Your opinion - Top 10 Pern books/series from Anne McAffrey?

Steven Lake · 10-10-2010, 04:59 PM

I'm just wondering what everyone here would consider to be the top 10 books or series from Anne McAffrey's Pern series? I myself can't think of a top 5, but my top three come from the Harper Hall trilogy.

What about you guys?

GlennD · 10-10-2010, 05:18 PM

I enjoy them all the way up to "All the Weyrs of Pern"....at that point the artificial intelligence/dolphins etc cost the series much of it's appeal for me.

I "made" my daughter start reading the Harper Hall trilogy this summer, they're certainly a favorite of mine as well.

ATDrake · 10-10-2010, 05:29 PM

Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. Her best-written and best-plotted story, in my opinion, even if nowhere near my personal favourite.
Dragonquest. Good expansion on the "mysteries" introduced in Dragonflight and addresses the change of status quo and cultural clash between Oldtimers who were accustomed to more deference and the newer dragonriders who've had to basically support themselves.
Dragonsinger. Menolly may be a Mary Sue, what with her incredible musical gifts, 9+ fire-lizards, and ability to win over just about everyone with her winningest personality that wins over just about everyone, but at least she's an entertaining one.
Dragonsong. Bumped down a bit because she whines and feels more sorry for herself in this one. Also, the obstacles against her are a bit more over-the-top.
The White Dragon. Continues on from Dragonquest, with the stuff expanded upon there coming to a head. Jaxom annoys me, but I like Ruth, and it's nice to see things from the previous books resolved in a believable way.
Dragonsdawn. How the colony got started, and how it adapted in the ways that would eventually produce "modern" Pernese society. Ranked lower because it's more of a set-up prequel than a "classic" Pern book.
Dragonflight. Got everything started and a pretty good standalone sword-and-sorcery feudal barbarian warlords-type story in its own right.

Bumped a few places down because its "tone" isn't quite congruent with the books further down the line and can be a bit jarring if read back-to-back. Also, skeevy gender relationship issues which admittedly never disappear, but are more open and obvious in this volume in the series.
All the Weyrs of Pern. My personal favourite. Yes, I know I have no taste. But I've always been a sucker for technological "uplift" stories.

Bookends Dragonsdawn in dealing with Thread. I pretend the series ended here, and every time I've let go of that pretense long enough to try a further novel out of morbid curiosity, I've ended up… not quite regretting it per se, but just wishing I'd continued to keep pretending.
First Fall: The Chronicles of Pern. I make an exception for this, since it's mostly a collection of previously-written short stories. Good fill-in-the-blanks on certain aspects of Pernese history.

Post preview says the above list goes up to 9, so I'll add in Dragondrums for a 10th, even though I don't really like it all that much and Piemur is kind of annoying. But it provides a bridge between Dragonquest and The White Dragon which explains certain stuff about the Southern Continent and is better written than the back half of Renegades of Pern which pretty much repeats the same, but with extra "When will this book finally end?!".

Mind you, I did like the post-Thella/Jayge/Aramina bits where they rediscover Landing. But that's about it.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-10-2010, 05:33 PM

Harper Hall Trilogy, hands down!

Worldwalker · 10-10-2010, 05:43 PM

Nothing that Todd McCaffrey (yes, it's McCaffrey) got his sticky little hands on.
No mysterious spaceships, telepathic dolphins, or random ancestors.
No flying, rideable whers.
Moreta is right out -- it doesn't have anything to do with her description in Dragonflight.

Actually ... Weyr Search was my favorite. Dragonflight was good. Dragonquest, not so much. Dragonsong and Dragonsinger were decent, Dragondrums I could read again, The White Dragon the same, but most of the rest ... can we get a picture of a cow being milked here?

I used to wait at the store for them to come out of the UPS boxes (yeah, I'm that old); I haven't even looked at the last ones. Too bad, they started out great.

Ken Maltby · 10-10-2010, 07:12 PM

I like them all, but then I like the "Brain and Brawn" or "Brainship" series as well.
I find her "Elemental Masters" series a little harder to get into, though.

Luck;
Ken

ATimson · 10-10-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

I'm just wondering what everyone here would consider to be the top 10 books or series from Anne McAffrey's Pern series?

