Synopsis:
Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne McCaffrey's best-selling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.
Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own . . . driven by his belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved Pern.
Also by Anne McCaffrey
The Dragon Books
DRAGONFLIGHT
DRAGONQUEST
DRAGONSONG
THE WHITE DRAGON
DRAGONDRUM
MORETA; DRAGONLADY OF PERN
DRAGONSINGER; HARPER OF PERN
NERILKA'S STORY & THE COELURA
DRAGONSDAWN
THE RENEGADES OF PERN
ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN
THE CHRONICLES OF PERN; FIRST FALL
THE DOLPHINS OF PERN
RED STAR RISING: THE SECOND CHRONICLES OF PERN
Crystal Singer Books
THE CRYSTAL SINGER
KILLASHANDRA
CRYSTAL LINE
Talent Series
TO RIDE PEGASUS
PEGASUS IN FLIGHT
PEGASUS in SPACE
Tower and the Hive Sequence
THE ROWAN
DAMIA
DAMIA'S CHILDREN
LYON'S PRIDE
Catteni Sequence
FREEDOM'S LANDING
FREEDOM'S CHOICE
Individual titles
RESTOREE
DECISION AT DOONA
THE SHIP WHO SANG
GET OFF THE UNICORN
THE GIRL WHO HEARD DRAGONS
Written in collaboration with
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
POWERS THAT BE
POWER LINES
POWER PLAY
The MASTERHARPER of PERN
ANNE McCAFFREY
LONDON
BANTAM PRESS
NEW YORK 0 TORONTO 7 SYDNEY
AUCKLAND