The Tower and the Hive by Anne McCaffrey

This was a really disappointing finish to this series. There wasn't much to the plot, characters were introducing and then seemingly forgotten about. Even the "romances" were tepid. And the so called "resolution" to the whole five book series was all wrapped up within the last 20 pages or so.... I had read this one when it came out, no wonder I didn't remember it! I was hugely disappointed. This is the sort of work that makes me not want to read any more of McCaffrey's books, and her early stuff is so great!! This was an easier read than usual, probably because there wasn't much going on! There was a whole terrorist plot that came to nothing!! It was introduced, the Talents said "oh yeah we know all about it" and then almost nothing came of it, this is something that would have been explored in earlier books. The Rowan had a lot of time devoted to psychological issues, and this time around there was almost nothing of that sort. That's one of the things that made The Rowan such a rich story, there was depth to it! *sigh* Very disappointing.

Rating: 2 stars

Recommendations: Read Ms. McCaffrey's earlier stuff!! The Crystal singer books, the early Dragonrider books... I have liked some of the stuff that she's co-written with other people too. Although I have not read any of the stuff she's co-written with her son... About 10 years ago or so I read a Pern short story that was sooo *bad* that I haven't been able to bring myself to read any Pern books since then. Although I have heard some good things about her son's work.

302 pages only took me about 2 hours to read, lots of blank and half pages with graphics, plus it just wasn't written very well!

Lyon's Pride by Anne McCaffrey

I think I liked this one almost as much as The Rowan. Although it is just a continuation of the Damia's Children* and they really should be read back to back. The were written in the same year so I think they were intended to be read that way. A bit more romance in this one, with the kids finding mates for themselves. More adventure as well, although this one didn't have the same urgency that some of the previous ones did.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The last book in this series is The Tower and The Hive. Also start with Dragonflight, in the Pern series!

Sorry guys I don't know how many pages this one was, took it back to the library too soon!

Damia's Children by Anne McCaffrey

I liked this one a lot more than I liked Damia*. I think it's mostly because I didn't care for Damia as a character. But this story is about her four oldest children. It definitely should be read back to back with the next volume, Lyon's Pride*. And really with the last book in the series, The Tower and the Hive. The book pretty much follows Laria, Thian, Rojer and Zara as they find their places in the Talent universe. There is not as much romance in this volume and a lot more adventure.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The rest of the series obviously. But my favorite McCaffrey books are the Dragonrider of Pern series. Which I will review as I get to them :)

272 pages only took me 2 hours.

* denotes books that I have read and reviewed.

Damia by Anne McCaffrey

This is the second book in this series, after The Rowan. While the Rowan felt like a stand alone novel, this begins to feel like a series. I also think that this is where the series declines in quality. But, since I am a little compulsive, now that I've started I have to finish lol. I read the whole series years ago but I don't really remember the next few books, and I didn't remember this one very clearly either. It's not as crisp as The Rowan was, it's a little more sentimental. And while the title might be Damia, the story is as much about Afra as anyone. Over all though I liked this book.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommendations: The rest of this series, the next book is Damia's Children. And then there is the Dragonrider books, definitely want to read those!

336 pages took me about 3 hours