Title: The Skies of Pern

Series: Dragonriders of Pern

Author: Anne McCaffrey

Genre: Science Fiction

McCaffrey has churned out another book in her Dragonriders series (or Pern series, if you prefer). This one is placed towards the end of the time line of events in the Pern universe. Thread is falling for the last time due to action taken in the previous book by Aivas, the artificial intelligence which remained from the original settlers of Pern.

All that to say the book has quite a history in it’s little world, which I think, in the end, works against the flow of the story. Even in the notes at the beginning McCaffrey admits that she tended to get caught up in the stories of various characters to the neglect of the overall story.

Overall the story was pretty good, but I think the inclusion of the Abominators (people that don’t like the newer tech being developed and used) may have been overkill. I think she could have still ‘covered’ their assaults on various Halls and some of the intrigue from more of a distance, without having to narrate entire sections focused on the Abominators themselves. The true main characters were F’lessan and Tai, and when they (and their dragons) were the focus of the narration, the story really moved along.

Though I would not rate this as the best Dragonriders book, it was definitely a solid contribution to the seires. If you love th e Dragonrider books, feel free to grab yourself a copy, but if you haven’t read any, don’t really bother with this one – at least until you’ve read some of the others and are hooked into the series…

Worldview: Secular

Age Recommendation: A few more mature sexual situations, though nothing approaching explicit or inappropriate. High School age should be fine.

Title: The Masterharper of Pern

Series: Dragonriders of Pern

Author: Anne McCaffrey

Genre: Science Fiction

McCaffrey’s beloved Dragonrider’s of Pern series has been blessed with yet another novel. For as many of these novels that she has written, one might suspect that there would be at least one dud among them, yet every time I get my hands on one, I am pleasantly surprised – and find I don’t really want to put it down.

Chronologically, this novel perfectly segues into Dragonflight, one of the primary Dragonrider novels. The last chapter introduces us to Lessa and the events at the beginning of that novel. But Masterharper is actually about Robington, a Mozart of Pern, if you will. A musical genius who masters all instruments his fingers touch, Robington strives to find his identity and person despite his father’s lack of acceptance. Through his various adventures and training and teaching Robington realizes the dangerous lack of regard for the danger of the future fall of thread and begins to try and somehow fight this fading belief in thread.

If the previous paragraph makes little to no sense, don’t sweat it. This is an excellent novel, moving quickly and developing some very interesting and intriguing characters. Most of these novels could be categorized as Fantasy due to the element of dragons, but in reading other books of the series, it is actually realized that this series is more science fiction than fantasy. All in all, it should be a fun read to fans of either genre.

If you’ve never read a Dragonrider’s novel, this is an excellent example of one, though, personally, I would hold Dragonflight or even The White Dragon to be a few of the best Dragonrider’s novels.

Wordview: secular

Age Recommendation: Due to minor sexual themes and slight violence, probably not for those not yet in High School.

Additional links:
Anne McCaffrey’s Wikipedia page
Dragonriders of Pern Wikipedia page
Masterharper of Pern Wikipedia page

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