Status
Checked out
Series
Collection
Publication
Del Rey (1979)
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML:Volume III of The Dragonriders of Pern®, the influential series by sci-fi/fantasy titan Anne McCaffrey Never in the history of Pern has there been a dragon like Ruth. Mocked by other dragons for his small size and pure white color, Ruth is smart, brave, and loyalâ??qualities that he shares with his rider, the young Lord Jaxom. Unfortunately, Jaxom is also looked down upon by his fellow lords, and by other riders as well. His dreams of joining the dragonriders in defending Pern are dismissed. What else can Jaxom and Ruth do but strike out on their own, pursuing in secret all they are denied? But in doing so, the two friends will find themselves facing a desperate choiceâ??one that will push their bond to the breaking point . . . and threaten the future of Pern… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member maita
Jaxom impressed Ruth but nobody is happy. He is and must be Lord of Ruatha Hold but he is now a dragonrider. He sets to prove to the whole of Pern that his odd little white dragon and he can accomplish more that any dragon can. His adventures take him through time and into the eventual discovery of
It is a very nice read. Ruth will make you fall in love with his gentle and caring attitude not only for Jaxom but for everyone arounf him.
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the Past, Landing, where men from space first touched Pern.It is a very nice read. Ruth will make you fall in love with his gentle and caring attitude not only for Jaxom but for everyone arounf him.
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LibraryThing member JudithProctor
This is where the series started to go downhill. The first two books were very enjoyable, but this one hovers between teen and adult fiction and isn't brilliant as either.
I dislike the sex scenes - I've nothing against sex, but some writers can write it well, and some can't. And there's a definite
About this point in the series that it really comes home to you that mating flights might as well be looked up on as rape if the queen rider doesn't like the rider of the successful bronze dragon.
Mirrim is portrayed as a rather annoying character, but no one ever wonders (or even sympathises with) what will happen when her green dragon rises....
The only character who feels really believable is Master Robinton. (I'm sure I read somewhere that he was based on a real person, and I can believe that.)
The more the characters discover about the ancients, the less believable the book becomes. They make wonderfully accurate guesses about things they know nothing about. eg. F'lar wonders how the tubes on the back of the landing craft help propel it, but given that the craft has wings, why doesn't he ask the more logical question (for a dragonrider): "How did they make the wings move?"
I dislike the sex scenes - I've nothing against sex, but some writers can write it well, and some can't. And there's a definite
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sense that woman definitely enjoy rough sex (which is fine, but I believe a man should ask about that beforehand and not be pleased to find it is okay afterwards).About this point in the series that it really comes home to you that mating flights might as well be looked up on as rape if the queen rider doesn't like the rider of the successful bronze dragon.
Mirrim is portrayed as a rather annoying character, but no one ever wonders (or even sympathises with) what will happen when her green dragon rises....
The only character who feels really believable is Master Robinton. (I'm sure I read somewhere that he was based on a real person, and I can believe that.)
The more the characters discover about the ancients, the less believable the book becomes. They make wonderfully accurate guesses about things they know nothing about. eg. F'lar wonders how the tubes on the back of the landing craft help propel it, but given that the craft has wings, why doesn't he ask the more logical question (for a dragonrider): "How did they make the wings move?"
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LibraryThing member Letora
He's just an overgrown fire lizard!
He'll never be a real dragon!
The white dragon Ruth was never supposed to survive. Small for his size and stuck in his egg, Lord Jaxom saved his life. Now the young boy who isn't quite a Lord Holder, and the dragon who never should have lived have a life time bond.
The first half of this novel I have to admit dragged on. It mostly focused on Jaxom and Ruth exploring their capabilities as dragon and rider, which was entertaining, but there wasn't a huge amount of conflict. A few political spats from the Lord Holders and the familiar threat of thread, but aside from that not much happens until the exiled Southern Riders decide to meddle in the affairs of the North.
The Southern riders are old and dying. We've known this since book two. Exiled due to their greed and treatment of Pern, they have been a long overdue thorn that has decided to burrow in deeper. The hot headed and egotistical T'ron chooses to commit a heinous crime that nearly sets dragon upon dragon. This is the first conflict we see, where Jaxom and Ruth begin to prove themselves and is a turning point for the plot.
The Northern riders begin expansion into the Southern Continent, far away from the Southern Weyr so as to avoid further conflict and in search of a lost rider. Jaxom and Ruth soon stumble upon fire lizards who can give the riders clues to their mysterious ancestors and a curious ability only Ruth can use. As the Northerners begin to dig into the past that surrounds them, the bits and pieces they uncover start to unravel the mysteries surrounding the ancestors.
