The White Dragon - Anne McCaffrey

...(due to their similarity to the mythical creatures of earth) were developed to combat an unthinking but deadly enemy called Thread, which fell towards Pern from a nearby planet termed the "Red Star" every 200 years or so. Another plan involving genetically engineered grubs was hatched but this fell out of memory, as did the origins of human life on the planet.

This is the third chronicle of Pern. In the first (DragonFlight), ...
...time to save Pern from the Threadfall. In the second (DragonQuest), the Oldtimers (those brought forward in time) are not too happy with the changes in Pern since their time and start causing trouble. Also the Thread begins to fall in unpredictable patterns, and an object of the early settlers is discovered, which allows small objects to be magnified. Copying this technology, the Craftmasters of Pern manage to create a basic telescope, and thus begin ... more

Overview
---------------

Centuries ago, humans colonised a planet called Pern. In these centuries genetically-engineered creatures called Dragons (due to their similarity to the mythical creatures of earth) were developed to combat an unthinking but deadly enemy called Thread, which fell towards Pern from a nearby planet termed the "Red Star" every 200 years or so. Another plan involving genetically engineered grubs was hatched but this fell out of memory, as did the origins of human life on the planet.

This is the third chronicle of Pern. In the first (DragonFlight), Weyrleader F'Lar and his partner Lessa had to resort to bringing Dragonriders forward in time to save Pern from the Threadfall. In the second (DragonQuest), the Oldtimers (those brought forward in time) are not too happy with the changes in Pern since their time and start causing trouble. Also the Thread begins to fall in unpredictable patterns, and an object of the early settlers is discovered, which allows small objects to be magnified. Copying this technology, the Craftmasters of Pern manage to create a basic telescope, and thus begin to make possible what F'Lar has long thought of as the only way to completely rid Pern of the menace of Thread - to combat and destroy it on the Red Star itself. But when his brother F'Nor tries, he finds out why this can never be done… Not only that but the mythical Fire Lizards (early versions of the breed that became Dragons, who no-one believed existed) are found on the Southern Continent… and then the grubs are discovered…

If that all sounds a bit complicated it's because you really can't explain the story properly (even the basic plot) in a paragraph. The White Dragon begins with several pages of Prologue with the story so far, but I still feel it would leave you rather confused if you hadn't already read the first two books.

The Story
---------------

The story mainly revolves around young Lord Jaxom and his white Dragon, Ruth. (Ruth is male, by the way). There are no other white Dragons on Pern, he's half the size of other Dragons and no-one expected him to survive. But he does, and seems to have special abilities… While Jaxom struggles to juggle his desire to be a Dragonrider with his responsibilities towards his people, Ruth develops a special relationship with the Fire Lizards (who by now are everywhere!) - they tend to shy away from other Dragons, but swarm around Ruth wherever he goes.

Meanwhile, F'Lar's plan to seed the planet with the grubs is not accepted with unbounded joy. After all, it would end the need for the Dragons, and the thought of salvation in the form of majestic, powerful flying beasts is much more appealing than needing to feel grateful to disgusting grubs…

Not only that, but some more of the mysteries of the first inhabitants of the planet are about to be revealed…

The Characters
-----------------------

It's a shame that the central character to this story is Jaxom. While he's quite an interesting character in many ways, he lacks the strength and appeal of F'Lar or Lessa, who are relegated to a back seat. I also found his relationship with Ruth slightly less convincing than the other Rider-Dragon relationships.

All other the characters that appear from the earlier books - including F'Nor, Robinton (the Master Haper, who plays a big part in this book), and Farandel (the Master Smith), seem more like caricatures of themselves this time. None of the characterisation rings as true as in the previous two books, though I can't easily put my finger on exactly why that is.

Locations
-----------------

With more emphasis this time on the Southern Continent, McAffery's ability to describe locations in a way that make you feel you're actually there has not diminished. The description of high-tech objects as seen through low-tech eyes is particularly well done. There is nothing at all wrong with this aspect of the book.

Plot Development
----------------------------

Unfortunately it is in the plot development that the book really falls short. It all seems a bit too chummy - much of the conflict of the earlier books is gone, but the reasons for this are not too convincing. Much of the plot also seems rather too contrived - more a case of effect and cause rather than cause and effect. (Is that too abstract? What I mean is, it feels like McAffery decided what she wanted to happen, and then created a reason for it - I know that's how it works, but it shouldn't read like that. And F'Lar having his compulsory duel seemed very unnecessary on this occasion. (He has one in every book - well, of the first 3 at least).

The Writing
------------------

McAffery's writing is as good as ever in some scenes but rather lacks its normal sparkle most of the way through. While the action scenes are definitely lacking substance, the web of political intrigues and undercurrents is still very well written. It's a case of pretty good, but from an author of whom you expect excellence.

Overall
------------

While The White Dragon isn't a terrible book by any means, it's by far the weakest link in the Pern novels I've read so far (admittedly this is only the first 3 to date). I thought DragonFlight was excellent, DragonQuest excelled excellence, but The White Dragon left me feeling very disappointed.

As a stand-alone book it doesn't stand up very well either - it's very much part of the series. If you read this first, much of it will be very confusing.

Sadly, this is a Pern novel I can't really recommend. It's nowhere near as good as DragonFlight or DragonQuest, and is not a book that stands up well outside of the series, either.

Buying Information
----------------------------

Amazon.co.uk info:

List Price: £6.99
Our Price: £5.59 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £19 with Super Saver Delivery. See details & conditions.
You Save: £1.40 (20%)
Availability: usually dispatched within 24 hours.

78 Used & New from £0.01

You can also buy this book as part of the "Dragonriders of Pern", (sometimes just called "Dragonflight" with the subtitle "Dragonriders of Pern trilogy") which contains this and the first two books in the Pern series: "Dragonflight" and "DragonQuest", both of which are superb. For which the Amazon.co.uk info (paperback) is:

10 Used & New from £2.08

Availability: usually dispatched within 1 to 2 working days

It's probably worth getting the trilogy as even though "The White Dragon" isn't as good, you'll still be wanting to find out what happens to F'Lar, Lessa, and co after reading DragonQuest!

The Pern Series
-------------------------

The Pern Series currently comprises of 23 books (as far as I can make out at time of writing!), though I've not read beyond this third book - so far. I've little doubt that I will read more of the Pern novels at some stage, some of which deal with events before those of DragonFlight. 

...less