Allreaders.com
Author Anne McCaffrey booklist (click here)

Book Review By Rsegovia
The Masterharper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Robinton is a musical prodigy born to two Master musicians in the Harper Hall on Pern. He can talk to dragons, compose music, and play any instrument. His mother loves him and is proud of his accomplishments, but his father ignores and belittles him. Robinton succeeds in everything he does, becoming the Masterharper and leader of the Harper Hall, but he has to deal with the many problems that face Pern as the Ninth Pass of Thread approaches. He and his friend F'lon work together to protect the people from the greedy tyrant Fax, but Fax continues to gain power and teaches the people to hate harpers and not listen to their teachings. Robinton finds love with his wife Kasia, but is devastated by her death, and his own son is disappointingly retarded. But he continues to lead the harpers and people of Pern to prepare for the imminent Threadfall.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - a great scholar/artist
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - spying/espionage in enemy territorry
Adversaries are… - dragon buddy
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
GIANT monster(s) Yes
Family relations Yes
Descript. of chases or violence - 20 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 40's-50's
If magical mental powers: - can talk to animals
Really unusual traits?

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Terrain
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society - humans in a primitive/fantasy society - inhabited by friendly aliens - empty, or nearly empty world
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Back To Main Menu