Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful world, wonderful writer, mediocre story
Review: Anne McCaffrey has proven dozens of times that she is a fabulous writer, and the books of Pern are truly exceptional. This book, however, falls a little short. While it's nice to be able to read what life is like post-"All the Weyrs of Pern," I occasionally found the story of this book to be a little contrived. Still worth reading, but not quite the same caliber as the other Pern books.
Rating:
Summary: Moving, well-developed characters... and FABULOUS dragons!
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!
Rating: 
Summary: Where to go next?
Review: I love this book, but it does lead you wondering if she is going to write any future books! Fun series, fast enjoyable reads.
Rating:
Summary: The most intersting of the series
Review: Yes, I am one of those weirdos who loves this story. I guess the apparent lack of writing skills in some of her Pern books never bothers me (except for in The Renegades of Pern). What I loved most about this book was it showed more of the relationship between dragon and rider. In most of her previous books in the series, it seemed to me the extreme bond between dragon and rider was hardley supported by her writing other then what characters said. To me, the dragons are really the most enjoyable part. After all, the series isn't called the Dragonriders of Pern for no reason. To see McCaffrey start to bring this bond out more was just highly exciting for me. Another thing I liked in it, is Anne seems to also be getting away from the very obvious habit of creating main characters only with high ranking positions. I find that green riders and other low status people can still be interesting and are just as important to Pern's society as the others. Off course, it would be a surprise if all of them suddenly were not gold riders of lord holders, especially since they are the people with high political standing that do need a lot of attention focused on.
Rating: 
Summary: At times entertaining, but¿
Review: unexcusably sloppy at others. As others have stated, this book has myriad problems, and REALLY seems a chapter or two short. What's up Anne? And how could none of your editors catch that the female protagonist's name is misspelled on the back of the paperback version?! (Tai/Tia) Hopefully, we'll see a better effort next go 'round.
Rating: 
Summary: Sadly disappointed
Review: This is not a review as such for it is the first McCaffrey book that I refused to finish reading. As a tried and true fan of the Dragonriders series-especially the earlier books, I looked forward to returning to the world of the dragonriders, although I have found the more recent novels lacking in full character development and cohesive plots. I checked this novel out from the library, and after less than fifty pages was grateful I hadn't purchased it. Think I'll go back and reread my copies of the earliest novels in the series, you know, the ones with the straightforward and consistent storylines, focused on just a few well-fleshed out and engaging characters. On attempting to read this offering I found myself not even caring about Lessa and F'lar. I regret the downfall of a once enchanting and engrossing series.
Rating: 
Summary: Anne's First Excreted Novel
Review: While maintaining the role as an avid, die-hard fan of Anne McCaffery's, the Dragonriders of Pern series is by far my favorite of any of her novels. Her characters, both of the people- and dragon-persuasion, are fascinating and shockingly in-depth in the realistic new-Earth of P.E.R.N. However, this new novel seems to have made a bellyflop, becoming her latest bestseller only because her other fans were uncontrollably drooling for the latest Pern adventure. I think Mrs. McCaffery merely vomited up another novel to fit publisher's deadlines without completing the entirity of the novel. We all thought 'What will happen now that Thread is gone? What will become of the new technology?' While Anne answers those questions in depth, she seems to be so focused on the answers rather than the other elements of a novel. Her characters were shallow with stiff, dragging dialogue, her plot was near-to-nonexistent, and the only depth the readers got at all was with F'lessan and Golanth. (And personally, with my interest favoring the dragons over their riders, there wasn't enough Golanth/F'lessan interaction to suite my taste.) I hope her next novel, A Gift of Dragons, (pray that it is a Pern novel), will be better.
Rating:
Summary: Pern - Still the best imaginary place to go!
Review: Yes, there may be inaccuracies. Yes, we may be running out of ideas for plots. But! Anne McCaffrey still has what it takes to catch a reader's imagination and keep them coming back for more. I've grown up with the Dragonriders of Pern and nothing would please me more than to find a fire lizard! Alas, it is not to be. The next best thing is reading the latest installment in the saga. I've yet to read a bad one. Some stories are better than others, but I for one, will keep on buying!
Rating:
Summary: A great Pern book with more dragons & riders
Review: This was one of the better Pern books (although I liked them all). There is more interaction with dragons and riders in this than in several other books. I just wanted to add my 5 stars and hope for more books like this! Thanks, Anne!
Rating:
Summary: Lacking, not well balanced & Chapter dates are off.
Review: As one who love the Anne McCaffrey's ability to bring stories to life, so become one with the characters. One who owns all, but one of Anne McCaffrey's books. I was diappointed reading this book. A well balanced book is like counting to 10 slowly, the start, the build up before reaching 10. The Skies of Pern, started out great, then the story was like counting: 1..... 2..... 3..... 4..... 5..... 6..... 9.. 10. Two other times her books have been writen this way: "Decision at Doona" & "Treaty at Doona".Anne McCaffrey's other 15 Pern series are great, and her Crystal Singer series I have read many times.
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