Dragon's Kin

Dragonriders of Pern, Book 16

By: Anne McCaffrey, Todd McCaffrey

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Young Kindan has no expectations other than joining his father in the mines of Camp Natalon, a coal mining settlement struggling to turn a profit far from the great Holds where the presence of dragons and their riders means safety and civilization. Mining is fraught with danger. Fortunately, the camp has a watch-wher, a creature distantly related to dragons and uniquely suited to specialized work in the dark, cold mineshafts. Kindan's father is the watch-wher's handler, and his son sometimes helps him out. But even that important job promises no opportunity outside the mine.

Then disaster strikes. In one terrible instant, Kindan loses his family and the camp loses its watch-wher. Fathers are replaced by sons in the mine - except for Kindan, who is taken in by the camp's new Harper. Grieving, Kindan finds a measure of solace in a burgeoning musical talent...and in a new friendship with Nuella, a mysterious girl no one seems to know exists. It is Nuella who assists Kindan when he is selected to hatch and train a new watch-wher, a job that forces him to give up his dream of becoming a Harper; and it is Nuella who helps him give new meaning to his life.

Meanwhile, sparked by the tragedy, long-simmering tensions are dividing the camp. Far below the surface, a group of resentful miners hides a deadly secret. As warring factions threaten to explode, Nuella and Kindan begin to discover unknown talents in the misunderstood watch-wher-talents that could very well save an entire Hold. During their time teaching the watch-wher, the two learn some things themselves: that even a seemingly impossible dream is never completely out of reach...and that light can be found even in the deepest darkness.

©2004 Anne McCaffrey (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Great listen

One of my favorites from the Pern series More beast types with new and older characters.

Good read.

Loved it ,they did a good job on the story and the reading was great

As Always - Triumphant

I'm afraid that I am a hopeless romantic. I always love it when good prevails!

Wonderful

It’s been years since I read the book. When I discovered it on Audible I knew that I had to get it. The narrator was wonderful and the story has lost none of its charm.

YAY! Pern lives, again

This reading was perfectly Pern. Dick Hill reads wonderfully. Each character represents the Pern I have grown to love and aspire to.

Over too soon

The story felt cut off. I wanted it to be a trilogy! The kids weren't done growing, and I wanted to know more about watch-whers. Having read many of the Pern novels, I know Ann tends to ramble. Todd seems to keep the story more focused. An excellent book.

The performance was wonderful. Every character had its own voice and patterns of speech. He even put in noises such as coughs and laughter, which really brought the story to life.

An unexpected surprise

Starts a little slow but what an ending! I am not disappointed! I will definitely be reading more of Todd MCaffrey’s contributions to the lore.

Worth every minute

I love a story that centers around younger people and creatures. And this was wonderful!

Brilliant

A very good book . The story takes place some years before the 3rd pass . It is the story of Kinder and Nutella at Camp Natal long, which is struggling to become a Mine Hold . A good Story with an ending twist .

Dragon's Kin

I love all of the dragons of Pern, but the narrator, Don Hill, does not seem to pre-read a chapter, page or even scene, to make tone of voice more life-like, until the second half of the sentences. But I Love the stories; series. Dragons ho!!