When the volcanoes rumble and the powerful storms begin brewing on Pern, it means one thing: Thread. For 257 years Pern has been free of the life-destroying Thread, but now the Red Star has reappeared in the sky and soon the deadly Threadfall will follow. In the holds and weyrs across the land, the genetically-engineered dragons of Pern and their human riders begin feverishly training to combat the Thread, for only dragon fire can destroy the silvery invaders. But, incredibly, one Lord Holder refuses to believe the Thread will fall again, and he may endanger the entire planet.


From School Library Journal
YA. While not as good as the first "Dragonriders" novels, this 11th in the series comes closer than most of the more recent Pern books. It has been more than 250 years since the first Thread fall, but everything seems to indicate the imminent approach of the Red Star. The Dragonriders have been practicing and passing down knowledge for over two centuries to be prepared, but there are skeptics unwilling to believe. The worst of the lot is Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, a greedy, self-centered, abusive leader. He refuses to take any action to prepare, threatening the survival of the planet, because all must work together to overcome Thread. Interesting, fleshed-out characters combined with a well-written story makes for a very good read. While this entry can stand alone, it is best read along with the other Pern novels, especially Dragonflight (1978) and Dragonquest (1979, both Ballantine).?John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
An errant dragon-slayer is condemned to death, but miracles do happen. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
McCaffrey continues the mythology she created in earlier "dragons of Pern" novels. Two hundred years after its first appearance, the return of a deadly force again threatens to end all life on the planet. Hill's use of vocal characterizations adds little to the presentation, primarily due to the substantial list of two-dimensional characters. The limitations of the story become even more apparent through the forced attempt to enliven the personalities of the characters and read excitement into an otherwise predictable novel. J.L.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Like a certain TV pink bunny, McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series just keeps going and going, much to the delight of her myriad fans. Unfortunately, this latest installment is one of the weakest in the saga. The villain, Chalkin, Lord Holder of Bitra, is a complete caricature, so unlikable, so mean, so without any redeeming feature that if this were a fantasy, he would be a minion of the Dark and therefore less easily disposed of than he is in Dragonseye. The First Pass of the deadly Thread encountered by the terrans who settled Pern lasted nearly 50 years; it is now 257 years later, and the rogue planet that hosts the voracious mycorrhizoid organism known as Thread is once again approaching the planet. The leaders of the Holds and Weyrs are gearing up to fight the new invasion. Only Chalkin refuses to acknowledge the danger and make preparations. The major plot thread concerns efforts to impeach and exile Chalkin, a task carried out far too easily. In general, characters are not so fully fleshed out as in past Pern novels, but fans will still revel in the familiar hatching scene and the scramble to prepare for the new cycle of Thread. Also, the ending lends an opening for yet another tale. Despite this installment's weakness, the popularity of the series ensures heavy demand. Sally Estes


From Kirkus Reviews
Another visit to planet Pern (The Dolphins of Pern, 1994, etc.), home of the famous Dragonriders, who--mounted on their genetically engineered, flying native dragons (with whom they form a mental bond)--battle the deadly corrosive lifeform known as Thread that periodically threatens the planet. Two centuries have passed since Thread last fell. The colonists have lost the last of their Earth-derived technology and now face the problem of how to ensure that their descendants know when to expect Threadfall and how to deal with it. As volcanic eruptions and terrible storms herald the approach of the baleful Red Star and its Thread, Dragonriders K'vin and Zulaya train their squadrons as best they can. But one Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, rejects even the possibility of Threadfall (such an eventuality would disrupt his gambling habits), refuses to make any preparations, and continues to run his Hold like the worst of feudal fiefs. Elsewhere, inventor Clisser devises teaching ballads to educate future generations about Thread, and talented young artist Iantine falls in love with dragonrider Debera. Comfortably cozy and domestic: an undramatic but meticulously detailed entry that should satisfy most dragonfans. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
In Anne McCaffrey's New York Times bestselling DRAGONSEYE,
join Weyrleaders, Holders, and Craftmasters in the creation of the legendary Star Stones and the teaching ballads of Pern!