I don't think I could come up with a "top 10" - not enough of them are outstanding. I've enjoyed them all; but most of them tend to clump together in terms of enjoyability.

If I had to recommend five... Dragonsdawn, the original trilogy, and All the Weyrs of Pern (tying the trilogy and Dragonsdawn together).

Worldwalker · 10-10-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

I like them all, but then I like the "Brain and Brawn" or "Brainship" series as well.
I find her "Elemental Masters" series a little harder to get into, though.

"Elemental Masters" is by Mercedes Lackey. I actually rather like those.

I believe that only the Helva storeis were wirtten by Anne McCaffrey; she licensed or loaned her name, and possibly suggestions, to other authors, but the stories are their own.

Sweetpea · 10-11-2010, 02:22 AM

I rather liked them all, there were parts of each book I love and parts from those same books that I didn't really care about.

dapriuk · 10-11-2010, 03:38 AM

Dragonflight, Dragonquest, White Dragon and Harper Hall trilogy. I'm with Ken M on the brain & brawn series though the Joat story (brain city that fought) was enjoyable.

I'm a glutton for techno-space opera and anything that I can immerse in for a while and forget how old I really am.

Ken Maltby · 10-11-2010, 03:44 AM

[QUOTE=Worldwalker;1156545]"Elemental Masters" is by Mercedes Lackey. I actually rather like those.
QUOTE]

Right, she also did the sequel to "The Witches of Karres" titled "The Wizard of
Karres", so I guess she has no problem with sharing a concept.

Luck;
Ken

Greg Anos · 10-11-2010, 07:56 AM

To me, most of her Dragon books were done in her "fat Elvis" stage...

I am a sucker for Decision at Doona.

susan_cassidy · 10-11-2010, 11:47 AM

I like the original three (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon), the Harper Hall trilogy, and Masterharper of Pern. The others I haven't been that impressed with. I read several, but wouldn't re-read them.

Worldwalker · 10-11-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Right, she also did the sequel to "The Witches of Karres" titled "The Wizard of Karres", so I guess she has no problem with sharing a concept.

Yep, Mercedes Lackey has done a fair number of shared books, including many of the Bard's Tale books, back in her early days. There are times I think I prefer the shared ones (mistaken loves and abused kids don't seem to play such a prominent part). I didn't realize there was a McCaffrey connection to "Elemental Masters", though.

dsvick · 10-11-2010, 02:01 PM

I can't remember, it's been that long since I read them, even then I think I only read the first two or three (I think that was all that had been written when I read them).

Coincidentally, about a month ago though I made myself a note to look for them in an ebook and read them again knowing there were more books now.

10-10-2010, 04:59 PM	#1
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,157 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Your opinion - Top 10 Pern books/series from Anne McAffrey? I'm just wondering what everyone here would consider to be the top 10 books or series from Anne McAffrey's Pern series? I myself can't think of a top 5, but my top three come from the Harper Hall trilogy. What about you guys?

