The Final Pern...
Dragon's Time by Todd McCaffrey
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (June 28, 2011)
ISBN-10: 034550089X
Even though Lorana cured the plague that was killing the dragons of Pern, sacrificing her queen dragon in the process, the effects of the disease were so devastating that there are no longer enough dragons available to fight the fall of deadly Thread. And as the situation grows more dire, a pregnant Lorana decides that she must take drastic steps in the quest for help.
Meanwhile, back at Telgar Weyr, Weyrwoman Fiona, herself pregnant, and the harper Kindan must somehow keep morale from fading altogether in the face of the steadily mounting losses of dragons and their riders. But time weighs heavily against them—until Lorana finds a way to use time itself in their favor.
It’s a plan fraught with risk, however. For attempting time travel means tampering with the natural laws of the universe, which could drastically alter history—and destiny—forever. Or so it has always been thought. But Lorana discovers that if the laws of time can’t be broken without consequences, it may still be possible to bend them. To ensure the future of Pern, she’s willing to take the fateful chance—even if it demands another, even greater, sacrifice.
Pern. I have been reading Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, it seems like forever. (that would be a *good* forever).
Of course the Pern series was not all that Anne McCaffrey has written about, but the others, (for me) are more science fiction and I still prefer fantasy..and for fantasy, nothing comes close to Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
A number of years ago Anne decided to give her son Todd a shot at bringing Pern back alive. A few of his first efforts even had Anne consulting with him, so I thought, "ok, new time, new characters", I'll give this a try.
At first I wasn't thrilled..but I wanted to be so badly! So I read on. I knew I had my own adjustments to read new names and learn new characters... it's hard to let go.
With each new book Todd put out I had hopes I would begin to love them as I loved his mother's books, and I admit there were a few characters I was beginning to feel I knew and liked. But obviously not enough...
First off, of course there's a different pov from mother to son.. female and male. Todd does not seem to flush out his characters enough for me. There's very few that I feel I have come to know over a number of books.
So.. I kept hanging on and hoping. The latest books came out called Dragon's Time. Anyone who reads my blog knows how I love the dragons! I already was not thrilled with the story line. Todd had changed more about the people in Pern than I could cope with. I began feeling he was simply writing a *male dream*. Suddenly, there was love between one woman and two men. (huh?) A dragon takes flight to mate and there's 2 men? (gimme a break). Then there's suddenly love from one man to two women. (surely a male's pov!). And now more then one rider can ride on the dragons! It seemed he was in the trashy part of Pern, lost somewhere Anne had never been.
Add to this that the story he was telling (a lot of time travel on the dragons) this time jumps around so much that I couldn't always keep track of where I was or when! It was a frustrating read... and it will be the last Pern book I ever buy. I am sorry to say that Pern has ended for me. I was so disappointed that I now am considering collecting the books by Todd (I had bought and read SEVEN of his books. More than enough to get to like his writing) and donating them to a place that sells used books. In my life I never thought the words *getting rid of Pern books* would ever leave my lips!
So now when I feel the need to return to Pern, I will go back and read Anne's Pern!
Maybe others have been reading Todd's books and liking them, for them I am extremely happy because they are continuing to get new stories about Pern and the dragons.
I would like to know if anyone reads this latest book if they felt it was confusing, and how they feel about everyone loving everyone else . To me it was totally too much.
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (June 28, 2011)
ISBN-10: 034550089X
Product Description
For the first time in more than three years, bestselling authors Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey, mother and son, have teamed up again to do what they do best: add a fresh chapter to the most beloved science fiction series of all time, the Dragonriders of Pern.Even though Lorana cured the plague that was killing the dragons of Pern, sacrificing her queen dragon in the process, the effects of the disease were so devastating that there are no longer enough dragons available to fight the fall of deadly Thread. And as the situation grows more dire, a pregnant Lorana decides that she must take drastic steps in the quest for help.
Meanwhile, back at Telgar Weyr, Weyrwoman Fiona, herself pregnant, and the harper Kindan must somehow keep morale from fading altogether in the face of the steadily mounting losses of dragons and their riders. But time weighs heavily against them—until Lorana finds a way to use time itself in their favor.
It’s a plan fraught with risk, however. For attempting time travel means tampering with the natural laws of the universe, which could drastically alter history—and destiny—forever. Or so it has always been thought. But Lorana discovers that if the laws of time can’t be broken without consequences, it may still be possible to bend them. To ensure the future of Pern, she’s willing to take the fateful chance—even if it demands another, even greater, sacrifice.
Pern. I have been reading Anne McCaffrey's Pern books, it seems like forever. (that would be a *good* forever).
Of course the Pern series was not all that Anne McCaffrey has written about, but the others, (for me) are more science fiction and I still prefer fantasy..and for fantasy, nothing comes close to Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
A number of years ago Anne decided to give her son Todd a shot at bringing Pern back alive. A few of his first efforts even had Anne consulting with him, so I thought, "ok, new time, new characters", I'll give this a try.
At first I wasn't thrilled..but I wanted to be so badly! So I read on. I knew I had my own adjustments to read new names and learn new characters... it's hard to let go.
With each new book Todd put out I had hopes I would begin to love them as I loved his mother's books, and I admit there were a few characters I was beginning to feel I knew and liked. But obviously not enough...
First off, of course there's a different pov from mother to son.. female and male. Todd does not seem to flush out his characters enough for me. There's very few that I feel I have come to know over a number of books.
