Dragon's Kin: A New Novel of Pern

Version: Unabridged
Author: Anne McCaffrey , Todd J. McCaffrey
Narrator: Dick Hill
Genres: Fantasy
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Date: November 2003
Length: 8 hours
Ratings:
Formats :
  • CD
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Overview

Beginning with the classic Dragonriders of Pern, Anne McCaffrey has created a complex, endlessly fascinating world uniting humans and great telepathic dragons. Millions of devoted readers have soared on the glittering wings of Anne’s imagination, following book by book the evolution of one of science fiction’s most beloved and honored series. Now, for the first time, Anne has invited another writer to join her in the skies of Pern, a writer with an intimate knowledge of Pern and its history: her son, Todd.

DRAGON’S KIN

Young Kindan has no expectations other than joining his father in the mines of Camp Natalon, a coal mining settlement struggling to turn a profit far from the great Holds where the presence of dragons and their riders means safety and civilization. Mining is fraught with danger. Fortunately, the camp has a watch-wher, a creature distantly related to dragons and uniquely suited to specialized work in the dark, cold mineshafts. Kindan’s father is the watch-wher’s handler, and his son sometimes helps him out. But even that important job promises no opportunity outside the mine.

Then disaster strikes. In one terrible instant, Kindan loses his family and the camp loses its watch-wher. Fathers are replaced by sons in the mine–except for Kindan, who is taken in by the camp’s new Harper. Grieving, Kindan finds a measure of solace in a burgeoning musical talent . . . and in a new friendship with Nuella, a mysterious girl no one seems to know exists. It is Nuella who assists Kindan when he is selected to hatch and train a new watch-wher, a job that forces him to give up his dream of becoming a Harper; and it is Nuella who helps him give new meaning to his life.

Meanwhile, sparked by the tragedy, long-simmering tensions are dividing the camp. Far below the surface, a group of resentful miners hides a deadly secret. As warring factions threaten to explode, Nuella and Kindan begin to discover unknown talents in the misunderstood watch-wher–talents that could very well save an entire Hold. During their time teaching the watch-wher, the two learn some things themselves: that even a seemingly impossible dream is never completely out of reach . . . and that light can be found even in darkness.

Reviews (8)

Good for Anna McCaffrey

Written by Gabriele Theis-Hare on April 16th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Another brilliant Pern book. I only gave it 4 stars vs. 5, because all of her stories have the tendency to lose me in some of those really big words, which I have to look up in dictionaries. This is really hard to do while driving a car, so it doesn't get done. Also I can't see the spelling, therefore I immediately forget the word before I have a chance to look it up. Other than that, I loved the story, although it was a bit predictable, but brilliant!

This Tale Takes Flight

Written by dlct on December 31st, 2006

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Anne McCaffrey fans won't want to miss this one. Even though Todd isn't quite up to his mother's craft standards, this book is fine. I loved learning more about watch whers - some of which seems to contradict earlier McCaffrey writings. Oh well, it happens. The narrator is good, the book moves right along and if you like Pern novels, you'll like this one. If you're a Pern novice, you'll want to start with DragonFlight or one of her early novels to get the basic background and history.

Excellant Narration

Written by Kristeen Sellers from Des Moines, IA on October 13th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I greatly enjoy reading the Pern books. This is the first time I have listened to one. The narrator brought this book to life. He had sepearte "voices" for each character, which he kept through the entire reading. The story line was very well written, but a little see through. You kinda knew where it was going to end up, at about the middle of the book. Definately would recommend to any Sci/Fantasy Reader who likes "good" dragons.

Dragon's Kin

Written by Talmadge V Vessels Jr from Petaluma, CA on October 10th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Anne McCaffrey and her son, Todd, bring us another dragon based story from Pern -- and a worthy tale they do tell. Pull on some warm clothes and prepare to slip between -- the where and when of right here, right now. Take this journey and feel your own heart soar with the boy and the girl who live this one with everything they have to offer. A very fine read, a good listen too.

