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Pern (Chronological Order)
Rescue Run
The distress call was sent by Pernese settlers who had just experienced their first Threadfall.A Federation ship answered the call- but not until 49 years later...'Rescue Run' is an intriguing novella about that ship -the story of it's crew's unsettling encounter with spaceborn Thread...and other adventures...This special Book Club Edition features decorative page borders plus 10 interior illustrations by noted SF artist Pat Morrissey
189 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
9 people are currently reading
1842 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
474 books7,744 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 43 reviews
July 28, 2022
I find the most enjoyable science fiction is not solely about imagined future technology, alien lifeforms or surviving on distant planets, although these elements are interesting, but how people grapple with each other motivated by instincts we know only too well.
Anne McCaffrey's Rescue Run conforms to this model even though the story is somewhat handicapped by stereotyped characters: there is a brave Lieutenant, from a distinguished space travel family, a wise cruiser captain, an attractive science officer (her eyes glitter when conveying deep meaning, as do those of several others at various times). And to round it off there is a tiny band of survivors on a mineral rich remote planet, Pern, in thrall to a malevolent old goat, Kimmer, who has more than a trick or two.
But once this is established the interaction between the rescue crew and the planetary survivors becomes intriguing. Kimmer has a plan to extricate himself and his band from the stricken planet and to guarantee his future prosperity as well. Or does he have a darker purpose?
Entertaining, and I learn there is a Pern series...
Anne McCaffrey's Rescue Run conforms to this model even though the story is somewhat handicapped by stereotyped characters: there is a brave Lieutenant, from a distinguished space travel family, a wise cruiser captain, an attractive science officer (her eyes glitter when conveying deep meaning, as do those of several others at various times). And to round it off there is a tiny band of survivors on a mineral rich remote planet, Pern, in thrall to a malevolent old goat, Kimmer, who has more than a trick or two.
But once this is established the interaction between the rescue crew and the planetary survivors becomes intriguing. Kimmer has a plan to extricate himself and his band from the stricken planet and to guarantee his future prosperity as well. Or does he have a darker purpose?
Entertaining, and I learn there is a Pern series...
August 5, 2018
Anne McCaffrey has a way of writing that makes it so easy to visualize everything. I enjoyed this short story about Pern, and what happened to a small group of the colonists, who manage to convince the space crew there to survey the planet after receiving a distress call, that they are the only ones left on the planet. They hope to escape Pern and leave with the riches they have accumulated from the planet.
I haven't come across another writer like her and had always hoped I would meet her one day. I have read and listened to her entire Pern series, along with accompanying books about Pern, and a bio about Anne herself. I have read her son's continuation of the story of Pern, and his style of writing though similar just misses the mark. This is a great series for sci-fi lovers, dragon connoisseurs, and those who like a different type of tale that is entertaining.
I haven't come across another writer like her and had always hoped I would meet her one day. I have read and listened to her entire Pern series, along with accompanying books about Pern, and a bio about Anne herself. I have read her son's continuation of the story of Pern, and his style of writing though similar just misses the mark. This is a great series for sci-fi lovers, dragon connoisseurs, and those who like a different type of tale that is entertaining.
December 24, 2020
During the first Threadfall the colonists on Pern experienced, a rescue beacon was sent out. It took over 40 years for the beacon to be found and a ship sent to Pern. The rescuers only explored the Southern Continent because that was where the original settlement was. They found survivors who told them everyone else had died. (They were on the Northern Continent living in cave systems that the ship's sensors couldn't penetrate.) It has been a couple decades since I read Dragonsdawn so I had to read a synopsis to make sense of things that happened in this book. The book was OK. I'd recommend someone read it right after reading Dragonsdawn.
June 23, 2020
After the first thread fall on Pern one of the colonists sent a plea for help. It took 49 years for help to arrive. This novella tells the story of that ship and its crew as they deal with a handful of survivors at one hold. The wallpaper on each page detracts from the stor.
