This section is precisely what the title says. Here
I have a scanned copy of the novel cover, and the blurb copied from the novel
next to it as a very brief summary/introduction to the novel. The reason
for this page is that I feel that reading the blurb of a book can give you
in some ways as much of an insight into the book as reading the book sometimes.
The summary can give you a different perspective, and aids in
evaluation.
Dragonflight
(Corgi, 1998) (first published 1968)
"The men who rode the dragons were
a breed apart. Chosen when the dragons were first hatched, they became soulmates
for life with the huge, magnificent beasts they controlled - the green, blue,
brown and bronzes - beautiful -terrible - the only creatures who could defend
the planet Pern from the blood-red star. But without the Queen, the dragons
would become extinct. Only the gigantic, golden Queen could breed the new
flights. And the Queen was fading... dying... leaving behind one last, huge,
golden egg."
Dragonquest (Corgi, 1997) (first published 1971)
"Another Turn, and the deadly silver Threads
began falling again. So the bold dragonriders took to the skies and their
magnificent flying dragons swirled and swooped in space, belching flames
that destroyed the shimmering strands before they reached the ground.
But F'lar knew he had to find a better way to protect
the peoples and lands of Pern, and he had to find it before the rebellious
Oldtimers could breed any more dissent... before his brother, F'nor, would
be foolhardy enough to launch another suicide mission... and before the mercurial
fire-lizards could cause even more trouble."
The White
Dragon (Corgi, 1989) (first
published 1979)
"Never had there been as close a bonding as
the one that existed between the young Lord Jaxom and his extraordinary white
dragon, Ruth. Pure white and incredibly agile, Ruth possessed remarkable
qualities. Not only could he communicate with the iridescent, fluttering
fire lizards, but he could flay back in time to any WHEN with unfailing
accuracy.
Nearly everyone else on Pern thought Ruth was a runt
who would never amount to anything, but Jaxom knew his dragon was special.
In secret they trained to fight against the burning threads from the Red
Planet, to fly Back in time as well as Between, and finally their close and
special union was to result in the most startling and breathtaking discovery
of all..."
Dragonsong
(Corgi, 1980) (first published 1976)
"Menolly - Mistress of Music, Ward of Fire
Lizards
Every two hundred years or so, shimmering threads fall,
raining black ruin on Pern. The great dragons of Pern hurl themselves through
the beleaguered skies, flaming tongues of fire to destroy deadly Thread and
save the planet. It was not Threadfall that made Menolly unhappy. It was
her father who betrayed her ambition to be a Harper, who thwarted her love
of music. Menolly had no choice but to run away. She came upon a group of
fire lizards, wild relatives of the fire-breathing dragons. Her music swirled
about them; she taught nine to sing... Suddenly Menolly was no longer
alone."
Dragonsinger
(Corgi, 1989) (first published
1977)
"When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder,
arrived at the Harper Craft Hall, she came in style, aboard a bronze dragon,
followed by her nine fire lizards. The Masterharper of Pern, aware of her
unique skills, had chosen her as his only girl apprentice. But the holdless
girl had first to overcome many heartaches in this strange new life. Two
things sustained her; her devoted lizards - a subject on which she
was fitted to instruct her Masters - and the music... music of transcendent
beauty, music-making where at last she was accepted. In the Great Hall, Menolly
could fulfil her destiny..."
Dragondrums
(Corgi, 1981) (first published
1978)
"Piemur, a boy soprano, had been chosen out
of all the singers at the Harperhall of Pern for the leading role in the
dramatic choral work to br presented at Lord Groghe's Gather. But during
practice one day his voice broke - and suddenly his whole future at the
harperhall seemed uncertain.
But Masterharper Robinton, Menolly and Sebell had other
plans for Piemur - they were sure that his quick wits and discretion could
be used to keep a check on the troublesome Oldtimers and their strange traffic
in fire lizards.
So whilst serving as a messenger-drum apprentice, Piemur
carried out special errands for the three. And it was on one such errand
that he realized his wildest dream - and got in deeper trouble than ever
before..."
