An entirely different world, where dragons not only exist but are ridden and utilized to protect the planet from destruction by the deadly silver Threads. I was introduced to these dragons and their Riders back in high school by my now husband. I didn’t start reading them, however until I recently began collecting the series for him. I can’t believe it took me over fifteen years to finally give them a go.
In Dragonflight, McCaffrey combines fantasy elements like dragons and science fiction elements of telepathy in a interesting way. Given its publication in 1968, I feel as though it was ahead of its time while still maintaining the mentalities of the era. McCaffrey’s unique process in which the Riders forge connections with their dragons has even been copied many times since the novel’s release.
I personally enjoyed McCaffrey’s two main characters in this book as their flaws tended to muddle things up for them and worked to progress the story. As the main male character, F’lar’s need to be strong and in control as well as Lessa’s compulsive reactions, frequently get them into trouble, especially with the impending threat of Threadfall and the disbelief of the people. Because of this widespread skepticism, the throng of dragons and riders are so few in number that they will not be enough to save them from the inevitable onslaught.
The fate of the entire planet rest in the hands of Lessa and her perilous scheme to rally support from people who had long ago ceased to exist. I was honestly surprised at Lessa’s plan and how the pieces fell together and I think you would be too.
On the beautiful planet Pern, colonized for centuries, Land Holders and Craftsmen have traditionally tithed food and supplies to the dragonweyrs to which they are bound. In times past, the mighty telepathic dragons and their riders were the only protection from the dreaded, life-threatening Thread.
But it has been over 400 years since the last Threadfall, and some people have come to doubt that the menace will every strike again. But F’lar, rider of Pern’s greatest bronze dragon, has no such illusions. The Red Star is near; Thread will fall soon.
