Dragonseye (Pern Book 3)

Dead Heat is a truck full of dynamite careening through
a narrow tunnel with land mines on either side. It is a
wild and violent ride, full of both brilliant and brutal
prose, but Del Stone, Jr., never lets the story get out of
control. I was never a big fan of Zombie movies but I loved
this book. The lead character, Hitch, IS a zombie, but a
zombie with a twist. He still has his intellect. He knows
what he's lost. And that makes all the difference in this
really excellent novel.

For those who are confused, this book takes place 257 years after LANDING. That is to say, about 230 years after the events in Dragonsdawn, and about 2000 years BEFORE the events of the main books (Dragonflight, Dragonquest, Dragonsong, yadda yadda). It's mainly there for two reasons: to show how the Teaching Ballands and the Finger Rocks were made, and to give you a little view of what it was like to gear up for the start of a Pass when everyone was ready for it (not like in the main books, where no one believed). That's why it was called "Red Star Rising" in Britain -- I think that's a better name for it. It's coming, and they're getting ready.
Now, as for the question: is the book good? No, not really. It's sort of dull. Which is not to say that you won't enjoy it, if you're a Pern fan. But it's the main plotlines of the other books (put-upon young woman escapes a domineering family, mean Lord Holder doesn't believe in Thread, brilliant leaders come up with A Plan Just in Time) all sort of mixed up and redistributed. There are too many characters to get really involved in any of them. [There were lots of characters in Dragonsdawn, too, but somehow there she supported them well.] The plot is thin; it's supposed to tell the story of how certain things came into being, and it seems that what happened was, someone decided to make them. Um. Is that a STORY?
Despite all this, it's still Pern, and for those crazy Pern-ys out there, you can't help it. It's good to read just as some more insight into Pern and life there. Buy it used, or borrow it from a friend or something -- once through is enough.

I purchased this book because I always buy Anne McCaffrey's books all in fact. And the books of Pern have always been the best stories I've read. This book though ends abruptly and gives a whole section to the characters P'tero and M'leng I think the nature of these two characters and the
purpose for their being in the story was way more than I for one needed to read. If Miss McCaffery had some sort of publisher quota for minority references then I think the publisher should leave

their quota's out of existing story lines. It wasn't needed. Also it had no bearing on the story what so ever.
Sorry so critical. I will continue buying and reading your stories but, don't trash a story line and a world you created with our problems and lack of sexual knowledge and gender based problems. Pern was supposed to be above this. Your stories are great without corrupting them with real world problems and issues.
I'll look foward to the next story from Pern.. Just don't leave me hanging. Do they make it.

:) your fan still

Steven J. Rairdon

Probably my favorite Pern book although it is in compitition with The Skies of Pern. However I would recomend reading the original Dragonriders of Pern trilogy first, it will give you a better understanding of the other Pern novels. I hope to see another book about Iantine and Debera. This book seemed to be written with at least one sequel in mind, but none have been published. I admit to being heterosexual so it is understandable that I prefer female green riders. But considering the link between dragon and rider I wondered in the first Dragonrider novels why green(female) dragons were impressed by men when it would make much better sense for them to be impressed by women.

I started reading the Dragonriders of Pern many years ago and have never been disappointed by any of the books including this one. It explains many questions that any true Pern fan asks deep in their core as they read these fabulous books. From Finger Rock to the Harper Hall you will learn how these came into being. Anne McCaffrey writes books that can be read again and again (Believe me I've read the complete series four times and am now working on number five!) Enjoy this book as I know you certainly will.

