In their third collaboration, Anne McCaffrey and her son, Todd, spin a tale of a mysterious illness that may succeed in doing what centuries of Threadfall could not: kill every last human on Pern.

Reviews

Nearly 500 years have passed since humans landed on Pern, and, according to their records, another fall of deadly Thread, a lethal rain of spores from space, is only a few years away. As young Kindan struggles with his studies at Harper Hall and sets his sights on becoming harper to the dragonriders of Benden Weyr, he and his friends become aware of a mysterious and usually fatal plague infecting the holds of Pern. Despite their own vulnerability, the apprentice harpers and healers battle against time to find a cure before the sickness spreads to the dragonriders. In their third collaborative effort (after Dragon's Kin and Dragon's Fire), McCaffrey and her son Todd delve into Pern's early years as they continue the story of Kindan, whose talent with the dragon kin of Pern has brought him to the attention of holders, harpers, and dragonriders. Strong storytelling and compelling drama, along with memorable characters, make this essential for any library patronized by fans of Pern and its dragons. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Adult/High School-This third collaboration takes readers to Pern during an outbreak of a particularly virulent flu. Kindan, a young harper, uncovers danger in old records; many years before, a similar epidemic caused 20 years' worth of damage, leaving Weyrs and Holds undermanned. With the next Threadfall only 12 years away, the dragonriders cannot risk bringing the disease to the Weyrs. But without the riders' help, will there even be enough holders left to defend in a dozen years? Kindan faces the unenviable task of finding a solution that protects everyone. Dragon Harper is as much a story of his coming-of-age and taking his place in society as an adult as it is a medical adventure. Many references to events and characters from previous volumes limits the audience to those familiar with the series, but Pern has many fans.-Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

As a terrible plague sweeps Pern, a brave Harper apprentice emerges as a true hero in this satisfying third collaboration between McCaffrey mere and fils (after 2006's Dragon's Fire). The danger this time is not the deadly Thread but a virulent disease, similar to our world's 1918 influenza epidemic or the more recent outbreaks of SARS. Kindan, a young apprentice of the Harpers' Guild who's dedicated to music, education and healing, had hoped to become a dragonrider, but failed to bond with a dragon at the last hatching. Then his education and budding romance with a lord's daughter are disrupted by the epidemic, which poses a particular threat to the dragons and dragonriders who will be needed to fight the approaching Thread. The McCaffreys depict the crisis vividly, with enough detail to make the tragedy all too real and with enough hope to keep fantasy fans happy. (Dec.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Praise for Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
Dragon’s Fire
“The McCaffreys’ second fire-breathing collaboration . . . proves why these fabled dragons still cast a spell.”
–Publishers Weekly
“Grittier than the early parts of the series; Todd’s apparently brought a wider, more current worldview to Pern.”
–The San Diego Union-Tribune
Dragon’s Kin
“Superb storytelling . . . essential for Pern fans of all ages.”
–Library Journal (starred review)
“A guaranteed pleaser [in] one of SF’s most splendid and longest-lived sagas.”
–Booklist

"From the Hardcover edition."