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nanimao's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ithinktfiam's review against another edition
3.0
Many of McCaffrey's characters are standard, black and white. This one is no different. However, she's also great at world building, and this is also no different. The two balance out.
Yana is an injured veteran for an interstellar corporation who is sent to retire at Petaybee, a poor, teraformed, world where the evil corporation has the citizens as serfs. Magically, the planet is sentient, and slowly Yana becomes friends with the people and the planet welcomes her. Very standard story told well by a pair of authors.
Yana is an injured veteran for an interstellar corporation who is sent to retire at Petaybee, a poor, teraformed, world where the evil corporation has the citizens as serfs. Magically, the planet is sentient, and slowly Yana becomes friends with the people and the planet welcomes her. Very standard story told well by a pair of authors.
cgreenxf's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this in the car on the trip home from graduate school. Got home and bought the book. Wonderful imagery and characters.
kelcarter's review
3.0
The ideas, themes, world-building, and many of the characters in this were so good -- what's not to like about a story of Indigenous resistance to protect their beloved planet from capitalism? But the writing was distracting and awkward at times, there was more telling than showing, and some of the characters (the more important ones, unfortunately) were one-dimensional. Still, I suspect I will pick up the second book someday.
juleswigg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post my conclusion here, though:
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
So, why did I knock off half a point? I think the relationship between Sean and Yana is a little rushed. I guess with everything else that goes on in the story that both characters are involved in that it just feels like they don’t have time to try to be a couple.
However, this book is incredible! If I had a physical edition of this book it would go on my special bookshelf. One day, I will own physical copies of every book by Anne McCaffrey, but until that happens I’m happy with my ebooks that take up no extra space at all. (Let’s hear a “whoo-hooooo” for the technology that allows us to have thousands of books on a memory card that size of my thumbnail!!)
The very worst thing about this book is the rushed feeling I get about the relationship between Sean and Yana.
The very best thing about this book is the unique character of Petaybee, a sentient planet. Petaybee is very much an active character throughout the trilogy, by the way.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
So, why did I knock off half a point? I think the relationship between Sean and Yana is a little rushed. I guess with everything else that goes on in the story that both characters are involved in that it just feels like they don’t have time to try to be a couple.
However, this book is incredible! If I had a physical edition of this book it would go on my special bookshelf. One day, I will own physical copies of every book by Anne McCaffrey, but until that happens I’m happy with my ebooks that take up no extra space at all. (Let’s hear a “whoo-hooooo” for the technology that allows us to have thousands of books on a memory card that size of my thumbnail!!)
The very worst thing about this book is the rushed feeling I get about the relationship between Sean and Yana.
The very best thing about this book is the unique character of Petaybee, a sentient planet. Petaybee is very much an active character throughout the trilogy, by the way.
gigi47's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
saccharine ending but otherwise, I enjoyed it.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
3.0
Anne McCaffrey is one of my guilty pleasures. Her Brain Ships series is probably one of my favourite SF series to read, and I'd thought for certain that I'd read most of her early trilogies. Powers That Be has never been a favourite of mine (I think the Crystal Singers is way up there though), I do own one or two of the novels from the Powers series, but for some reason it doesn't pull me as strongly as her other books do.
Yana, the main character is a battle stricken veteran who is sent to Petaybee to recover from a gas attack which has pretty much destroyed her lungs. She lives in a village with the locals on this harsh planet where touching metal can kill you, it's that cold. I know, terrible description. I tried! (but not very hard). I recently started book 2 and realised, I've never read book 2 before... I hereby make it my quest this year to finish not only the Power's trilogy, but also the Freedom trilogy (tho it's now 4 books... quadility?). I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.
Yana, the main character is a battle stricken veteran who is sent to Petaybee to recover from a gas attack which has pretty much destroyed her lungs. She lives in a village with the locals on this harsh planet where touching metal can kill you, it's that cold. I know, terrible description. I tried! (but not very hard). I recently started book 2 and realised, I've never read book 2 before... I hereby make it my quest this year to finish not only the Power's trilogy, but also the Freedom trilogy (tho it's now 4 books... quadility?). I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.
biobeetle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
megana's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
As much as I love Pern, I just have such a weakness for Anne McCaffrey’s sci-fi FMCs. They are all SO incredible!