Ann McCaffrey - The Dragon Books [Archive]

Hiryuu Megami23

12-23-2004, 09:09 PM

Read them?? I OWN THEM!!

Well, all of them except for the People of Pern, The Dragonlovers Guide to Pern, Dragon's Kin and I think that there is one more however, I forgot the name to it.

Also, her son Todd also has a DRoP book coming out in January called Dragon's Blood. I'm going to be getting that one as well as Dragon's Kin pretty soon...well, if I get that book card that I asked for for christmas anyway.

I find that Moreta is the saddest one though. I mean...well, I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it yet, but, you'll pretty much see what I mean when you do read it. And the spin off of Moreta is pretty sad as well. Nerilka's Story...that's the name of the spin off.

Anyway, those are the first novel's that I ever read on my own and since then, I just couldn't get enough of her books. Far fetched as all of them may seem when you read the little intro's if you read any of them further, then you can see where she makes everything more believable.

Erk Mizuhara

12-31-2004, 02:22 PM

I like the early chronicles of Pern, the ones that show you how they got there, etc. Especially First Fall (i think that's its name). They're all excellent books, but the ones about the history of Pern, and All The Weyrs of Pern are my faves.

Hiryuu Megami23

12-31-2004, 08:16 PM

You're thinking of Dragonsdawn, I think...that one is the one where they make planet fall on Pern. That one was good, but I actually cried when the two women went back to the colony ships and then Bitra (I think that is her name) killed the other woman. I mean, what a way to go! alone, in space orbiting your new home when you're away from your lover because some ***** decides to take the jewels and run for her own selfishness? That's just sad.

Erk Mizuhara

01-04-2005, 09:17 AM

Yeah, i know. But they brought her back in All The Weyrs of Pern, that was a monumental moment. But i think the death of Robinton struck me the worst. Everyone went to the funeral. Easily my favourite part, just because it was so moving.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Robinton's death was sad, yes, but at least it wasn't murder...for that I am glad.

As far as Chronicle's of Pern: First Fall goes, I think that she could have elaborated a bit better on the founding of some of the other Weyr's instead of just Benden and Fort and Rautha Hold for that matter as well.

I've noticed that you don't get to see much of what goes on in any of the other places. A lot of the stories seem to center around the Fort, Benden and Southern Weyrs. In Renegades of Pern and The Dolphins of Pern, the stories tend to lead away from them, as well as in the Harper Hall Trilogy, but the others all stick around those specific three places. I'd be interested in knowing about what the major History of Ista, Igen and High Reaches Weyr was like as well.

Erk Mizuhara

01-05-2005, 03:47 PM

High Reaches Weyr is probably my fave one. It wasn't described well, and there was little happening, but i still like it. My fave characters are Jaxom and Ruth. What about you?

Hiryuu Megami23

01-06-2005, 03:11 PM

Depends...Each book I had a different favorite each time. However, my ALL time favorites? Come from the Harper Hall Trilogy. Aside from Robinton, I would have to go with Menolly, Sebell, and Piemur.

Menolly, she started out with a sad story which was turned around. In some senses, I can relate to her.

Sebell...I don't really know why...Just because he seems to be a very likeable character.

As for Piemur...Who DOESN'T like him? I mean, he always gets into trouble, but he pulls out of it on top with some of his pranks! It's HARD to not like him!

Erk Mizuhara

01-06-2005, 03:21 PM

Piemur...i coudln't really feel for him. He was cool, and all, but not exactly a favourite.

Now that you mention her, Menolly is easily my favourite of all time. I read her story so much! And when they all thought she was a boy 'cos she was so dirty from trying to outrun Thread...classic.

F'nor is another fave. Can't remember his dragon... Canth, or something. I liked him alot. He tried going to the Red Star once, and nearly got himself and his dragon killed... i liked that scene.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-06-2005, 04:29 PM

Piemur was more of a comic relief more than anything...and that was what drew me to him.