It's been two-hundred years since the deadly Thread fell like rain upon Pern, devouring everything in its path. No one alive remembers that first horrific onslaught and no one believes in its return--except for the dragonriders. For two centuries they have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the formidable Threadfighting techniques.

Now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions that are said to herald the approach of the Red Star and its lethal spawn. But one stubborn Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, refuses to believe--and that disbelief could spell disaster. So as the dragonriders desperately train to face a terrifying enemy, they and the other Lord Holders must find a way to deal with Chalkin--before history repeats itself and unleashes its virulence on all of Pern. . . .


From the Publisher
There are dragons all over Anne McCaffrey's house. Some she's bought, but many have been made for her by adoring fans and given to her as gifts. I don't make dragons, of course. But whenever circumstances allow, I do try to bring her American bacon, something she can't get easily in Ireland, and something which she has taught all her friends there to love, as well! I remember the first time I went to visit her, when she was still living in her old, much smaller but very homey, house. My husband and I arrived at the doorstep, and she immediately began bustling about, frying up some of the bacon we'd brought and sharing a lovely late breakfast with us before sending us off to the hotel for a nap. She made us dinner that night, too--the one and only time in my life that I've actually liked shrimp cocktail. Maybe that's because if you squint your eyes and look sideways, shrimp are kind of dragonlike, and I was eating them in the right company!
                        --Shelly Shapiro, Executive Editor


From the Inside Flap
In Anne McCaffrey's New York Times bestselling DRAGONSEYE,
join Weyrleaders, Holders, and Craftmasters in the creation of the legendary Star Stones and the teaching ballads of Pern!

It's been two-hundred years since the deadly Thread fell like rain upon Pern, devouring everything in its path. No one alive remembers that first horrific onslaught and no one believes in its return--except for the dragonriders. For two centuries they have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the formidable Threadfighting techniques.

Now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions that are said to herald the approach of the Red Star and its lethal spawn. But one stubborn Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, refuses to believe--and that disbelief could spell disaster. So as the dragonriders desperately train to face a terrifying enemy, they and the other Lord Holders must find a way to deal with Chalkin--before history repeats itself and unleashes its virulence on all of Pern. . . .


From the Back Cover
"[McCAFFREY IS] A MASTER OF THE WELL-TOLD TALE."
--Chicago Sun-Times


About the Author
Anne McCaffrey is one of the world's most popular authors. Her first novel was published in l967. Since then, she has written dozens of books, of which there are more than twelve million copies in print. Before her success as a writer, she was involved in theatre. She directed the American premiere of Carl Orff's "Ludus de Nato Infante Mirificus  in which she also played a witch.

McCaffrey lives in Wicklow County, Ireland, in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, so named because she had to dig out a hill to build it.  There she runs a private livery stable, raising and training her beloved horses for horse trials and showjumping.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Thread: deadly silver strands that fall from the sky like rain, devouring every organic thing in their path - animals, plants, and people alike. Who would believe that such a horrible thing could exist? After all, it's been two hundred years since Thread supposedly fell on Pern. No one alive remembers that first onslaught. There's no sign of it anywhere in the world. Only the dragons, originally created to be a weapon against Thread, are still around to remind people that once before their population was decimated, their hopes and dreams and livelihood almost destroyed forever. For two centuries the dragonriders have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the Threadfighting techniques learned on the fly by their besieged ancestors. And most of the Lord Holders are prepared to protect their people, to provide sanctuary, to assemble groundcrews to search out and destroy any Thread that might be missed by the dragons soaring overhead. All but one. Even now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions that are said to herald the approach of the Red Star and its lethal spawn. Impossibly, one stubborn Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, refuses to believe - and that disbelief could spell disaster for all of Pern. So while the dragonriders desperately train to face an enemy they've never fought before, they and the other Lord Holders must find a way to deal with Chalkin and protect Bitra.

SYNOPSIS

In Anne McCaffrey's New York Times bestselling DRAGONSEYE,
join Weyrleaders, Holders, and Craftmasters in the creation of the legendary Star Stones and the teaching ballads of Pern!

It's been two-hundred years since the deadly Thread fell like rain upon Pern, devouring everything in its path. No one alive remembers that first horrific onslaught and no one believes in its return--except for the dragonriders. For two centuries they have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the formidable Threadfighting techniques.

