Dinosaur Planet Survivors
Sequel to Dinosaur Planet, continuing the Ireta series.
The 1984 science fiction novel *Dinosaur Planet Survivors* (also released as *Survivors: Dinosaur Planet II*) was written by American author Anne McCaffrey. It follows *Dinosaur Planet* (1978) as the second installment in the Ireta series. In 1985, the first two books were combined into a single omnibus volume called *The Ireta Adventure*. McCaffrey later co-wrote three additional books in the 1990 and 1991 period, sometimes referred to as the Planet Pirates trilogy.
The story picks up after the events of the original novel, which involved a survey of planet Ireta for mineral wealth and a mutiny by the Heavyworlders. Forty-three years later, the survivors of that mutiny are roused from cold sleep. A Thek decodes their emergency message but only asks questions unrelated to the mutiny. When they mention a buried beacon they discovered, the Thek departs without offering aid. Forced to fend for themselves, the survivors find that the mutineers have constructed a settlement and landing grid—equipment that could only be used for illegal colonization. A group of Thek then arrives and takes control for their own purposes.
Critic Dave Langford reviewed the novel in *White Dwarf* #62, calling it a straightforward science fiction adventure. He noted that McCaffrey seemed uninterested in the material, unlike her romantic SF/fantasy works featuring dragons and singers, and described her writing as "slipshod." Additional reviews were published by Joseph Nicholas (1985, *Paperback Inferno* #53), Hal W. Hall (1985, *Fantasy Review*, April), and Thomas A. Easton (1985, *Analog Science Fiction and Fact*, May).
- title
- Dinosaur Planet Survivors
- author
- Anne McCaffrey
- publication_year
- 1984
- series
- Ireta series
- genre
- Science fiction
- preceded_by
- Dinosaur Planet (1978)
- also_known_as
- Survivors: Dinosaur Planet II
Lore & Background
The novel begins with survivors of a mutiny being awakened from cold sleep after 43 years. Their emergency message has been decoded by a Thek, who asks questions but not about the mutiny. They tell him about a buried beacon they found, and he immediately leaves without helping them. Forced to survive on their own, they discover that the mutineers have built a settlement and landing grid that could only be used to colonize a planet illegally. Several Thek arrive and seize control for their own reasons.
Reader's Guide
Dinosaur Planet Survivors is significant as the direct sequel to Dinosaur Planet, continuing the Ireta series. In 1985, the first two books were issued in one omnibus edition, The Ireta Adventure. The series was later continued by McCaffrey and co-authors in 1990 and 1991 with three books sometimes called the Planet Pirates trilogy. The novel received a mixed review from Dave Langford in White Dwarf #62, who called it a 'straight' SF adventure and noted that McCaffrey never seems interested in it, unlike in her romantic SF/fantasy titles, and described her writing as 'slipshod'. The book was also reviewed by Joseph Nicholas, Hal W. Hall, and Thomas A. Easton in 1985.
Did You Know?
- The novel is also known as Survivors: Dinosaur Planet II.
- It was reviewed by Dave Langford in White Dwarf #62, who called McCaffrey's writing 'slipshod'.
- The first two books in the series were issued in one omnibus edition, The Ireta Adventure, in 1985.
- The series was continued in 1990 and 1991 with three books sometimes called the Planet Pirates trilogy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dinosaur Planet Survivors?
It is a 1984 science fiction novel by Anne McCaffrey that serves as the sequel to Dinosaur Planet and the second book in the Ireta series. The title was also used in an alternate edition called Survivors: Dinosaur Planet II.
Who wrote Dinosaur Planet Survivors?
American science fiction author Anne McCaffrey penned this novel, which was published in 1984.
What series does Dinosaur Planet Survivors belong to?
It is the second entry in McCaffrey's Ireta series, following the 1978 novel Dinosaur Planet. In 1985 the two volumes were merged into a single omnibus edition titled The Ireta Adventure.
When was Dinosaur Planet Survivors published?
The book came out in 1984, six years after its predecessor Dinosaur Planet was released in 1978.
Are there more books in the Ireta series after Dinosaur Planet Survivors?
Yes, McCaffrey co-wrote three additional Ireta-set novels during 1990 and 1991, a stretch of the series that fans commonly call the Planet Pirates trilogy.
More in Novels by Anne McCaffrey 1-24
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