10-10-2010, 05:29 PM	#3
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern. Her best-written and best-plotted story, in my opinion, even if nowhere near my personal favourite. Dragonquest. Good expansion on the "mysteries" introduced in Dragonflight and addresses the change of status quo and cultural clash between Oldtimers who were accustomed to more deference and the newer dragonriders who've had to basically support themselves. Dragonsinger. Menolly may be a Mary Sue, what with her incredible musical gifts, 9+ fire-lizards, and ability to win over just about everyone with her winningest personality that wins over just about everyone, but at least she's an entertaining one. Dragonsong. Bumped down a bit because she whines and feels more sorry for herself in this one. Also, the obstacles against her are a bit more over-the-top. The White Dragon. Continues on from Dragonquest, with the stuff expanded upon there coming to a head. Jaxom annoys me, but I like Ruth, and it's nice to see things from the previous books resolved in a believable way. Dragonsdawn. How the colony got started, and how it adapted in the ways that would eventually produce "modern" Pernese society. Ranked lower because it's more of a set-up prequel than a "classic" Pern book. Dragonflight. Got everything started and a pretty good standalone sword-and-sorcery feudal barbarian warlords-type story in its own right. Bumped a few places down because its "tone" isn't quite congruent with the books further down the line and can be a bit jarring if read back-to-back. Also, skeevy gender relationship issues which admittedly never disappear, but are more open and obvious in this volume in the series. All the Weyrs of Pern. My personal favourite. Yes, I know I have no taste. But I've always been a sucker for technological "uplift" stories. Bookends Dragonsdawn in dealing with Thread. I pretend the series ended here, and every time I've let go of that pretense long enough to try a further novel out of morbid curiosity, I've ended up… not quite regretting it per se, but just wishing I'd continued to keep pretending. First Fall: The Chronicles of Pern. I make an exception for this, since it's mostly a collection of previously-written short stories. Good fill-in-the-blanks on certain aspects of Pernese history. Post preview says the above list goes up to 9, so I'll add in Dragondrums for a 10th, even though I don't really like it all that much and Piemur is kind of annoying. But it provides a bridge between Dragonquest and The White Dragon which explains certain stuff about the Southern Continent and is better written than the back half of Renegades of Pern which pretty much repeats the same, but with extra "When will this book finally end?!". Mind you, I did like the post-Thella/Jayge/Aramina bits where they rediscover Landing. But that's about it.

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10-10-2010, 05:18 PM	#2
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,101 Karma: 17249026 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	I enjoy them all the way up to "All the Weyrs of Pern"....at that point the artificial intelligence/dolphins etc cost the series much of it's appeal for me. I "made" my daughter start reading the Harper Hall trilogy this summer, they're certainly a favorite of mine as well.

10-10-2010, 05:33 PM	#4
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	Harper Hall Trilogy, hands down!

10-10-2010, 05:43 PM	#5
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Nothing that Todd McCaffrey (yes, it's McCaffrey) got his sticky little hands on. No mysterious spaceships, telepathic dolphins, or random ancestors. No flying, rideable whers. Moreta is right out -- it doesn't have anything to do with her description in Dragonflight. Actually ... Weyr Search was my favorite. Dragonflight was good. Dragonquest, not so much. Dragonsong and Dragonsinger were decent, Dragondrums I could read again, The White Dragon the same, but most of the rest ... can we get a picture of a cow being milked here? I used to wait at the store for them to come out of the UPS boxes (yeah, I'm that old); I haven't even looked at the last ones. Too bad, they started out great.

10-10-2010, 07:12 PM	#6
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,465 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	I like them all, but then I like the "Brain and Brawn" or "Brainship" series as well. I find her "Elemental Masters" series a little harder to get into, though. Luck; Ken

10-11-2010, 02:22 AM	#9
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I rather liked them all, there were parts of each book I love and parts from those same books that I didn't really care about.

10-11-2010, 03:38 AM	#10
dapriuk Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505, Lenovo X61 tablet PC, Advent Vega Android tablet	Dragonflight, Dragonquest, White Dragon and Harper Hall trilogy. I'm with Ken M on the brain & brawn series though the Joat story (brain city that fought) was enjoyable. I'm a glutton for techno-space opera and anything that I can immerse in for a while and forget how old I really am.

10-11-2010, 03:44 AM	#11
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,465 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	[QUOTE=Worldwalker;1156545]"Elemental Masters" is by Mercedes Lackey. I actually rather like those. QUOTE] Right, she also did the sequel to "The Witches of Karres" titled "The Wizard of Karres", so I guess she has no problem with sharing a concept. Luck; Ken

10-11-2010, 07:56 AM	#12
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,248 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	To me, most of her Dragon books were done in her "fat Elvis" stage... I am a sucker for Decision at Doona.

10-11-2010, 11:47 AM	#13
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I like the original three (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, The White Dragon), the Harper Hall trilogy, and Masterharper of Pern. The others I haven't been that impressed with. I read several, but wouldn't re-read them.

10-11-2010, 02:01 PM	#15
dsvick Wizard Posts: 2,737 Karma: 635747 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Northeast Ohio, USA Device: PRS-900	I can't remember, it's been that long since I read them, even then I think I only read the first two or three (I think that was all that had been written when I read them). Coincidentally, about a month ago though I made myself a note to look for them in an ebook and read them again knowing there were more books now.

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