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okwrites's review against another edition
4.0
I've read this book before, but I re-read it recently. I still relate to a teenager who wants to do something with their life, but everyone else around them is saying they can't. It was a good book about finding your feet and your own confidence.
robinetta's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
susannnochka's review against another edition
4.0
I just reread this book for the first time since I was a young teenager and really wondered how it would hold up. So wholesome! Very endearing. Feminist in a very 70s sort of “Free to Be You and Me” kind of way— a little dated and yet— not irrelevant to today’s world. So many of the details were familiar enough that I realize I must’ve read it a dozen times as a kid. (If anyone knows where I can get a fire lizard egg, @ me.)
kmizzzle's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
ipomoea's review against another edition
5.0
I first read this when Mrs. Carmody, my seventh-grade librarian, handed it to me the first month of school and told me she thought I might like it. I've read it so many times since then that even though it's probably been close to 15 years since I opened it, I knew every character like an old friend. Perfect "what is going to happen" escapist re-reading.
winterreader40's review against another edition
5.0
This was the very first fantasy book I every read when I was young, now that I'm older my love hasn't changed, I cringe a bit more at the patriarchal nonsense that Menolly has to deal with in her home hold than I did as a teenager(30 years ago), but I still love her character and how strong she is.
Menolly has been assisting the old harper for the last year or so before his death because he could no longer play, when he passes away her father asks every single person that can hold even a bit of a tune if they will sing the deathsong until he's forced to admit that his daughter will have to do it. She also needs to teach the young their teaching ballads until the new harper arrives but she is not allowed to write her own music on pain of a beating and no one must know that a girl did these things when the new harper arrives.
Things progress until eventually she runs away to live in a cliff face where she impresses nine of the mythical(or not) fire lizards.
This is a short whirlwind of a story, but the pacing is good, the world building is very localized which is I think one of the reasons everyone suggests reading these in pub order, but I'm glad this was my first.
Menolly has been assisting the old harper for the last year or so before his death because he could no longer play, when he passes away her father asks every single person that can hold even a bit of a tune if they will sing the deathsong until he's forced to admit that his daughter will have to do it. She also needs to teach the young their teaching ballads until the new harper arrives but she is not allowed to write her own music on pain of a beating and no one must know that a girl did these things when the new harper arrives.
Things progress until eventually she runs away to live in a cliff face where she impresses nine of the mythical(or not) fire lizards.
This is a short whirlwind of a story, but the pacing is good, the world building is very localized which is I think one of the reasons everyone suggests reading these in pub order, but I'm glad this was my first.
stephanieviolet's review against another edition
5.0
First time I've read this since I was 12 and it rekindled my love of the series. It's weirdly progressive in its politics (women should be allowed to do anything a man does) and the found family is my favourite trope. Plus all baddies get their commupance. I can see why I loved this as a child & as a 40 year old. This series feels timeless & just as relevant as it was when I was 12. I also found that, as an adult, I appreciated the characterization, storytelling and prose much more than as a pre-teen. Anne McCaffrey really had a beautiful way with words & building a scene with backstory that helped you feel immersed in the world without reading other books to catch up.
pebbles1984's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first step into the world of Pern, and I liked what I saw! I will be coming back.