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winterreader40's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know how many times I've reread this book but this is the first one in approx 10-15 years. This series is the reason I love fantasy so it was/will always be 5 stars.
Menolly has arrived at the Harper Hall, where she needs to be assessed by all the masters to see where her abilities are at, she also needs to learn that her abilities are a good thing and nothing to be ashamed of. She meets Piemur probably the youngest/smallest apprentice in the hall and they become fast friends, initially because of her fire lizards, because what little boy wouldn't want to be around mythical creatures(?) but they get along well and he helps Menolly find her way.
Her unlearning the attitudes of fear and shame instilled by her family about her abilities does happen a bit fast, but these aren't long books.
This one is more character driven than book one because it all happens in one location that is a relatively safe space, so we see her build friendships with a few people while she is tested by all of the Masters who are all very distinct personalities as well.
Menolly has arrived at the Harper Hall, where she needs to be assessed by all the masters to see where her abilities are at, she also needs to learn that her abilities are a good thing and nothing to be ashamed of. She meets Piemur probably the youngest/smallest apprentice in the hall and they become fast friends, initially because of her fire lizards, because what little boy wouldn't want to be around mythical creatures(?) but they get along well and he helps Menolly find her way.
Her unlearning the attitudes of fear and shame instilled by her family about her abilities does happen a bit fast, but these aren't long books.
This one is more character driven than book one because it all happens in one location that is a relatively safe space, so we see her build friendships with a few people while she is tested by all of the Masters who are all very distinct personalities as well.
neglet's review
Re-read this for the umpteenth time. Although at times I want to shake the MC for apologizing so much, the reason I come back to this book is how she learns to stand up for herself despite the rampant misogyny that has shaped her life.
That and the tiny dragons!
That and the tiny dragons!
carolibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
wonderland's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tlindhorst's review
5.0
This is my favorite book of the series as young Mennolly learns to believe in herself and her harpering skills. This book stands up even 50 years later.
pandaorb's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The first half of this was a real chore to get through. More of the same from last book of everyone in Pern being mean to Menolly. It improved around the middle when she began to get some support and have fun, but was still mostly a story about how every girl except Menolly is shallow and musically inept. 👎
willwork4airfare's review
4.0
I had searched high and low for a copy of DragonSong but none were available, so since the series jumps back and forth through time so much anyway, I just picked up this, DragonSinger, the second in the mini trilogy. It started abruptly right after the first one ended, I believe, so I did have to play catch up a little. I didn't remember many details about Menolly hurting her hands, but there weren't any large enough gaps in knowledge to hinder my reading.
I was happy to be back in this world and learning more about characters I'm already familiar with. DragonSinger made for quick reading, with an interesting storyline throughout. I enjoyed reading about Menolly's teachers and the masters at Harper Hall, though it did get a little dry hearing just how talented and modest she is over and over. It seemed like everyone was divided into either respectable people who liked her, or jealous villains competing in uppity nonsense. Menolly seemed too perfect to feel fully-fleshed or interesting by herself, but learning more about the fire lizards kept things fresh. The creatures were really enchanting even with the lack of any real dragons in the plotline.
There's a lot of swift justice in the book and it seems to end abruptly, but relatively satisfying. The thing about this series and its jumps through time is that it often reflects life where there isn't always a climax, resolution, and falling action. Life always continues and there are always new developments and new problems to be sorted out and with so many books and individual series written about this world and these characters, I'm sure Anne McCaffrey just didn't know when to stop sometimes. Worth a read and I'm eager to try to track down the other two books in the mini series.
I was happy to be back in this world and learning more about characters I'm already familiar with. DragonSinger made for quick reading, with an interesting storyline throughout. I enjoyed reading about Menolly's teachers and the masters at Harper Hall, though it did get a little dry hearing just how talented and modest she is over and over. It seemed like everyone was divided into either respectable people who liked her, or jealous villains competing in uppity nonsense. Menolly seemed too perfect to feel fully-fleshed or interesting by herself, but learning more about the fire lizards kept things fresh. The creatures were really enchanting even with the lack of any real dragons in the plotline.
There's a lot of swift justice in the book and it seems to end abruptly, but relatively satisfying. The thing about this series and its jumps through time is that it often reflects life where there isn't always a climax, resolution, and falling action. Life always continues and there are always new developments and new problems to be sorted out and with so many books and individual series written about this world and these characters, I'm sure Anne McCaffrey just didn't know when to stop sometimes. Worth a read and I'm eager to try to track down the other two books in the mini series.
genderqueer_hiker's review
4.0
A fun novel, and in the top 2 of Anne McCaffrey's novels, though there is a ham-handed and ableist portrayal of a man with a TBI and some fatphobic language
bibliodiaries's review
5.0
After reading the second book this is already a series I would recommend to most anyone. It doesn't require a love of fantasy to enjoy it.