I do wish the two stories, that of Jaxom and Ruth's realization of their self worth and the expansion of the Southern Continent had been split into separate books. I don't feel like Jaxom and Ruth went through enough trials to become who they are by the end of the book. It was more like they overcame school yard bullying than anything else, which in itself should be rewarding, but it fell flat.
I am also not one to enjoy politics, even if they are fictional. The plot structure could have also used work, as it sometimes jumped to a person's POV that was summing up what happened in the previous novels and the current one. None of this summary was needed and interrupted the storyline.
I'm not willing to give up on Pern just yet. I do want to know more about the ancestors and if the current inhabitants of Pern can deconstruct and figure out all that has been left behind. I also know there are a few books that take place during the original trilogy and I would be interested to know what has been happening in the other Weyrs.
He'll never be a real dragon!
The white dragon Ruth was never supposed to survive. Small for his size and stuck in his egg, Lord Jaxom saved his life. Now the young boy who isn't quite a Lord Holder, and the dragon who never should have lived have a life time bond.
Show More
While Ruth pays no mind to the insults thrown his way, Jaxom is determined to prove his friend is just as good as the great bronzes.The first half of this novel I have to admit dragged on. It mostly focused on Jaxom and Ruth exploring their capabilities as dragon and rider, which was entertaining, but there wasn't a huge amount of conflict. A few political spats from the Lord Holders and the familiar threat of thread, but aside from that not much happens until the exiled Southern Riders decide to meddle in the affairs of the North.
The Southern riders are old and dying. We've known this since book two. Exiled due to their greed and treatment of Pern, they have been a long overdue thorn that has decided to burrow in deeper. The hot headed and egotistical T'ron chooses to commit a heinous crime that nearly sets dragon upon dragon. This is the first conflict we see, where Jaxom and Ruth begin to prove themselves and is a turning point for the plot.
The Northern riders begin expansion into the Southern Continent, far away from the Southern Weyr so as to avoid further conflict and in search of a lost rider. Jaxom and Ruth soon stumble upon fire lizards who can give the riders clues to their mysterious ancestors and a curious ability only Ruth can use. As the Northerners begin to dig into the past that surrounds them, the bits and pieces they uncover start to unravel the mysteries surrounding the ancestors.
I do wish the two stories, that of Jaxom and Ruth's realization of their self worth and the expansion of the Southern Continent had been split into separate books. I don't feel like Jaxom and Ruth went through enough trials to become who they are by the end of the book. It was more like they overcame school yard bullying than anything else, which in itself should be rewarding, but it fell flat.
I am also not one to enjoy politics, even if they are fictional. The plot structure could have also used work, as it sometimes jumped to a person's POV that was summing up what happened in the previous novels and the current one. None of this summary was needed and interrupted the storyline.
I'm not willing to give up on Pern just yet. I do want to know more about the ancestors and if the current inhabitants of Pern can deconstruct and figure out all that has been left behind. I also know there are a few books that take place during the original trilogy and I would be interested to know what has been happening in the other Weyrs.
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LibraryThing member CMParish
Of the series, this was by far the strongest. The character of Jaxom is given an interesting problem as he is placed in a situation where he must assume multiple roles to please multiple factions. We also meet Ruth, a "white" dragon, considered an anomaly by all, except of course the other dragons
Of all the installments in the series, it feels that in Jaxom and Ruth, we are given the best representation of what the author is trying to describe when she speaks of that bond between dragon and rider. Perhaps it is one if the longest in the series because in it, the author has the most to say.
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and the strange fire lizards that flock to him. Of all the installments in the series, it feels that in Jaxom and Ruth, we are given the best representation of what the author is trying to describe when she speaks of that bond between dragon and rider. Perhaps it is one if the longest in the series because in it, the author has the most to say.
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LibraryThing member Krumbs
I have the next book, but I think this may be it for me. There's just too much background and too many necessary characters working themselves into each book, complicating the basic story. Plus, a lot of the attitudes are pretty outdated now. I don't want to get that worked up and annoyed about
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women's rights when reading something for pleasure! Show Less
LibraryThing member paperloverevolution
After wading through all of these as an adult, what becomes clear to me is that Anne McCaffrey has created a peculiarly Irish utopia - a not exactly feudal preindustrial society in which warriors and poets share the top rungs of power, followed by craftsmen, hereditary lords, and sailors, and where
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the skies are filled with what are basically flying horses. No wonder I loved them as a kid. They weren't as bad as I feared they would be upon rereading, either. I think she's underrated. Show Less
LibraryThing member DragonFreak
To me, this is the best book in the series so far. I don't know why, but I think it's the combination of my two favorite characters: the rider Jaxom, and his dragon Ruth.
