Anyone love Anne Mcaffrey?

[Tori Gollihugh]

Which series of hers have you read? Which do you love the best??

I've read almost all of the "ship" books and I'm reading her "Acorna" series now (only three books in).

I've heard a lot about Dragons of Pern, but that looks like an extensive series, so I'm kinda saving it for later.

Do you love any other Sci-Fi or Fantasy authors in particular?

[moonrosebud]

The dragon series are my favorites. Enjoy!

I've recently been reading the Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobbs - excellent!

[elanorh]

My sister's sitting on the couch reading the Hobbs books right now. She's pushing them on me. I of course pushed LOTR/Tolkien, McCaffrey, George R. Martin, and Robert Jordan (WoT) on her. So turnabout's fair play I suppose. She got me to read Inkheart and Inkspell, which were pretty good (childrens' fantasy).

McCaffrey is second only to Tolkien in my faves list. For a long tosime, they were the only two fantasy authors I could stomach (although I did like The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, and have liked what I've read of hers since).....

The Dragon/Pern series are the best of all McCaffrey's books. Definitely plan on reading them ALL (and some repeatedly). The first to read are the trilogy - Dragonflight, Dragonquest, White Dragon. (not necessarily in that order, I think Quest was first) -- I think the rest branched out from there. I think one of the short story collections out there has a recipe for Bubbly Pies. Mmmm. I want to find that sometime!

I do like the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Dense, very minute details matter later and it's a LONG series (I think we're up to book 11 or 12 now and more on the way, although the author is ill).... I think most people hit a "bump" somewhere between #4 and #7 in that series, but if you can get through it, the series improves again.

And, the Song of Fire and Ice series by George Martin - up to 4 books now - incomplete at this point - also quite good (although I didn't like the most recent one as much as the others). He's not afraid to kill off characters that you like (!! ) -- and characters change significantly (evolve) as you read the books, so some that you hated in the first book you actually like by the third book, etc.

You will love the Pern books though. And I'm assuming that you've already read LOTR but if you haven't, definitely read it!!

[Catherine12]

I love the Song of Fire and Ice series! Martin is great at handling moral shades of grey in his characters.

As I recall, many of McCaffrey's dragon books are prertty stand-alone, or are part of a three book run - you don't necessarily have to read the whole series or read them all in order.

I also really like Bujold, Asaro, Flewelling, Stross, and well, I could go on... I read a lot (about a book a week), and pretty much all of it is SF&F.

[moonrosebud]

I just finished reading Hobbs Assassin's Quest (#3 of the Farseer trilogy) and it made me cry! I guess I take after my Dd... she warned me!

Originally Posted by elanorh

I do like the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Dense, very minute details matter later and it's a LONG series (I think we're up to book 11 or 12 now and more on the way, although the author is ill).... I think most people hit a "bump" somewhere between #4 and #7 in that series, but if you can get through it, the series improves again.

I've got into these books too - on my kids' recommendations. I'm waiting for #11 to come out in paperback!

One of my all time favorite sci fic authors is Ray Bradbury. His stuff is lyrical and powerful.
Also, try Ursula K. LeGuin. Her Earthsea trilogy is a must - the definitive "Wizard" story, IMO. I have to admit that years ago, when the first Harry Potter came out (I was living in England then), we bought it for our kids and read it. I must be the only one on earth who read it and thought: eh?
!!! :

oh - and p.s. I loved McCaffrey's Crystal Singer series...

[Chalex]

My DH has read all the Pern books and says maybe I should check out the Acorna books. How are you enjoying them?

I like to check out the Sci-Fi bookclub flyers for idea's on what to read next.

[Tori Gollihugh]

elanorh: thank you for the numerous suggestions on additional authors. I'm going to have to write them down elsewhere so I can check into some of those series when I can!

Catherine12: wow... even more authors! I'm so excited to hear from so many other ladies who like SF/F!! I sometimes think I must be on an island because I know so few IRL who like the far fetched and unreal! And that's doesn't necessarily feel good when I'm also pretty crunchy and live in an area that really isn't (are any of them??).

moonrosebud: what is the crystal series about?? I'll be adding your authors to my list as well!

Chalex: I like the Acorna series pretty well. It's VERY easy to read. Of the two books I've read they each took me less than 12 hours to read (which is great with a little one to watch out for!). They are a good mix of SF and some fantasy, which because I love both genres works well for me. I'll have to check out the flyers you mentioned. Thank you!

[AnneB]

I loved the Pern series, and I've read the first Acorna book which was great. Now I'm reading a non sci-fi/fantasy book of hers called The Lady. I haven't read anything I didn't like.

[moonrosebud]

McCaffrey's Crystal Singer trilogy is about a gal called Killashandra, whose hopes of being a concert singer are dashed when she is told that she has a defect in her voice. She ends up joining a guild on a crystal mining planet, where their singing voice is used to tune the cutters.

Sounds a bit odd, but she's really good a creating a 'believable' world!

[fuzzypeach]

I love the Pern series - haven't really read anything else by her. In fact my love affair with the internet began as a play-by-email storytelling/roleplaying game set on Pern.

George RR Martin is very good - I'm rereading the series right now!

