Rating: 
Summary: Cheezy as it sounds..a lifechanging novel of me.
Review: I first read this book in the early 1980s when I found it in my elementary school library. This was the only time I have ever been justified by judging a book on it's cover! I devoured the whole series by the age of 12, and though I enjoyed all the books, this one stands as my all time favorite. There is real emotional depth in McCaffery's characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy and SF novels you can really relate to all her characters. Menolly in particular is as "real " a person as you can get in fiction. Her isolation and depression as a result of her neglect are all too common among young women everywhere. It is not fiction that girls are passed by in favor of men still. Her eventual rise out of her depression and acceptance of her own talent was encouraging to me as a creatively stifled young artist. When I had no Petiron or Robinton in my life it gave me hope. It has always been my favorite novel. I strongly recommened it. I am reading it again right now!!
Rating: 
Summary: Menolly's arrival at Harper Hall leaves her overwhelmed.
Review: How did Menolly become a Journeywoman so close to Master Robinton? The book takes you from arrival at Harper Hall through her training. She could have been just another silly wherry of a holders daughter.
Rating:
Summary: This book was great! I have read it many many times.
Review: This book is most likely one of the best books that I have ever read. I could identify with the main character many in many ways. It also gave a just enough fantasy to use your imagination, but was down to earth enough to where you could understand situations, emotions, and beliefs. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting be able to use their imagination in a combined world of fantasy and reality. E.J. Diffenderfer, Ft. Worth, Texas.
Rating:
Summary: Once you read this one, you'll want to read the whole series
Review: Achieves the perfect balance between fantasy and reality. Enchanting narrative. Details and descriptions are so well handled you can almost taste and smell. Will make a science fiction fan of anyone who reads it
Rating:
Summary: This book was my first ever Pern novel!
Review: Tis is one of my most beloved Pern novels. I have read every songle book by her and this was one of the best. I lovedthe whole series
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, worth reading many, many times.
Review: This is one of Anne McCaffrey's best books. I feel her two
greatest strengths are developing characters and letting us
"get inside" characters' heads; here she does both with
amazing skill. Each character is complete-- there are no
paper cut outs littering the pages, nor incomplete shadows
haunting the text. I re-read this book three or four times
a year, to savor the details, the full range of emotions,
and exquisite conversation, and, of course, to watch a young girl begin to discover friendship, happiness, and her own potential.
Rating:
Summary: Long-time fan
Review: I first read this book many years ago when I was in junior high school and I have read it many times since then. Despite taking place on a distant planet, this story deals with things that all teens deal with from time to time. McCaffrey's Menolly is a character with which everyone can identify and empathize. Through her hardships and trials, you can see her blossom into an amazing young woman. To top it all off, McCaffrey weaves in just a bit of romance to keep your heart jumping.
While this is my favorite of the series, I also highly recommend the other two books in the series.
I'm a huge Dragonriders of Pern fan and despite all the characters that have coursed through the series, Menolly remains my favorite.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
|
