Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was one of my favorites as a kid. I'm currently listening to it on audio, as I try to familiarize myself with our library's new audio book downloads.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of the intentions I have for this year is to read books from new series or by an author I have never read. This book meets both of these intentions. I have never read any of Anne McCaffrey or any of her Dragonriders of Pern series.
In Dragonsong, we follow Menolly, the youngest daughter of the Half Circle Hold, as she tries to fit into the life of the Hold. Unfortunately she wants more than anything to play and sing music. Since there are no boys in the small Sea Hold young enough, talented enough or interested enough to put in the time and effort to learn to be a musician of the Master level in the Harper Hold. Menolly is taught by their Hold’s Master Harper. And she’s as good as any young harper he has ever heard. So even though girls are not allowed to train for or become a Harper, he teaches Menolly anyway. When her family forbids her practicing music, she leaves to set out on her own and soon discovers that there are real fire lizards. Not only are they real but they like music. She sings to and feeds nine of the hatchlings in a cave where she shelters and becomes their leader.
The late Harper for Half Circle Hold had sent samples of a student’s music and an Master Harper arrives to assess this student for himself but no one seems to tell him about the student. When thread begins to fall and Menolly is rescued by a Dragon and rider who take the wounded young woman to their Weir for healing. And there she is discovered by the Harpers’ Hold and she may be able to become a Harper after all.
I really don’t know why it has been so long for me to read these books featuring dragons. I enjoy fantasy about animals and I am a full scale fan of the Temeraire series and the Warrior Clan (cats) series. But this one had escaped me. I will work others from this series into my reading and a while.
Now this is the kind of book I think of when I hear the words "YA Fantasy"... Dragons (or mini ones), stubborn but morally true female lead, feel-good storyline/ending. Nothing new but done really well, and a super comforting read for a rainy afternoon. I also LOVE this cover!!
I think I read this series (of three books) when I was maybe 13...first two were good.
adventurous
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:
Yes
Menolly has the heart of a musician but is trapped in her father's seahold who has the opinion that women have no place being Harpers. Instead she plays her tunes in isolation, until one day she run away unknowingly during threadfall and Impresses an entire nest of Fire Dragons, changing her life forever.
I love the Harpers trilogy, Menolly will always be one of my favourite Pern characters.
I love the Harpers trilogy, Menolly will always be one of my favourite Pern characters.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No