192 pages
English language
Published Aug. 23, 2006
Menolly, a young fisher's daughter, had dreamed all her life of learning the Harper's craft. Her musical talent is not valued in her fishing hold, especially by her parents the holders, as women in general tend to be less valued and have fewer choices than men in Pernese society. When her father denies her what she regards to be her destiny, she flees Half Circle Hold just as Pern is struck by the deadly danger of Threadfall, a deathly rain that falls from the sky. Menolly takes shelter in a cave by the sea and there, she makes a miraculous discovery that will change her life.
Menolly, a young fisher's daughter, had dreamed all her life of learning the Harper's craft. Her musical talent is not valued in her fishing hold, especially by her parents the holders, as women in general tend to be less valued and have fewer choices than men in Pernese society. When her father denies her what she regards to be her destiny, she flees Half Circle Hold just as Pern is struck by the deadly danger of Threadfall, a deathly rain that falls from the sky. Menolly takes shelter in a cave by the sea and there, she makes a miraculous discovery that will change her life.
Such an idyllic story of a mistreated secretly super talented girl who will be made right by the end. Plus some firedragons in the process
Menolly was a bit of a Mary Sue.
A change of mood and pace but equally innovative.
re-read May 2016
Great adventure of a young girl setting out on her own and making her own; way better than with the community that looked down on her for her gifts in song, mainly for being a girl and having the gift. She is very resourceful and learned much from living in the Hold with doing all the chores. These help greatly when she decides to set out on her own to find and live with the dragons. This leads to a very big change in her life several times over. Although she never becomes secure in herself in front of others (that's left to the next book), she knows she can take care of herself and make a life that she enjoys. Where it leads her is on one adventure to the next until her dreams seem to be coming true.
Same with book 2, I think the …
re-read May 2016
Great adventure of a young girl setting out on her own and making her own; way better than with the community that looked down on her for her gifts in song, mainly for being a girl and having the gift. She is very resourceful and learned much from living in the Hold with doing all the chores. These help greatly when she decides to set out on her own to find and live with the dragons. This leads to a very big change in her life several times over. Although she never becomes secure in herself in front of others (that's left to the next book), she knows she can take care of herself and make a life that she enjoys. Where it leads her is on one adventure to the next until her dreams seem to be coming true.
Same with book 2, I think the book end a bit abruptly and I would have like to see a little of where she goes from there. Luckily you have book 2. For book 2s abruptness, you have to read on in the Pern series and see snipets of her future. At least you know she is on her way at the end of each book. For me this is one of the best YA fantasy book out there.
Reread 2023- So I read this right after Dragonflight as there are sexist moments that I cringe at with that book. It was the sensibilities of the 60s and written as a feudal society so I can understand it but this book does not give me the cringe that that one does. Still the sexism of their society is there and she escapes it by running away and living off the land. Enjoyed it again, still one of my favorite YA fantasies, maybe my favorite.
Loved these books as a teen. Still lovely.
Loved these books as a teen. Still lovely.
One of my favourite "comfort reads". :)
One of my favourite "comfort reads". :)