Some good Fantasy is the Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliette Marillier - based on Celtic myths, strong female characters. Romance too. :

[KittyKat]

I remember tearing through several "Pern" books when I was a teen. I used to ride my bike to the library (looked through the map books to search out a route that didn't cross any major busy roads) and carry home a couple books...then do it again 2-3 days later!

I did enjoy the dragon books I read at that time immensely. Hmmm... I wonder if I checked out a few now if my kids would let me get through half before it was due?

A friend and fellow Sci-Fi geek lent me a "Tolkein wannabe" series a while back. Complete with pseudo-hobbits, pointy eared elves, militant dwarves, and treks through caves and enchanted forests. What was that author's name? ...
Ah yes! Dennis McKeirnan!

I also like some of the Star Wars books. The ones by Timothy Zahn are at the top of my list.

[AnneB]

Kathryn, I thought I was the only girl who'd read the Timothy Zahn Star Wars trilogy!

[moonrosebud]

Originally Posted by AnneBasso

Kathryn, I thought I was the only girl who'd read the Timothy Zahn Star Wars trilogy!

I have too!

[KittyKat]

Oh my WORD! LOL!

What ELSE do we have in common Anne? This is getting ridiculous... in a really good way!

I happen to think Timothy Zahn is a writer who does a great job drawing me into a story, and whose attention to detail makes for an enjoyable read. Did you ever get to read his "Hand of Thrawn" (2-parter) and "Survivor's Quest" books?

[Pinoikoi]

I have read all of her OLDER stuff..

I read all the Damia series.. I read all the Crystal Singers, I read all the Freedom series, I read all the Acorna.. I read SOME of the ship who sang.. I read ALL of the Pern series (until the new stuff came out with or without Todd).. I also read a couple of other indy books Coelura, exchange of gifts, Ireta adventure, and something about people that transform on another planet into seals? I *think* that was hers too? Can't remember its name, but it was pretty good.. oh, and was there one about a lady that is test driving a new ship (she has tattoos around her throat) and she ends up on another planet where there are a lot of twins/multiples born??

It really has been a long time since I read her stuff...

My bff had almost all her books so I got to read them in order..

until now..

So can someone please help me with this? I read all the old stuff, but the new stuff I got left in the dust and I am trying to figure out what goes first and if I am missing anything?

Dragon's Kin 2005
Dragon's Blood 2005
Dragon's Fire 2006
Dragon harper 2007
Dragonheart 2008..

Is that right? Am I forgetting anything? I want to read the new ones over Christmas break, but I am having trouble figuring out their order.. thanks.

The Pern series was really my all time fav- but if there are new ones in her other series' as well, I will put that on my to do list to catch up with.. thanks again.

Oh and OP- the Pern series is really large, but it is several different series that take place on the same planet, really.. So there are the dragonriders series (the most extensive one I think) but then there are the Harper Hall books and the Dolphin books so I would pick one topic, and read them all and then switch rather than going chronologically in order of book release?
My bff had it down pat, and when I finished one, she just handed over the next, so that was pretty great, but she is back in school now, and I don't see her as much anymore.

[TiredX2]

Love the dragons of pern series.

Originally Posted by elanorh

And, the Song of Fire and Ice series by George Martin - up to 4 books now - incomplete at this point - also quite good (although I didn't like the most recent one as much as the others). He's not afraid to kill off characters that you like (!! ) -- and characters change significantly (evolve) as you read the books, so some that you hated in the first book you actually like by the third book, etc.

How can you recommend those?!?!? They are *too* good. And by that I mean that "Dance of Dragons" keeps "supposed" to be coming out and I swear it never will. It is like George Martin is trying to pull a Stephen King (The Gunslinger series). It's killing me!

[Princess ConsuelaB]

Me! Me! I love Anne McCaffrey! : I've read all of the Pern books(and reread them frequently. btw DragonFlight is the first one), yes it's an extensive series but they can be read on their own or out of order. I started with Dragonsinger(Harper Hall Trilogy) when I was 14-15(I'm 35 now ). The later ones, written by her son Todd are not as good but they are better than no new Pern books at all.

I also love the Crystal Singer series, and the Ship books. I've read the Damia and Freedom books but I've never got around to the Acorna series, I don't know why. Her worlds are very believable.

Another author I like is Christopher Stasheff -his Warlock series, they can be a bit campy but I love them. I'd start with The Warlock in Spite of Himself

I also enjoy Robert Holdstock, he's more on the fantasy side than sci-fi but very good. Lavondyss and Mythago Woods are my favorites.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by fuzzypeach

I love the Pern series - haven't really read anything else by her. In fact my love affair with the internet began as a play-by-email storytelling/roleplaying game set on Pern.

George RR Martin is very good - I'm rereading the series right now!

Some good Fantasy is the Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliette Marillier - based on Celtic myths, strong female characters. Romance too. :

My father used to pal around with George Martin before he became famous.. they are more of acquantances now though as they haven't seen each other for a long time..

kind of weird though when I mentioned to my dad- "Hey I found this great author, have you heard of him?"

And my dad got really quiet on the phone.. (George Martin is making WAY more money in the biz right now than dad is obviously )

[JessicaS]

Robert Jordan passed away since this thread was posted.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by abimommy

Robert Jordan passed away since this thread was posted.

Very true and sad- he had been very sick. I think there was another thread about it. I am rereading #11 of his I think. It was reported that a ghost writer was selected to finish his series but I don't know when that was supposed to happen..