Now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions that are said to herald the approach of the Red Star and its lethal spawn. But one stubborn Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, refuses to believe--and that disbelief could spell disaster. So as the dragonriders desperately train to face a terrifying enemy, they and the other Lord Holders must find a way to deal with Chalkin--before history repeats itself and unleashes its virulence on all of Pern. . . .


From the Paperback edition.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The 11th book of McCaffrey's popular Dragonriders of Pern series, just entering its 30th year, revives the menace of the deadly Thread, silver strands that rain from the sky and destroy all organic life. The planet Pern hasn't seen Thread for more than 250 years. But ominous signs-violent winter storms and sudden volcanic eruptions-herald the approach of the Red Star, believed to be the source of Threadfall. While loyal Dragonriders begin training in earnest, trying to sharpen Thread-fighting skills that haven't been needed for centuries (dragon's fire being the only effective weapon against Thread), the Lord Holders of the land must prepare Pern's inhabitants for the coming danger. A single stingy Lord's refusal to cooperate in the preparations, however, threatens the safety of everyone around him. Meanwhile, teachers toil to develop a new curriculum to preserve knowledge before it is lost forever. McCaffrey (The Dolphins of Pern) brings us another diverse cast of responsible, heroic good guys and dragons in a novel that's going to please fans old and new-and probably burn up the charts like dragon's fire. (Feb.)

Library Journal

In this long-awaited "Dragonriders of Pern" novel, the Dragonriders finally get to protect their world from the danger they've been anticipating for 200 years. When signs appear that Thread, the deadly silver strands that devour everything organic, will soon make an appearance, Dragonrider Chalkin's failure to believe in the danger of Threadfall threatens to destroy the entire civilization. Recommended for fantasy collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/95.]

School Library Journal

YAWhile not as good as the first "Dragonriders" novels, this 11th in the series comes closer than most of the more recent Pern books. It has been more than 250 years since the first Thread fall, but everything seems to indicate the imminent approach of the Red Star. The Dragonriders have been practicing and passing down knowledge for over two centuries to be prepared, but there are skeptics unwilling to believe. The worst of the lot is Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, a greedy, self-centered, abusive leader. He refuses to take any action to prepare, threatening the survival of the planet, because all must work together to overcome Thread. Interesting, fleshed-out characters combined with a well-written story makes for a very good read. While this entry can stand alone, it is best read along with the other Pern novels, especially Dragonflight (1978) and Dragonquest (1979, both Ballantine).John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

AudioFile - Jeffrey L. Rezin

McCaffrey continues the mythology she created in earlier dragons of Pern novels. Two hundred years after its first appearance, the return of a deadly force again threatens to end all life on the planet. Hill￯﾿ﾽs use of vocal characterizations adds little to the presentation, primarily due to the substantial list of two-dimensional characters. The limitations of the story become even more apparent through the forced attempt to enliven the personalities of the characters and read excitement into an otherwise predictable novel. J.L.R. ￯﾿ﾽAudioFile, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

Another visit to planet Pern (The Dolphins of Pern, 1994, etc.), home of the famous Dragonriders, who—mounted on their genetically engineered, flying native dragons (with whom they form a mental bond)—battle the deadly corrosive lifeform known as Thread that periodically threatens the planet. Two centuries have passed since Thread last fell. The colonists have lost the last of their Earth-derived technology and now face the problem of how to ensure that their descendants know when to expect Threadfall and how to deal with it. As volcanic eruptions and terrible storms herald the approach of the baleful Red Star and its Thread, Dragonriders K'vin and Zulaya train their squadrons as best they can. But one Lord Holder, Chalkin of Bitra, rejects even the possibility of Threadfall (such an eventuality would disrupt his gambling habits), refuses to make any preparations, and continues to run his Hold like the worst of feudal fiefs. Elsewhere, inventor Clisser devises teaching ballads to educate future generations about Thread, and talented young artist Iantine falls in love with dragonrider Debera.

Comfortably cozy and domestic: an undramatic but meticulously detailed entry that should satisfy most dragonfans.