| On Pern, a planet far from Earth, a colony was formed by a group of Earth's inhabitants intent on creating a less technological society; one that was less violent and where all would be considered equal. But just as the colony was beginning to thrive, an apparently natural phenomenon created upheaval. In order to battle this natural phenomenon, the early inhabitants modified a species native to the planet, and created dragons. Another species was created -- the watch-wher. These watch-whers were of no use in fighting the phenomenon that fell from the skies, but were found, as the generations passed, to be quite useful in mining. At least some of the miners believed they were.
Kindan, a miner's son, lives at the mines with his family and their watch-wher. He attends lessons with the other children of the mining camp, enjoying life at the camp until a mining disaster strikes. The watch-wher helps locate and save many of the miners involved before it succumbs to a deadly injury. Among the dead are all of Kindan's family. Not only is he alone, but the camp has lost it's only remaining watch-wher. Moved into the teacher's home, Kindan begins to learn new habits and a few secrets. And, when an opportunity to receive another watch-wher arises, Kindan steps into a role he did not anticipate: the owner of a watch-wher egg. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - an adult (general) Adversaries are… - dragon buddy Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book GIANT monster(s) Yes Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a kid Main Adversary Identity: - none Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a primitive/fantasy society Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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