Dragon Harper

December 3, 2007
As a terrible plague sweeps Pern, a brave Harper apprentice emerges as a true hero in this satisfying third collaboration between McCaffrey m\xE8re and fils (after 2006\x92s Dragon\x92s Fire). The danger this time is not the deadly Thread but a virulent disease, similar to our world\x92s 1918 influenza epidemic or the more recent outbreaks of SARS. Kindan, a young apprentice of the Harpers\x92 Guild who\x92s dedicated to music, education and healing, had hoped to become a dragonrider, but failed to bond with a dragon at the last hatching. Then his education and budding romance with a lord\x92s daughter are disrupted by the epidemic, which poses a particular threat to the dragons and dragonriders who will be needed to fight the approaching Thread. The McCaffreys depict the crisis vividly, with enough detail to make the tragedy all too real and with enough hope to keep fantasy fans happy.

Starred review from November 15, 2007
Nearly 500 years have passed since humans landed on Pern, and, according to their records, another fall of deadly Thread, a lethal rain of spores from space, is only a few years away. As young Kindan struggles with his studies at Harper Hall and sets his sights on becoming harper to the dragonriders of Benden Weyr, he and his friends become aware of a mysterious and usually fatal plague infecting the holds of Pern. Despite their own vulnerability, the apprentice harpers and healers battle against time to find a cure before the sickness spreads to the dragonriders. In their third collaborative effort (after "Dragon's Kin"and "Dragon's Fire", McCaffrey and her son Todd delve into Pern's early years as they continue the story of Kindan, whose talent with the dragon kin of Pern has brought him to the attention of holders, harpers, and dragonriders. Strong storytelling and compelling drama, along with memorable characters, make this essential for any library patronized by fans of Pern and its dragons.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
Adult/High School-This third collaboration takes readers to Pern during an outbreak of a particularly virulent flu. Kindan, a young harper, uncovers danger in old records; many years before, a similar epidemic caused 20 years' worth of damage, leaving Weyrs and Holds undermanned. With the next Threadfall only 12 years away, the dragonriders cannot risk bringing the disease to the Weyrs. But without the riders' help, will there even be enough holders left to defend in a dozen years? Kindan faces the unenviable task of finding a solution that protects everyone. "Dragon Harper" is as much a story of his coming-of-age and taking his place in society as an adult as it is a medical adventure. Many references to events and characters from previous volumes limits the audience to those familiar with the series, but Pern has many fans."Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2007
In the equally captivating sequel to Dragons Fire (2006), a deadly flu plague sweeps the planet Pern, decimating the populace as thousands die. Young Kinden, now an apprentice at Harper Hall, takes center stage as he is charged with searching the archives for information about former plagues in the hopes of finding a way to halt it. In the process, he realizes that the Dragonriders can not be allowed to help because a lethal Thread fall is not far off, and if the Dragonriders fall prey to the illness, there will be no one to fight the Thread. There has to be another way to attack the pestilence. The authors have obviously done their research onepidemics, and the virulence of the fast-moving illness and its devastation are completely convincing. The McCaffreys are well known for their brilliant characterizations, and they do not disappoint here. Kindens coming-of-age saga set within the dangers facing Pern is particularly impressive, and, as usual, the interrelationships between humans and dragons are a main attraction. Definitely a welcome addition to the Pern canon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)