July 20, 2024
4.5 stars
I was obsessed with the Dragonriders of Pern series as a teen, and I've always planned to revist/read the entire series once I've collected them all. That time is not now, but I randomly came across this book, which is a standalone novella set in that universe. I was in-between books, and this was too intriguing to ignore.
First off, a quick content warning of two F-words. I don't recall this series ever dropping the F-word, so it took me by surprise.
As for this book, it takes place roughly sixty years after the planet of Pern was colonized. However, the perspective is that of a space crew who happens to be passing through the area. They discover a forty-nine-year-old distress call from Pern and investigate.
Now, I've read the first half of Dragonsdawn (I ended up dropping it because the hard sci-fi was too much for me as a teen), which chronicles the beginning of Pern being colonized and how the people dealt with a new threat nine years in.
This story, Rescue Run, is quite intriguing as it follows up on that, except for from the perspective of outsiders that don't realize civilization has found a way to carry on. I especially love that the POV character, Ross Benden, has a personal tie to those who founded Pern, and I love the little arc that goes on with that.
I love the slow buildup that happens leading up to learning just what the threat to Pern was, from the space crew laughing at the distress call, to them encountering the origins of the threat to Pern, to them actually understanding just how difficult it is to survive on said planet. I had hoped they'd experience Thread for themselves, but they arrive a little too late for that.
I do wish the story had continued a little further on, but it did end in a satisfying enough place. I also kind of wish for an alternate timeline, of this space crew making contact with Pern's civilization, but then the rest of the series would have played out differently, I think. It also makes me wish contact had been established way in the future (Dolphins of Pern, I'm looking at you), but I don't think the author ever planned on taking the series in that direction. Plus, Pern sounds like it's far from the rest of civilization with no reason for those from space to return to it, so I don't think contact is even possible unless Pern ever reaches space tech levels once more.
But now I'm talking about what I wish I could get a glimpse at with this series rather than what this book is about. I think that's a good sign, though. Even after fifteen plus years of not touching this series, just one novella has got my mind going. That proves how engaging the writing, world, and many characters are.
Overall, I'm so glad I decided to read this now rather than later. It makes me long to return to this series, and it helps cover an aspect that never was known in the main series (as far as I read, anyways). The story was engaging, I loved the main character, and I'm emotionally torn on all the 'what ifs' this book has triggered.
Oh, and the illustrations were a nice bonus. I don't care for the style, but bonus illustrations are always nice. Plus, I did really like the one of the solar system and the orbit of the planets.
I was obsessed with the Dragonriders of Pern series as a teen, and I've always planned to revist/read the entire series once I've collected them all. That time is not now, but I randomly came across this book, which is a standalone novella set in that universe. I was in-between books, and this was too intriguing to ignore.
First off, a quick content warning of two F-words. I don't recall this series ever dropping the F-word, so it took me by surprise.
As for this book, it takes place roughly sixty years after the planet of Pern was colonized. However, the perspective is that of a space crew who happens to be passing through the area. They discover a forty-nine-year-old distress call from Pern and investigate.
Now, I've read the first half of Dragonsdawn (I ended up dropping it because the hard sci-fi was too much for me as a teen), which chronicles the beginning of Pern being colonized and how the people dealt with a new threat nine years in.
This story, Rescue Run, is quite intriguing as it follows up on that, except for from the perspective of outsiders that don't realize civilization has found a way to carry on. I especially love that the POV character, Ross Benden, has a personal tie to those who founded Pern, and I love the little arc that goes on with that.
I love the slow buildup that happens leading up to learning just what the threat to Pern was, from the space crew laughing at the distress call, to them encountering the origins of the threat to Pern, to them actually understanding just how difficult it is to survive on said planet. I had hoped they'd experience Thread for themselves, but they arrive a little too late for that.
I do wish the story had continued a little further on, but it did end in a satisfying enough place. I also kind of wish for an alternate timeline, of this space crew making contact with Pern's civilization, but then the rest of the series would have played out differently, I think. It also makes me wish contact had been established way in the future (Dolphins of Pern, I'm looking at you), but I don't think the author ever planned on taking the series in that direction. Plus, Pern sounds like it's far from the rest of civilization with no reason for those from space to return to it, so I don't think contact is even possible unless Pern ever reaches space tech levels once more.
