutions, much of it trial and error but she is strong and pushes the envelopes of what she should be able to do. Just as her 'sisters' before her, Xhinna loves deeply and uncommonly. From that love, she finds uncommon answers.
It makes me sad that this may be the last Pern novel. Of course, I still have a few in the middle that I haven't read yet. But knowing the chronological ending of the series just makes me feel SO sad! I will have to make sure to reread all of these again later. Even still, it astonishes me at how much story Ms. McCaffrey was able to create from this one planet. The mass of world and personality maps and charts of information, she and Todd must have sitting around ... well, it must be amazing!
If you get the chance to read the entire series, do so! If I had to narrow it down, I think these last three, starting with Stargirl written by both mother and son, with the narration of Emily Durante, are the best ones of all!
I already had the hardback so all I needed was the audio. I borrowed that from the library. Now I have this on my Audible wishlist. Once again, Emily Durante was the narrator. She is excellent! Her acting skills shine in this recording.
In this book, the McCaffrey's join the 21st century breaking the dragon-glass ceiling for those who love differently, for women. Feminists erupted from Pern and showed they could do anything the guys could. With the framework set up by Fiona and Larana in the previous books Xhinna sets out to save Pern from total destruction by thread. Illnesses cut the human and dragon populations and in the following passes of thread all could die. Xhinna comes up with some solutions, much of it trial and error but she is strong and pushes the envelopes of what she should be able to do. Just as her 'sisters' before her, Xhinna loves deeply and uncommonly. From that love, she finds uncommon answers.
It makes me sad that this may be the last Pern novel. Of course, I still have a few in the middle that I haven't read yet. But knowing the chronological ending of the series just makes me feel SO sad! I will have to make sure to reread all of these again later. Even still, it astonishes me at how much story Ms. McCaffrey was able to create from this one planet. The mass of world and personality maps and charts of information, she and Todd must have sitting around ... well, it must be amazing!
If you get the chance to read the entire series, do so! If I had to narrow it down, I think these last three, starting with Stargirl written by both mother and son, with the narration of Emily Durante, are the best ones of all!
November 17, 2012
I was very surprised by this book. The Todd Mccaffrey series' have been somewhat slow, but this one was not. I enjoyed the self-contained isolation of this book. Although it connects with the larger series, I was able to enjoy it almost as a stand alone novel.
I was also impressed with the fact that one of the main characters was at least a bisexual and at most a lesbian. For Pern, that seems cutting edge and very liberal. There have always been references to the blue and green dragon rider men being somewhat amorous with one another during the dragonlust, but outright GLBTQ characters have been somewhat lacking until now.
I hope that we come to know more about PERN in the future. I am sad to have learned that Anne McCaffrey has passed away, and it is my hope her son will continue writing in her stead -- I was also encouraged to see in the afterword, that Anne's daughter is authorized to write PERN novels... I hope she will. There is a whole imagined world out there to enjoy, but PERN is a world I do not want to see abandoned in my life time. Perhaps a movie is in the future too??? One can only hope!
I was also impressed with the fact that one of the main characters was at least a bisexual and at most a lesbian. For Pern, that seems cutting edge and very liberal. There have always been references to the blue and green dragon rider men being somewhat amorous with one another during the dragonlust, but outright GLBTQ characters have been somewhat lacking until now.
I hope that we come to know more about PERN in the future. I am sad to have learned that Anne McCaffrey has passed away, and it is my hope her son will continue writing in her stead -- I was also encouraged to see in the afterword, that Anne's daughter is authorized to write PERN novels... I hope she will. There is a whole imagined world out there to enjoy, but PERN is a world I do not want to see abandoned in my life time. Perhaps a movie is in the future too??? One can only hope!
September 10, 2013
I really love Anne McCaffrey books, especially the Pern books. They're filled with action, excitement, and dragons. They may not actually be magical dragons, but their hard work charring thread puts them in the top spot for top dragon (behind Saphira, Glaedr, and Firnin from the Inheritance Cycle). I also love how the main character, Xhinna, a gay woman and rider of blue Tazith, shows that even if some people think you can't do something, if you try hard enough, you will always succeed. Throughout the book, other riders keep putting her down because she is the first female to Impress (bond with) a blue dragon. Normally, it is only male riders who ride blues. But even though people doubt her, she always managed to exceed expectations. I really love how this book embodies the idea that a woman can do anything just as well as a man can do. Anne McCaffrey is one of my favorite authors, but I think I like the books she wrote on her own a little better. But I still highly recommend this book to anyone who loves sic-fi.
