Anne McCaffrey's Pern series has been running successfully for so long that most of the Dragonriders' original problems have been solved. In The...
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reviews
May 21, 2011
Swallowfeather
rated it: 
This one gets a three from me that is more like a cross between a two and a four (or 3.8 maybe?); a lot was sub-par, but a few elements were actually better than usual, so that brought the rating back up.
My first thought on picking up this book and starting to read it, years ago, was "Anne McCaffrey appears to have NO idea what motivates terrorists!" Her Abominators were just completely unbelievable. Not that I can't believe that such a thing would happen when a society's g More...
My first thought on picking up this book and starting to read it, years ago, was "Anne McCaffrey appears to have NO idea what motivates terrorists!" Her Abominators were just completely unbelievable. Not that I can't believe that such a thing would happen when a society's g More...
Nov 03, 2009
Lani
rated it:
Trashy scifi that kept me briefly entertained...
McCaffrey's books aren't usually particularly compelling, but they're usually enjoyable quick reads. Skies of Pern is no exception, although the more recent books have struggled to find strong characters worth an entire book.
I've gotten a little tired of the push towards technology in the later Pern books, and this book continues the trend. I find the tech vs tradition stuff a little boring and cliched, and this book pretty More...
McCaffrey's books aren't usually particularly compelling, but they're usually enjoyable quick reads. Skies of Pern is no exception, although the more recent books have struggled to find strong characters worth an entire book.
I've gotten a little tired of the push towards technology in the later Pern books, and this book continues the trend. I find the tech vs tradition stuff a little boring and cliched, and this book pretty More...
Jun 11, 2011
Colleen
rated it:
This is the first Pern book that was published AFTER I discovered the series. Too bad right after that she let Todd muck around with it. Certain sections of this book feel recycled from older ones -- <spoiler> the feline attack being a good example </spoiler> -- but they're fused to wholly new elements of an astronomical bent, and time presses relentlessly on, giving us a world where new characters come to the fore. Jaxom's no longer edgily trying to defend his prerogative and prove
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Aug 10, 2011
Kathy
rated it: 
It's 2552 AL, 2,552 years After Landing; a few years after Robinton's death and AIVAS' shutting down.
The Story
One of Robinton's kidnappers escapes his prison intent upon finding like-minded followers who wish to return Pern to its traditions. AIVAS is Abomination and every change brought about by it must be destroyed even as the dragonriders of Pern look toward the end of this Pass when there will no longer be Thread to fight. The dragonriders are looking to the future, considerin More...
The Story
One of Robinton's kidnappers escapes his prison intent upon finding like-minded followers who wish to return Pern to its traditions. AIVAS is Abomination and every change brought about by it must be destroyed even as the dragonriders of Pern look toward the end of this Pass when there will no longer be Thread to fight. The dragonriders are looking to the future, considerin More...
Feb 14, 2009
Foomy
rated it:
Okay, the primary threat (thread) has been dealt with, but we still want more stories about our favorite Weyrleader and Weyrwoman right? So we have to come up with a new problem. Enter Skies of Pern.
Unfortunately, this story focuses on their son, so you don't get much of them, and you don't get much of Jaxom either. Toric, that scwewy lord holder, is making trouble, again, so the dragonriders and the conclave have to outwit and outmaneuver him, again. There's also a new threat fr More...
Unfortunately, this story focuses on their son, so you don't get much of them, and you don't get much of Jaxom either. Toric, that scwewy lord holder, is making trouble, again, so the dragonriders and the conclave have to outwit and outmaneuver him, again. There's also a new threat fr More...
Mar 02, 2010
Tamcamry
rated it: 
• Look, I have to be honest; this really wasn’t one of A.M.’s best works. I know that she wants to set up the dragonriders with an occupation for after Thread, but this book falls pretty flat as a story. There is a little drama, but really not enough to make it that interesting. Also, much like the last book, this one seems to not have a solid conclusion. What’s worse is that it seems like she left some storylines unfinished to lead to a sequel. While I would love another Pern book, I don’t
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Jan 09, 2012
Kari
rated it:
LOVE Anne McCaffrey, LOVE Pern, this book, was a little more than 'meh' for me. I love that she had Tai and F'lessen exploring some of the issues around the whole dragon-mating frenzy - that was definitely a bit of fresh air, but I felt it could have been fleshed out a lot more. It seemed so sudden that one minute they are wondering if they 'love'? each other, and the next they are thrown into the dragon-passion and Tai is forced to figure out if she is ready or not. I think that honestly a T
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Nov 26, 2008
Zachary
rated it: 
McCaffrey has churned out another book in her Dragonriders series (or Pern series, if you prefer). This one is placed towards the end of the time line of events in the Pern universe. Thread is falling for the last time due to action taken in the previous book by Aivas, the artificial intelligence which remained from the original settlers of Pern.
All that to say the book has quite a history in it's little world, which I think, in the end, works against the flow of the story. Even in t More...
All that to say the book has quite a history in it's little world, which I think, in the end, works against the flow of the story. Even in t More...
Jan 04, 2008
Tulara
rated it:
I read the Pern series ages ago, but I think I missed this one - so it was the last book on my list for 2007.
It was a great read - I had forgotten how much I love McCaffrey's telepathic dragons and their riders. Her story figured on two dragon riders, one shy and new rider and one the lead dragon rider with a history of bravery and leadership. Their slow courtship also brought their dragons into their own courtship also. Pern is going through its own sort of domestice terrorism with dr More...
It was a great read - I had forgotten how much I love McCaffrey's telepathic dragons and their riders. Her story figured on two dragon riders, one shy and new rider and one the lead dragon rider with a history of bravery and leadership. Their slow courtship also brought their dragons into their own courtship also. Pern is going through its own sort of domestice terrorism with dr More...
