Legends edited by Robert Silverberg

Three short novels from Terry Goodkind, George R. R, Martin, and Anne McCaffrey are well written and provide a nice fantasy fix in small doses.

Each tell a full story and leave the reader wanting just a bit more information even though the story is complete.

Crystal Lines by Anne McCaffrey

The final installment of the Crystal Singer Trilogy find Killasandra Ree and Lars Dahl, her longtime partner, at odds over memory.  Crystal singers lose memory and they come to like it that way.  Lars does all he can to retain his brain function for more than the moment.

Light sci-fi with a very human factor.

Droagonflight by Anne McCaffrey

The first Pern novel introduces the reader to a world protected by dragons and the people that partner with them.  Filled with drama, moments of great love, and a few light hearted moments even after reading it several times there are new things to find.

Peagasus in Space by Anne McCaffrey

Peter Reidinger has "Talent" and that is a good thing. After having been injured he uses his powers of his mind to move his body which would otherwise confine him to a hospital room for the rest of his life.  Teleportation is still in the early stages of study but is being used to build and develop space stations to relieve the overcrowding or Earth.

This is a sci-fi novel but as with all good writing it deals with human nature good, bad, and ugly.  By using mental powers to communicate and transport the story is able to move along quickly without causing the reader to question the time-line.

Part of the Talents series which do not have to be read in order to enjoy.

Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey

Dragondrums is the third installment in the Harper Hold segment.  Piemur, a rascally apprentice in the Harper Hall takes us through an adventure on Pern set during the time of Lessa, F'lar, Master Robinton, and the Oldtimers.

Although there are dragons they are not the focus and the adds depth and character to the world of Pern.  Everyone can not be a dragonrider, there are also crafts, holders, villains, harpers, healers, and even drudges to take out the ashes.

This is one of my favorites and was written in 1979 which is when some of the best Pern novels were penned.  It is enjoyable to visit with old friends in the summer.

Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffrey

Set in the same time period as Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern, the time of a great sickness which blows through Pern faster than a burrow of thread with great loss of life.  Nerilka is a daughter of Fort, but not a much loved one by any means.

As the sickness sweeps over the continent she goes out to help, leaving behind her heritage and name. By chance she ends up in Ruatha which is where the sickness hit hardest since it occured at the time of a gather.

Dragons are not the focus this time and it is a nice read to supplement the usual draconic fare.  Even though the dragons and riders protect Pern it is the people of Pern that make it the place that it has become.

If you have never read any of the Pern novels this is a good one to read, along with Moreta as they are stand alone novels.

Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey

Killasandra Ree has dedicated the last ten years of her life to music only to be told at her final audition that she will never be a star and will be regulated to singing in a supportive role.  Rather than sing in an auxilarary spot she packs her bags and leaves her student life behind.

She finds herself at the spaceport and hears the whine of the crystal drive on a drone.  This is noted by a visiting Crystal Singer who sweeps her up into a whirlwind of travel and luxury. When he falls ill she escorts him back to Ballybran from whence he came against the advice of the director of the music school who is livid when he learns of her plans.

Despite multiple warnings Killa signs on with Ballybran and changes her life forever. If she becomes a Crystal Singer she will live an extended life with plenty of credit to travel the universe.  If she fails at singing she will still live a very long life but will not be able to leave the planet.

The first in a triology McCaffrey as always does an excellent job of melding science fiction with fantasy.  Even after a fourth reading the writing is fresh and enjoyable.