The story unfurls with a prologue set over a century after mankind's arrival on Pern. Two dolphins summon with the echo of their mournful bell, but silence greets their call. Whispers of a devastating illness that decimated countless creatures linger, hinting at events that occurred during Moreta's and Nerilka's time. It seems humanity lost its bond with the dolphins as the dolphineers fell victim to the plague. For the people of Pern, oceanic rescues by "shipfish" remain enshrouded in myth and hearsay.

The heart of the novel spans seven transformative years in Pern, marked by a leap of four years within a single chapter, followed by a three-year jump in the next. This period witnesses the characters' evolution from rash youths into mature individuals ready to shoulder significant duties. Each chapter unfolds through four to seven sections, varying in length and perspective. These transitions are seamless, gracefully flowing from one character’s thoughts and dialogues to another’s. In the initial five chapters, italicized paragraphs conclude sections, capturing the dolphin pod's triumphant reports to The Tillek of their successful human encounters. As humanity rekindles its ancient duties, the need for such reports diminishes, leading to a reflective Epilogue. Here, after Readis departs for his apprenticeship with The Tillek, Pern's leaders ponder over a plaintive melody they hear, realizing it holds the key to narrating the recent past, and promising a deeper bond with the dolphins.

A novel innovation lies in the fusion of maps at the book's outset. The Northern Continent retains its known nomenclature, while the Southern Continent bears the names bestowed by the original settlers, revived by Aivas's memories. Save for a few uncharted regions and those renamed by current dwellers, the settlers have reinstated the ancient titles for their current abodes.

Dive into this novel, the inaugural epic of Pern's second era, the Transition Phase. Here, the discovery of the Ancients' settlements on the lush Southern Continent, and more crucially, the unearthing of Aivas—the Artificial Intelligence Voice-Activated System—send ripples through the very bedrock of Pern. As this monumental computer unravels Pern's forgotten technologies and rich history, the foundation of the world is tested, setting the stage for future "contemporary" Pern tales.

This narrative delves into a profound query echoing in modern society, one brought to prominence by Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park (1990): Is the pursuit of knowledge inherently virtuous? What boundaries or regulations should govern scientific exploration? Just because we possess the capability to do something, must we do it—should knowledge be pursued solely for its own sake? What obligations do we hold as leaders, educators, and scientists to those who will follow? For the inhabitants of Pern, whose colonial charter advocated for minimal technological advancement and specialization only in vital services, the revelation of Aivas and its wealth of scientific insight dramatically reshapes their technological needs, societal structure, and future trajectory.

The Role of Language in Society

McCaffrey also ventures into the postmodern theme of language's power in forming and sustaining a society. The harpers, already cognizant of their vital role in shaping Pern's culture, are introduced to fresh perspectives with the advent of new cultural influences. Pern's dolphins, reliant on language gifted through genetic modifications, are acutely aware of this linguistic boon. It allows them to record history, communicate with their human counterparts, and forge traditions as conscious beings, transcending pure instinct. McCaffrey's exploration of these issues is both timely and thought-provoking.

The Evolution of Pern

The Pern series stands at a pivotal crossroads, marking a transformative epoch in its expansive saga. Such a shift seems crucial in a science fiction narrative of...