Anne McCaffrey
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The Dragonriders of Pern
by Anne McCaffrey
Dragonriders
is composed of the first three novels McCaffrey has written about the world of
Pern (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, and The White Dragon). A prologue
explains that Pern is a world much like Earth, chosen and settled long ago by
explorers. Initially, little or no attention was paid to a small, stray planet
orbiting the same star. The colonists would pay dearly for this oversight. Over
the ensuing generations, the colony abandoned most of its higher technology as
it became a peaceful, agrarian community. Unfortunately, at certain intervals,
previously unobserved by the original explorers, Pern’s orbit coincides with
the stray planet, dubbed the Red Star. At these times, a dangerous, parasitic
lifeform known as Thread attempts to make its way to Pern, with disastrous
effects to any living material it comes in contact with.
The settlers have long since lost contact with
Earth and are ill equipped to survive this unexpected menace. They must rely on
their knowledge and the materials close to hand to overcome this threat to their
existence. A long term breeding and training program is developed, matching
telepathic individuals with creatures resembling Terran dragons. The results
provide the primary means of defense against Thread. However, the destruction
Thread wreaks, coupled with the energy devoted to fighting it, thrusts the
society ever further from the technology they once knew, until it is but a dim
memory, myth-like and mostly forgotten. It is in this feudalistic society that
the first of the novels begins.
Reviewed by: Diane
Anne McCaffrey
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Dragonflight
by Anne McCaffrey 
In Pernese society the population has evolved into
three groups. The Weyrs are home to the dragonriders and their kin. The Holds
are ruled by the Lords and govern the vast majority of the populace in
vassal-type servitude. The Halls are occupied by the craftsmen and women. For
long generations the Weyrs have been sworn to protect the Holds and Halls, as
well as all the areas beholden to them from the threat of Thread. In return, the
Holds and Halls offer service and tithes to the dragonfolk, since their
protective duties make it impossible to be self-supporting. As Dragonflight
opens, Thread has not fallen for over 400 Turns and only one Weyr remains. The
general population, as well as the various Lords, has begun to doubt that Thread
will ever return and grow weary and resentful of supporting the dragonfolk. Even
the dragonriders have become lax and less vigilant. Meanwhile, the last queen
dragon lies dying as her last clutch of eggs (containing one final queen egg)
prepares to hatch.
Under these dire circumstances, F’lar, a bronze
rider, goes searching for the ideal candidate to Impress the queen egg. F’lar
is sure that Thread will return soon and realizes that this search is critical
to Pern’s future. The successful candidate will become the Weyrwoman, a
crucial position to hold in the troubled times F’lar is convinced are ahead.
Eventually he finds Lessa, a strong girl who has already survived betrayal and
treachery. Together they will face a host of problems, not the least of which is
the insufficient numbers of dragons (and riders) on hand when Thread ultimately
returns to threaten Pern again.
With this book, McCaffrey sets the tone for an
entire series based on Pern. She introduces a number of characters, both main
and supporting, who will continue to evolve and grow throughout the series. The
dragons are not just props, either. Their awesome majesty is finely drawn, yet
it is made quite clear that they are also individuals who will have an impact on
the events surrounding them. Although McCaffrey resolves the main issues raised
in this novel, she hints at many others that are yet to be solved.
Reviewed by: Diane
Anne McCaffrey
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Dragonquest
by Anne McCaffrey
Seven Turns have passed since the events described
in Dragonflight, McCaffrey’s first book in this series. During that
tale, the mystery surrounding the missing dragons and people of the abandoned
Weyrs was solved and new ways were found to fight the destructive Thread raining
down on Pern. Unfortunately, the solutions to some of Pern’s most pressing
problems have now created an entirely new set of troubles. The original
resentment smoldering between the dragonmen and the rest of Pern’s inhabitants
was only temporarily eased by the need for everyone to work together during the
frantic first days of Thread’s return. Typical of human nature, now that
Thread has become a familiar (if unwelcome) occurrence, some of the old feelings
have returned. To make matters worse, factions have arisen within the dragonmen’s
own ranks. One faction, the Oldtimers, strongly believes in their superiority
over the rest of Pern’s populace. Their rigid adherence to obsolete traditions
and their highhandedness in their dealings with others only serves to heighten
the tension.
