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Summary: One of My All-Time Favorites!
Review: Dragonsinger is the second book in the Harper Hall Trilogy and is the sequel to Dragonsong. It starts right after the previous book ends, with Menolly arriving in Harper Hall a-dragonback. There she begins her musical education with the masters of music. Menolly always thought that harpers would be different and that she would fit in among them, but she finds that people are the same wherever you go. All of the other girls are jealous of her musical talents and do not want her living in their cottage. The boys insist that she has no place with them and her nine fire lizards make her stand out even more. Still, she is Masterharper Robinton's special apprentice and he seems to believe in her and to love her new songs. As Menolly struggles to find her place among the harpers of Pern she will discover much about herself, as well as the remarkable secrets about fire lizards and eventually find an honored place among the Harpers of Pern. Even though I have enjoyed all of McCaffrey's books, the Harper Hall trilogy has always been my favorite. I first read this book when I was in junior high school and simply loved it. I have read my copy time and time again. McCaffrey has a nice, smooth writing style with great descriptions so readers will have no trouble visualizing the life on Pern. She also does a nice job of throwing in little recaps so that those who have not read Dragonflight and Dragonquest can still understand what is going on. I simply loved the world of the Harpers and think that any reader of fantasy will enjoy this enchanting series.
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Summary: Menolly finds a life of happiness in the Harper Hall of Pern
Review: Interesting to find out "Dragonsinger" is the fourth book in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series because I have always thought of it as the middle volume in the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy. In "Dragonsong" we met Menolly, my favorite character in the entire Pern universe. A musical prodigy who has been forbidden by her stern father to sing or play music, Menolly runs away and ends up impressing a clutch of nine fire lizards. But Masterharper Robinton has been searching high and low for her and having found her, brings Menolly to the Harper Hall. In "Dragonsinger" Menolly begins to learn her craft as an apprentice. The Harper Hall is not sure what to make of the island girl and her singing fire lizards, but Menolly is equally astounded by her new world. Menolly is one of the most enchanting heroines in fiction, mainly because the girl has not a clue in the world that she is so talented. After just about every test she is convinced she has failed, convinced that her only friend in the world is Piemur, another one of the young apprentices, and amazed that Robinton takes any interest in her at all. But it is Menolly's encounters with the other Masters, especially Jerint the instrument maker and Domick the composer, that stand out in this tale. Oh, and there is also Journeyman Sebell, who has also taken a special interest in her. "Dragonsinger" is a fitting conclusion to the story begun in "Dragonsong," and since the "next" volume in the trilogy, "Dragondrums," really focuses more on Piemur, this is really the climax to the story of Menolly. McCaffrey's conclusion is extremely satisfying and my only serious complaint about the Pern series after "Dragonsinger" is that Menolly has been reduced to a minor supporting character. One of the nice things about these books is that they are fairly self-contained, you do not have to read all the Pern books in order for them to make sense. I would think young girls who love music would especially enjoy reading these novels.
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Summary: Dragonsinger
Review: In Dragonsong we were first introduced to Menolly. But in Dragonsong we know her as the misunderstood girl at her father's sea hold. In Dragonsinger we come to know her as the happy girl at the Harper Hall, where all the best music is. Menolly is by far the best apprentice harper in Harper Hall, which may be her biggest trouble. When everyone but another apprentice named Piemur hates her for her ease at playing even the most difficult of songs jealousy begins to be a part of her daily life. In my opinion this is the very best of all the Pern books.
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Summary: The Best "Boarding School" Book I've Read!
Review: This book was fantastic! It has the best qualities of a science fiction book, and it has nothing that one could argue with reasonably. The plot is this: Menolly, a young girl, has at last been recognized as a wonderful musician, and is sent immediately to the Harper Hall of Pern. There, she encounters all sorts of surprises, such as that the instrument she picks as the best of a roomful for herself was once the Masterharper's, or that there is so little everyone knows about fire lizards, intelligent flying reptiles of which Menolly has nine. She makes friends in Camo, a dimwitted kitchen assistant who loves her fire lizards, and Piemur, a fellow student. Over the time she spends at the Harper Hall, Menolly grows into a masterful musician, and earns the right to become a Journeyman. This book is good because there is no magic, so it won't offend any church. It has marvelous plot dexterity and, well, rhythm. I would recommend this book for searchers of books beyond Harry Potter, SF lovers, or anyone who enjoys a good read.
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Summary: Menolly finds a life of happiness in the Harper Hall of Pern
Review: Interesting to find out "Dragonsinger" is the fourth book in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series because I have always thought of it as the middle volume in the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy. In "Dragonsong" we met Menolly, my favorite character in the entire Pern universe. A musical prodigy who has been forbidden by her stern father to sing or play music, Menolly runs away and ends up impressing a clutch of nine fire lizards. But Masterharper Robinton has been searching high and low for her and having found her, brings Menolly to the Harper Hall. In "Dragonsinger" Menolly begins to learn her craft as an apprentice. The Harper Hall is not sure what to make of the island girl and her singing fire lizards, but Menolly is equally astounded by her new world. Menolly is one of the most enchanting heroines in fiction, mainly because the girl has not a clue in the world that she is so talented. After just about every test she is convinced she has failed, convinced that her only friend in the world is Piemur, another one of the young apprentices, and amazed that Robinton takes any interest in her at all. But it is Menolly's encounters with the other Masters, especially Jerint the instrument maker and Domick the composer, that stand out in this tale. Oh, and there is also Journeyman Sebell, who has also taken a special interest in her. "Dragonsinger" is a fitting conclusion to the story begun in "Dragonsong," and since the "next" volume in the trilogy, "Dragondrums," really focuses more on Piemur, this is really the climax to the story of Menolly. McCaffrey's conclusion is extremely satisfying and my only serious complaint about the Pern series after "Dragonsinger" is that Menolly has been reduced to a minor supporting character. One of the nice things about these books is that they are fairly self-contained, you do not have to read all the Pern books in order for them to make sense. I would think young girls who love music would especially enjoy reading these novels.
