"PERN Dragon Series - new type of dragon"
For coal miner's safety, the members of camp NATALON rely
on the nocturnal watch-whers, a genetic variation of
dragons whose history has been lost. A cave-in wipes out
Kindin's father and brothers as well as his father's watch-
wher; so Kindin becomes an apprentice with Harper Zist. Nuella assists Kindan when he is selected to hatch and
train a new watch-wher, a job that forces him to give up
his dream of becoming a Harper. Teenaged Kindan, blind
Nuella and Master-Harper Zist work together and learn the
forgotten secrets of how the nocturnal watch-wher see in
the dark and their ability to communicate with dragons.
This reveals many new possibilities for the dragon-riders
and watch-wher. Another cave-in at Natalon's mine leads
to a future that both Kindan and Nuella never expected. Anne McCaffrey created an intricate world spanning many
centuries featuring the bonding of humans and telepathic
dragons in her PERN series. Now Anne McCaffrey has joined
with her second son, Todd,
to write newest episode in the PERN. Todd has 'grown up
in PERN';
so readers can be confident that there is no variation in
this
newest PERN tale. The tone and complexity of the story
is sure to
delight McCaffrey fans and encourage thoughts of more
adventures on the planet PERN. What more can I say? Mama McCaffrey shared her skills
with her son and they continue to give their reader's a
fantasy world to remember. Such a legacy is impressive;
such skill is appreciated. Thank you Anne and also Todd
for continuing to 'share the dream'.
Courtesy:
eBOOKISLE
Reviewed by Cy Korte
Posted April 1, 2004
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DRAGON'S KIN
Young Kindan has no expectations other than joining his
father in the mines of Camp Natalon, a coal mining
settlement struggling to turn a profit far from the great
Holds where the presence of dragons and their riders means
safety and civilization. Mining is fraught with danger.
Fortunately, the camp has a watch-wher, a creature
distantly related to dragons and uniquely suited to
specialized work in the dark, cold mineshafts. Kindan's
father is the watch-wher's handler, and his son sometimes
helps him out. But even that important job promises no
opportunity outside the mine.
Then disaster strikes. In one terrible instant, Kindan
loses his family and the camp loses its watch-wher.
Fathers
are replaced by sons in the mine--except for Kindan, who
is
taken in by the camp's new Harper. Grieving, Kindan finds
a
measure of solace in a burgeoning musical talent . . . and
in a new friendship with Nuella, a mysterious girl no one
seems to know exists. It is Nuella who assists Kindan when
he is selected to hatch and train a new watch-wher, a job
that forces him to give up his dream of becoming a Harper;
and it is Nuella who helps him give new meaning to his
life.
Meanwhile, sparked by the tragedy, long-simmering tensions
are dividing the camp. Far below the surface, a group of
resentful miners hides a deadly secret. As warring
factions
threaten to explode, Nuella and Kindan begin to discover
unknown talents in the misunderstood watch-wher--talents
that could very well save an entire Hold. During their
time
teaching the watch-wher, the two learn some things
themselves: that even a seemingly impossible dream is
never
completely out of reach . . . and that light can be found
even in darkness.
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