F'nor going to the Red Star...That was pretty classic. Though, I don't know if you read it in the Harper Hall Trilogy...the song/poem that Menolly wrote shortly after that happened...Chills! I mean, it was very creepy how she was able to write it and only knew very LITTLE details about what actually happened, or so the author would have you believe. As far as reading her story, I know what you mean...I have read the first two books in the Harper Hall Trilogy, Like 10 TIMES and even though I know what's going to happen, there are still some little details that I manage to miss to make the story even better.

Brekke, though, I thought that she got cheated. I mean, to loose Wirenth (her gold queen) like that...And her and F'nor would have been GREAT together, not that they aren't NOW, but with them BOTH having dragons...that would have made it a bit better I think.

I don't know if you read the Skies of Pern yet, but that one is a good one as well. They elaborate more on F'lessan (F'lar and Lessa's son) and he is no longer the playboy she made him out to be in the first part of the series. One that cannot be missed for sure!

Erk Mizuhara

01-07-2005, 08:57 AM

I haven't read the Skies of Pern yet, i'm trying to get hold of it. I only own four of the books, the others i borrowed from the library.

Another of my fave books is the Dolphins of Pern. It runs along the same time as All The Weyrs of Pern, but follows the dolphins (obviously).

I also liked AIVAS (Atrificial Intelligence Voice Address System, i think), and the way he told them all about their past and ancestors, and how to get rid of the Thread and the Red Star forever. I enjoyed reading all of what he has to say.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-07-2005, 02:38 PM

Well, the thing that I didn't like about aivas was the fact that it seemed to be a smartass at times. I'll elaborate a little more when I get the time for that though.

And you should get your hands on Skies of Pern. I need to get my hands on Dragons Kin and the new one that will be coming out soon, Dragons Blood. Those look very promising!

Erk Mizuhara

01-11-2005, 08:49 AM

AIVAS was just a computer, doing what it was programmed to. THe uncovering of it, the way she described every detail, and in two seperate stories from two seperate viewpoints was excellent.
Right now, I've just started Dragonflight again, the one where Lessa first meets Ramoth, and the mysteries of the disappearing Weyrs, etc. I'm enjoying it. NExt time the mobile library comes, i'll try to get another, maybe The Harper of Pern (i think that's the name)

Hiryuu Megami23

01-11-2005, 02:53 PM

The Masterharper of Pern? You'll love that one if you haven't read it. All I'm going to say about it is that it is all about Robinton. I will say no more about it than that.

Erk Mizuhara

01-11-2005, 02:57 PM

I kinda figured it's about Robinton, (another of my fave characters - he always liked his Benden Wine). I really want to read it. As well as the Skies of Pern and the Renegades of Pern.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-12-2005, 02:46 PM

Well, You'll really like those because they don't center around Benden a whole lot. They actually get into the lives and stories of some other people. Other than that, I'm not going to spoil them for ya!

Erk Mizuhara

01-14-2005, 12:43 PM

gah! why not? okay, i understand. I'll see if i can get them.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-14-2005, 03:21 PM

Because, if I spoil them for you, then they are no fun reading...right?

Besides, I'm rereading some of them myself. I just got finished with DragonFlight and am now working on Dragonquest. I couldn't get ahold of Dragon's Kin because they only had it in Hardcover at the book store and I can't afford that yet. So, when they get it in paperback there, I'll be picking that one up!

Erk Mizuhara

01-19-2005, 11:45 AM

I've finally got my grubby mitts on Dragonsinger, Nerilka's Ride + the Coelura, and The Masterharper of Pern! Current;y reading Dragonsinger! Loving it! I didn't think Menolly would have such a hard time at Harper Hall, you know. Then again, everyone said girls can't be harpers, so most of them were following that belief. And that ***** Pona! God, i could've slaughtered her!
But enough ranting, it is a good book. I'm starting to like Piemur, actually.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-19-2005, 03:24 PM

I know, Piemur is a little scamp. I'm actually finishing up that book today as well! Second run through and I just noticed some things that I missed before.

