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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This book was a little hard to get into. After a while, it was an enjoyable tale. It is not action or adventure, but the choice of a young girl to play music in a world where this profession is dominated by men. Her parents even try to suppress her love of music. It is a tale of pursuing what makes you happy no matter the cost. The world is what keeps you drawn in with large dragons and lizard dragons. Interesting read though not a huge page turner.
fast-paced
2025 reread at 29 years old.
There’s a fear in me about rereading a series that was precious to me as a teenager. Granted, these books aren’t YA, but like 15 years have passed since I might have originally read this, and now my tastes have changed, matured, English lit-e-fied.
Thankfully, it’s still precious to me now. I can still read exactly why McCaffrey is my main writing inspiration. I still adore her style. The simple prose that sets you up for imagining the people and places and things happening—not holding your hands and vomiting exposition of purple prose onto you—and the snappy, witty, funny dialogue that feels so natural and pleasant to read, it’s all still so good to me now. It sucks you in so well.
I’ll speak more of Menolly in my Dragonsinger review.
There’s a fear in me about rereading a series that was precious to me as a teenager. Granted, these books aren’t YA, but like 15 years have passed since I might have originally read this, and now my tastes have changed, matured, English lit-e-fied.
Thankfully, it’s still precious to me now. I can still read exactly why McCaffrey is my main writing inspiration. I still adore her style. The simple prose that sets you up for imagining the people and places and things happening—not holding your hands and vomiting exposition of purple prose onto you—and the snappy, witty, funny dialogue that feels so natural and pleasant to read, it’s all still so good to me now. It sucks you in so well.
I’ll speak more of Menolly in my Dragonsinger review.
re-read May 2016
Great adventure of a young girl set out on her own and making her own way better than with the community that looked down on her for her gifts in song, mainly for being a girl and having the gift. She is very resourceful and learned much from living in the Hold and doing all the chores and they help greatly when she decides to set out on her own to find and live with the dragons. This leads to a very big change in her life several times over. Although she never becomes secure in herself in front of others (that's left to the next book), she knows she can take care of herself and make a life that she enjoys. Where it leads her is on one adventure to the next until her dreams seem to be coming true.
Same with book 2, I think the book end a bit abruptly and I would have like to see a little of where she goes from there. Luckily you have book 2. For book 2s abruptness, you have to read on in the Pern series and see snipets of her future. At least you know she is on her way at the end of each book. For me this is one of the best YA fantasy book out there.
Great adventure of a young girl set out on her own and making her own way better than with the community that looked down on her for her gifts in song, mainly for being a girl and having the gift. She is very resourceful and learned much from living in the Hold and doing all the chores and they help greatly when she decides to set out on her own to find and live with the dragons. This leads to a very big change in her life several times over. Although she never becomes secure in herself in front of others (that's left to the next book), she knows she can take care of herself and make a life that she enjoys. Where it leads her is on one adventure to the next until her dreams seem to be coming true.
Same with book 2, I think the book end a bit abruptly and I would have like to see a little of where she goes from there. Luckily you have book 2. For book 2s abruptness, you have to read on in the Pern series and see snipets of her future. At least you know she is on her way at the end of each book. For me this is one of the best YA fantasy book out there.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found myself intrigued by the way that the narrative flowed in a way definitely no like current YA fantasy. The perspective struck me as something between third person limited and third person omniscient. McCaffrey packed so much into such a short book. I think she structured the plot well and loved how Menolly grew and blossomed throughout the book. I will pick up more by this author for sure.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
An uncomplicated coming of age story, mini-dragons (called fire lizards), their kin, the large dominant dragons. All proved to be just what I needed, for myself and quite a few of the challenges I am doing. So, all in all, a winner for me.
This is the start of a sub-series of McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern series. However, the "how-to-read" list I am following indicates this book was the next I should I read, followed by the rest of this trilogy. Worked for me as I learned more about the Harpers (think bards) of the Halls of Pern and the Seaholder group of Pern. Our protagonist Mellony is dedicated to an older Harper in their Hold ad longs to become a Harper. Unfortunate, that in this world, women are not allowed to be Harpers.
Very enjoyable
This is the start of a sub-series of McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern series. However, the "how-to-read" list I am following indicates this book was the next I should I read, followed by the rest of this trilogy. Worked for me as I learned more about the Harpers (think bards) of the Halls of Pern and the Seaholder group of Pern. Our protagonist Mellony is dedicated to an older Harper in their Hold ad longs to become a Harper. Unfortunate, that in this world, women are not allowed to be Harpers.
Very enjoyable
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This has been a favorite since I was a teenager. It's been a while since I read it last, but if anything I just think Menolly's parents are even worse human beings than I thought before. It's also fun to spot the other Pern novels being referenced.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Yes