May 19, 2014
I can't tell you how many times I've read this series. Just read this title again, and it still doesn't disappoint. Telepathic dragons, strong female characters, great relationships, and the Harpers' guild and music as a strong guiding force. What could be better?
In hindsight, I still enjoy reading the series in order written (versus actual chronological order of events). I especially like how McCaffrey shifts the point of view in different books, retelling the same events from someone else's perspective.
This one was okay, but felt a bit disjointed in storyline. Probably has something to do with our beloved author, Anne McCaffrey, passing away after it was written but before it was copyedited. I'm hopeful that the series will continue through her son, Todd, as they have co-written several titles together by this point. However, this was published in 2012, and I haven't heard rustling about a new title yet. Fingers crossed.
In hindsight, I still enjoy reading the series in order written (versus actual chronological order of events). I especially like how McCaffrey shifts the point of view in different books, retelling the same events from someone else's perspective.
This one was okay, but felt a bit disjointed in storyline. Probably has something to do with our beloved author, Anne McCaffrey, passing away after it was written but before it was copyedited. I'm hopeful that the series will continue through her son, Todd, as they have co-written several titles together by this point. However, this was published in 2012, and I haven't heard rustling about a new title yet. Fingers crossed.
August 20, 2012
Very sad that Anne McCaffrey has passed away. Pern will never be the same.
This wasn't one of the better Pern books. It seemed to lack the excitment of the others and I find Kindan or K"dan's character very annoying. Not sure why, didn't like him in Dragon's Kin and it seems to have gone on from there. There seemed to be too many characters in this book. There was little fighting of thread and too much about green dragons laying eggs , which I didn't think happened. Well in all the otehrs books it was only the gold who bore young. You would think that the green's eggs would be too small etc. I don't mind stories about Fiona and her weyr but she barely made an appearance in this book and I found I didn't really care as much about this new batch of riders as I have before. Not sure if I will continue with Todd's brand of Pern after this.
This wasn't one of the better Pern books. It seemed to lack the excitment of the others and I find Kindan or K"dan's character very annoying. Not sure why, didn't like him in Dragon's Kin and it seems to have gone on from there. There seemed to be too many characters in this book. There was little fighting of thread and too much about green dragons laying eggs , which I didn't think happened. Well in all the otehrs books it was only the gold who bore young. You would think that the green's eggs would be too small etc. I don't mind stories about Fiona and her weyr but she barely made an appearance in this book and I found I didn't really care as much about this new batch of riders as I have before. Not sure if I will continue with Todd's brand of Pern after this.
January 13, 2015
I've seen a lot of people blaming Todd for this book being a bit substandard. But some of his that he wrote alone were quite good. So I do not think that is a fair assessment.
It does start oddly. I feel like I was missing a book that should have been in between. It was a rough beginning and I felt like I needed to go back and find the books before it to re-read them. But I also missed it when it came out so had an extra couple years between the previous book and this one.
It eventually smoothed out and it was a pretty good book. Not as deep as some. But not bad.
Overall, it seem like the end of the series. Not so much because of a bad book but because so many have been written and there just doesn't seem like there is anywhere else for the series to go. I would like to see more books but I don't think it will happen.
It does start oddly. I feel like I was missing a book that should have been in between. It was a rough beginning and I felt like I needed to go back and find the books before it to re-read them. But I also missed it when it came out so had an extra couple years between the previous book and this one.
It eventually smoothed out and it was a pretty good book. Not as deep as some. But not bad.
Overall, it seem like the end of the series. Not so much because of a bad book but because so many have been written and there just doesn't seem like there is anywhere else for the series to go. I would like to see more books but I don't think it will happen.
September 19, 2012
All of Anne's books, even if they form a trilogy, can be read alone and not much gets lost. Each of her books are their own story. Sadly, that is not the case with this one. I felt like I picked up a book that the first few chapters ripped out which left me lost and always a little behind. There were a lot of different people that popped in and out with very little warning and despite there being a ton of dialogue, they really didn't talk about what was going on very much. It was hard to get involved with them because it really felt like they were in their own little world and I was sitting at a distance eavesdropping and trying to figure out what is going on based on what I could hear. I'm just glad that I borrowed this book from the library and didn't waste my money on it.
October 1, 2013
Firestone does not sterilize Greens- they're born sterile. At least that is what was established in previous books and if this wasn't so, dragons would have died out after the 1st generation since all of the dragons tried chewing firestone in Dragonsdawn. So I'm rather pissed the McCaffreys' decided to change this biological fact so late in the series and use it as a major plot point.
There are so many issues like this that I feel like all the books set during the 3rd fall are actually set in an alternate reality.
There are so many issues like this that I feel like all the books set during the 3rd fall are actually set in an alternate reality.
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