But now I'm talking about what I wish I could get a glimpse at with this series rather than what this book is about. I think that's a good sign, though. Even after fifteen plus years of not touching this series, just one novella has got my mind going. That proves how engaging the writing, world, and many characters are.
Overall, I'm so glad I decided to read this now rather than later. It makes me long to return to this series, and it helps cover an aspect that never was known in the main series (as far as I read, anyways). The story was engaging, I loved the main character, and I'm emotionally torn on all the 'what ifs' this book has triggered.
Oh, and the illustrations were a nice bonus. I don't care for the style, but bonus illustrations are always nice. Plus, I did really like the one of the solar system and the orbit of the planets.
January 27, 2025
This answered the whole question about the beacon. It was bittersweet.
' “Keep in mind at all times, Lieutenant,” the captain said at her sternest, “what happened to the Roma!”
“Ma’am, I always do!”
The ‘melting of the Roma’ when the science officer brought aboard a metal-hungry organism was a cautionary example drummed into every science officer. ' This was a very entertaining image.
' “Industrial technology requires quantities of sapphire, pure quartz, diamonds,” Saraidh told him as she left the cave, arching her back to relieve the strain of crouching. “But the major use of natural gemstones is once again decorative - for pets, high-status women, courtly men.” ' Don't ask me why but I just loved the idea of courtly men dripping in diamonds in the far future.
' “Kimmer would stretch the truth every which way,” Shensu said, “to make himself look good. But he desperately wanted to have a larger gene pool - for his own pleasure if not ours.” The last was said with an understandable malice. “If only a few more had survived, there’d be that much more future for all of us.” ' Boys you would need a larger gene pool, all of the women you know are related to you and not in a step-bro way my dudes.
' “Keep in mind at all times, Lieutenant,” the captain said at her sternest, “what happened to the Roma!”
“Ma’am, I always do!”
The ‘melting of the Roma’ when the science officer brought aboard a metal-hungry organism was a cautionary example drummed into every science officer. ' This was a very entertaining image.
' “Industrial technology requires quantities of sapphire, pure quartz, diamonds,” Saraidh told him as she left the cave, arching her back to relieve the strain of crouching. “But the major use of natural gemstones is once again decorative - for pets, high-status women, courtly men.” ' Don't ask me why but I just loved the idea of courtly men dripping in diamonds in the far future.
' “Kimmer would stretch the truth every which way,” Shensu said, “to make himself look good. But he desperately wanted to have a larger gene pool - for his own pleasure if not ours.” The last was said with an understandable malice. “If only a few more had survived, there’d be that much more future for all of us.” ' Boys you would need a larger gene pool, all of the women you know are related to you and not in a step-bro way my dudes.
November 27, 2018
Interesting to see the later investigation of Pern and the rescue. Though I had hoped Ross Benden would have had a chance to see his uncle, even if he never told anyone else.
I don't understand why they didn't get any readings in the northern hemisphere of human life or even some outside shelters which could have been built after the Thread stopped. Even with most living quarters taking place in caves people would have been out every day growing crops and taking care of their animals. This should have been able to be noticed from the space craft.
A rescue mission and fly by the seat of your pants adventure makes this a quick and entertaining read.
I don't understand why they didn't get any readings in the northern hemisphere of human life or even some outside shelters which could have been built after the Thread stopped. Even with most living quarters taking place in caves people would have been out every day growing crops and taking care of their animals. This should have been able to be noticed from the space craft.
A rescue mission and fly by the seat of your pants adventure makes this a quick and entertaining read.
January 3, 2024
Read in The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall.
I would only recommend to die hard Pern fans. Almost all of those rescued as unappealing and I don't like to be left guessing. Also after reading Dragonsdawn I find it hard to believe that Kenjo's wife wouldn't have been told about the crossing to the North Continent. (More of a 2.5).
