White Dragon [Paperback]

Anne McCaffrey (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; P edition (1990)
• ASIN: B001KYC0LW
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Anne McCaffrey, the Hugo Award-winning author of the bestselling Dragonriders of Pern® novels, is one of science fiction's most popular authors. With Elizabeth Ann Scarborough she co-authored Changelings and Maelstrom, Books One and Two of The Twins of Petaybee. McCaffrey lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet Dragon Rider Jaxom & His Wonderful Dragon Ruth!, May 23, 2003

By 

Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern Vol 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jaxom is the future Lord Holder of Ruatha, one of Pern's oldest and most venerable holds and has been groomed for his role since he was very young. When he accidentally impresses a white dragon named Ruth, everyone is dismayed and worried about what to do with him. Dragonriders belong in the Weyr, after all, and a man simply cannot be a dragonrider and a Lord Holder - or can he? Jaxom is determined to keep Ruth and to learn how to fly, breathe fire and kill Thread - and be the future leader of one of the most prosperous Holds on Pern. What others refuse to teach him, Jaxom discovers for himself. It is as Ruth and Jaxom are experimenting that they find themselves in the position to prevent a great disaster on Pern and to unite the Oldtimers and the Weyrs of the Northern Continent through Ruth's unique ability of always knowing when he is and his rapport with fire lizards. Ruth and Jaxom even discover some new "secrets" on the Southern Continent that the ancients left behind!

The White Dragon is simply a superb book. I loved the characters and really felt that I identified with Jaxom as he was growing up and growing into his roles as both a dragonrider and as a Lord Holder. Readers who have read McCaffrey's previous books in the Pern series will simply find that it is another story about Weyleaders F'lar and Lessa (Dragonflight & Dragonquest), as well as Masterharper Robinton and Journeyman Menolly (Dragonsong & Dragonsinger) told from a different, very enjoyable perspective. I loved the way McCaffrey took the time to incorporate older characters so that the readers know what is happening in their lives. The White Dragon is an exciting link between the first several books and the next grouping as there are many surprises and new discoveries that take place here. Ruth is also one of my favorite dragons and was such a joy to read about. Anyone who loves fantasy will enjoy this book so do yourself the favor and buy this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll never mock Fantasy again!, December 26, 1997

By 

David Rasquinha (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern Vol 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I always thought Fantasy with its Dragons and such like was strictly for kids and juveniles till by chance I picked up the White Dragon. Picked up and could not lay it aside. Perhaps I was wrong to begin in the middle, but now, even after reaing many of the series, White Dragon rmains my favourite Pern novel. The story of Jaxom growing to manhood, with his doubts and worries, with Ruth, Menolly, Robinton and of course Sharra, with a continent to discover, Thread to overcome and a whole new world to open up was beyond all my expectations. I immediately began haunting bookstors for the rest of the Pern novels. I also promised never again to knock Fantasy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The White Dragon, July 24, 2000

By 

Rita - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern Vol 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

There has never been a dragon like Ruth in Pern. Small and white, beautiful in his own way, capable of attracting the small fire-lizards and talk to them. And he belongs to Lord Jaxom, now almost 18 Turns and full of a wish to fight Thread, a wish he is starting to believe might not come soon. But his special relationship with his dragon will brighten his soul, and will reveal hidden secrets of the Acients, the ones who first colonized Pern. And when the Oldtimers start to plot against the Northern Weyrs and Holds, all seems lost. What is the word that cries in the sky? Dragon against Dragon? Jaxom and faithful Ruth will find themselves in the middle of Pern's salvation...

I loved, adored and <add other praising adjectives here> this book. And I could not put it down. I read it in a few hours in the night and during the next day. I could not put it down. The relationship between Jaxom and Ruth is amazing and if you ever felt you could love a dragon, Ruth is certainly a wonderful candidate for your friendship and respect. Once thought not to survive his first Turn, this small white dragon showed everybody of what he was made. One of the best on this series I have read but since I haven't read many I cannot really say much. Just that this one touched my heart... like the others... and my imagination. One feels like dreaming... and ride on a dragon's back...