You're right, too...Pona is a royal pain in the ass! However, it wouldn't shock me to know that all those things that Audiva said about Pona that first dinner were true. You know...the um...skirt flipping thing between two lord holder's sons? I won't say more than that because they didn't elaborate more, however, you probably got the message when she took offense to it.

Erk Mizuhara

01-19-2005, 04:16 PM

Let's hope Pona gets her comeuppance! and i hope Menolly does real well.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-20-2005, 04:11 PM

Well, if you've finished the book, then you KNOW damn well that Menolly does her part (with a little help from her 9 fire-lizards)!

Erk Mizuhara

01-21-2005, 10:22 AM

heck, i know that. I KNOW too well. It was weird when Robinton and Sebell get their fire-lizards, and Sebell gets the queen, and tries to give it to Robinton. What an eejit.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-21-2005, 03:20 PM

That's true...However, I remember Robinton also saying in Dragonsong, that he didn't want a queen if she reacted like Menolly's Beauty did.

Anyway, There's one little thing that I have noticed in these books as well. In both Dragondrums and in The White Dragon, there is a reference made about an illfated sailing "Lesson" involving Robinton and Menolly. Thing is, aside from it being embarrassing and a little awkward, it's not elaborated on any further than that in both. And you KNOW that both of their fire-lizards were at about the right time to mate...Especially Menolly's queen! So, I have to wonder if that has something to do with the embarrassment?

Erk Mizuhara

01-24-2005, 09:47 AM

i...guess.

I finished Nerilka's Story a few days ago. I'm a little confused. Maybe i should read Moreta's Ride? I understand about the Great PLague, or whatever, but it doesn't mention it's origins, or how it was ultimately overcome. Just talking about Nerilka running away from her Hold and marrying Alessan, or whatever his name is. Does Moreta's Ride elaborate on the Plague a little more?

But I'm currently reading Masterharper Of Pern. And I was surprised that Robinton could play at such an early age.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-24-2005, 04:45 PM

In Nerilka's Story, They didn't elaborate too much on the Plague because that book assumes that you've read Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. It is a little confusing in Moreta as well as to how that Plague came about as well. Let me explain.

In the north, They're not accustomed to seeing the cats, and the northern cats are pretty much healthy for the most part. So when a fisherman happens on a diseased cat that was dying in the middle of the ocean, he wasn't really thinking of much aside from the profit he could make. He thought that it was just storm battered and could be brought back to health before he killed it. Thinking it was a great prize, he brought it in the boat, penned it up and then started to show it off to EVERYONE. They don't know where it came from...but you can assume that it was from the Southern Continent because of where it was found. That's the best of my recollection anyway on Moreta and how the plague came about. I would have to read it again to make sure though.

Anyway, the disease that the cat had was transferable between humans and animals, they didn't know that. The disease turns out to be Influenza, a particularly vicious strain of it and since the Ancients left no viable records of how to treat it, the people of that time are forced to do what they can (as you well know). I know, it seems a little weird that the Flu turns into a pandemic plague that everyone gets, but considering the time-line of Moreta and Nerilka's Story, and the regression of technology that they go through, it is a viable disease to bring about for this series, though we may see it as a little odd.

As far as the Masterharper of Pern goes...There's a bit of misinformation, which I don't remember if it was intended or not. If you remember in the Harper Hall Trilogy, it is said that women couldn't be Harper's at all. But in the Masterharper of Pern, there are several female Harpers. Not many, grant you, but enough, I think. So, it was a little weird. And I thought it particularly amazing that Robinton could play at such an early age. He was considered the Prodigy...or something similar to that fashion.

Anyway, I'm taking a break from the series, that way I don't get bored with it (because I've read them all already...) this time around. But within the next day or two, I should be into Moreta. So, I can easily check my facts again later about that plague.

Erk Mizuhara

01-24-2005, 08:47 PM

Okay. I've just got to Chapter Nine in The MasterHarper of Pern, where Robinton has been made a Journeyman. Damn his dad to Hell! I really don't like him. He's so oblivious to his son's talents, then acusses Merelan of hiding them from him.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-24-2005, 09:48 PM

That's okay...we both know where Petiron decides to go anyway...right? And you're right, he didn't know his own kid's talents...but read more...you discover that Petiron realizes his own mistakes.