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Summary: It's GREAT!
Review: This is the first of Anne McCaffrey's books that I've read. I was completely surprised and overjoyed when I discoverd how mant books she has written! I can't wait to read them ALL! As for this book, I've read it three times in a row, so far. I am totally captivated by PERN and it's story. As a music lover, I can understand how Menolly (the main character) feels. I love her firelizards, the Harper Hall, and all of her friends! This is a GREAT BOOK! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it! Anne McCaffrey does a superb job in making you feel what Menolly feels. It's sad, intriguing, and funny! Keep up the AWESOME work, Ms. McCaffrey!
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Summary: Menolly Finds Her Place
Review: DRAGONSINGER is the continuing story of Menolly, the heroine of DRAGONSONG. In this book, Menolly, now revealed as Petiron's lost apprentice, comes to the Harper Hall. This center of musical learning is more, and less, than Menolly thought it would be. She is forced to face opposition and prejudice from the music masters and her fellow students. However, the care and understanding the MasterHarper, Robinton, give her make the transition less painful. So do the friendships of Piemur, an impish singing apprentice, Sebell, a journeyman harper and Robinton's right-hand man, and Camo, the sweet but dull-witted kitchen drudge. Menolly faces her demons and triumphs in true fairy-tale fashion. Another favorite book, read so many times it is in tatters.
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Summary: Possibly my favorite novel by Anne McCaffrey
Review: I've read this book many times. It's a lot more lighthearted than Dragonsong. At times, Menolly might be a little aggravating because she seems to care a little too much what others think of her, but then she has enough backbone to stick up for herself when one or two petty characters try to take her down. Most readers are going to know that she'll succeed in the end and become a harper, so I don't think I'm spoiling anything by stating that. The novel is more about finding out what happens to Menolly during her first crucial week at the Harpercraft Hall and how she wins powerful people to her side with her unassuming personality. This is a great book about one of the more influential characters in the Dragonriders of Pern series. Dragonsong and Dragonsinger are also great books for pre-teens and are short enough to be accessible for children.
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Summary: Stronger than the last!
Review: For all of her life, Menolly has loved music and dreamt of becoming a harper. Unfortunately because Menolly's gender, she was never allowed to fully embrace her musical talents. Now her dreams have come true and Menolly is living in Harper Hall as the first girl ever to train to become a Harper, along with the nine fire lizards she impressed not too long ago. Unfortunately life at Harper Hall is not what Menolly has expected. The girls that are students (not as apprentices to become harpers, just students) are either distant or downright mean to her because of her status as an apprentice. Many of the professors are impressed with her knowledge of music, but tell her that she must learn more. The other professors look down on her because she is female. Menolly knows that living in Harper Hall will not be easy but at the same time she's learning so much and having the time of her life. Dragonsinger chronicles the first week of Menolly's life at Harper Hall. I think that Dragonsinger, is even stronger than Dragonsong. The world of Pern continues to be fascinating at Harper Hall seems like such an interesting place to live. I love the new characters such as Professor Dominick, the composition teacher who pushed Menolly to her breaking point, Piermur, Menolly's new mischevious friend who teachers her about Harper Hall, and the journeyman Sebelle, a favorite character of mine. I also loved to see more of the Masterharper, since he sort of becomes a foster father to Menolly who's own father never really seemed to care much for her. As a musician I was really happy to see not only more music, but also to see the Anne McCaffery knows a thing or two about singing correctly and instruments. She doesn't try to pretend, she actually knows what she's talking about. Dragonsinger, even though it is the second novel in The Harper Hall Trilogy, looks to be the end of Menolly's story, since Piermur seems to take center stage in Dragondrums. I can't wait to read the third book in this trilogy!
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Summary: I've reread this one so many times, that I've worn it out!
Review: One of my favorite McCaffrey books! It covers Menolly's first days at Harper Hall. As the only female harper apprentice, she struggles to fit in, making both friends and enemies. Under the wise guidance of her beloved Master Robinton, she comes to realize what great talent she has, and comes to believe in herself. She blossoms into a confidant young woman, secure in her musical talent and her value, ready to take the next step and become a Journeywoman. I love the characters in this book--especially the young scamp Piemur, who becomes Menolly first friend and ally in the hall, and, of course, Master Robinton. Once again McCaffrey crafts her books with a loving attention to all her characters, no matter how minor. They all have personality and seem real. That seems to be a hallmark of all her best books.
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