Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Change of Perspective
Review: Readers of Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" series will undoubtedly be familiar with the background and setting of this book. The planet Pern, in the Rukbat Sector, is perpetually under seige from a mindlessly voracious lifeform known as Thread. The Dragonriders are the planet's only hope, searing the silvery rain as it falls from the sky. Ms. McCaffrey has spun many a wondrous tale of these heroic figures, creating a world rich with a culture all it's own. This story, however, does not feature a dragonrider, nor does it feature Ms. McCaffrey's other favorite Pernese subject, the Harpers. Instead, both of those groups play secondary parts to the main character, Nerilka. Rill, as she's known, is a new type of character for fans: she is an ordinary person. A middle child, a daughter in a culture that favors sons, and an average human being with jealousies as well as compassion, Rill stands out amongst the characters that the author has created as she becomes the 'average Rill' who rises above tragedy and finds strength deep inside to do what must be done. The book stands best as a companion volume to Ms. McCaffrey's "Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern", though it can be read on it's own. There is a greater richness of understanding and unsaid detail available if the reader is familiar with the storyline and characters populating "Moreta", though. The writing style is a bit more simplistic than usual for the author, and the book is a very quick read, not taxing in either length or complexity. The illustrations are interesting, though I have to admit that the characters looked very different in my own mind's eye, but that is probably to be expected. All in all this book is good for a quick 'dip' into the world of Pern. The characters are engaging, Nerilka and those that the reader comes across at Ruatha Hold are the most clearly delineated. It has an enjoyable, simple plotline with no real shocks or unexpected twists and turns. An excellent read for times when the reader just wants something light.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Change of Perspective
Review: Readers of Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" series will undoubtedly be familiar with the background and setting of this book. The planet Pern, in the Rukbat Sector, is perpetually under seige from a mindlessly voracious lifeform known as Thread. The Dragonriders are the planet's only hope, searing the silvery rain as it falls from the sky. Ms. McCaffrey has spun many a wondrous tale of these heroic figures, creating a world rich with a culture all it's own. This story, however, does not feature a dragonrider, nor does it feature Ms. McCaffrey's other favorite Pernese subject, the Harpers. Instead, both of those groups play secondary parts to the main character, Nerilka. Rill, as she's known, is a new type of character for fans: she is an ordinary person. A middle child, a daughter in a culture that favors sons, and an average human being with jealousies as well as compassion, Rill stands out amongst the characters that the author has created as she becomes the 'average Rill' who rises above tragedy and finds strength deep inside to do what must be done. The book stands best as a companion volume to Ms. McCaffrey's "Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern", though it can be read on it's own. There is a greater richness of understanding and unsaid detail available if the reader is familiar with the storyline and characters populating "Moreta", though. The writing style is a bit more simplistic than usual for the author, and the book is a very quick read, not taxing in either length or complexity. The illustrations are interesting, though I have to admit that the characters looked very different in my own mind's eye, but that is probably to be expected. All in all this book is good for a quick 'dip' into the world of Pern. The characters are engaging, Nerilka and those that the reader comes across at Ruatha Hold are the most clearly delineated. It has an enjoyable, simple plotline with no real shocks or unexpected twists and turns. An excellent read for times when the reader just wants something light.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Change of Perspective
Review: Readers of Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" series will undoubtedly be familiar with the background and setting of this book. The planet Pern, in the Rukbat Sector, is perpetually under seige from a mindlessly voracious lifeform known as Thread. The Dragonriders are the planet's only hope, searing the silvery rain as it falls from the sky. Ms. McCaffrey has spun many a wondrous tale of these heroic figures, creating a world rich with a culture all it's own. This story, however, does not feature a dragonrider, nor does it feature Ms. McCaffrey's other favorite Pernese subject, the Harpers. Instead, both of those groups play secondary parts to the main character, Nerilka. Rill, as she's known, is a new type of character for fans: she is an ordinary person. A middle child, a daughter in a culture that favors sons, and an average human being with jealousies as well as compassion, Rill stands out amongst the characters that the author has created as she becomes the 'average Rill' who rises above tragedy and finds strength deep inside to do what must be done. The book stands best as a companion volume to Ms. McCaffrey's "Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern", though it can be read on it's own. There is a greater richness of understanding and unsaid detail available if the reader is familiar with the storyline and characters populating "Moreta", though. The writing style is a bit more simplistic than usual for the author, and the book is a very quick read, not taxing in either length or complexity. The illustrations are interesting, though I have to admit that the characters looked very different in my own mind's eye, but that is probably to be expected. All in all this book is good for a quick 'dip' into the world of Pern. The characters are engaging, Nerilka and those that the reader comes across at Ruatha Hold are the most clearly delineated. It has an enjoyable, simple plotline with no real shocks or unexpected twists and turns. An excellent read for times when the reader just wants something light.
