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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
This addition to the Pern series adds some depth to Moreta's story. What is most unusual about it is that the focus is neither on dragons nor on harpers, the usual heroes of Pern.
Nerilka is an ordinary, unattractive holder's daughter. When her father, Lord Tolocamp, brings his young mistress to live in the hold immediately after abandoning his wife and daughters to die of the plague at Ruatha, his surviving daughter is appalled. When Lord Tolocamp then refuses to share his food and medicines with plague victims outside of his hold, Nerilka feels forced to act. She sneaks supplies out to the healers and then, taking as much as she can carry, leaves her home. She travels to Ruatha hold, where she hopes to not only use her skills to make a difference, but also to find a home.
Nerilka is an ordinary, unattractive holder's daughter. When her father, Lord Tolocamp, brings his young mistress to live in the hold immediately after abandoning his wife and daughters to die of the plague at Ruatha, his surviving daughter is appalled. When Lord Tolocamp then refuses to share his food and medicines with plague victims outside of his hold, Nerilka feels forced to act. She sneaks supplies out to the healers and then, taking as much as she can carry, leaves her home. She travels to Ruatha hold, where she hopes to not only use her skills to make a difference, but also to find a home.
This is the very brief story of Nerilka, daughter of Fort Hold's Lord Tolocamp, during the period of Moreta's Ride. It is written in first person, initially using over-formal language and dialogue, which thankfully relaxes into more typical Pernese storytelling as the character of Nerilka develops. Over half the book takes place over the span of about two weeks. The last third of the book, especially the last ten pages or so, gives a quick overview of outstanding storylines to tie it all together in a neat tiny package.
Overall, this book was an interesting peek at Ruatha and Fort holds during the plague of Moreta's time, but ultimately not worthy of being a standalone book. I would have felt better about it as part of a collection of Pern stories. I don't mind the McCaffrey method of retelling stories from a different point of view, but this attempt falls far short of its potential.
Read this for completeness' sake but try not to expect much.
Overall, this book was an interesting peek at Ruatha and Fort holds during the plague of Moreta's time, but ultimately not worthy of being a standalone book. I would have felt better about it as part of a collection of Pern stories. I don't mind the McCaffrey method of retelling stories from a different point of view, but this attempt falls far short of its potential.
Read this for completeness' sake but try not to expect much.
The drawings, unusual for one of her novels, really enhance the story.
See I loved Moreta, it was the most perfect of McCaffrey's dragon books as far as this one is concerned. So learning that this book was like the direct "sequel" to that book I snapped it up fast as JAWS does a lone swimmer at sea.
It wasn't what I expected and I will admit I was disappointed, because the dragons pretty much don't show up.
HOWEVER!
I did enjoy finding out, from a holder's point of view, what it was like during the plague, and Nerilka is a genuinely nice character and I like how the story rounded off Moreta in a...satisfactory way.
No regrets reading it - once!
It wasn't what I expected and I will admit I was disappointed, because the dragons pretty much don't show up.
HOWEVER!
I did enjoy finding out, from a holder's point of view, what it was like during the plague, and Nerilka is a genuinely nice character and I like how the story rounded off Moreta in a...satisfactory way.
No regrets reading it - once!
Love this series of books. It's one of my all time favourites. I decided to re-read the entire Dragonriders of Pern series and over the past couple of months, I have been working my way through them all. Anne McCaffrey has such a wonderful, boundless imagination and such a vivid and descriptive style, her stories transport the reader into the fantastic world that she created and sweeps you up on the breathtaking adventures. Spellbinding!
Occurring simultaneous to Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern, Nerilka's Story is that of a daughter of Fort Hold. Disregarded by her parents in favor of those considered prettier and more marriageable, she is left behind at the hold while others go to the Ruathan Gather. After plague strikes, killing her mother and several sisters, Nerilka chafes at her father's essential nature when he moves his mistress into her mother's apartments within an hour of the news of her death, and his refusal to aid Healer and Harper Hall - and interns any of either crafthold in a camp when they try to return to their halls.