Erk Mizuhara

01-25-2005, 08:52 PM

I'm glad to hear that. In Dragonsong, i think it was, he was teaching Menolly, despite the fact that girls can't be Harpers. I think that him teaching her might have been some sort of atonement for his lack of attention to Robinton.

As for MasterHarper of Pern, you mentioned female Harpers. I don't think i read about any, but there is a MasterSinger, who is female, but that's about it. The other girls aren't harpers, as far as i know.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-25-2005, 09:00 PM

The Mastersinger is still part of the Harper Hall though, which would make her a Harper of sorts since it is an affiliation with the Hall entirely.

As far as attonement goes, I would have to say that you're right about that part...I haven't read that book in a long time...so I don't quite remember the reasoning that Petiron gave for him wanting to go the Half-Circle in the first place. But that could be part of it.

Erk Mizuhara

01-26-2005, 05:12 PM

I'm not particularly interested in Petiron, the senile old git. I'm more interested in what happens to Robinton as he grows up. It's an eventful childhood, and i never knew he could talk to dragons. The dragons don't seem as serious as i remember them from other books... or is it just because they're talking to a child?

Hiryuu Megami23

01-26-2005, 05:56 PM

No, because they talk to him in his adulthood also. According to Mnementh in Dragonquest, dragons speak to whom they will. Though they mostly avoid talking to people who have chaotic, stingy, and greedy thoughts. That's why you see that a lot of people were shocked that Lord Meron of Nabol Impressed a fire-lizard. Even before the Prideth-Wirenth deaths, all dragons detested that man...

Erk Mizuhara

01-27-2005, 03:38 PM

So, Robinton's got a pure soul, or something? He does become the most popular man on all of Pern. I look forward to finding out how he gains that title.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-27-2005, 08:15 PM

He already has that title and the respect to go along with it. Right now, I'm reading The Renegades of Pern. I decided to skip over Moreta and the older ones for now and read the ones that deal with the ninth pass.

Erk Mizuhara

01-29-2005, 01:02 PM

I've got Renegades of Pern, but i'm still reading MasterHarper of Pern.

I'm surprised it's been so long since dragons were bred. Nine (or more) passes is quite a long time in my mind. I was at first confused about the long Interval, were you? It was all explained very well in All The Weyrs of Pern.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-30-2005, 01:09 AM

Yeah, I was curious to know about why they had such a long interval. However, when it WAS explained about what Ruth and Jaxom did, I got the point after that. I was also a bit shocked when she made mention that dragons could fly between times as well. Then again, with teleporting (which is the ACTUAL term for what they're doing, but she doesn't call it that), anything is possible.

As far as the one I'm reading goes, I'm at the part where Jayge is trying to decide whether or not to tell anyone that his uncle Readis is with the Lady Holdless Thella's gang. You know, it's been two years since I last read that book, and there was so much about it that I forgot. Same thing with The Masterharper of Pern. I will have to read that one again to refresh my memory of it soon.

Erk Mizuhara

01-31-2005, 10:03 AM

I've just read about Robinton's espousal. It seems he was really lucky to get a girl like Kasia. They were a perfect couple, very happy with each other.

Then, she died shortly after their espousal, by burning herself out trying to keep the ship steady in the storm. It upset me, to say the least. Poor Rob.

Hiryuu Megami23

01-31-2005, 03:48 PM

I know...Other than the fact that he's a good Harper, I don't think that I would want him on a ship with me (I mean, with his spouse dying in that storm, and the other shipwreck he was in with Menolly). As far as sea-going ventures go when he was in perfect health, he has a lot of bad luck on a ship.

