The Masterharper of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)

This is a go along book about one of the main Characters in the Series. I'm starting my own set this was the first of many I will be buying

I bought this book as soon as I heard about it - I have always loved the MasterHarper in all of McCaffrey's Pern novels and was sad to see him go (along with Aivas) in "All the Weyrs of Pern". So imagine my suprise to see this great book chronicalling the early life of this beloved character and explaining so much of the "backstory" that lead up to the initial Pern novel. In short - if you liked the earlier novels about Pern and always wanted to know more about Robinton - who he was, where he came from, and how he came to be The MasterHarper - and the greatest in Pern's History - then you need to read this book. It is simply one of the best in the series...

The Master Harper of Pern is a great addition to the series.  This book shows a different type of life in the world of Pern.  It focuses on another one of the major crafts of the world which is the Harper Hall.  It uses Robinton as the main focus in the book.  It goes through his life until it catches up with the rest of the series.  It shows many of the reasons why he is the way he is in the rest of the series.  It shows how his hard work, natural talents, and attitude to take on any job help him throughout this book.  I liked this book and if you have been a fan of McCaffery's other works, than you will like this one too.

Robinton is one of the most beloved citizens of Pern, he has figured prominently in most of the books but many personal details of his life have not been revealed ...until now. THE MASTERHARPER OF PERN is the story of those 'missing' years up to the events of DRAGONFLIGHT. Born into a musical family and raised in the Harper Hall Robinton showed extreme talent from his earliest days to the delight of all around him but his own father. Never quite understanding or recovering from this rejection Robinton grew to excel at his profession even though his dream of becoming both a harper and a dragonrider was not to be. His friendship with F'lon, father of F'lar and F'non is shown as well as the beginnings of many of his relationships throughout Pernese society. Many of these relationships have be alluded to in other books in the series.Perhaps the most touching aspects of the book are his ill-fated romance and the recurring losses that seem to plague Robinton's life. For fans of the series this is a 'must read'. If you are new to Pern I highly recommend the series and this prequel would be a good place to start, then continue through the rest in the order they were written.

The character Robinton, the titular Masterharper, is indubitably one of author McCaffrey's most beloved and enduring characters. Here he is lovingly portrayed as he grows from an engaging, if at times, difficult and complicated childhood to a major player in the history of his planet. Characterization is always a prime focus and strength in this author's work and her masterful technique is vibrantly displayed herein. She's also quite adept at fitting together relatively disparate pieces of her now-lengthy backstory of Pern. The plot never fails to engage and the reader keeps turning the pages, at times on the very edge of the readerly seat. A must-read for fans and a good place to start for apprentice dragonlore lovers.

I could not put this book down!! Masterharper Robinton is one of my favorite Pern characters, and it was a joy to get a look into his early life. I found it especially interesting that he could speak to dragons- not as well as Lessa or Brekke, perhaps- but he could, none the less. And he is also the first male character to have that ability. While this is truly an excellent book, it is really for long-time Pern fans who know who Robinton is and the basic situations he lives through. (I mean, if you didn't know who Fax was to begin with, his presence in the story might seem pointless.) Also, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Robinton did have a child, and that he was none other than Camo! Although I believe Anne McCaffery could have done a little more with the struggle Robinton had in regard to his handicapped son, I still found it worthy of Robinton that he was still able to love his child despite his handicap. I also loved Nip and Tuck-(although I wonder if Nip isn't somehow related to Piemur- they both are very similar in personality.), and the unique replay of the opening scenes of Dragonflight. I will have a completely new perspective on that scene, now that I know that Robinton was present. It was nice to get to know F'lon, and to find out F'lar and F'nor's unshortened names. Good Heavens! I would've shortened my name too! Fallarnon and Famanoran? Geeze. All the same, it answered a question that has been plaguing me for some time. All in all, a truly wonderful read- but really for dragonfans, not beginners. Can't wait for the next one!!!