Books like The Dolphins of Pern

Ta dah! Review located. I am copying to here because the conversation thread is too interesting to lose. For any newcomer, mystified by this comment, see *footnote.The Dolphins of PernIn this latter book in the Pern series Anne McCaffrey explores the notion that dolphins came to Pern with the original human settlers as helpers for the ocean side of the new planet. The book explores the re-discovery of the dolphins which have sentience and language skills due to a process they were given back on Earth (which apparently bred true).Published in the early 1990's when dolphins and their intelligence were very much the talk of the decade, the book is a lot of fun in exploring Pern from these ocean going mammals perspective - I did very much love the fact that Pern's extensive oceans were getting a look in and would have been happy to read more about them.This novel concentrated more on the Southern continent and a small number of settlements and people there so there was less repetition than was starting to creep in to many of the latter books in the series. McCaffrey's favourite characters from Benden ect do make a token appearance to wind up one plot thread, but I think McCaffrey loved them too much to ever completely leave them out, they are not central at least.There was one element about the book that I was less than enamored with and it is kind of a spoiler, so maybe don't read it if you are planning on picking up this book. Definitely don't read it if you have never read any of the Pern books and want to (view spoiler)[The tactic for winding up Readis' plot line was predictable, repetitious and incredibly unnecessary. Also unbelievable. I quite liked Aramina's character in a previous story: Here however she is a batshite crazy, borderline abusive parent, with no explanation and no reason. Her son is rescued from the ocean so she won't let him near it, raves and froths at the mouth makes him promise not to go near the ocean as a child and loses her mind when as a near adult he goes swimming. Ridiculous. Especially since she herself goes swimming and they live in a settlement on the ocean with a fishing fleet.Then Readis stomps off to live in caves during thread-fall and follow his destiny with the dolphins.... hmmm.... where have we heard this before? Menolly's story was good, so was The White Dragon, this book makes a repetitious hash of both those stories and it is not necessary in my opinion. Menolly stomping off to live it a cave has some credibility; she had no other resources, no one to go to. Readis is not in a similar position, he has heaps of other acquaintance, teachers, dragon rider contacts ect. Him going off to live in a cave is unconvincing and it feels contrived. (hide spoiler)]