Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Del Rey (2008), Edition: Reprint, 370 pages
Description
Life in the Harper Hall is busy for best friends Kindan, Nonala, and Kelsa. As the only female apprentices, Nonala and Kelsa are the butt of jokes and easy targets for the bully Vaxoram and his cronies. But when Kindan springs to Kelsa's defense, he winds up in a fight for his life against the older, bigger Vaxoram--a fight that will lead to a surprising friendship. Meanwhile, in nearby Fort Hold, a clutch of fire-lizard eggs is about to hatch, and Lord Bemin's beautiful young daughter, Koriana, is determined to Impress one of the delightful creatures. At the hatching, Kindan Impresses a fire-lizard of his own...and wins the heart of Koriana. But Lord Bemin mistrusts harpers and will not hear of a match between his daughter and the low-born Kindan. Then fate intervenes in the form of a virulent plague as fast-spreading as it is deadly. Arising suddenly, as if out of nowhere, the contagion decimates hold after hold, paying no heed to distinctions of birth. In this feverish crucible, friendship and love will be tested to the breaking point and beyond. For with Threadfall scant years away, the Dragonriders dare not expose themselves to infection, and it will fall to Kindan and his fellow apprentices to bravely search for a cure and save humanity. The price of failure is unthinkable. But the price of success may be even harder to bear.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member carmenzelda
Although Todd doesn't write the hatching scenes quite so well as his mother, that's just a quibble. This book takes turns in both plotting and characterization that I don't recall seeing before. We've met Kindan in an earlier book, while he was still in the mines. He's matured slightly now and is
Show More
in the Harper Hall. An all-around good guy, he's especially mature about working with others, When a plague strikes Pern he jumps in and does his share, and more, despite the death of many main characters whom he loved. Show Less
LibraryThing member eclecticlibrarian
There are a few references to characters and events from both Dragon's Kin and Dragon's Fire, and since I don't recall much of the latter, I'm beginning to suspect I may have missed reading that one, too. Regardless, once those connections are made and all the key characters are introduced, this
One thing that is noticeably different about this book compared to others in this series is that the authors have narrowed the range of individuals involved in the story, and have done a better job of making the names more distinct. The last few Pern books have had so many key characters doing all sorts of things that I felt like I needed cheater notes just to keep track of who's who. I did not feel that way with this book, and I hope that future books will also have this balance and clarity.
Show More
book easily stands on its own with its own tale to tell. If you aren't already familiar with Pern, you might get a bit lost in the cultures, titles, and terms. This isn't a good book to start with, but it certainly is a fine addition to the series.One thing that is noticeably different about this book compared to others in this series is that the authors have narrowed the range of individuals involved in the story, and have done a better job of making the names more distinct. The last few Pern books have had so many key characters doing all sorts of things that I felt like I needed cheater notes just to keep track of who's who. I did not feel that way with this book, and I hope that future books will also have this balance and clarity.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Anniik
This book did not impress me. What was the point? I didn't care about the characters at all, and some of it felt overly detailed - it was a chore to read at times.
And what the heck was with the end?
And what the heck was with the end?
LibraryThing member wendyrey
Entertaining plot but somewhat 'clunkier' than usual and not quite as engrossing.
Decent enough
Decent enough
LibraryThing member firefly1234
Love the co-writing between Todd and Anne. It's great that he is exploring the different turns and passes of the Red Star. Gives lots of scope for many many more stories and he brings his own story telling twist. I hope they are able to collaborate on many many more books together.
LibraryThing member hailelib
I picked this book up on the way to bed last night as I wanted to read a few minutes before going to sleep. Should have known better - didn't put the book down until I had finished the last page. A very Pernese story taking place nearly 500 turns After Landing. Also, I think that the younger
Show More
McCaffrey may well be improving as a writer. Recommended to anyone trying to keep up with this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member pdxwoman
Another basic tale of Pern. Nothing exciting or surprising, but an entertaining afternoon read. A must for Pern fans, probably a bust for other folks.
LibraryThing member MmeRose
Another plague. Didn't Anne do this already? With all the co-authors she has had, who have gone on to become good writers in their own right, seems Anne could find a better successor. "Son of" just doesn't work
LibraryThing member tehanu
Not as bad as I expected; I still keep hoping for the magic of the early Pern books...
LibraryThing member macjest
I love all of the Dragonrider books and always enjoy when a new one comes out. The last few books in the series have been a collaboration between Anne and Todd. The main difference I've noticed is that the writing seems a little less cohesive, which I attribute to the fact that there are two
Show More
authors. This book is no different. Having said that, I gobbled it down in one day. Show Less
LibraryThing member sammii507
This book did not impress me. What was the point? I didn't care about the characters at all, and some of it felt overly detailed - it was a chore to read at times. And what the heck was with the end?
LibraryThing member kmartin802
DRAGON HARPER stars apprentice harper Kindan. It begins with him standing up for the girl apprentices from bullying by an older apprentice Vaxoram. They fight a duel with the loser becoming a servant to the winner. Kindan wins and is determined to redeem Vaxoram. But events intervene....
A new
There is a romance too. Both the Lord Holder's daughter Koriana and Kindan impress two from a clutch of fire lizards and fall in love. But the Lord Holder isn't going to let his daughter marry a lowly harper.
This was an entertaining story that makes me eager to read the next book in the Pern series.
A new
Show More
virulent plague is infesting all of Pern and threatens to kill everyone. The Dragonriders need to stay away from the infected Holds because Pern won't survive the next Threadfall without the Dragonriders. And it isn't long before the trusted elders at Harper Hall succumb to it, leaving the fate of Pern in the hands of Kindan and his fellow apprentices. There is a romance too. Both the Lord Holder's daughter Koriana and Kindan impress two from a clutch of fire lizards and fall in love. But the Lord Holder isn't going to let his daughter marry a lowly harper.
This was an entertaining story that makes me eager to read the next book in the Pern series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EowynA
This starts just after _Dragon's Fire_ and follows Kindan, first introduced in prior books. I liked this much better than _Dragon's Blood_. It is well-focused on Kindan's trials and tribulations as an apprentice harper, and as a young man growing up.
About half-way through the book, a problem
About half-way through the book, a problem
Show More
hinted at in the first part of the book becomes a Pern-wide emergency in the second half. The smaller focus in this book on Kindan and his immediate circle gives this story more zip and immediacy than the previous volume. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2007-12-26
Physical description
6.8 inches
ISBN
9780345480316