Part of Pern
First published 2004
Kindan grows up in a mining camp where his father works deep underground. The boy loves learning music from the camp's harper, though miners have no use for songs. He also helps care for the watch-wher, a dragon cousin that thrives in cold darkness and protects the miners. Kindan dreams of life beyond the tunnels, but miner's sons become miners. Then catastrophe strikes in a single moment. Kindan's family dies and the camp's watch-wher perishes with them. The survivors face an uncertain future without their guardian creature. Kindan must find new purpose in the aftermath of loss. A fresh friendship and unexpected duties show him that impossible dreams can become real. Even in the deepest darkness, hope survives.
Genres: fiction, adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: bittersweet, emotional, hopeful, introspective, lyrical
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family, mentor-figure, overcoming-adversity
Setting: mining camp, Pern
298 pages · Paperback · Del Rey
Content warnings: animal-death, death