Anne McCaffrey again recaptures the spirit of the Pernese as they continue their fight to settle and survive on the planet picked by ancestors to become their home. The setting is immediately prior to the second pass of the deadly menace Thread. The people are preparing for this and adjusting to the agragarian lifestyle as the technologies of their ancestors rusts and crumbles. It doesn't meet the extremely high ratings that I would give the Harper Hall Trilogy or the Dragonriders of Pern Trilogy. It does, however satisfy the need within me to get more from McCaffrey. The storyline has many heroes as compared to McCaffrey's tendency to have at least one Lessa, Moreta, or Killashandra. I look forward to reading her next release (Masterharper of Pern) which is already on my bedside table. In fact, I am late for that now. Enjoy the book, I know that I did!!!

I was enthralled with the various storylines and relationships described in this book. The vivid colors and emotions shine through in this work. I am not sure if I have read this series in proper order, but it`s been delightful all the same.

I generally enjoy Ms. McCaffrey's works, but the characterizations in this book didn't live up to her usual excellence.
The big anachronism concerns the AIVAS "turning itself off." AIVAS doesn't turn itself off until the end of All the Weyrs of Pern. The reason AIVAS isn't available to the second pass Pernese is because it is buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash.
Regarding 200 year old computers. Why not? A friend of mine has a 20 year old computer that still works fine. I imagine the Federation of Sentient Planets would have better computers than we have now. Especially as no one complained about AIVAS and the Yokahama still working after more than 2000 Pern years.

After McCaffery's first three dragonrider books, I had the feeling she had run out of characters and plot on this story line, but this book is right in there with the first three. It has a captivating plot, good character development and is a real page-turner. I read it in one sitting, missing the better part of a night's sleep - I don't do that much any more. The villain was realistic to a teeth-grinding, annoying degree. In my opinion, the only bad things about it were that it ended too soon and I missed the fire lizards. Pern lovers rejoice, this one doesn't get relegated to "between."

I only discovered Anne McCaffrey as an author about a year ago. Since then I've read all of her books -- my favorites being the Dragonriders of Pern series. I love the concept, high tech to no tech, but with magical and wonderful dragons. I await each new book in the series with eager anticipation and was thrilled to be the first person in the library to read Dragonseye. I love that she went back and revisited an earlier time in Pern's history and created a whole new cast of characters for me to remember. Anne, I hope you never stop revisiting Pern and its Dragonriders and Lord Holders and Dragons

Having been a McCaffrey fan since age 11, I never seem to be able to get enough of her dragons. Dragonseye, however, is not one of her best. While I am happy to see that McCaffrey has finally brought her gay riders out of the closet cave, I agree with other reviewers that her depiction is stereotypical. This, however, is not necessarily atypical of the rest of the characters in this book, gay or straight. It is interesting for us long-term Pern fans who want gaps in the history filled in. And, as always, there are the dragons... Worth putting on your bookshelf, at least in paperback..

I thought this book helped explain alot of things - especially the reason for the noticeable difference in cultures between "Dragonsdawn" & "Dragonflight". I spoke to Anne herself and she has said that "MasterHarper of Pern" will be out in the states in January 1998. I believe it is to be a follow-on from "Dragonseye". Please note here that "Dragonseye" is called "Red Star Rising" in the UK, Australia & New Zealand! I nearly bought another copy via the web but luckily thought to read the review beforehand!

I have found myself captivated by the world of Pern since first reading the trilogy The Dragonriders of Pern. From the first flight against the thread to the last I have enjoyed the lives and history of Pern. I read this book while in England and it was published under the title of " Red Star Rising" , I loved reading about the early years of the weyrs. Anne MacCaffrey has a unique way of allowing you to step into the world of Pern and live in the weyrs, fly dragon back and fight the politics of Pern. It is another thread in the continuing tapestry of Pern and a thrilling ride

This book continues the wonderful story of Pern. Currently reading the series for the second time, this time in chronological order, this book traces the LOST technology as it is happening in the story of Pern. Wonderful book, be sure to read it!

Anne McCaffrey is the quintessential writer of fantasy books pertaining to dragons. These books are always wonderful, well written, and perfectly characterized. All of her series are great but the ones that take place on Pern are the best of all.