You first meet Jaxom in Dragonflight in the most perculiar way and he's very lucky to be alive. When in Dragonquest he first
Now Ruth is very different. There is absolutely nothing and everything wrong with him. The everything part is that he is a runt. If it wasn't for Jaxom, Ruth probably would've died, because he couldn't hatch out of his egg. By a lot of people, Ruth isn't considered a real dragon. And fire-lizards follow Ruth wherever he goes.
And on the other hand there is nothing wrong with Ruth. He is the most good-natured living creature alive. I swear if you stab Ruth in the heart and he lives, he would not be mad at all. That's how pleasant he is. And Ruth seems to not have a sexual need, which is very strange for any animal, human, or dragon. His only wish is to please Jaxom in all ways.
Anne McCaffrey just did an awesome job writing this book and describing Jaxom and Ruth. Five stars all the way.
You first meet Jaxom in Dragonflight in the most perculiar way and he's very lucky to be alive. When in Dragonquest he first
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Impressed Ruth, it was a very strange thing. Jaxom was the underage Holder. Normally, the Holder is not supposed to be a Rider, but Jaxom did.Now Ruth is very different. There is absolutely nothing and everything wrong with him. The everything part is that he is a runt. If it wasn't for Jaxom, Ruth probably would've died, because he couldn't hatch out of his egg. By a lot of people, Ruth isn't considered a real dragon. And fire-lizards follow Ruth wherever he goes.
And on the other hand there is nothing wrong with Ruth. He is the most good-natured living creature alive. I swear if you stab Ruth in the heart and he lives, he would not be mad at all. That's how pleasant he is. And Ruth seems to not have a sexual need, which is very strange for any animal, human, or dragon. His only wish is to please Jaxom in all ways.
Anne McCaffrey just did an awesome job writing this book and describing Jaxom and Ruth. Five stars all the way.
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LibraryThing member scampus
The last of what I call the Big Five of Anne McCaffrey's novels based around the adventures of the Dragons of Pern and their riders (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, and The White Dragon). McCaffrey has gone on to write many more books in the setting of Pern, some of which have
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been quite good. In recent years she has been passing the mantle of 'Dragons of Pern author' on to son Todd. For me, however, these first few books in the series surpass all the others for breathtaking inventiveness and plain old good writing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kellswitch
I enjoyed parts of this book, but over all not one of the series strongest.
Some of that could simply be that I did not like Jaxom at all and therefore didn't really care for his story or what happens to him.
I found the stuff going on around him and in the background far more interesting.
I did enjoy
Some of that could simply be that I did not like Jaxom at all and therefore didn't really care for his story or what happens to him.
I found the stuff going on around him and in the background far more interesting.
I did enjoy
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parts of Ruth's story and more with the Southern Continent, and I always enjoy Pern itself. Show Less
LibraryThing member hermit
I have to start by saying that the first two books are better, but you need to read this if you started the series. In this book Jaxom is destined to be the Lord Holder of Ruatha, but while visiting Benden Weyr, he accidentally impresses a dragon, Ruth. Ruth is the white dragon, rare and rather
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small at birth. We see them grow together as all ask how can Jaxom rule Ruatha and be a dragon rider? In this volume we read of the construction of the Cave Hold and Jaxom's illness. The series makes sure to keep up reasons why dragonmen must remain alive on Pern. You can feel yourself in the series aback a great dragon and fighting thread. That imagery of the series comes thru as you read and seems very alive. Show Less
LibraryThing member pennyshima
There's just something about young Lord Jaxom and Ruth that make me smile and want to reread this story whenever I feel bad. It's not a soppy feel-good novel, but I like how they look at no and find out how to find a yes without disobeying every rule in the book. I think this is one of my more
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favourite Pern novels, perhaps because of where it falls in the time line and my love of exploring the impact of science and technology on society. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Although I lost interest in the later books of the Pern series, the original trilogy (and the Harper Hall books) remain among my favorites in speculative fiction. This is the third book in the series and you should read Dragonflight and Dragonquest first.
This book feels a little different with its
The plot has more than enough twists and turns to keep a reader engaged and this is one of those books you can enjoy rereading years afterward. I liked how this bridges the first two books which feel more fantasy into more of a science fiction theme. Pern has a quasi-medieval feel with its powerful Lord Holders and Guild Masters. In this book you can see Pern blossoming in a kind of Renaissance with a rebirth of science and the settling of the Southern continent. I like that evolution in the book.
This is a light, entertaining read with memorable characters.
