The third volume in a series of adventures in the land of Pern

"Meet Dragon Rider Jaxom & His Wonderful Dragon Ruth!
Jaxom is the future Lord Holder of Ruatha, one of Pern's oldest and most venerable holds and has been groomed for his role since he was very young. When he accidentally impresses a white dragon named Ruth, everyone is dismayed and worried about what to do with him. Dragonriders belong in the Weyr, after all, and a man simply cannot be a dragonrider and a Lord Holder - or can he? Jaxom is determined to keep Ruth and to learn how to fly, breathe fire and kill Thread - and be the future leader of one of the most prosperous Holds on Pern. What others refuse to teach him, Jaxom discovers for himself. It is as Ruth and Jaxom are experimenting that they find themselves in the position to prevent a great disaster on Pern and to unite the Oldtimers and the Weyrs of the Northern Continent through Ruth's unique ability of always knowing when he is and his rapport with fire lizards. Ruth and Jaxom even discover some new "secrets" on the Southern Continent that the ancients left behind!

The White Dragon is simply a superb book. I loved the characters and really felt that I identified with Jaxom as he was growing up and growing into his roles as both a dragonrider and as a Lord Holder. Readers who have read McCaffrey's previous books in the Pern series will simply find that it is another story about Weyleaders F'lar and Lessa (Dragonflight & Dragonquest), as well as Masterharper Robinton and Journeyman Menolly (Dragonsong & Dragonsinger) told from a different, very enjoyable perspective. I loved the way McCaffrey took the time to incorporate older characters so that the readers know what is happening in their lives. The White Dragon is an exciting link between the first several books and the next grouping as there are many surprises and new discoveries that take place here. Ruth is also one of my favorite dragons and was such a joy to read about. Anyone who loves fantasy will enjoy this book so do yourself the favor and buy this book!"

-Silmarwen

"All right McAffrey
I've read a lot of Anne McAffrey books, so I'm pretty familiar with her writing style. This book is a good one; it keeps you interested in what's going to happen next until it's over. If you haven't read any other McAffrey books, though, I recommend you read Dragonflight and DragonQuest before you read this one, as this is the sequel to those.

To those who HAVE read those other two, you should definitely buy this one. Problems with the lord holders, thread of course, and a discovery... Jaxxom is the center of the story, involved in most events. The masterharper and Menolly are more involved in this book than the other two, and you also hear more about Lord Lytol, Jaxxom's guardian.

There are a few things I didn't like about the book. 1 was the casual way in which Jaxxom treated his relationship with another character (you'll have to find out which one). The other is the way that Lessa and F'lar are so much in the background in this one; they're really not that involved, except for a few key parts.

Anyway, if you like fantasy/sci fi, and you've read McAffrey before and like her, like me, then buy the book; it's worth it. :)"

-Christina

"I'll never mock Fantasy again!
I always thought Fantasy with its Dragons and such like was strictly for kids and juveniles till by chance I picked up the White Dragon. Picked up and could not lay it aside. Perhaps I was wrong to begin in the middle, but now, even after reaing many of the series, White Dragon rmains my favourite Pern novel. The story of Jaxom growing to manhood, with his doubts and worries, with Ruth, Menolly, Robinton and of course Sharra, with a continent to discover, Thread to overcome and a whole new world to open up was beyond all my expectations. I immediately began haunting bookstors for the rest of the Pern novels. I also promised never again to knock Fantasy!"

-D. Rasquinha