As far as where I'm at in Renegades of Pern, I am at the part where Piemur had found Aramina and Jayge and now, we're back at Southern where Toric is yelling at Saneter because two of the bronzes left Southern Weyr...around the time that they go to mate at High Reaches, just before D'ram takes over in Southern, and after the "Ramoth's Stolen Egg" part. Anyway, I don't remember if Piemur tells anyone about Paradise River Hold or not....but I sort of hope he does...You know, just to get Toric a bit angered...Because Toric can be a real S.O.B. I mean, I can understand half of it, what with the Southern Weyr people being complete idiots themselves, but sheesh! To yell at someone for something that is beyond anyone's control....That's just heartless.

Erk Mizuhara

02-04-2005, 10:31 AM

I've finished it now, and I've also read skies of Pern. How the heck did Zaranth learn telekinesis so easily? It helped against those over-zealous felines, though. Why would some felines attack a dragon though? Much less two...

Hiryuu Megami23

02-04-2005, 04:13 PM

Well, given my knowledge of cats in general, and with the actions I've seen her take in this series, I would say that it was because of a territorial issue that they attacked the dragons. Cats (err...felines), in real life, have been known to be very territorial.

As far as Zaranth knowing telekinesis, it's only one of the evolutionary next steps that one can take? That's the only reason I can come up with to explain that at all. I mean, the dragons are already telepath's and teleporters, so, why not add telekinesis into the mix as well?

I've started on All the Weyr's of Pern. I'm at the part where everyone is either doubting or believing in the Aivas and where everyone wants a chance to see it for themselves. The Glass Craft Master is in an uproar because he claims that there is NO WAY to improve on glass...boy is he ever wrong. There is always room to improve on the design of something like glass.

Erk Mizuhara

02-05-2005, 08:30 PM

I agree. I'm a little after the point of brining Sallah Telgar's body back to Pern, and Jaxom's just fixed the cargo hold doors. It's an interesting book, and probably my favourite.

Aivas did say the dragons should be able to do telekinesis, but none of them understood at all, whereas Zaranth just learned it because trundlebugs where annoying her. I find that a little odd.

Hiryuu Megami23

02-05-2005, 10:04 PM

well, from the way I see it, they either learn from accidents...or from necessity. The trundle bugs, because of how much of a nuisance they are to dragons, would be one of those necessary things that would drive the dragon to learn it.

I forgot that the shipfish/dolphins were also mentioned in All the Weyrs of Pern. That, or...I must have tried to read through some of the boring and mundane parts as fast as I could. But, I'm at the part where Readis is telling Jaxom that he heard the shipfish talking as they were rescuing the boy and Alemi.

Erk Mizuhara

02-11-2005, 12:15 PM

I still haven't finished All the Weyrs.. >_<

I just read where JAxom made a leap forward to see if the Red Star really did change course, and when he learned he'd already done two of the explosions years back. That explains the long intervals nicely.

I still don't get how small Ruth is exactly? He looks to be different sizes on the cover of the White Dragon and All the Weyrs of Pern. Why is that?

Hiryuu Megami23

02-11-2005, 05:12 PM

I think that it is different artists who did the covers of the books, but I could be wrong.

I have only gotten to the part where the Benden Weyrleaders and Jaxom went to the Red Star to take a closer look for the first time since F'nor's trip.

As far as Ruth's ACTUAL size? I would guess...that he is about the equivellent of 2 clydesdale horses stacked on top of each other. If you remember, in Dragons Dawn, Sean Connell was taller than his own bronzes back, but Jaxom is not taller than Ruth's.

Also, the did a comparison between Ruth and the first dragons in All the Weyrs...It was either D'ram or Piemur who noted that Ruth was bigger than the first dragons, but he was still considerably smaller than the ones of now.

My best overall guess...would be that Ruth is as big as the browns of Dragon's Eye (aka Red Star Rising) and that takes place in roughly the second or third Pass if I'm not mistaken...I will have to read it again to find out for sure. But it is fair to say that during Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern and the stories after that...Ruth is still considerably smaller than even them.

Karin Shirashi

02-11-2005, 07:07 PM

my sister has a dragon book and i forgot wat the name of it was, it was Dragon ..... something.