With all things of dragons, Anne McCaffrey never fails to deliver. From teen to older woman, I Am immediately hunched over my pc, iPad now, lol, and barely breathe as I walk, ride, fight and flame with her characters. I've turned them over to my children, now grown. And yes, I still re-read them when I can.

After reading most of Anne McCaffrey's other books, I was very delighted to have been able to find Dragonseye. I wished she hadn't brought up the subject of homosexuality - we were all fine and happy, even though we kind of knew already, until she mentioned it! I especially enjoyed the friendliness between dragonrider and non-dragonrider (the artist and the green). Anne, if by any chance you ever read this, are you planning on writing a book that goes on after Chronicles...? I hope so.

Reading the entire series again...I remember WHY I would love to see these books turned into a movie, or TV series. Give it back to Ron Moore! If he can pull off Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander", then he could certainly do this more justice than anyone. Not to mention great improvements in CGI...just imagine the amazing dragons we would see!

I thought the book was great, but Anne McCaffrey really,REALLYshould have stuck with the illustrator from The Dolphins Of Pern.(Thedragon on the cover looks like it has a bad toothache) But it had a good storyline and it was over too soon. I liked the way it filled in the gaps of the history of Pern. It even explains how AIVAS was lost with the other high tech stuff. One of the best of Anne McCaffrey's works so far. I'm waiting for the next in the series!

Dragonseye (Red Star Rising in the UK) was a great book. I especially liked Zulaya, the senior queenrider at Telgar Weyr, and her dragon Meranath. But WHAT is with the homosexuality? Okay, we all know what blue and green riders are. No problem there. But the details it went into destroyed much of what the dragons ought to represent. Great book in other respects, wonderful characters, but a bit too graphic for my liking.

Excellent portrayal of the challenges of accepting a truly oral and non-technical existence and the preparations for future generations who would not have the same education or access to records. The editing could be better as there are many misspellings. But worth reading. It fills in some of the questions that might arise reading books that take place in Pernese future.

Though the characters and the time reference are new, the same storyline as Dragonflight... unprepared for Thread after a long interval, the people and dragon riders of Pern try to battle the menace again. However, there are some interesting parts...and what we all expect and demand from McCaffrey...dragons!

Dead Heat is Del Stone's first novel length work, but won't be his last. His characters are gritty, I'm still picking the grit out of my teeth, and believable, in that neo-futuristic biker-zombie sort of way.
And for those of you who aren't sure, yes, Del Stone posed for the art work and yes, that is his grin.

Some writers have it. Anne McCaffrey doesn't. There are many, many storyline possibilities for this world's scenario and none of them are exploited correctly. McCaffrey's style is simplistic and childish (there are better ways to show what someone is thinking than writing, "So-and-so thought this"). The characters are even more one-dimensional than those on Battlestar Galactica with none of the exciting effects. My advice, Mrs. McCaffrey: stick to children's books. Maybe you'll be better at that.

The Pern series of books from Anne McCaffery are great. Better if you read them in order, (look online at her website for recommendations). This is futuristic science fiction, but if you liked Aregon, you would probably like this series too

The story flows nicely. Sometimes I get a little confused regarding who is who, but on the whole I enjoy the tale. Many of the people in it live near me, some are friends of mine. You will recognize your own circle of friends here. I wish I had a dragon, even a fire lizard, of my own.

I am reading this series for the second time, (all this time as I missed some before), but this time I am reading it in the order of progression suggested by Ann McCaffrey in her Series Reading Order book and it is so much more fun and enjoyable this time!!

I have started reading these Pern books in chronologic order. This particular book starts about 250 turns(years) after humans landed. I enjoyed it. I cannot insert Spoilers, but if you know of these Pern books or like me have only read 3 this is a good way to start. So this is actually the fourth book in year order. A web search can help finding the order which each person wants to read. There have been 23? so it is up to the reader to decide the order publication or chronologic.