slarter's Full Review: Anne McCaffrey - Dragonquest
I seem to recall, barely a month ago, writing something to the effect that I was finished with fantasy novels for a while. That didn’t last too long, did it? I did read a couple of other books in the interim, but none of them really grabbed my attention, and after struggling for a week to finish a book that, had it been more interesting, I would have finished in two days, I decided to relax my brain again by rereading a couple of older fantasy novels. Really, after slogging through a very dense book on biological complexity, I needed a light, entertaining read, and as Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern trilogy was languishing on my shelf, I thought I’d give it another look. This is, incidentally, the third or fourth time I have read the trilogy, so I can comfortably class it among my favorite fantasy series. It is immensely more enjoyable than the bland stuff I’ve been subjecting myself to recently, that’s certain. In any case, I shall cease and desist my introductory rambling now, and present you with my humble review of Dragonquest.
Characters & Plot
At the end of Dragonflight (jump to the review here), Lessa had braved the longest time jump ever attempted in order to seek the desperately-needed assistance of Pern's Old Time dragonriders. Now, seven turns later, the battle against the deadly rain of thread has settled into a steady rhythm. Once the initial elation over the Oldtimers' forward jump subsides, however, problems begin to arise between the dragonriders of four hundred Turns ago and the Holders of the present. Times, and attitudes, have changed, and the arrogance of the Oldtimers is steadily alienating holders and craftsmen alike. Benden Weyr alone remains in the good graces of the population, providing an understanding presence that respects the rights of all Pernese.
Change is afoot, however, for discoveries in Benden Weyr and on the Southern continent are prompting new and disturbing questions concerning dragonriders. New weapons have been found in the fight against thread, and as technology improves, eyes begin to turn toward the ancient enemy of Pern, the Red Star. The newly-found fire lizards seem to know something about it, too, something that frightens them into incoherence. Could dragonriders combat thread at its source? Now F’lar, F’nor, and Lessa must find a way to unite Pern behind the dragonriders, so that they can strike against their enemy once and for all.
Analysis
If the first volume in the Dragonriders of Pern series was a solid, engaging work of fantasy fiction, the second volume builds on the success of the first to become a fantastically entertaining tale, replete with action, romance, and tragedy. The intriguing world Anne McCaffrey built in Dragonflight becomes yet richer as she adds layer upon layer to the already-complex society she has created. The introduction of a fascinating, well-drawn group of characters enriches the narrative, and their quirks, foibles, and individuality provide many moments of high entertainment. The fact that, after only a few hundred pages, we truly care about what happens to many of the characters is a testament to the author’s craft. This is evident both in the positive and negative characterizations, as the ‘caring about what happens’ can just as easily involve irritation and disgust as appreciation and hope.
The action and intrigue also become more intense in Dragonquest. The politics of Pern become increasingly convoluted as more characters are fleshed out, and the additional complexity lends greater depth to the tale. McCaffrey juggles the stories of craftsmen, Harpers, Holders, and dragonriders quite effectively, managing to avoid the common mistake of the overly-frequent viewpoint change. Indeed, one of the strengths of the novel is the fleshing out of minor characters as they rise to prominence in Pernese affairs.
One other interesting facet of McCaffrey’s story is the slow spread of technology through Pern’s society. The background given in the Prelude makes it clear that Pern was originally colonized by space-faring humans, whose loss of contact with “civilization” caused a regression over the years to a feudal, almost medieval society. Thus, over the course of the novel, as the modern-day inhabitants of Pern discover more about their ancestors, we get to enjoy both the subjective thrill of discovery within the story and the objective fun of recognizing modern technology in nascent form being developed by the characters. The steady progress of invention and technology adds yet another dimension to the world of Dragonquest.
Finale
Having set the stage and introduced the characters in Dragonflight, Anne McCaffrey proceeds to surpass her initial effort in the second Dragonriders of Pern novel. We are made to care more about the characters and the situations in which they find themselves. We are made still more comfortable in the institutions and morés of Pernese society, and can appreciate more the monumental changes in the culture as they occur. And, in the tragedies and triumphs of the characters we care about, we are made to feel. Therein lies the success of any novel—if the reader can be made to care, and to truly feel for the characters, the writer has accomplished her goal. After reading Dragonflight, by all means proceed to Dragonquest. More fulfilling, more intriguing, more assured, and more emotional, it is everything a sequel should be. You’ve read my review, now read the book.
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