For readers curious about "Dinosaur Planet"(1978) by Anne McCaffrey pleases be aware that a direct sequel was published in 1984 under the title "Survivors" or "Dinosaur Planet Survivors" depending on the edition. The six-year interval between books must of flummoxed some readers back in the day nonetheless that's the story.

Speaking of stories I enjoyed this one. Nothing exceptional here in terms of theme or plot. The exploration of an alien planet by human space explores is a well use story line in the science-fiction catalog of tropes. Nonetheless Ms McCaffrey inventive concepts kept me turning pages. The exploration Space Agency sends out scientific teams to likely planets looking primary for heavy metals and for information on the flora and fauna, geology, weather etc. Our group on planet Ireta consist of Heavy-Worlders - humans raised on heavy gravity planets, folks born and raised on space arks and other humans raised on earth type planets. There are many areas of concern and friction for our explorers. The three human types don't get along all that well, the planet is hot, wet and the air smells like cabbage and the Space Agency has apparently abandoned the teams and resource and limited. That's all I will say no spoilers here!

Some may fault this novel for the very detailed descriptions of scientific exploration methods and discussions of observations of animal behavior. I for one appreciated the "nuts and bolts" details of the grunt work that would be required by planetary study. I will admit there are way to named characters in this story each with a specialist - geologist - cartographers - botanist - physician etc. I needed a scorecard. Also the interpersonal relations are wooden and not very realistic.

If this type of SF story interest you I believe you will like this story. No, I have not read "Dinosaur Planet Survivors" but a copy sits on my shelf and someday...