Rating: 
Summary: Pern meets Deep Impact
Review: Definantly a read for fans because of the characters -- this book concerntrates on F'lessan and Tia, a new character -- but not for the plot. It lacks originality -- the title of this review says it all -- and has one or two major holes. Admitedly, plot holes are characteristic to many of the later Pern books, so it shouldn't be surprising. The 'new' profession of the riders, after fall, strikes one as paranoid and degrading after the real dangers of Thread. However, the characters make up for all the problems and issues of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: May you live in interesting times
Review: This oriental curse describes the new problems chronicled in this 2001 entry in the long running Pern series. The story picks up a few years after ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN. The Thread that has periodically ravaged the planet will be totally eradicated in a few years leaving the society with the need to reorganize itself. The dragons and their riders who have protected Pern for thousands of years now need to be thinking about what other skills they have to offer, new innovations from the AVAIS computer are still entering society, changing traditional ways of life. Some are not happy about the changes they see happening around them and wish to maintain the traditional ways of life. They attempt to sabotage the new inventions, calling them 'Abominations'. THE SKIES OF PERN chronicles these societial changes mainly through the actions of Lessa and F'Lar's son, F'Lessan although many other old friends appear, Jaxom and Ruth most notably.This is a must read for any fan of the series and while it could be read independantly it would be more enjoyable to begin at the beginning of the series.
Rating:
Summary: May you live in interesting times
Review: This oriental curse describes the new problems chronicled in this 2001 entry in the long running Pern series. The story picks up a few years after ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN. The Thread that has periodically ravaged the planet will be totally eradicated in a few years leaving the society with the need to reorganize itself. The dragons and their riders who have protected Pern for thousands of years now need to be thinking about what other skills they have to offer, new innovations from the AVAIS computer are still entering society, changing traditional ways of life. Some are not happy about the changes they see happening around them and wish to maintain the traditional ways of life. They attempt to sabotage the new inventions, calling them 'Abominations'. THE SKIES OF PERN chronicles these societial changes mainly through the actions of Lessa and F'Lar's son, F'Lessan although many other old friends appear, Jaxom and Ruth most notably. This is a must read for any fan of the series and while it could be read independantly it would be more enjoyable to begin at the beginning of the series.
Rating:
Summary: It was a Pern book
Review: For Anne, it was average at best. First the things I liked: I liked the fact that there's finally more character development again (F'lessan and Tai), and the interactions between Golanth and Zaranth. Things that bothered me: 1. While I understand that surgery was a Very Cool Thing for the Pernese to be learning and starting to use, I thought it was rather... convenient... that F'lessan needed those services. Which leads me into my #1 gripe about the whole book that knocked the two stars off the top:
2. If the dragons could 'time it' back to save all those folks from the tsunami waves, which was hours back, why the heck couldn't Ramoth, or Ruth, or Mnementh, or Path, or ANY FREAKING DRAGON WHO HAD BRAINS THAT SHOWED UP just 'time it' back *before* the cats even attacked? Hello? What's the point of timing it back milliseconds, for crying out loud? And if they couldn't do it riderless, Jaxom/Ruth know perfectly well how to jump backwards in time to any point they so desire to.
3. Yes, yes... I know that they needed someone to practice all their newfound surgical skills on. Including a dragon.
4. But give me a break. I didn't mind the jumping around between the different sections much; I figured that meant that there was at least a sequel planned. <grin> But to make 'Skies' a better and seemingly more cohesively written book, another one (or two) definitely need to be written to tie everything together. I'll buy it in hardback to keep my collection complete, but I think I'll be haunting the clearance tables. I highly doubt it will be one I'll pick up to reread any time soon.
Rating: 
Summary: A Dragon Lover's Look
Review: Well, first of all, I would like to congragulate Patricia C. Wrede on her astounding work with the Dragon Riders Of Pern series. Well Done!!! As for this particular entry back into the world of Pern, I would have to say that this book took us deeper into the world of Men and Dragons than anyone has ever gone! For a long time I have been a dragon lover and these books give me an opportunity to live my fantasy, however imaginary. The story of F'lessan and Tia was incredible. One could actually feel the passion of their relationship unfolding. Though it did lack the usual aspect and involvement with arial battles that the other books held, I must say that this book is an enchantment unlike any other, and is in itself the start of another possible series, should the author decide to develop on it. Keep up the good work Patricia, and you'll have me on my way to the Dreams of Pern. (I do wish I could find a Fire-Lizard of my own...)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful world, wonderful writer, mediocre story
Review: I've been disappointed with most of the recent installments in the Pern series, largely because of the lack of depth to human-dragon interaction. The Skies of Pern, however, is a very welcome return to a relationship-centered Pern. F'lessan and Tai, the two central characters, are remarkably well-developed, and their dragons are even better! This novel explores the depth of the relationship between dragon and rider, and between Weyrmates, in a way that none of the previous Pern books really have. The buildup is gradual, the climax at once heartbreaking and triumphant. I sincerely hope that McCaffrey gives us more of F'lessan, Golanth, Tai, and Zaranth in the future, as I loved and cared immensely for all four of them... and definitely feel that the ending warranted a follow-up! Mercifully, the accounts of Council meetings and politics among Lord Holders are limited to vital decisions which affect the main storyline. The side plot about the Abominators, however, didn't really feed into everything else. Maybe that will be wrapped up in a future installment.... But at least in this volume of the Pern saga, I found myself skimming those sections to get back to F'lessan and Tai. Golanth and Zaranth are some of the best-written draconic characters that Pern has ever seen, and the only way that I will find their story disappointing is if there is no more of it!
| 
