Mixed feelings

What disappointed you about Dragon Harper?

In all of the Todd M. books thus far there are too many extraneous characters with similar names too follow in too few places. And way way way too much torture porn. Another plague? Seriously? Sure, readers just love to have all of the main characters either dying or have everyone they care about dying. What great entertainment! Not!!!
It's understandable that every once in a while a sorrowful story is required to be realistic - Moreta's story for example from his Mother's books. But it seems that every book that Todd wrote after his mother passed is depressing as all get out. It's starting to make me wonder if maybe he wasn't resentful about his mother's creation and now is intent on tearing it apart bit by bit with nothing but a bunch of morbid events one after another.

What could Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Less misery and suffering. Focus more on main characters, show more than just a handful of locations. When Anne used to incorporate multiple characters, they were central to specific themes and locations spread all across Pern. Virtually all of this book takes place in first the Harper Hall then later in Fort Hold. Names come and go as people are just dying one after another. This isn't entertainment. It's just sadism.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were some shining moments. He managed to pick up on some of the emotions and uplifting scenes that his mother would have such as Kindan's 10 reasons to live and the readjustmant of Vaxorrum.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

As mentioned, there were a few emotional scenes that were well depicted, but way too few that were uplifting. Most of them just plain depressing. And as if that is not bad enough, it seems to continue from similar morbidity in the prior book and carries on in the following books that start by re-living still other people's suffering in the same time frame then go on with still more suffering.
Is Todd just a flaming nihilist? WTH?

4 people found this helpful

Be prepared to cry

This Pern story does not shy away from the harsh realities of an agrarian society. Anne and Todd creates a story that speaks about life, tragedy, death and then living. It is a well done tale.

I've heard other performances done by Susan Eriksen, this is not one of her better reads. She did not resonate with the characters. The company would have been smarter to stick with Dick Hill, whose voice has become synonymous with the Pern series.

2 people found this helpful

very dissapointed

I have been a fan for a great many years, starting with the first book I read. If this had been the first book of the Pern series I had ever read, it would have been the last. There is nothing original to this book and it is now filed in my will not read again file.

2 people found this helpful

Worth The Read

More slow and plodding than other books of this series, but still worth the read.

1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

Love the Pern novels! And having these cherished books in audio format so I can enjoy them again and again while multitasking is wonderful!

1 person found this helpful

Great story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dragon Harper?

There is a story of loyalty in here that I won't say too much about because I don't want to give it away.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A character died near the end that I wish hadn't. :(

Any additional comments?

Development of the characters is good. You know what makes them tick. There is intrigue and loyalty and development of individual abilities that lend themselves to the story. The story isn't overly complicated or or simplified. It just works. I still like Anne's earlier Pern novels better in many ways. Not sure Todd has really done later ones justice, but as long as he was writing with Anne, they are still good and interesting stories.

1 person found this helpful

pern lover

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I love the pern/dragon rider series and the audio and written book brings back memories of reduce along stories from my youth. Totally loved the experience.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

I was sorry to see one of my favorite authors put her name on this book. It started out as a conglomeration of several previous books with very little originality. It ends as a lengthy and tedious account of sickness and dying. Very little was either original or interesting. I forced myself to finish the story in hopes there would be something redeeming. The narrator was good but it wasn't worth the effort or time.

4 people found this helpful

Mid-history Pern

Beautifully written and narrated, this novel of Pern covers one of the terrible plagues from the perspectives of the Harpers and Holders. Great story!

pulls on the heart strings

my personal favorite if the Pern novel. the characters were and the struggles were spot on.