Dragondrums
| Company type | Publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Dragondrums is a science fiction novel aimed at young adults, authored by American-Irish writer Anne McCaffrey and released by Atheneum Books in 1979. It represents the sixth installment in the Dragonriders of Pern series and serves as the conclusion to the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy, following the completion of the original trilogy with The White Dragon one year earlier. Subsequent box sets and omnibus editions combined both trilogies.
Plot summary
The narrative centers on Piemur, an intelligent Harper Hall apprentice whose high-pitched singing voice undergoes change, jeopardizing his position among the Harpers. As a result, he is assigned to the drum towers to master drumming, which functions as the principal long-distance communication system for those who are not dragonriders. During this period, Piemur contends with envy and mistreatment from others. Secretly designated as an apprentice to Masterharper Robinton, he undertakes covert missions across Pern, confronting obstacles such as a harsh Lord Holder and rebellious dragonriders. Along the way, he gains favor with a gold fire-lizard named Farli, uncovers his societal role on Pern, and ultimately achieves journeyman rank.
This storyline takes place after Dragonsinger and runs concurrently with events depicted in The White Dragon, which explores different characters and settings on Pern.
Awards
In 1999, the American Library Association honored the initial six Pern novels when McCaffrey was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lifetime achievements in young adult literature. Dragondrums secured eighth place in the Locus Award for Best Novel category and received the Balrog Award for Best Novel.