Meanwhile, lost technologies are being
rediscovered and new ones are being created. Alternative forms of communication
begin to develop. Possible new forms of protection from Thread are examined. The
discovery of a distance viewer enables the dragonmen and Lords to take their
first detailed look at the Red Star, Thread’s point of origin. Theoretically,
it is possible for a dragon to transport itself and its rider anywhere that can
be clearly visualized. The disgruntled Lord Holders begin to exert pressure on
the dragonmen to fly directly to the Red Star and battle Thread at its source.
The responsibility for resolving all of these various conflicts once again falls
to the Benden Weyrleader, F’lar, and his Weyrwoman, Lessa.
Although F’lar and Lessa, the main characters of
Dragonflight, are still key elements in the story, McCaffrey has shifted
the focus slightly away from them. In this installment, she has begun to flesh
out several of the supporting characters from the first book and introduces
several new players. F’nor, F’lar’s half-brother; Masterharper Robinton;
and Mastersmith Fandarel return in pivotal roles. New characters, including
Brekke, another Weyrwoman; Felessan, son of F’lar and Lessa; and young Lord
Jaxom (just an infant in the first book) add additional depth and detail.
McCaffrey keeps the story moving and the world and people of Pern continue to
evolve in interesting ways. Her description of the discovery and impression of
fire-lizards, distant relatives to the dragons, is especially intriguing.
McCaffrey brings this novel to a satisfactory conclusion, yet still manages to
set the stage for the next volume in the series.
Reviewed by: Diane
Anne McCaffrey
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The White Dragon
by Anne McCaffrey
McCaffrey returns once again to the world of Pern
in the final novel of The Dragonriders of Pern trilogy. Young Lord Jaxom
of Ruatha Hold and his white dragon, Ruth, are at the center of the action this
time, picking up just a few years after Dragonquest’s conclusion.
McCaffrey frequently questions the tendency to blindly follow tradition and
seems to enjoy shaking things up. The inadvertent impression of a
"misfit" dragon by a Lord Holder certainly challenges the beliefs and
patience of many on Pern. Jaxom has his work cut out for him, trying to prove
that Ruth has all the capabilities of a true dragon, while still maintaining his
status as Lord Holder.
In actuality, although Ruth may be smaller than
most dragons, he appears to have some abilities beyond those of the other
dragons. Ruth professes to always know "when" he is, making it
possible for Jaxom to take Ruth to places and times that other dragons may be
unable to reach. Additionally, all the fire lizards on Pern seem to consider
Ruth their personal friend and show him mysterious things from their collective
memories. When the Oldtimers create a major problem, these talents become
extremely useful to Jaxom and, ultimately, to Pern.
Through a series of rapidly occurring
circumstances, attention is drawn to the vast, mostly unpopulated Southern
Continent. Both the dragonriders and the Lord Holders are interested in
developing the land from which their ancestors are believed to have originated.
But the Benden Weyrleaders, F’lar and Lessa, and MasterHarper Robinton have a
hidden agenda, possibly one which will have a lasting impact on the world of
Pern.
Although written from a different perspective,
McCaffrey once again brings the world of Pern to life. The old familiar
characters are still present, but Jaxom, and to a lesser extent, Robinton, are
the voices telling the tale. The interaction between the characters is still
enjoyable and McCaffrey’s world continues to grow more richly detailed. While
this is a good stand-alone novel, it is by no means McCaffrey’s final word on
the subject of Pern or the dragonriders. It is quite obvious that she has much
more to say!
Reviewed by: Diane
Anne McCaffrey
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