This book feels a little different with its
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focus on different characters: Jaxom and his dragon Ruth. Ruth comes across as a character in his own right more than other Pern dragons, and he's an endearing one. The plot has more than enough twists and turns to keep a reader engaged and this is one of those books you can enjoy rereading years afterward. I liked how this bridges the first two books which feel more fantasy into more of a science fiction theme. Pern has a quasi-medieval feel with its powerful Lord Holders and Guild Masters. In this book you can see Pern blossoming in a kind of Renaissance with a rebirth of science and the settling of the Southern continent. I like that evolution in the book.
This is a light, entertaining read with memorable characters.
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LibraryThing member ConalO
"Get on the dragon wagon" was the marketing slogan when this was released in paperback back in 1979 so I hopped on and have enjoyed the ride since. This is the final book in the first Pern trilogy (several additional books have been released since which continue the story) and tells the story of
This is, as with many McCaffrey novels, an extremely fun read. I have re-visited Pern many times since the original read and it hasn't lost its luster yet.
I can recommend this to any fantasy fan and especially those who enjoy her storytelling.
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Lord Jaxom of Ruatha and his impression of the white dragon, Ruth. This is, as with many McCaffrey novels, an extremely fun read. I have re-visited Pern many times since the original read and it hasn't lost its luster yet.
I can recommend this to any fantasy fan and especially those who enjoy her storytelling.
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LibraryThing member AdrianC
A great book, one of a very strong series. Mccaffrey has created a wonderfuld world of contrast then crossed her own self imposed boundaries. what a ride
LibraryThing member mossjon
As much as I loved the first two books of the Dragonriders of Pern series, The White Dragon remains my favorite. And not because of Jaxom, whom I never liked as a lead character/protagonist. Ruth was my favorite character. Ruth, the stunted runt totally unique White Dragon.
The archaeological
As with most of McCaffrey's novels, I tend to skip over the romantic story lines as they bore me to tears. Rarely does she write a romantic subplot that engages me. And her attempts at jealous revenge subplots also grates on me.
But that aside, I enjoy the early Pern novels, and this one, along with Dragonsong are my favorites.
The archaeological
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discoveries on the Southern Continent at the original landing site are the most memorable and compelling parts of this installment in the saga of Pern. And Ruth's abilities to manipulate time and space are unparalleled in the evolution of the dragons. As with most of McCaffrey's novels, I tend to skip over the romantic story lines as they bore me to tears. Rarely does she write a romantic subplot that engages me. And her attempts at jealous revenge subplots also grates on me.
But that aside, I enjoy the early Pern novels, and this one, along with Dragonsong are my favorites.
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LibraryThing member Ailinel
Young Lord Holder Jaxom emerges as the newest protagonist in Dragonriders of Pern. After helping a white dragon hatch, Jaxom impresses the runt. With Ruth too small to be considered a "real" dragon by many, Jaxom is caught between the dragonriders and the Lord Holders. As outcasts, he and the
This book is more focused on Hold life than previous books, and provides a different perspective on the world of Pern. Favorite characters including Maosterharper Robinton, Lessa, F'lar, F'nor, Menolly, and Peimur continue to play important roles, working to shape the future of their planet.
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dragon Ruth begin to carve their own path in the world, relying on Ruth's uncanny ability to jump to any time and the fire lizards obsession with Ruth. Meanwhile, the leaders of Pern uncover more technology from the original colonists and begin to recover knowledge of their past and their world. This book is more focused on Hold life than previous books, and provides a different perspective on the world of Pern. Favorite characters including Maosterharper Robinton, Lessa, F'lar, F'nor, Menolly, and Peimur continue to play important roles, working to shape the future of their planet.
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LibraryThing member turtlesleap
The Dragonriders of Pern is escape fantasy at its best. McCaffrey has created an alternate world, complete with history for her readers. The White Dragon is, perhaps, a bit less engaging than some of her other works but who, having become ensnared in the delights of life on Pern, could resist the
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white dragon Ruth, and his rider. Show Less
LibraryThing member Letora
He's just an overgrown fire lizard!
He'll never be a real dragon!
The white dragon Ruth was never supposed to survive. Small for his size and stuck in his egg, Lord Jaxom saved his life. Now the young boy who isn't quite a Lord Holder, and the dragon who never should have lived have a life time bond.
The first half of this novel I have to admit dragged on. It mostly focused on Jaxom and Ruth exploring their capabilities as dragon and rider, which was entertaining, but there wasn't a huge amount of conflict. A few political spats from the Lord Holders and the familiar threat of thread, but aside from that not much happens until the exiled Southern Riders decide to meddle in the affairs of the North.
