Dragonsinger

Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2

By: Anne McCaffrey

Narrated by: Sally Darling

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Menolly has returned home and entered the Harper Hall. But her entry into the Hall proves the beginning of more troubles, and the Master Harper gives her a difficult time because she is a girl. As Menolly begins to despair, she finds help in the shape of nine bright allies.

Don't miss the other books in the Harper Hall Trilogy.

©1977 Anne McCaffrey (P)1992 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"The transformation of Menolly from a terrified outcast to a woman secure within herself is skillfully handled, making her a sympathetic character with whom many readers will identify." ( School Library Journal)
"A superbly crafted fantasy in the heroic tradition....Unlike many sequels, this maintains the dramatic tensions of its predecessor." ( Horn Book)
"Although set in another world, where dragons fly and people have fire lizards as pets, Menolly's innermost concerns are wholly contemporary." ( Booklist)

Much better

This narrator did a much better job reading this book than she did with Dragonsong.

better the then first book in the series

the Continuing Story builds great interest to the reader and the development of the new characters are fun

favorite

one of my favorites from Anne she really spins a great tale very repeatable and personal

Nice Coming of Age YA tale

I recently listened to Dragonsinger written by Anne McCaffrey and narrated by Sally Darling.

This is the second book in the Pern Harper Hall Trilogy. It's generally almost impossible to review a book later in a series without a few spoilers. If this is an issue for you, I  suggest you stop reading now. 

Menolly, the young musician who bonded with nine fire lizards, has been accepted into the Harper Hall to begin training as a Harper. This is novel in itself as she is the sole girl in a male dominated school. While some have few issues with her presence, many others resist the concept of a female Harper.

Sally Darling's reading of this book was generally decent. There are a few awkward pronunciations, but nothing too serious. Overall she did a very workman like job with the text.

Conclusion: This is a fairly solid YA novel. It depicts the struggle of a girl who, bluntly, has a few unusual advantages, despite this being a male dominated school. Despite her advantages, she doesn't let her head get too big and is generally a fairly pleasant character to read about. There are no serious plot developments in this novel, but it's still enjoyable. I think anyone who wants a bit of light hearted fantasy will enjoy this book.

Highly recommend!

Phenomenal stories in this series of books (audiobooks). I first read the entire series that was out ages ago and have added each new one as it has come out. Now collecting the audiobooks since I can listen while crocheting or quilting.

love it

very good narration!! I recommend this book to anyone who likes to listen to books

Excellant story from a brilliant author

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys Anne McCaffrey's works. I remember reading this as a teenager and really connected to the emotions of the main character. Listening to the story drew me back in to the world of Pern and made me want to reread all of her stories, starting back at the beginning.

What did you like best about this story?

Seeing a different point of view than that of the the dragonriders. I really like the character of Menolly.

What does Sally Darling bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is a good narrator who brings the story to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really resonated with Menolly's feelings of loneliness and alienation from her friends and family for being talented and different.

blaring discrepancy

I have read just about every book on Pern. I do love the Harper Hall trilogy but one thing has made me, for lack of a better term, crazy it's the fact that they keep talking about women do not become Harper's. In the Masterharper of Pern Robinton's mother, and Petron wife was a master singer in the Harper Hall just one of a number of women in the Harper Hall I've been meaning to point this out and I just decided to do it now as I'm reading listening to the series because I enjoy it.

I don't remember it from many years ago.

Loved it! Must continue with Dragondrums.
Narration was wonderfully done.
Love these book series.

A great reading

The second book of the Harper Hall is well wonderful story well worth listening to.