Dragonsinger

this was the first Anne McCaffrey book I ever read and it remains one of my favorite books of all time.

I loved the world of Harper Hall that McCaffrey created and I really felt a kinship with Menolly even though I am nowhere near as gifted as she was or even that musical. The character of Menolly

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is just perfectly written to appeal and reach out to anyone who feels out of place or unaccepted for just being who you are.

And even though the Harper Hall Trilogy books are some of the shortest she has written, for me the actually held the most strength and emotional punch of all the rest. I felt invested in Menolly's adventures and well being and just felt that her world just came alive and felt real.

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Dragonsong had a satisfying, happily-ever-after ending so it's a bit surprising that this sequel begins just minutes later, like turning the page to the next chapter. Reading this novel straight, it's approximately 250 pages of what happily-ever-after looks like. Looking a bit deeper, it's

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Menolly's therapy after her traumatic upbringing. She requires a lot of assurance from phenomenally pleasant people before she can begin to believe she has worth and something to contribute.

The turning point arrives when she loses her temper. I fully agreed with another character who expressed relief that Menolly was willing to stand up for herself after all. Actually I scoffed a bit when it happened, since it's triggered by a silly concern following all of the many graver things that have happened to her, but it actually makes sense. As Menolly's feelings of worth are rising from zero, the first thing she rates herself above is a dog to be kicked by the lowliest minds over the pettiest matters. I'd imagine after this book ends her pride will build still further, until she's ready to take umbrage at increasingly serious challenges to her character. Menolly doesn't return to confront the family that abused her, but it's another kind of victory that she decides they don't even rate a letter.

Pern rates high among imaginary worlds I'd soonest visit, but many of its novels are not aging well (beat your wife lately, F'lar?). Menolly's duology retains its shine, the brightest portion of Anne McCaffrey's legacy.

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This book is a sequel to Dragonsong set within the Pern universe that includes McCaffrey's Dragonrider books. I first read this as a teen and this is marketed towards young adults (or even younger). However, I found it a fun read even later as an adult.

Menolly is among McCaffrey's most appealing

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characters; I enjoyed seeing her growth through these two books. I was fascinated with the world of dragons (and music in Harper Hall) that she's a part of, and other characters surrounding her like the Masterharper Robinton and her fellow student Piemur are memorable and appealing. Even lacking the dragons (although the events in Dragonquest are echoed here) this book in McCaffrey's Pern is among the most entrancing. (and given Menolly's nine firelizards, I don't miss the dragons too much.)

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A desert island book! I've read it at least a dozen times.

The harper Hall Trilogy is my favorite set by McCaffrey and interestingly the first books I read by her. I love dragons and there for dragon stories, particularly ones were dragons are not mindless monsters of destruction, so it would be odd for me not to like these books. The story is very

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original and the characters well written. If your not sure of getting into the Pern books, this is the series to read! Dragonsinger is a really strong book, despite being in the middle of a set. The story keeps going strong and the characters stay true to themselves.

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The second of the two books about Menolly, harper of Pern. These stories are among the best of the Pern books by Anne McCaffrey, perhaps because, for once, the mighty Dragons and their riders are not the primary focus of the stories. Read these for a refreshing change from stoic F'lar and the huge

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bronze Mnementh, sly F'nor and brown Canth, irritable Lessa and golden Ramoth, and the smell of all that oiled, leather flying gear.

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This second volume of the Harper Hall trilogy continues the story of Menolly, an exceptionally gifted musician who has been told she can't be a harper because she is a girl. It is largely a tale of her being vindicated in her passion for music, through the recognition of the professionals in the

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field and her becoming welcome among them. Along the way she must deal with her self-doubt and learn how to make friends. We get a view of Pern from a different perspective from that of the first three books, seeing some of the same events from a different viewpoint, and also seeing more of how normal people who don't ride dragons spend their time. Overall I rate this the best of McCaffrey's Pern books.