So.. I kept hanging on and hoping. The latest books came out called Dragon's Time. Anyone who reads my blog knows how I love the dragons! I already was not thrilled with the story line. Todd had changed more about the people in Pern than I could cope with. I began feeling he was simply writing a *male dream*. Suddenly, there was love between one woman and two men. (huh?) A dragon takes flight to mate and there's 2 men? (gimme a break). Then there's suddenly love from one man to two women. (surely a male's pov!). And now more then one rider can ride on the dragons! It seemed he was in the trashy part of Pern, lost somewhere Anne had never been.
Add to this that the story he was telling (a lot of time travel on the dragons) this time jumps around so much that I couldn't always keep track of where I was or when! It was a frustrating read... and it will be the last Pern book I ever buy. I am sorry to say that Pern has ended for me. I was so disappointed that I now am considering collecting the books by Todd (I had bought and read SEVEN of his books. More than enough to get to like his writing) and donating them to a place that sells used books. In my life I never thought the words *getting rid of Pern books* would ever leave my lips!
So now when I feel the need to return to Pern, I will go back and read Anne's Pern!
Maybe others have been reading Todd's books and liking them, for them I am extremely happy because they are continuing to get new stories about Pern and the dragons.
I would like to know if anyone reads this latest book if they felt it was confusing, and how they feel about everyone loving everyone else . To me it was totally too much.
posted by DesLily | 6:38 AM
11 Comments:
It's so sad when this happens. Not having got as far as you I can't judge as I haven't read any of the later books and truthfully, maybe this is why I've been reluctant - I thought they might not be up to Anne's standard. I think my daughter's up to date so I'll ask her at the weekend what she thinks of the newer ones and if she's read this one. Like I said, Sis, I feel really sorry that it's come to this for you.
The trashy part of Pern...I have to tell you, that gave me a chuckle :D
Two weeks ago my husband was asking me If I wanted to get the new Pern books. I told him I just haven't gotten over that hurdle yet...I loved Pern and it's characters and I know changes in it would have bothered me too much. I almost wish he had decided to write an entirely new series...*that* I could have handled...lol I am sorry you didn't enjoy it Pat...you can't say you didn't try :D
cath: I think it's a combination of the difference between a male pov and female pov AND his writing is no w here near as smoothly written. at times names would be dropped like it doesn't matter you don't know them they are just names.. in anne's books you knew every person mentioned..and knew them well! I am a character drawn person so if I don't know the characters I'm not following them very well...yep sad. I hope your daughter likes his writing.. I'd be envious of anyone that does knowing there will be more pern stories!
Kelly: lol.. yeah well every planet has a trashy part right? lol.. there were a few new characters I was liking like Kindan the harper but not enough characters that I'd read thru stuff that didn't make a lot of sense except to the writer. he knows whats happening and to whom, but he doesn't relate it in writing well.,,and I can't read his mind! lol
That's too bad it didn't go well for you, Pat! I still have to start this series in the first place and maybe when I do, I will just stick with her books and not bother with her sons. By the sound of it, that is what should have happened in the first place. It is silly to destroy a series just so your son can have a career...
I think you need to go back and read the first book again just to cleanse your palate from these disappointments.
I am not a fan of other people continuing the work of another author. The rare exceptions are Christopher Tolkien, who puts out books that are almost entirely his father's work with just Christopher's editorial hand, or situations like the Robert Jordan books where he died before the story was finished and worked before his death with Brandon Sanderson to ensure that the story would go the way Jordan envisioned it.
If a person wants to be an author I think they should do so on their own merits, not stand on the back of daddy or mommy's shoulders to do so. I have heard nothing but bad things about these Pern books and would certainly not read them myself even if (when) I finally get around to reading Anne's work. I don't blame you for giving them a try and wanting the magic to continue, but I think you are probably making the right choice now and saying 'enough is enough'.
I think it is hard for a new author to take over such a popular series, even if they are related to the original author. Sounds like a good series to donate and you can stick to the ones written by the mother. s
kelly (kailana) Anne's books are fabulous!..well at least I think so lol..I couldn't reccomend them more and if you like dragons..all the better!
carl:I think its like peter jackson making the lotr pictures..some people have a great love for their creativity and "know exactly how to express it". and some know what they love but can never express it fully. I think that's Todd's problem. even looking at his writing alone he jumps around assuming you know what's on his mind, when it should all be in writing... ah well, i do agree I am feeling like reading the first trilogy again but I have sooooo many books here tbr and my reading has slowed with yet another set of "floaters in my other eye" now that it makes reading even more a chore..such is life as an old person lol..
kathleen: I read all 7 of his books.. and had come to grips with new characters pretty well.. but his stories just weren't there and he continually confused me..but I gave it more than a worthy try!
I have been wondering about these books, and I was worried about exactly what you are writing about. I'm sorry they didn't live up (and what a risky venture it is!), but I'm glad you tried them out for me. I've been meaning to reread this series, so I'll do that instead.
Darla: 7 books! and expensive "write off".. but rereading Anne's is like going home again!
I'm aftaid I've never read any of his books, so I cannot honestly comment about this, except to say...If you want to get rid of all his books--DO IT, my dear! It makes room for a lot of other books...lol!
I, too, have felt that I just bought my last new PERN book. I have found the lack of depth of characters to be frustrating, but I also seem to keep reading same old - same old stories.
"We dont have enough dragons/people/food; what will we do? How will we cope? The end is nigh!!
Oh....look! Someone came up with some more dragons! It's all good again...
I think that if Todd wants to take over the reins, he needs to be much bolder with his storylines. His mother really created an alternate reality, wheras Todd falls far short of that.
I'd love to read a book set 20 or so years after ATWOP. It'd be somewhat comforting to read again about what happened to all the characters that existed when I last really enjoyed the PERN books...sigh.
My 2 cents..
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