Disgusted with him, she comes to a decision when he refuses to supply medicinals (of which they have excess) that are much needed. She leaves hold to nurse those in need and then to help in inoculation efforts.
Disgusted with him, she comes to a decision when he refuses to supply medicinals (of which they have excess) that are much needed. She leaves hold to nurse those in need and then to help in inoculation efforts.
This one felt a bit unnecessary - I liked Nerilka, but it didn't have a whole lot of plot movement going for it.
Nerilka's Story takes place concurrently with Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. Nerilka is plain, unloved, and has low self-esteem, yet she works hard at what she loves. There is scarce action, and few dragons. I think it complements Moreta very well, and you might as well read them both together.
The plague is overtaking Pern and thousands are dying. Nerilka is faced with the loss of family members, as well as the ever present memory of her best friend's death. She is dealing with lots of guilt and sadness. Not to mention an evil stepmother (who is younger than she is) and a terrible father.
Somewhat of a fairytale-like situation! Nerilka deals with it all in a mature manner, sticking to her interest in healing and medicine. Lots of lip biting and never offering more information than what is asked. Eventually she does find her way out of the family "house" and a bit of one-sided romance follows.
However, Nerilka is eternally the second/last choice in this story, and it made me feel sad for her character. No one appreciates her! At least she's not bratty, and she takes it all very practically. I really wanted something good to happen to her, but I didn't believe anything in the story ended up being amazing for her.
Is Nerilka an intelligent girl that has no brain when it comes to the interest of a man? *Sigh. Or is she just being practical? I was hoping for an adventure where she would roam across the continents, healing all who need it. Instead she settles down and gets married. Somewhat lame, but I still liked her.
For some reason, whenever I picture Pern, I can't help picture all the characters wearing animal furs and bone necklaces. Even though I know they are wearing proper clothes! Why do I keep getting this Flintstone image? Because they live in caves? Hmm...
The plague is overtaking Pern and thousands are dying. Nerilka is faced with the loss of family members, as well as the ever present memory of her best friend's death. She is dealing with lots of guilt and sadness. Not to mention an evil stepmother (who is younger than she is) and a terrible father.
Somewhat of a fairytale-like situation! Nerilka deals with it all in a mature manner, sticking to her interest in healing and medicine. Lots of lip biting and never offering more information than what is asked. Eventually she does find her way out of the family "house" and a bit of one-sided romance follows.
However, Nerilka is eternally the second/last choice in this story, and it made me feel sad for her character. No one appreciates her! At least she's not bratty, and she takes it all very practically. I really wanted something good to happen to her, but I didn't believe anything in the story ended up being amazing for her.
Spoiler
Alessan lost some points with me since the last story. Getting married right away after Moreta's death! I understand it's practical, but still, he was taking the time to court women before the plague. What a player!Is Nerilka an intelligent girl that has no brain when it comes to the interest of a man? *Sigh. Or is she just being practical? I was hoping for an adventure where she would roam across the continents, healing all who need it. Instead she settles down and gets married. Somewhat lame, but I still liked her.
For some reason, whenever I picture Pern, I can't help picture all the characters wearing animal furs and bone necklaces. Even though I know they are wearing proper clothes! Why do I keep getting this Flintstone image? Because they live in caves? Hmm...
Neat little story that brings into tighter focus one of the minor characters in the previous book Moretta. I love these exposition stories that fill in gaps, flesh out sections of a novel that are interesting in and of themselves but necessarily brief. In this case, a woman walks on stage midway through and ends up marrying one of the main characters almost unexpectedly upon the death of the heroine. Nerilka is an interesting woman, if a bit self-less and almost too good to be true but then the book is written from her perspective :-)
A side plot to the Pern series that did not really stick in my memory.