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One of my favourite series, I almost cried when Menolly succeeds against all the bias and jealousy

The fourth Pern novel continues to follow Menolly during her time in the Harper Hall and I thoroughly enjoyed this. A more substantial read than Dragonsong, it really brings the life in the Harper Hall alive. Menolly herself is a truly likeable character and you finds yourself rooting for her to

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succeed against any obstacles in her way. The Masterharper is a likeable father-figure and the others in the hall are lively characters. The firelizards are an interesting focus and the world of Pern is more layered - from the Crafthall perspective that this novel adds to the Weyr-focused view we've seen before.

Again, for all Pern addicts out there, one of my favourites so far. Lose yourself in an alternative reality for a while, you won't regret it!

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The second book in the Dragonsong/singer/drums trilogy of the Dragonriders of Pern series by McCaffrey. This is one of the best books in the series, and definitely was written before the series started to get contrived and strange. Highly recommend.

My dad took my family to see a play based on this book back in 1991, and I loved it. This was the very first Pern book I ever read, and it's still my favorite book by Anne McCaffrey.

Continuing from where Dragonsong left off, Menolly is taken to the Harper Hall. Through her young readers can experience the upsets of feeling unwanted and useless in new surroundings and older readers can relive going through the same struggles in their youth. Though the book is full of the teases

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and torments of schoolchildren, that's not all it is about. The series continues the issues on Pern, interweaving all of the books together in a way that is natural and easy to read. The characters and their interactions will touch the heart and bring warm smiles and soft chuckles to the reader as they turn the pages. Most of all, many fans of Pern simply can't get enough of the Masterharper and this series is a wonderful look into his craft and hall... and gives you a tiny glimpse into his life from an outsider's perspective.

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Bashful girl with nine mini dragons wins over guild of gruff musicians with mad skillz and love of music.

Just as good as the last book, though in a different way. Instead of following Menolly's life at Half-Circle Sea Hold and later her days of trying to survive in the wilderness, we're following her day-to-day life in the Harper Hall.

Menolly is a talented young woman who has just arrived at the Harper Hall; a boarding school for future Harpers. She is insecure about her musical skills and isn't sure if she will fit in. The adults doubt her because there has never been a girl Harper. She is bullied by the other girls at the

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school who are rich paying students and are jealous of her talents. It doesn't help that Menolly has impressed nine fire lizard's that cause havoc where ever she goes.

I first read this book back when I was in seventh grade. The whole Harper Hall Trilogy was important to me because as a music student I could relate to the main character. I enjoyed rereading the story. The plot line is very simple; the trials of a teenager trying to fit in, yet it is well written and engaging. The school setting reminded me of the Harry Potter stories. This is a great tale about a young woman coming into her own.

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Mennoly is one step closer to her dream of becomeing a Harper. She is now a apprentice at Harper hall and the Masterharper has taken her on as his apprentice. She also helps Robington and Sebell take care of their new born fire lizards, and is going to help a lord train his. She impreses all her

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teachers with her musical skill even if she dosen't think so herself. She also makes new friends like Premuir, and Audiva. Even if some people are jeleous enough to try and get her kicked out of Harper Hall. She is premoted to Jorneyman at the end of the book which brings her even closer to becoming a harper.
I loved this book, it was hard to put down. It was one of thoose books that makes you feel good. I can't wait to read the third book Dragondrums. I hope that people read this book because I think that just about anyone would enjoy it. It was well written and extremly creative. It also has a good moral. That if you try you will succed.

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Everything finally seems to go right with Menolly. She is a new apprentice Harper, she can finally play her music freely and people everywhere love it, and she has nine wonderful fire lizards. Unfotunately, Menolly’s fate isn’t that easy or perfect. She’s recovering from her gutting accident

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and her feet being cut, her teachers are somewhat hard on her, some students at Harper Hall are really mean to her for no apparent reason, and everything that Menolly does or when someone does something to her, her fire lizards always get in her way and ends up disastrous. But throughout it all, Menolly struggles to find her place in the strange planet of Pern.

Rating: Four and a Half Stars **** ½

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