The theme [of Dragonsinger] is developed through many related incidents—some tense, some amusing, others dependent on simple day-to-day occurrences at the Hall rather than the exciting, dramatic episodes found in [Dragonsong]. McCaffrey deliberately paces this story slowly, constructing the many nuances of life at Fort Hold and, most importantly, revealing a girl's struggle to accept and use her very special talent. Although set in another world, where dragons fly and people have fire lizards as pets, Menolly's innermost concerns are wholly contemporary as she seeks to invade what has been a male-dominated craft. Deeply entrenched in the world of Pern from authoring several adult books on the subject, McCaffrey makes references to incidents and people outside the immediate story which may confuse some readers.