A Gift of Dragons

Anne McCaffrey

Welcome back to the world of Pern, dragons, and their telepathic dragon riders. Anne McCaffrey has gathered together four stories or novelletes about Pern. One, "Ever the Twain" is new for this collection. Of the others, I had read "The Smallest Dragonboy" (many times) and "The Girl Who Heard Dragons". The fourth, "Runner of Pern" has been released before but was new to me.

These four fall into her young adult stories, all about the younger generation of Pernians. All are enjoyable and engaging. The protagonists have real problems with bright future solutions, a Pern staple. McCaffrey keeps her light Pern voice that she uses more in her young adult works but is visible throughout her Pern stories and novels.

I bought this a few years ago and added it to Mt. Bookpile. It was perfect for my flight to a business meeting this week. It could easily be interrupted, especially since it was four stories, and easy to pick up and continue the thread of thought and feelings. This is an appealing book, especially for those people who already know Pern. If you haven't read any Pern novels, these stories are a delightful introduction.

Dragonflight
Dragonquest
The White Dragon
Dragonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums
Moreta: Dragon Lady of Pern
Nerilka's Story
Renegades of Pern
All the Weyrs of Pern
Chronicles of Pern
Dragonseye
Dolphins of Pern
Masterharper of Pern
The Skies of Pern
Dragon's Kin
Dragonsblood
Dragon's Fire
Dragon Harper
Dragonheart
Dragongirl
Dragon's Time

"The Smallest Dragonboy" Dragons The Greatest Stories
A Gift of Dragons