dragonbinge
I've been on a bit of a Pern kick lately. I read most of Anne McCaffrey's Pern books as a kid, but I sort of skipped around and skipped over books, etc. For some reason I was recently inspired to re-read them in publishing order, and it's been pretty good.
I remember now what I disliked about her writing style, even as a kid: there are some juicy details of all the dragon-rider links that could have been written in depth about. I often find myself a a bit agitated as the reader, being sucked into an emotional vortex as I try to relate to that kind of a telepathic, empathic bond with such a creature (especially at each book's Impression or Hatching point) when McCaffrey suddenly pulls away from that storyline to start a new chapter or tell from another character's point-of-view. This happens much too often for my tastes. And while I'm on point-of-view, what the fuck was up with Nerilka's story? We finally get a whole book written in actual first person and we get a common holder's life! Gaaah! The agony! Dear beloved McCaffrey, you KNOW that we're only in it for the dragons! (It's my secret suspicion that Nerilka's Story served no real point other than to tell of how Moreta's death was received by Alessan, since that was so briefly covered in Moreta.)
I truly enjoyed the original colonist stories, finally understanding all the references in the "later" Dragonrider books as to where watchwhers and cheetahs came from, etc. By far, my favorite book seems to be Moreta, as I found her the most likable of all queen riders, Brekke being a close second. I found the Harper Hall series a little dull, other than the exciting discoveries in the Southern Continent. Robinton is such a boringly virtuous character that I glazed over entire pages where he led the storyline or dialogue. (I half-hoped for him to run off with Menolly.) Other than that, it's been a good, delicious binge. I've been buying the books as I go from Half.com, for about $4/each, with shipping. Not bad for a popcorn collection that is repeatedly enjoyable.
