Dragon's Fire
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| Author | Anne McCaffrey with Todd McCaffrey |
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| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | Pern |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey (1st edition hardcover) |
| Released | July 11, 2006 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardcover |
| Pages | 384 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0345480287 |
| Preceded by | Dragonsblood |
Dragon's Fire is a science fiction novel in the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey and her son, Todd McCaffrey. First published in 2006.
The book is a collection of two points of view, that of Pellar and Halla. In addition to new material, Pellar's story provides background information related to the previous title Dragon's Kin. Halla's story is mostly new material and takes place after the events in Pellar's. The focus of Halla's story is the problem-laden transition from firestone to the phosphene-bearing rock that is used by later generations of dragons.
[edit] Publisher Description
"Pellar is an orphan taken in by Masterharper Zist. Though born mute, Pellar is a gifted tracker, and when Zist sets off to take over as harper for Natalon’s coal-mining camp, Pellar–along with his fire-lizard, Chitter–joins him on a secret mission of his own: to find out if reported thefts of coal are the work of the Shunned, criminals condemned to a life of wandering and hardship.
Halla is one of the children of the Shunned. Though innocent of their parents’ crimes, these children have inherited their cruel punishment. Lack of food, shelter, and clothes is their lot; hope is unknown to them. And what future would they hope for? Without a hold to call their own, there will be no protection for them when the lethal Thread inevitably falls again. Life is even tougher for Halla. Her family gone, she must fend for herself. Yet despite the brutality of her surroundings, Halla is kind and gentle, devoted to those more helpless than she.
As depraved as Halla is good, Tenim is in league with Tarik, a crooked miner from Camp Natalon, who helps him steal coal in exchange for a cut of the profit. But Tenim soon realizes there is a lot more to be made from firestone, the volatile mineral that enables the dragons of Pern to burn Thread out of the sky. Tenim doesn’t care what he has to do, or whom he has to kill, in order to corner the market.
Cristov is Tarik’s son. Dishonored by his father’s greed and treachery, the boy must make amends somehow, even if it means risking his life by mining the volatile firestone, which detonates on contact with the slightest drop of moisture.
When the last remaining firestone mine explodes in flames, a desperate race begins to find a new deposit of the deadly but essential mineral, for without it there can be no defense against Thread. But Tenim has a murderous plan to turn tragedy to his own advantage, and only Pellar, Halla, and Cristov can stop him–and ensure that there will be a future for all on the world of the Dragonriders."
[edit] Notes
Internal continuity error: Pellar is promoted to apprentice as part of his mission with Zist. During a conversation with Zist, where the Master harper talks of taking a second apprentice, he performs a field promotion for Pellar. Pellar becomes a journeyman harper. Later, when Pellar receives an apprentice's uniform from Masterharper Murenny, he is 'ecstatic' about becoming an official apprentice.
Internal continuity error: Halla understands Moran to be a Harper, but is highly dubious of the man after being with him for a while. In a conversation with an adult, she is informed that he actually is a harper and that Master Zist is looking for him. Later in the book, she has returned to the earlier dubious state.
Series continuity error: Tenim has a trained falcon named Grief. Early on in the Dragonriders of Pern series, it was established that flying birds transplanted from Terra were not successfully introduced. Due to the presence of wherries and other native species that hunted them, they were all killed off. As no falcons, eagles, or other Terran birds of prey were mentioned prior to this book, or after, it could be concluded that these were few and had died out prior to the Ninth Pass.
| The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey | |
|---|---|
| The Dragonriders of Pern trilogy | Dragonflight | Dragonquest | The White Dragon |
| The Harper Hall trilogy | Dragonsong | Dragonsinger | Dragondrums |
| Other novels | Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern | Nerilka's Story | Dragonsdawn | Renegades of Pern | All the Weyrs of Pern |
| The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall | The Dolphins of Pern | Dragon's Eye | The Masterharper of Pern | The Skies of Pern | |
| Novels by Todd McCaffrey | Dragon's Kin | Dragonsblood | Dragon's Fire |
