Title: Dragonquest
Author: Anne McCaffrey
First published May 1, 1971
350 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.09
Overview
Once again, the dreaded silver Threads have returned to Pern, threatening the safety of its inhabitants. The courageous dragonriders take to the skies to combat the deadly menace, relying on their loyal dragons to burn the Threads before they reach the ground.
However, F’lar knows that a new strategy is required to safeguard their world from future threats. He must act quickly to prevent the Oldtimers from inciting rebellion and his own brother from embarking on a dangerous mission.
Moreover, the mischievous fire-lizards are causing chaos, adding to the already overwhelming challenges. Will F’lar be able to devise a plan to protect his cherished Pern before it’s too late?
About the Author
Anne McCaffrey, a renowned author, was born on April 1st, 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her father, George Herbert McCaffrey, was a retired Colonel in the US Army and had obtained a BA, MA and PhD from Harvard.
Her mother, Anne Dorothy McElroy McCaffrey, was a real estate agent. Anne had two brothers; Hugh McCaffrey, who passed away in 1988 and was a Major in the US Army, and Kevin Richard McCaffrey, who is still alive.
Anne received her education from Stuart Hall in Staunton, Virginia, Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey, and she graduated with honors from Radcliffe College. Her major was Slavonic Languages and Literatures.
Anne started her career at Liberty Music Shops and Helena Rubinstein from 1947 to 1952. She got married in 1950 and had three children; Alec Anthony, Todd, and Georgeanne, born in 1952, 1956, and 1959 respectively.
Anne’s first story was published by Sam Moskowitz in Science Fiction + Magazine, and her first novel was published by Ballantine Books in 1967. After her children started going to school, Anne devoted her time to writing as her short stories had already gained recognition.
She wrote her first novel, Restoree, to protest against the unrealistic portrayal of women in sci-fi novels of the 50s and 60s. Anne’s talent as a storyteller was evident in her handling of broader themes and the worlds of her imagination, especially in the series The Ship Who Sang and the fourteen novels about the Dragonriders of Pern.
Anne passed away at the age of 85 after suffering a massive stroke on November 21st, 2011.
Editoral Review
Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey is a classic of the science-fiction and fantasy genre that first hit bookshelves in 1971. McCaffrey is a prolific author of over thirty books, with this particular series being one of her most beloved.
Dragonquest is the sequel to her earlier work, Dragonflight, and follows the continuing saga of the people of the planet Pern and their dragon riders. The unique blend of science-fiction and fantasy is a hallmark of McCaffreys writing style.
The world of Pern is richly imagined with intricate details of the dragons and their riders, their relationships, and the various political and social structures that govern this distinctive world. The themes explored in this book are relevant even today, touching on issues of power, corruption, trust, and friendship.
The plot of Dragonquest picks up where the previous book left off, with Pern being threatened by a deadly infestation of Thread, an alien organism that consumes everything in its path. The dragon riders must once again come together to protect their world and find a solution to this ever-present danger.
In addition to this central plot arc, the book also explores character relationships, personal struggles, and the unique bond between human and dragon. McCaffreys writing style is descriptive and vivid, bringing the world of Pern to life in the readers imagination.
The pacing of the novel is well-crafted, with action, suspense, and intrigue interwoven throughout. The characters are complex with relatable struggles and motivations that add depth to the overall story.
The authors strengths lie in her world-building and character development. McCaffrey has created a fully realized universe with intricate political structures, unique language, and customs that immerse the reader in the world of the story.
The characters are multi-dimensional, with growth and development throughout the course of the novel. The relationships between characters are layered with a sense of history and backstory, adding depth to the overall narrative.
One of the limitations of the book is that some readers may find the pacing to be slow at times. There are moments when the story seems to lose momentum, although those who enjoy immersive world-building and character development will not be bothered by this.
Overall, Dragonquest is an excellent contribution to the science-fiction and fantasy genre, with a richly imagined world and complex characters that will captivate readers. It is a classic of its genre and will appeal to fans of authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Ursula K.
Le Guin. If you have not delved into the world of Pern before, this is an excellent place to start.
Dragonquest is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking storytelling and imaginative world-building. 4 out of 5 stars.