Hiryuu Megami23

02-11-2005, 07:18 PM

Yipes! hrmm...Maybe we should list all the books in the series...In case of someone who may have read them, but doesn't know.

In Suggested Reading Order:

Dragonflight
Dragonquest
The White Dragon

(To understand The White Dragon better...read these three after Dragonquest.)
The Harper Hall Trilogy:
Dragonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums

Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern
Nerilka's Story (It's more like a diary of Nerilka's life)
Dragonsdawn
The Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
The Dolphins of Pern
Dragonseye
The Masterharper of Pern
The Skies of Pern
Dragon's Kin (This book is also written by Todd McCaffrey. Whether or not Anne had a hand in it, I'm not sure, I haven't read it yet.)
Dragonsblood(This book is now published and it is written by Todd McCaffrey alone)

If and when you read them in this sequence, most notice that the timing sequence jumps around between different times. That is what Anne had intended I guess.

Erk Mizuhara

02-15-2005, 10:08 AM

I can't wait to read Dragon's Kin and Dragonsblood. THey may be interesting.

I haven't read Renegades of Pern yet. (couldn't be bothered). I sort want to read it for sake of completion, but i really don't want to... i read a few pages (At pretty much random) and it all seemed boring.

Hiryuu Megami23

02-15-2005, 06:00 PM

That one, was pretty boring in the beginning. Only because, in the prologue, you see that it goes through the lives of most of Thella's acquaintances first and how those people became holdless and Aramina's parents as well and why they chose to be holdless.

However, this book was done, I think, to bring more understanding to the readers about the people of Pern during this time, not the dragon riders. And it also goes in depth more about Aramina and Jayge who are also partly the main characters in the Dolphins of Pern. There were several parts which weren't that boring...Like the Aivas first being found and things like that...but the book centered around the holdless renegades as a whole during the time of Threadfall.

whew! Got all that out...

Anyway, I'll be finishing up All the Weyrs of Pern today....and then I'll be getting started on the Dolphins of Pern I think. If I can get all of my web related projects done first that is.

Erk Mizuhara

02-15-2005, 08:12 PM

I've started reading The White Dragon now, and I've renewed The Skies of Pern, which is easily my favourite book. Jaxom does seem to have a hard time, doesn't he? Then again, that being said, the book is mainly about him, so it may take his side of the viewpoint more, and be biased towards his feelings. I'd also forgotten that he'd pre-Impressed Ruth, which was naughty! *slaps Jaxom's wrist*. But it's just as well, otherwise Pern wouldn't be able to get rid of the Red Star.
I also find that a bit coincidental. That when all the Weyrs of Pern are going to be required to shift the Red Star, and alot of where and when jumping is required, along come Ruth the White Dragon who always knows exactly where and when he is. It would seem that dragons are somewhat naturally in tune with nature and future plannings.
That's my theory, anyway.

Hiryuu Megami23

02-15-2005, 10:47 PM

Well, that may be true for some dragons...however, if you remember, Ruth is special. No one really knows why that one knows when and where he is at all times. It's a special ability of his that no one has been able to figure out.

The only thing that I can't really figure out is...if dragons are supposed to have bad memories, then how is it that Ruth is different? You'd figure that...since he is the runt of the bunch and he was thought to not survive, how is it that he has all of these abilities? But then again, I look around at things in life and it is always the runt of any pack that is the most SPECIAL so to speak.

Erk Mizuhara

03-01-2005, 02:28 PM

That's what I mean. Timing soon becomes essential, and then Ruth appears, who always knows where and when he is.

Hiryuu Megami23

03-03-2005, 07:18 PM

True.

Anyway, I wonder if there is any news on them making this a TV series? I know that there was some talk in the past, and it was going to air on the WB or Sci-Fi, but the people who were going to support the project had different ideas of what it should be (They wanted to make it more Buffy-ish) and the director wanted to keep it true to the book series.

I'll have to check around on the net again to see what is going to happen with that project.