The Southern riders are old and dying. We've known this since book two. Exiled due to their greed and treatment of Pern, they have been a long overdue thorn that has decided to burrow in deeper. The hot headed and egotistical T'ron chooses to commit a heinous crime that nearly sets dragon upon dragon. This is the first conflict we see, where Jaxom and Ruth begin to prove themselves and is a turning point for the plot.
The Northern riders begin expansion into the Southern Continent, far away from the Southern Weyr so as to avoid further conflict and in search of a lost rider. Jaxom and Ruth soon stumble upon fire lizards who can give the riders clues to their mysterious ancestors and a curious ability only Ruth can use. As the Northerners begin to dig into the past that surrounds them, the bits and pieces they uncover start to unravel the mysteries surrounding the ancestors.
I do wish the two stories, that of Jaxom and Ruth's realization of their self worth and the expansion of the Southern Continent had been split into separate books. I don't feel like Jaxom and Ruth went through enough trials to become who they are by the end of the book. It was more like they overcame school yard bullying than anything else, which in itself should be rewarding, but it fell flat.
I am also not one to enjoy politics, even if they are fictional. The plot structure could have also used work, as it sometimes jumped to a person's POV that was summing up what happened in the previous novels and the current one. None of this summary was needed and interrupted the storyline.
I'm not willing to give up on Pern just yet. I do want to know more about the ancestors and if the current inhabitants of Pern can deconstruct and figure out all that has been left behind. I also know there are a few books that take place during the original trilogy and I would be interested to know what has been happening in the other Weyrs.
He'll never be a real dragon!
The white dragon Ruth was never supposed to survive. Small for his size and stuck in his egg, Lord Jaxom saved his life. Now the young boy who isn't quite a Lord Holder, and the dragon who never should have lived have a life time bond.
Show More
While Ruth pays no mind to the insults thrown his way, Jaxom is determined to prove his friend is just as good as the great bronzes.The first half of this novel I have to admit dragged on. It mostly focused on Jaxom and Ruth exploring their capabilities as dragon and rider, which was entertaining, but there wasn't a huge amount of conflict. A few political spats from the Lord Holders and the familiar threat of thread, but aside from that not much happens until the exiled Southern Riders decide to meddle in the affairs of the North.
The Southern riders are old and dying. We've known this since book two. Exiled due to their greed and treatment of Pern, they have been a long overdue thorn that has decided to burrow in deeper. The hot headed and egotistical T'ron chooses to commit a heinous crime that nearly sets dragon upon dragon. This is the first conflict we see, where Jaxom and Ruth begin to prove themselves and is a turning point for the plot.
The Northern riders begin expansion into the Southern Continent, far away from the Southern Weyr so as to avoid further conflict and in search of a lost rider. Jaxom and Ruth soon stumble upon fire lizards who can give the riders clues to their mysterious ancestors and a curious ability only Ruth can use. As the Northerners begin to dig into the past that surrounds them, the bits and pieces they uncover start to unravel the mysteries surrounding the ancestors.
I do wish the two stories, that of Jaxom and Ruth's realization of their self worth and the expansion of the Southern Continent had been split into separate books. I don't feel like Jaxom and Ruth went through enough trials to become who they are by the end of the book. It was more like they overcame school yard bullying than anything else, which in itself should be rewarding, but it fell flat.
I am also not one to enjoy politics, even if they are fictional. The plot structure could have also used work, as it sometimes jumped to a person's POV that was summing up what happened in the previous novels and the current one. None of this summary was needed and interrupted the storyline.
I'm not willing to give up on Pern just yet. I do want to know more about the ancestors and if the current inhabitants of Pern can deconstruct and figure out all that has been left behind. I also know there are a few books that take place during the original trilogy and I would be interested to know what has been happening in the other Weyrs.
Show Less
LibraryThing member themulhern
What was the name of the girl that our hero just ditched between one paragraph and the next? Does anybody remember? This is the book that introduces the crowd pleasing and positively adorable dragon, Ruth. It launches the story of the next few books: the technological renaissance of Pern.
LibraryThing member GlenRH
his is one of my favorite Pern books. It allows you to view Pern from three perspectives: Crafter, Holder, and Dragonrider. Having Lytol as a mentor, Jaxsom learns about life as he balances being a Rider with learning about Holding.
Subjects
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1979)
Margaret A. Edwards Award (1999)
Ditmar Award (Winner — 1979)
Gandalf Award (Nominee — 1979)
Locus All-Time Best (Fantasy Novel — 23 — 1987)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1978-06
Physical description
468 p.
ISBN
0345253736 / 9780345253736