Very enjoyable

Written by Catherine Franchett on February 14th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I enjoyed this look at another type of dragon on Pern. I have long wished for more books about Pern, this was great.

Good story

Written by Jamie Lijewski on January 10th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I found this to be a nice adaptation of the Pern seris. I enjoyed the reader and his abilities greatly, this is one I'd recommend

Dragon's Kin

Written by Gail Kummer on June 30th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Always a pleasure to return to Pern. Mr. McCaffry seems to have inherited his mother's wonderful imagination and Ms. McCaffrey is willing to let someone else venture into her realm

Dragon's Kin (Dragonriders of Pern

Written by Bunny Lincoln on June 2nd, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Anne McCaffrey has continued the saga of the dragon riders with a new twist regarding the watch-whers. This has an exciting twist at the end. I look forward to more stories from her.

Author Details

Author Details

McCaffrey, Anne

Anne McCaffrey was born on April 1st, 1926, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at 1:30 p.m., in the hour of the Sheep, year of the Fire Tiger, sun sign Aries with Taurus rising and Leo mid-heaven (which seems to suggest an early interest in the stars).

Her parents were George Herbert McCaffrey, BA, MA PhD (Harvard), Colonel USA Army (retired), and Anne Dorothy McElroy McCaffrey, estate agent. She had two brothers: Hugh McCaffrey (deceased 1988), Major US Army, and Kevin Richard McCaffrey, still living.

Anne was educated at Stuart Hall, Staunton Virginia, Montclair High School, Montclair, New Jersey, and graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College, majoring in Slavonic Languages and Literatures.

Anne McCaffrey has tried to live up to her auspicious natal day. Her first novel was written in Latin class and might have brought her instant fame, as well as an A, if she had written it in that ancient language. Much chastened by teacher and father, she turned to the stage and became a character actress, appearing in the first successful summer music circus in Lambertsville, NJ. She studied voice for nine years and, during that time, became intensely interested in the stage direction of opera and operetta, ending that phase of her experience with the direction of the American premiere of Carl Orff’s LUDUS DE NATO INFANTE MIRIFICUS in which she also played a witch.

Her working career included Liberty Music Shops and Helena Rubinstein (1947-1952). She married in 1950 and has three children: Alec Anthony, b. 1952, Todd, b.1956, and Georgeanne, b.1959.

Anne McCaffrey’s first story was published by Sam Moskowitz in Science Fiction + Magazine and her first novel was published by Ballantine Books in 1967. By the time the three children of her marriage were comfortably in school most of the day, she had already achieved enough success with short stories to devote full time to writing. Her first novel, Restoree, was written as a protest against the absurd and unrealistic portrayals of women in s-f novels in the 50s and early 60s. It is, however, in the handling of broader themes and the worlds of her imagination, particularly the two series The Ship Who Sang and the fourteen novels about the Dragonriders of Pern that Ms. McCaffrey’s talents as a story-teller are best displayed.

Although she used to make appearances throughout the world as guest of honor at science fiction conventions, arthritis has now restricted such travel. She lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill (because she had to dig out a hill on her farm to build it) in Wicklow County, Ireland. It is not remotely like a castle, "on purpose," she says to people who believe ‘hold’ is synonymous with ‘castle’ in Ireland.

Anne runs a private livery stable and her horses have been successful in Horse Trials and showjumping. She does not ride in competition, she hastens to add, but has enjoyed the success of horse and rider and, until recently, rode out on her black and white mare, Pi.

McCaffrey, Todd J.

TODD MCCAFFREY was born in the United States, but he spent his teenage years in Ireland, where his mother moved in 1970. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he followed his love of computers to build a career as a computer engineer. His true love is writing, though. Having grown up with the Dragonriders of Pern, he is bursting with ideas for new stories of that world, its people, and its dragons.

"From the Hardcover edition."