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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!
Menolly had a hard life living in a sea hold where only two people appreciated her for what she was--a young maiden with a gift for music--and when one of them, the Harper Petiron, died, life became harder. Small wonder when--after being entrusted with the education of the Hold children and receiving a beating over a single error, then being barred from joining in the evening's entertainment after the replacement Harper arrived--she chose to absent herself from Hold activities as much as possible. Small wonder, too, that she should not miss it when Thread catches her outside with no refuge but a cave inhabited by fire lizards! Especially when she Impresses nine newly-hatched miniature dragons who seem to love music as she does. But can she continue to live holdless, undetected by Hold, Craft, and Weyr alike? Not if her brother Alemi, the Harper Elgion, or the riders of Benden Weyr have anything to say about it!
Dragonsong introduces a character who will play a pivotal role in later Pern books, including The White Dragon. It also gives McCaffrey fans a longer glimpse into Hold life, something that her other Pern books doesn't necessarily allow, focused as they are upon the dragonriders and the Weyrs. There are, however, certain references to books in the other series that are slightly contradictory, but these are negligible overall.
It is in Dragonsong that readers receive a better understanding of the fire lizards, something that couldn't necessarily be done in the other books, what with their preoccupation with the doings of the dragonriders. But it is through Menolly and her trials and tribulations with them that the reality of being with them hits home. After all, in a way Menolly is raising pets (though she'd never call them such) and who can't remember the problems faced raising our own dogs or cats (or in my case rabbits)? And while we're on this identification idea, who can't sympathize with her treatment in Half-Circle Sea Hold--feeling burdened, used, generally just feeling put upon by everyone else? Not to mention being victims of injustice in our own families just because we might be the youngest (or oldest, which isn't that good a deal either at times), or having a skill that goes unappreciated? Readily comprehensible subject matter, yes?
Dragonsong is a welcome addition to the chronicles of Pern. This time with one chief focal character we receive a narrower but more detailed view of what life is like, and this time in the world of the private Hold instead of the great Weyr.
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