Reviews

Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

rdfalgout's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

aaron_j136's review

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DNF @ pg 174

Didn’t feel connected to the story and was just really bored. I always feel guilty when I don’t finish a book but I don’t have time for bad books

keelirae113's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25


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tine1789's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5
The hangover after inhaling Fourth Wing pushed me to finally read this one. It filled the dragon-shaped hole and there were some very minor similarities but overall it is a VERY different vibe and story.
The writing is a bit stiff and sparse. Some of the "big" scenes happen without much set-up , tension or emotions, which makes for a very plot-driven story. It progresses quickly and is easy to grasp. Honestly it took a direction I really didn't expect. There are also some very fun details in the world-building thanks to the sci-fi & fantasy mix. And I kind of love the "stereotypical" fantasy naming system for the sake of it, haha. Apostrophes GALORE.
Spoiler ALSO: the first established Weyr is Fort Weyr and the others are always "location name" + Weyr. But I would think Fort is the orignal type-definer? And Pernese society accidentally kept the wrong part of the name because they didn't know a fort is a big fortifications to hous your military on earth? Or that is my headcanon about it at least.

I do miss the emotional connection and more detailed world-building that really gives that immersive feel to fantasy. Although there are plenty more books in the series to fill those little holes, I guess. On another note, there are some very questionable behavior patterns and morals, namely with a good coating of mysoginy.
Spoiler Why is Lessa being physically shaken so often?? Why are other female characters described so negatively? Jora I do partially get - her (in)actions had severe consequences. And I like that it was touched on that she was burdened by grief. It would be interesting to get narration from someone who knew her and cared about her, not just her position and duties. But WHY oh WHY was Kylara dismissed so quickly as a selfish brat who is out to seduse F'lar? We barely even know her, and the first half-opinion we get on her is presented as the final truth. Combined with the whole jealousy thing, it reeks of misogyny. And in a book with so little emotional detail, it just kind of sucks that the little there is, is this brand of it. Alas.

The dragons are perfect though and I Love them. <3 Ramoth <3 Mnementh <3 Snooze & food <3

sillypunk's review against another edition

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1.0

Do not read this book, it is fucking terrible: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-review-dragonflight/

1morepaige's review against another edition

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1.0

I am so glad I borrowed this book and did not buy it.

I cannot believe people would let their children read this book.

SUPER MISOGYNY to a scale that I found unbelievable. Includes but is not limited to repeated rape, slut shaming, and fat jokes about some dead woman!

enbyglitch's review against another edition

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4.0

It feels incredible every time I see sci-fi and fantasy mixed well. I really enjoy the unique setting McCaffrey created - in 1968 no less! A lot of things in this book certainly inspired other authors whose work I adore, and it is impressive to see their origins.

As for characters, plot, morals.... it's weak. I'm glad the 'lead' is female, but there's a lot of weird gender/sex aspects that are pretty uncomfortable, and the classic sf&f male action hero does end up taking most of the spotlight.

I enjoyed the plot for what it was, but it's exactly the wrong one to get me excited about a series. It also seems insane that a certain ability is only discovered now.

Frankly, I enjoy the world enough that I might check out the sequel one day! But I think this is a rocky foundation on which to have people jump into the 25+ book series that makes up Pern.

tigersmurf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

3.0

zober's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I like the mix of sci fi and fantasy - I'll probably read the next one. That said, the main "romance" is... super problematic. While the main protagonist is a woman, all the other characters of note are male. But this was written a while ago so even a female MC is was probably pretty progressive then. 

[Read this pretty concussed and it took me far too long for such a short book. It was over a month ago at this point - really should have written a review earlier because I forgot most of it by the time I'm writing the review.]

meraxes's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0