Welcome to the land of wonders, where time travel is possible, space travel a reality, and "what ifs" come to life. Join me as I explore new worlds--and old ones--filled with scientific wonders, new civilizations, and strange new mysteries to consider.
This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.
That said, on to the review!
No one thought Ruth, Pern's only white dragon, would survive for very long beyond his Hatching and Impression. However, he and his rider, Lord Jaxom of Ruatha Hold, thrived and flourished. Ruth would never match his sire or dam--bronze Mnementh and gold Ramoth, two of Pern's largest dragons--in size or strength, but he was smarter than most others and the obsession of the fire lizards...assets when trouble strikes and a golden egg is stolen from one of Ramoth's clutches. Now it is only Ruth's unique abilities and Jaxom's adeptness in applying them that will prevent Pern's dragons from flying against each other in open warfare. The only problem is this: no one trusts the fire lizards anymore! What will happen when people learn that Ruth and Jaxom received help from fire lizards?
The White Dragon brings to light two who turn out to be mainstays in McCaffrey's later Pern books. Time has passed, naturally, since the ending of Dragonquest, so seeing a full-grown Ruth where before there was a recent hatchling isn't a discrepancy. On another note, this is also the first time McCaffrey ties her young adult series, The Harper Hall of Pern, into the rest of her Pern novels with Menolly, a mainstay in that trilogy putting in her first appearance. The Masterharper's roles in the first and second books don't quite count.
Here too we have our first glimpse into Pern's far-distant past, back to the time of the first settlers. What's most interesting about it all is that these images don't come from written records or oral stories and legends, but through the memories of those that people have learned to be suspicious of: the fire lizards! Of course, this just gives Ruth and Jaxom another chance to shine since the one's the only dragon the fire lizards trust and the other's nearly the only one who can possibly interpret it all. On a sadder note, we get a glimpse of man's mortality, not so much in T'kul's battle with F'lar or the death of Fanna of Ista Weyr, but in the prolonged "heart attack" scene...though McCaffrey doesn't specify that is actually what it is.
The White Dragon carries on the story of the people of Pern. Join them as they rediscover lost skills and abilities, whether through their own inadvertant breakthroughs or the advent of fire lizard memories. I guarantee you'll enjoy every moment of it!
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