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spookybill's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
cooeeaus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rhondaiscrazy's review against another edition
3.75
This was read for book club, it is early sci-fi - not my usual read - but one of the reasons I am in this particular book club is to stretch my boundaries. It took me a long time to get interested in the book, partly because it was building a whole new world. But I did get interested, especially in the way there problem is to be solved and that the solution rested with a woman. It was published in 1968 and you can tell it is not a more modern book but I will not post the ways due to spoilers.
babyblue2194's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ironskin's review
I can imagine reading this as a kid and having it be amazing, but it’s very much a product of its time.
Sometimes books are better as inspiration rather than the actual book.
Sometimes books are better as inspiration rather than the actual book.
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Yes old school sci-fi so there are some dated themes but the story, the astronomy, the ritualism, and the dragons are amazing. Also, this book (published in 1968) tackles gender roles, faith, respecting and expanding upon tradition, and the "girl" (she's a grown woman) saves the day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Fatphobia, and Sexism
krumanda's review
3.0
Really interesting world. A neat sci-fi + fantasy. The quality is not on the same level as WoT or LOTR and there are several concepts, terms, phrases that raised my eyebrows- men being possessive of women, women always serving the men, a weird sexual ritual, etc.
if antiquated misogyny in sci-fi turns you off, do not read. But dragons and telepathy and alien planets and teleportation and most things turning out how you want them to pleases you... I recommend. I will be reading the next book in the series.
if antiquated misogyny in sci-fi turns you off, do not read. But dragons and telepathy and alien planets and teleportation and most things turning out how you want them to pleases you... I recommend. I will be reading the next book in the series.
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I have no way to rate this book. It is deeply nostalgic for me - a series I read initially in middle school and inspired my childhood love for sci-fi and fantasy - and also very much of its time. McCaffrey is the mother of modern-day fantasy romance dragon lore and should get credit for it! It was fascinating to reread and see where she is pushing the boundaries for female characters - and where even these moments still fall short for a modern reader. New readers should check content warnings before going in, and expect vintage 60s sci-fi dragons with a touch of bodice-ripper.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
Sexual encounters between the main characters are largely described as "dragon-roused" and nonconsensual. The male main character explicitly describes their sex as rape at one point in the narrative, suggesting she was not "warming up" to him. It is important to note that all sex scenes are implied and entirely closed door so there is NO graphic sexual assault on page (I wouldn't even call this fade-to-black, there is no explicit sex or intimacy beyond kissing on page). The alpha male and tempestuous/feisty female locked together by convenience who must grow to like each other is the foundation for the bodice rippers that would come in following decades and will feel familiar to readers of old-school romance. And a note on fatphobia: consistent with other books of this time period, fat characters are consistently described as either villainous or lazy/slovenly/etc. And there is a LOT of emphasis on the female main character being thin/small.falderol's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5