Dragonquest: Dragonriders of Pern, Book 2

Picks up right where the first book stops. It continues to flesh out the characters and the planet. It gives the reader a sense of what has been lost and what has been rediscovered. I hope that continues in the books to follow.

I read this book in seventh grade and remembered it just a while ago. I tried to find the copy with the cover I remember from school, but I'm sure it's been long out of print. If the author were still with us, I'd ask for a signed copy, because it's such a wonderful staple of fantasy fiction. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is unique, especially when I compare it to a lot of today's newer fantasy fiction, the ending leaving off not exactly where one would expect! The language is also much more sophisticated than newer fiction, but not so stuffy that it's hard to get through, a difficult balance to achieve it seems. The reason I gave it only four stars instead of five is because I wanted more from the characters. I wanted more passion, more tug-of-war with their emotions. Otherwise, it's a very satisfying reading and solid addition to any fantasy-fiction collection.

There were unexpected twists and turns. I got a bit of a reading block but this series got me back into it. You definitely have to hav3 read the first book to read this one.

This is still one of my favorite books. I read it in one setting. The fantasy world is made to seem so real.

The writing is evocative and colorful. Your imagination is truly tantalized. Highly recommend! I enjoy this series and have read it over and over!

Carefully crafted, and leading one to a heart-thumping conclusion in Book 2! At the same time wanting the tales of Pern's wonderful dragons and heroic riders not to end. This book forgets no string from the 1st book; truly awesome. I recommend this series to one and all. Enough action, fights for males, and deep insights intocharacter's personalities as well. Plus a constantly expanding look at Pern and its society as well. A joy to read, and re-read. Onward and upwzrd now, wt the tale of Book 3, 'The White Dragon'!

The Dragon Riders of Pern is a great trilogy of young adult books. Sadly our library no longer carries the entire trilogy so I purchased the missing one. (Yes, I know....kindle possibilities...but I find that after working at a computer all day the last thing my eyes need is more screen time. I prefer the physical book.Vivid scenes, memorable characters. Female characters given as much importance (or more) than the male characters which is not usual. (Ms. McCaffrey being a strong female character herself, readers will find this reflected in the values of her characters). I have read all of the McCaffrey dragon books and have to say that as much as I love them, none of them are as good as the initial trilogy. Please buy this book and pass it on to those who like alternative worlds and rich characters.

The first book was a great story with strong characters, but ended abruptly, with many loose ends. The second book just seems to be going nowhere. Rather than continue the story, it skips ahead a few years to a time when every character suffers from a total lack of common sense or complete stupidity. I have never found political intrigue enjoyable to read. Perhaps this is the "character building" critics so often find lacking in many books I have thoroughly enjoyed. I skimmed forward for several chapters and was unable to find anything that made me willing to buy any more of the many books in this series. I am very glad I did not buy a boxed set.

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Dragonflight, but I was still pretty much enthralled. I see a lot of comments about sexist, misogynistic writing however I beg to differ. There was one moment that made me raise my eyebrows, but it is understated and brief. Other than that though, whilst this is a male dominated world, it is also a world in which this patriarchal hierarchy is being undeniably challenged and subverted. When put into context with the period in which these books were written, that puts a very different spin on things.Dragonquest takes the world building set out previously and twists it with a focus on the sociology as much as the dominant threat. Whilst the Oldtimers may have saved Pern from certain devastation seven turns back, now they are the focus and catalyst of discontent and a spreading unease and hatred. The world has changed in four hundred years, in many ways for the better, but many are unwilling to give up their old traditional ways fermenting the distrust of the folks they should serve.The plot is slower than Dragonflight with more time dedicated to the breaking relationships and political games being played in Pern. McCaffrey also slides in a focus on alternative ecological solutions to defeating thread, giving an additional layer of depth to proceedings. Much of the action happens in short, unexpected bursts rather than a steady build up, meaning you are never quite certain what is going to explode when. There are some truly powerful scenes here, often thrust upon you with little fanfare, taking you by surprise. Some of these scenes were still starkly engrained in my memory, despite it being fifteen years plus since I read this novel last as a young teenager.The characterisations are strong and you can't help but engage with them once more, feeling their stresses, triumphs and grief. Or of course just wanting to slap some sense into them. And of course, the fire lizards are a wonderful addition, adding yet another spark of excitement and magic to the world.

Fifty years ago when this book was written, SF writers actually had writing talent, which you will see for yourself from the very first page. Compare with today's bland, generic wordbloat that passes for writing. You can have no writing ability whatsoever and win awards (Anne Leckie). I have the advantage of having read the Pern novels when they were first published, so can compare on a purely objective basis. Now they are out in Kindle format, hopefully they will show up modern novels for the rubbish that they are.

The book expands on the role of Weyrmen and the place they in regard to the hold lords and build craters and the dichotomy between them all with the often Machiavelli brinksman ship they seem to play to increase their standing.From the arrogance of the Weyrriders to the plotting and backfiring of the hold lords to the inter hold rivalry it's all there.

I'd recommend any of this authors books to adults and children able to comprehend I've yet to find any especially dragon books anything but superb characters are well thought out and so very real .all human attitudes behaviours emotions even the most despicable are investigated .best of all these books like the very best can be returned to as old friends.the only downside is lack of sleep as I personally never want to put down till finishef

I'd heard of the Anne McCaffrey books when I'd started reading the Belgariad books by David Eddings. I'd never got around to buying them as I wasn't sure if I would like them. However, chatting to a colleague who read similar fantasy novels to me, he highly recommended them. So, they were my first purchases for my Kindle and I wasn't disappointed. I bought the whole lot. I guess it's a survival story in the future on a different planet and "there be dragons" and the dragons are bonded at birth with a rider so they communicate telepathically. I love the interaction between the dragons and their riders and the humour as well as the in-fighting amongst the clans.