Rating:
Summary: One of Pern's best
Review: Tells the common people's experiences during the Moreta's ride period. (the great plague) A total tear jerker, (as was moreta's ride). representative of some of McCaffrey's best writing. Strong female protagonist. Nice details about Pern's holder culture. Loved it!
Rating: 
Summary: From a "commoner's" viewpoint, a great + to Pern world.
Review: The "world of Pern" series have been a family favorite for many years. Nerilka's tale is a marvelous addition in that it brings a touch more believability to the entire universe Miss McCaffrey has created. Told from a "commoner's" point of view, it gives all of us a closer look into the lifes of the majority of Pern's inhabitants...after all, how many people have any sort of real interaction with dragons and weyr-folks?
Rating:
Summary: Nerilka's Story
Review: This book is almost a extension of "Moreta Dragonlady of Pern".
In "Moreta Dragonlady of Pern" I first met Nerilka or Rill for short. "Nerilka's Story" is a slightly different novel, it is talks about a hold girl, a ordinary holder, not a dragonrider. Anne McCaffery really emphasize on how plain and physically unattractive Nerilka is. She never recieved many affections or attention. She decided to run away to start a new life. She ends up in Ruatha where she meets Lord Holder Alessan. As you might remember from the previous novel in the serious, Alessan is deeply in love with Moreta. This novel goes through the plague and how Alessan deals with Moreta's death. I think that Alessan was really mean when he marries Nerilka when he doesn't realy love her. He says that as soon as Nerilka bears his child, he would kill himself. Nerilka is a really tough person because she goes through such a hard relationship with Alessan. This novel is more of a subtle, not-so-moving plot. Yet it is a important part of the Pern series and it is worth reading. Think of it as a light read but it isn't a very romantic novel, so don't expect too much romantic parts.
Rating:
Summary: Nerilka
Review: This is an okay book by my all time favorite author. Nerilka, is kind of boring, and most of the bok was already covered in Moreta. I really didn't like the ending though. Nerilka (this story is told from her point of veiw) was comparing herself to Alessan's 1st wife and to Moreta, and somehow found that she was beter than them! Bottom line: Great if read with the other Dragonriders books, but doesn't stand well alone.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful novella, true McCaffrey
Review: This novella follows the life of Nerilka, a simple girl of Pern. It gives the reader a view of ordinary life on Pern, not the life of a weyrleader or a spectacular rider. Beautifully written
Rating:
Summary: Unique entry in the Pernese saga
Review: With the publishing of Nerilka's Story, Anne McCaffrey took a bold and potentially dangerous step, leaving the proven success of concertrating on dragons and dragonriders to offer the reader a revealing and poignant insight into the equally dangerous but more mundane world of the common holder. This book gives us a feel for what the average citizen of Pern must endure; privation, sickness, a medieval culture governed by far-from-enlightened nobles, and the desperation of facing endless drudgery with little hope of ever improving one's lot in life. The entire Pernese series is greatly enriched by the grass roots knowledge revealed in this story. Nerilka faces daunting challenges from a variety of sources, eventually proving that both tragedy and triumph are the domain of all people, and that indomitable spirits are not limited to those whose lives are spent in the Weyrs. Ms McCaffrey goes to great lengths, including illustrations, to emphasize how physically plain and unappealing Nerilka is. Regardless, nothing can keep the beauty of her spirit and personality from bursting through. She is as true a heroine as any who ever rode a dragon. Nerilka's Story may be a saphire in a world of diamonds, but it is still a jewel in the crown of the Pernese Saga. Without this volume, the tale of the Dragonriders of Pern is incomplete.
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