I would only recommend to die hard Pern fans. Almost all of those rescued as unappealing and I don't like to be left guessing. Also after reading Dragonsdawn I find it hard to believe that Kenjo's wife wouldn't have been told about the crossing to the North Continent. (More of a 2.5).
January 15, 2021
What I thought was just going to be a short and interesting look at the beginnings of Pern actually ended up answering a question I had always asked about the series. This novella is a short read that is well worth your time if you are a Pern fan. It also may be the only pern book not to feature even a sighting of a dragon and the fact I never noticed that until I wrote this review should be taken as a vote of confidence in the strength of the novella.
January 24, 2017
This was actually a short story with others in the Chronicles of Pern. All the stories were wonderfully down and fills in the spaces of what and why and who were all involved in the Dragonriders series. Anne McCaffery is a wonderful author. I plan on reading all in the series.
February 8, 2020
Why didn't Earth and the other planets send a rescue mission to Pern? Why was Pern isolated and never contacted again? Well, it turns out they did. And that rescue mission is why Pern was isolated and never contacted again.
February 14, 2021
So I love Anne McCaffrey but one series I have never read is the Pern series. I had picked this book up at a library book sale a few years ago and never read it until today. Wow! Just wonderful and has me wanting to read the whole Pern series now.
May 27, 2018
A nice novella that answers the question of what happened with the beacon Ted Tubberman sent off at the start of the first fall the colonists endured on Pern, and the consequences.
February 16, 2019
Not long enough!!
July 7, 2019
I love the Dragonriders series! This is a wonderful little snippet into how the people came to be on the planet and a few other interesting things. Great story!
January 26, 2020
Well worth reading this with Dragonsdawn fresh in my mind.
March 10, 2020
Fills a small gap in the story line, well written as always
January 4, 2021
Not very believable that they could not find any people on the northern islands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
The right length for wrapping up the loose ends of Dragonsdawn. Filled in the last bits of some characters and closed the loop on how PERN remains isolated from the rest of space.
July 22, 2021
The tale of when Paul Bendens nephew answers the distress call sent off by Ted Tubberman in Dragonsdawn... Nice to see what happened to some of the Southern Continent survivors
June 14, 2022
The Cherry on top of a GREAT GREAT series
January 10, 2025
For a detailed review check out https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82t...
March 20, 2025
Not her finest! Kinda sad in the grand scheme of the books.
November 1, 2025
One of the short stories included in Chronicles of Pern: First Fall.
March 18, 2017
They were soooo close.
March 3, 2017
As great as all I've ever read by this author.
July 8, 2025
This was the 3rd novella in The Chronicles of Pern and by far the best but still only good. There was an actually story here, a distress beacon is answered and there are still a number of people on the southern continent of Pern. They all think that the others from their party that traveled north have perished. It is 50+ years later and a scientific ship comes to the beacon. Of course they have a hierarchy at this point and the top has his own ideas on how to leave even if it puts everyone else in danger.
I never read this as I didn't finish the anthology originally but it was interesting enough, and I wanted to see if the original two trilogies were better than the first two novellas so I'm rereading. They definitely were more cohesive, with better drawn characters and better plot. I may go and try a Todd written book and see how those are. 2016
Haven't yet read the continuation by Todd Mccaffrey, 2025.
I never read this as I didn't finish the anthology originally but it was interesting enough, and I wanted to see if the original two trilogies were better than the first two novellas so I'm rereading. They definitely were more cohesive, with better drawn characters and better plot. I may go and try a Todd written book and see how those are. 2016
Haven't yet read the continuation by Todd Mccaffrey, 2025.
May 21, 2008
A distress call sent from Pern to earth has finally been answered, but what will they find? A short story or novella.
August 23, 2009
Fun addition to the Pern mythology. I had always wondered why no one from the rest of humanity ever showed up.
January 8, 2011
Eh, this was okay. I think Ms. McCaffrey can do no wrong for me. This was a fast and enjoyable short read. It was nice to read about thread in space.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews