Customer Reviews

Dragonsinger (Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2)

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dragonsinger is the second book in the Harper Hall Trilogy and is the sequel to Dragonsong. It starts right after the previous book ends, with Menolly arriving in Harper Hall a-dragonback. There she begins her musical education with the masters of music. Menolly always thought that harpers would be different and that she would fit in among them, but she finds that people are the same wherever you go. All of the other girls are jealous of her musical talents and do not want her living in their cottage. The boys insist that she has no place with them and her nine fire lizards make her stand out even more. Still, she is Masterharper Robinton's special apprentice and he seems to believe in her and to love her new songs. As Menolly struggles to find her place among the harpers of Pern she will discover much about herself, as well as the remarkable secrets about fire lizards and eventually find an honored place among the Harpers of Pern.

Even though I have enjoyed all of McCaffrey's books, the Harper Hall trilogy has always been my favorite. I first read this book when I was in junior high school and simply loved it. I have read my copy time and time again. McCaffrey has a nice, smooth writing style with great descriptions so readers will have no trouble visualizing the life on Pern. She also does a nice job of throwing in little recaps so that those who have not read Dragonflight and Dragonquest can still understand what is going on. I simply loved the world of the Harpers and think that any reader of fantasy will enjoy this enchanting series.

Interesting to find out "Dragonsinger" is the fourth book in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series because I have always thought of it as the middle volume in the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy. In "Dragonsong" we met Menolly, my favorite character in the entire Pern universe. A musical prodigy who has been forbidden by her stern father to sing or play music, Menolly runs away and ends up impressing a clutch of nine fire lizards. But Masterharper Robinton has been searching high and low for her and having found her, brings Menolly to the Harper Hall. In "Dragonsinger" Menolly begins to learn her craft as an apprentice. The Harper Hall is not sure what to make of the island girl and her singing fire lizards, but Menolly is equally astounded by her new world. Menolly is one of the most enchanting heroines in fiction, mainly because the girl has not a clue in the world that she is so talented. After just about every test she is convinced she has failed, convinced that her only friend in the world is Piemur, another one of the young apprentices, and amazed that Robinton takes any interest in her at all. But it is Menolly's encounters with the other Masters, especially Jerint the instrument maker and Domick the composer, that stand out in this tale. Oh, and there is also Journeyman Sebell, who has also taken a special interest in her. "Dragonsinger" is a fitting conclusion to the story begun in "Dragonsong," and since the "next" volume in the trilogy, "Dragondrums," really focuses more on Piemur, this is really the climax to the story of Menolly. McCaffrey's conclusion is extremely satisfying and my only serious complaint about the Pern series after "Dragonsinger" is that Menolly has been reduced to a minor supporting character. One of the nice things about these books is that they are fairly self-contained, you do not have to read all the Pern books in order for them to make sense. I would think young girls who love music would especially enjoy reading these novels.

I first read this book in the early 1980s when I found it in my elementary school library. This was the only time I have ever been justified by judging a book on it's cover! I devoured the whole series by the age of 12, and though I enjoyed all the books, this one stands as my all time favorite. There is real emotional depth in McCaffery's characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy and SF novels you can really relate to all her characters. Menolly in particular is as "real " a person as you can get in fiction. Her isolation and depression as a result of her neglect are all too common among young women everywhere. It is not fiction that girls are passed by in favor of men still. Her eventual rise out of her depression and acceptance of her own talent was encouraging to me as a creatively stifled young artist. When I had no Petiron or Robinton in my life it gave me hope. It has always been my favorite novel. I strongly recommened it. I am reading it again right now!!

"Dragonsinger" is the second book in Anne McCaffery's "Harper Hall Trilogy" and pickes up directly where "Dragonsong" left off. Having lived holdless, practically outrun Thread and impressed nine fire lizards, Menolly is travelling to the Harper Hall with Master Robinton, Furthermore, following Petiron's recommendations. She has been accepted as a student - meaning that, one day, she will become a Harper.

However, the transition won't be an easy one. Menolly's father had believed that only men could become a Harper and, while that has changed, there are still those who believe that Menolly has no place at the Harper Hall. Worse, her nine fire lizards inspire a certain amount of jealousy and - at times - alarm. She meets a certain amount of resentment and there are some who persecute and bully her at every available opportunity. However, she isn't without her allies - among the most likeable is Piemur, another apprentice at the Hall.

Since this is the second book in the Trilogy, it's not the best starting point - "Dragonsong" is the trilogy's first book. Menolly remains a likeable character : despite being hugely talented, she is woefully short on self-confidence. Piemur is an entirely different kettle of fish, though no less likeable. Like "Dragonsong", a likeable and easily read book.

One of my favorite McCaffrey books! It covers Menolly's first days at Harper Hall. As the only female harper apprentice, she struggles to fit in, making both friends and enemies. Under the wise guidance of her beloved Master Robinton, she comes to realize what great talent she has, and comes to believe in herself. She blossoms into a confidant young woman, secure in her musical talent and her value, ready to take the next step and become a Journeywoman. I love the characters in this book--especially the young scamp Piemur, who becomes Menolly first friend and ally in the hall, and, of course, Master Robinton. Once again McCaffrey crafts her books with a loving attention to all her characters, no matter how minor. They all have personality and seem real. That seems to be a hallmark of all her best books.

This book was fantastic! It has the best qualities of a science fiction book, and it has nothing that one could argue with reasonably. The plot is this: Menolly, a young girl, has at last been recognized as a wonderful musician, and is sent immediately to the Harper Hall of Pern. There, she encounters all sorts of surprises, such as that the instrument she picks as the best of a roomful for herself was once the Masterharper's, or that there is so little everyone knows about fire lizards, intelligent flying reptiles of which Menolly has nine. She makes friends in Camo, a dimwitted kitchen assistant who loves her fire lizards, and Piemur, a fellow student. Over the time she spends at the Harper Hall, Menolly grows into a masterful musician, and earns the right to become a Journeyman. This book is good because there is no magic, so it won't offend any church. It has marvelous plot dexterity and, well, rhythm. I would recommend this book for searchers of books beyond Harry Potter, SF lovers, or anyone who enjoys a good read.

Book two in Harper Hall series takes along with Menolly as she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming the first female Harper. The timeframe of her achieving said dream is unrealistic given how hard McCaffery convinced us of Pern's prejudices in previous books.

What I truly liked about Menolly's character from Dragonsong was how she basically showed the world she was mature and independent. It drove me nuts at how underconfident and meek she was throughout this entire book. McCaffery presents this in vivid detail, the same way she presented Menolly's character in book one. I wanted Menolly's tough, sweet stoic attitude to shine, but it is repressed in this new intimidating setting of Harper Hall. The one time it seems she stands up for herself, she has a breakdown (with lots of angst) regarding the incident, ruining the impact. This bothered me, because our wonderful independent heroine is now another cog in her medieval society, and happy about it.

The fire lizards are there too, and McCaffery uses them as a device for helping Menolly fit in faster. Since the all important people are getting fire lizard eggs, they invariably bestow special attention on Menolly as she helps them.

This is a wonderful novel for young children, especially those that love music or are afraid of a private boarding school experience. It has no adult language or situations, but if you are an adult looking for unique depth or strong personalities, you will be disappointed.

This is quite possibly my favorite book from my favorite author. As a teen I read Dragon Song and Dragon Singer and came as close as anyone can to falling in love with a character in a book. Anne puts more real emotions and situations into her science fiction novels than most writers of "reality based" fiction ever could. I do not know how anyone could read this book and not feel that Menolly and Robington and their fire lizards must exist in some plane of existance and that Anne is merely conveying their very real story. If Frank L. Baum declared himself the royal historian of Oz, then Anne to has claimed that position for an equally fantastic, and yet real place; Pern.

The first two books of the harper hall trilogy are the best of the series. Especially for pre-teen and teen-age girls who are exploring their path in life, thsse books inspire. Anne McCaffery is at her best when describing human nature, in a rich imaginative context. The dragons are here, and even better, small ones which add humor and a personal touch. The complex social and political landscape of Pern is here. Moral questions are posed and explored realistically. But the stories focus on the personal journey of Menolly in particular. Reading these two books for the 100th time (I'm certanly no longer a teen!) I still cringe, laugh, root for our heros, and cry with happiness when good wins out. These books move right along, carrying you with them. What a great adventure!

I first read this book many years ago when I was in junior high school and I have read it many times since then. Despite taking place on a distant planet, this story deals with things that all teens deal with from time to time. McCaffrey's Menolly is a character with which everyone can identify and empathize. Through her hardships and trials, you can see her blossom into an amazing young woman. To top it all off, McCaffrey weaves in just a bit of romance to keep your heart jumping.

While this is my favorite of the series, I also highly recommend the other two books in the series.

I'm a huge Dragonriders of Pern fan and despite all the characters that have coursed through the series, Menolly remains my favorite.