Product Description

In a time when the deadly scourge Thread has not fallen on Pern for centuries--and many dare to hope that Thread will never fall again--a boy is born to Harper Hall. A musical prodigy who has the ability to speak with the dragons, he is called Robinton, and he is destined to be one of the most famous and beloved leaders Pern has ever known.

It is a perilous time for the harpers who sing of Thread--they are being turned away from holds, derided, attacked, even beaten. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own. But despite the tragedies that beset his own life, he continues to believe in music and in the dragons, and he is determined to save his beloved Pern from itself--so that the dragonriders can be ready to fly against the dreaded Thread when at last it returns . . .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27864 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-28
• Released on: 1998-11-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From School Library Journal
YA-Set just prior to Dragonflight, Masterharper details the life, loves, and heartbreaks of Robinton, Pern's most beloved harper. Readers follow him through a childhood filled with rejection and neglect by his Mastercomposer father, the loss of his wife, the death of his best friend, to his becoming Masterharper of Pern. This is McCaffrey at her best, combining excellent writing with vivid settings and detailed, fully fleshed-out characters. The book would be best read after Dragonflight (1986) and Dragonquest (1979, both Ballantine), but can stand alone.
John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
Hill's reading of The Masterharper of Pern, a Dragonriders of Pern novel, presents an intimate account. Hill recounts this tale of dragons and harpers as if he knows and has lived with its characters and events. J.E.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Kirkus Reviews
McCaffrey's latest rummage through the archives of planet Pern (Dragonseye, 1997, etc.) has unearthed Robinton, the Masterharper of Pern, and the circumstances surrounding the advent of weyrleader F'lar and Lessa, the first woman Dragonrider. It's a time when no Thread has fallen for centuries (it's due in 50 years or so), and five of the six weyrs stand inexplicably empty of Dragons and Riders. Young Rob, rejected by his father, is a musical prodigy and has the ability to speak telepathically with dragons. As Rob's musical and diplomatic skills grow, he becomes friendly with Dragonrider F'lon and also earns the enmity of Fax, a holder who refuses to allow his people to be educated (the traditional role of the Harpers). Rob marries, but his wife dies of a fever; F'lon's wife dies in childbirth; Fax, meanwhile, by force and trickery dominates the north and threatens the very basis of Pern society. Then, after F'lon is killed in a contrived duel, Fax invades Ruatha Hold, and now Rob must enlist the aid of F'lon's son F'lar to defeat Fax. Covers well-trodden ground in more detail than hitherto; presumably, most dragonfans will find it satisfying enough. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Robinton Revealed
I enjoyed listening to Robintons early years. It gave me a new view into a character that I have always loved in the Pern novels.

Get ready to cry.
If you have read any of the series you know how the Masterharper steals your heart from the first book. This book makes you love him even more. Wraps you up from beginning to end in Annie's wonderful world. Enjoy.

Masterharper of Pern
The narrator of this was excellent. I have a long drive to college, 3 days a week and this made the driving easier. Anyone who likes Pern will love this.