Letter from Karen

I have just read Dragonsblood amd am stunned! What a wonderful book, Todd! It kept me up until 1.30am this morning – I had to finish it in one sitting. I have always loved time paradoxes – I especially enjoyed Lessa’s trip back to fetch the oldtimers, and was thrilled when AIVAS was found. I was intrigued by the concept of how setting the engines to explode at different times helped change the red star’s orbit. Anne’s imagination is infinite!

However, the way you weaved this one around the hidden rooms at Benden – and the reason for their creation – I found myself almost looking for a reference to creation of the little round mirror-like plate with the “Eureka” quote on it, found when Felessan and Jaxom first located a hidden room.

There’s the carving out of the large docking cavern near Nerat which you just know will be half-circle seahold, and then there’s the reference to the rider and dragon who would be found entombed in rock two thousand years later, showing how they became stuck there originally, by materialising without correct visualisation. You were so clever in weaving in all those little references and details which we Pern enthusiasts love so much. Anne’s imagination and talent are phenomenal and yours are easily equal.

Please keep going with Pern for as long as possible. I for one would love to hear more about Menolly, Jaxom, Lessa and the “old” crowd, but in their post-AIVAS years after the red star dwindles, to see how they, the dragons, the dolphins and the southern continent develop in other ways. I do hope that’s possible.

For the gift of the fruits of your imagination, I extend my thanks and my admiration to both you and your mum.

With kindest regards