Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
A brief forward to the review: “Dragonsong” is the first book in Anne McCaffrey’s Harper Hall trilogy. The series is generally catalogued as children’s (at least in the nypl catalog) but is really for any readers. Like many of McCaffrey’s novels, it’s set in the world of Pern. I haven’t read anything but this trilogy yet, but am pretty sure these novels (from the 1970s) operate as prequels to the other more adult oriented novels. Oh, and I absolutely loved the entire trilogy.
On to the review:
Menolly was born in the small fishing village of Half Circle Sea Hold on Pern. Despite her father’s leadership position in the community, Menolly finds herself with very little freedom–especially freedom to make music, her one bliss. When Petiron, the village’s old Harper, passes away Menolly’s parents realize with some horror that their daughter is the only one who can take up the Harper’s duties until a replacement is sent from the Harper Hall.
Once this replacement arrives, Menolly is ordered to abandon her music (even in her head) on threat of physical harm in order to save her family and the hold from the scandal of having produced a girl Harper. Her hopes shattered, Menolly runs away from the hold and takes refuge in a beach cave where Menolly discovers a nest of the much sought after (and semi-mythical) fire lizards. After finding her new friends, things begin to look up for Menolly who realizes that anything is possible if you aren’t afraid of going after what you want.
There’s more to the plot, of course, but all of that is better learned by reading the book instead of this review.
“Dragonsong” is written in what I would call an understated style. McCaffrey isn’t at pains to illustrate her talent as a writer–she knows she’s good and has a story worth telling. Having never read about Pern, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Despite a mildly confusing start, McCaffrey created a story here that functions as a standalone from the larger world of the Pern series. Furthermore, she also expertly builds up the landscapes and cities of Pern the better for readers to imagine them.
The other thing that I really like about this story is that it has a fairly narrow focus. The novel centers on Menolly and her journey to the Harper Hall. There are a lot of stories out there about girls who are told they don’t deserve much from life, or girls who think they can’t do what they really want to do. In a way, Menolly has that problem–especially because of her parents. But she’s more than that too. As the novel progresses, Menolly begins to realize with the help of her friends (fire lizard and otherwise) that she deserves better and that there is more to life than pleasing others.
So, on the one hand we have a wonderfully written fantasy novel that is arguably the first word on Dragon stories in the genre. On the other hand we have the story of a girl finding her own way in the world as she discovers that she’s a much stronger, smarter and more vibrant girl than her parents would have her believe.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
On to the review:
Menolly was born in the small fishing village of Half Circle Sea Hold on Pern. Despite her father’s leadership position in the community, Menolly finds herself with very little freedom–especially freedom to make music, her one bliss. When Petiron, the village’s old Harper, passes away Menolly’s parents realize with some horror that their daughter is the only one who can take up the Harper’s duties until a replacement is sent from the Harper Hall.
Once this replacement arrives, Menolly is ordered to abandon her music (even in her head) on threat of physical harm in order to save her family and the hold from the scandal of having produced a girl Harper. Her hopes shattered, Menolly runs away from the hold and takes refuge in a beach cave where Menolly discovers a nest of the much sought after (and semi-mythical) fire lizards. After finding her new friends, things begin to look up for Menolly who realizes that anything is possible if you aren’t afraid of going after what you want.
There’s more to the plot, of course, but all of that is better learned by reading the book instead of this review.
“Dragonsong” is written in what I would call an understated style. McCaffrey isn’t at pains to illustrate her talent as a writer–she knows she’s good and has a story worth telling. Having never read about Pern, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Despite a mildly confusing start, McCaffrey created a story here that functions as a standalone from the larger world of the Pern series. Furthermore, she also expertly builds up the landscapes and cities of Pern the better for readers to imagine them.
The other thing that I really like about this story is that it has a fairly narrow focus. The novel centers on Menolly and her journey to the Harper Hall. There are a lot of stories out there about girls who are told they don’t deserve much from life, or girls who think they can’t do what they really want to do. In a way, Menolly has that problem–especially because of her parents. But she’s more than that too. As the novel progresses, Menolly begins to realize with the help of her friends (fire lizard and otherwise) that she deserves better and that there is more to life than pleasing others.
So, on the one hand we have a wonderfully written fantasy novel that is arguably the first word on Dragon stories in the genre. On the other hand we have the story of a girl finding her own way in the world as she discovers that she’s a much stronger, smarter and more vibrant girl than her parents would have her believe.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
Sally Darling is a wonderful narrator. I could really hear all the emotions, from sadness to intolerance to joy, in her voice, which had the marvelous effect of giving the characters even more life than the words alone. A great way to reread an old favorite.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
I first read these books in middle school, they’re the books that really got me into fantasy, and I wanted a quick nostalgic read. Still love them! Fast and easy reads, great for middle readers.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A bit of a slow start for me as I found the protagonist annoying especially around about chapter 3. However, a couple of chapters later the story really got going and suddenly, it was finished. It was truly unputdownable. Thinking back though there was the usual final conflict or battle like her dragons' stories as this was told from a harper wannabe perspective and yet, she got me to empathise with the protagonist so much, despite the rocky beginnning (or maybe that should be in spite), that I really wanted all to end well. I'm looking forward to book 2 of this particular trilogy!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- Absolutely phenomenal; no notes no complaints.
- Obsessed with this book; will not stop yapping about it.
- Will recommend it to literally everyone.
- Will definitely read more from this author.
As a young lady, this book was such a treasure to me. From beginning to end, it was such a joy.
- Obsessed with this book; will not stop yapping about it.
- Will recommend it to literally everyone.
- Will definitely read more from this author.
As a young lady, this book was such a treasure to me. From beginning to end, it was such a joy.
I recently started reading the Dragons of Pern books and enjoyed this relatively shorter book, giving us an extra view into the lives of Weyr and Hold.
I actually listened to it as an audiobook from Audible, it was kinda weird. The voice actor had clearly never heard any of the other audiobooks because she pronounced many of the names wrong.
The reading of the story was great, good voice acting for different characters, but it really brought me out of the story to hear names and other things said wrong.
I actually listened to it as an audiobook from Audible, it was kinda weird. The voice actor had clearly never heard any of the other audiobooks because she pronounced many of the names wrong.
The reading of the story was great, good voice acting for different characters, but it really brought me out of the story to hear names and other things said wrong.