Beginning with the classic Dragonriders of Pern, Anne McCaffrey has
created a complex, endlessly fascinating world uniting humans and great
telepathic dragons. Millions of devoted readers and listeners have
soared on the glittering wings of Anne's imagination, following book by
book the evolution of one of science fiction's most beloved and honored
series. Now, for the first time, Anne has invited another writer to join
her in the skies of Pern, a writer with an intimate knowledge of Pern
and its history: her son, Todd.
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.
