Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly
spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne
McCaffrey's bestselling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of
unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted
readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in
a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.
Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the
harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and
prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential
than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and
gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a
special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when
Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into
disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this
climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own . . . driven by his
belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved
Pern.