Moreta

By: Anne McCaffrey

Narrated by: Sheila Hart

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

An air of pleasant anticipation hung so thickly over the Halls, Holds, and Weyrs of Pern that it had affected even the businesslike ways of Moreta, the Weyrwoman of Fort Weyr. Her dragon, Queen Orlith, would soon clutch; spring had made a glorious debut; the Gather at Ruatha Hold was extremely merry; and Moreta was enjoying the attentions of Alessan, the new Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold.

With only eight Turns remaining before the deadly Thread would cease to Fall, all seemed well on Pern. Then, without warning, a runnerbeast fell ill. Soon myriads of holders, craftsmen, and dragonriders were dying, and the mysterious ailment had spread to all but the most inaccessible holds. Pern was in mortal danger. For, if dragonriders did not rise to char Thread, the parasite would devour any and all organic life it encountered.

The future of the planet rested in the hands of Moreta and the other dedicated, selfless Pern leaders. But of all their problems, the most difficult to overcome was time....

Pay another visit to Pern.

©1983 Anne McCaffrey (P)2005 Brilliance Audio

Critic Reviews

"Sheila Hart reads Moreta with a sensitivity and delicacy that reflect the magical, mythical quality of McCaffrey's dragon legends. Hart's characterization is subtle; vocal styles suggest, rather then impersonate, characters, and male voices are satisfying." ( AudioFile)

Weakest Storyline So Far

What did you like best about Moreta? What did you like least?

This storyline went on and on about the daily problems of wierlife, and the severe depredations of the plague. I kept waiting for them to take the obvious step and simply go back in time to stop the plague from ever starting (they "time it" a lot in this story), but instead they take little steps that are almost meaningless in the scheme of things.

Even at the very end (no details, to avoid a total spoiler), it is clear that a their ability to "time it" meant there was absolutely no need for the finale that was included.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable story with good narration.

I have read most, if not all, of the Pern series of books. I chose this as my first audiobook based on its reviews on the narrator. I thought that Sheila Hart did a good job with both male and female parts. However, the characterization of an older female seemed forced at times (as in I noticed that it was a younger narrator voicing a younger character). This was not overly problematic, and I was able to stay immersed in the storyline as much as possible during my 30 minute listening sessions (commute to work). After finishing Moreta, I immediately purchased The White Dragon (the book that hooked me on the series) and narrator reviews were also a major consideration.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

not comparable to other Pern novels

The publisher's description summarizes the story well, there isn't much more added in the book other than a re-discovery of immunization and some of the cast dying at the end for no reason I could ascertain. Maybe it solved the problem that otherwise, another chapter would have been needed to neatly wrap up what few loose threads were left.
All in all I kept waiting for something more interesting to happen, and as much as I like other Dragonrider novels, this one felt like wasted effort.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Book and narrater great, end credit wrong!

Ms. Hart does a great job at narrating Moreta, a book I've always loved. So it is a but disconcerting to hear on the leadout announcement that the book was narrated by "Dick Hill." Uh--big booboo! Was that an actual "Brilliance Audio End-Credit or an Audible Plug-In? I hardly can believe that Brilliance Audio would release a book with such an error.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Moreta

** spoiler alert ** I remember this being one of my favorite Dragonriders of Pern books. I wasn't sure that would remain the same, but as I got further into the book I realized that it was still a great book.

In this story we find Pern almost to the end of a thread pass, but stricken with a terrible sickness that is killing so many. There is no cure for beast or human. They must treat the symptoms and get through the sickness. They need to vaccinate all the humans as well as the runners since this sickness is spread through animals.

Moreta is a fantastic character who goes above and beyond to save Pern. She is a very likable character. There was joy and there was a lot of sadness. I wept at the loss. It is a beautiful book with an amazingly strong and willful female protagonist.

Always one of my favorites.

this has been a favorite of mine ever since the day it was originally released in print.

wonderful book

good reader. nice pace kept me interested right up until the end. can't wait to start the next book

Good but sad !!!!

Once again an excellent story . I truly enjoy the Dragonrider series . Moreta !! what an ending !!

Best books ever

I learned how to read starting out with the Harper Hall Trilogy and every year I read the Pern books again. Pern feels like home and the characters and dragons are my friends. I will miss Anne McCaffrey and thank her every day for giving me such wonderful books to read.

Still a great Pern book

If you're like me, you've already read the original trilogy and the Harper hall trilogy and loved every single one of them. Unfortunately, this book is not quite their equal. It is, however, still a great book about dragons and Pern and it is very enjoyable to learn about an earlier time in Pern's history. If you're looking to read through the whole series, don't skip this book! It's worth the read:)