Oct 30, 2010
Livy
rated it:
These books seem to be going downhill. The same basic storylines are repeated over and over again and I've never liked the introduction to technology that has occurred in these stories with the last couple of books about Lessa and F'lar's generation. The whole purpose of Pern was to have a farming society and to escape the wars that ravaged old earth and its immediate solar system. So why go back to what the settlers were trying to get rid of in the first place? Very frustrating. I still like th
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Aug 27, 2009
Kerri
rated it: 
I know this book isn't particularly popular among long-time Pern fans, but hey, anything's better than Dragonsblood or Dragonsfire right? In the last book to-date written solely by Anne, disasters bring about the discovery of a new draconic ability (seriously, where did that even come from? I don't even remember AIVAS hinting at it in ATWOP?), and the people of Pern begin thinking seriously about life after Thread. Also we meet some vandals who don't like modern Pern much (like some readers perh
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Apr 17, 2010
Mollie *scoutrmom*
rated it:
Again, author Anne McCaffrey has surprised me. I've read nearly all of the Dragonriders of Pern books, and each one has new twists and turns I could never have anticipated. This one deals with a community's resistance to change and its responses to natural disasters, as well as with an individual's response to disaster.
Certainly worth owning.
Certainly worth owning.
Aug 06, 2009
Daniel
rated it:
Of the later Pern books (1990's forward) this is probably one of the best. However it still doesn't match the quality of her original books.
If you love McCaffrey and have read everything thus far, no reason to stop now. Those who want the best of McCaffrey should stick to the original 1970's Dragonrider and Harper novels.
If you love McCaffrey and have read everything thus far, no reason to stop now. Those who want the best of McCaffrey should stick to the original 1970's Dragonrider and Harper novels.
Feb 06, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
This book had some parts that were exciting and had me interested but much of it fell kind of flat. I got bored with all of the technical description of microscopes and astronomy. I also felt that the story never really resolved well. I was left wondering what would happen to certain characters but not really interested enough to read another book if she did do one.
Jan 19, 2012
Paula
rated it:
Anne McCaffrey's series of the Dragon Riders is wonderful. Each volume tells the story of dragons and riders. I think they are the progenitor's of 21 Century dragon novels. Plus McCaffrey has a lovely way with prose. I read all these books over two decades ago and remember them so well even today.
Apr 06, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
I love to visit Pern
And this book covers a natural disaster and their response to it.
Also it builds on Felessan's character and you end up crying with them and laughing with them.
All your favorite people are given voice here but the focus is on Felessan and his partner Tai.
And this book covers a natural disaster and their response to it.
Also it builds on Felessan's character and you end up crying with them and laughing with them.
All your favorite people are given voice here but the focus is on Felessan and his partner Tai.
Nov 17, 2009
Aly
rated it:
I'm re-reading this one currently. I love delving back into the Pern world. This is one of my favorites of Pern. I always wanted to know more about F'lesson and what happened after AIVAS. It's a book that moves along quickly and keeps you sucked in.
Nov 12, 2011
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 31, 2010
Jen (RevJen)
rated it:
The Dragonriders of Pern are as resilient as usual. When faced with the demise of their responsibilities as the Red Star's final Pass is almost over, they find a way to remain useful and relevant to their home planet and peoples.
Aug 05, 2011
Craig
rated it:
A good look at life on "modern" Pern and how they plan on adapting to the future. The story may not have been overwhelmingly exciting, but it was a good character study and moving in parts.
Sep 27, 2010
Walter
rated it:
My favorite of the original series. Excellently ties everything together by using the past & future of the Pern at the same time. Anne McCaffrey out-does herself with this book.
Jun 25, 2011
Suicide-blonde
rated it:
This definitely is a book that wouldn't be able to stand alone - it's very obviously a series book. XD But I love F'lessan and his relationship with Tai, so overall it was a great read. The Abominators were dealt with too easily, though.
Aug 04, 2011
Hazel
rated it:
Anne McCaffrey has written an absolutely wonderful fantasy series. Her Pern novels are beautifully written and very enjoyable individually or as a whole.
Oct 15, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
Tai is honestly the only compelling reason to read this book; she's the most refreshing voice since Lessa and Mirrim of the earlier sagas.
Dec 17, 2011
Salimbol
rated it:
Definitely one of the lesser Dragonrider books, bedevilled by too many main characters all jostling for elbow space (and getting only paper-thin characterisation as a result), strawman villains, and the two halves of the plot sitting in uneasy relationship to each other. Having said that, there was some gravitas to be had from: A) the planet-wide emergency caused by the tsunami (this is lent extra weight by the fallout of the major tsunamis of the last five years in our own world), and B) by a t
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Aug 30, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
Now that the last of the thread is falling, the dragonriders ponder what role they will play in the future. AIVAS has self-destructed and Masterharper Robinton is dead. F'lessan and Tai are two dragonriders who might be able to set a new course for dragons and their riders.
The Abominators continue their attacks, determined to destroy all of the AIVIS-generated technology in order to return to the simple life.
The Abominators continue their attacks, determined to destroy all of the AIVIS-generated technology in order to return to the simple life.
Feb 11, 2012
Terry
rated it:
As usual, this novel of Pern is entertaining, though uneven. Perhaps the series has played out.
Jul 23, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
another story of surviving thread on pern, how they survive after the surge of thread is over.
Apr 24, 2011
Freefallen
rated it:
Definitely my favourite book in the Pern series so far! You've got to read this one.
Jul 16, 2011
Maggie
rated it:
as always, Anne McCaffery spins a tale that I just get can't put down.
