[Dragondrums] is as deftly structured and as smoothly written as its predecessors; again McCaffrey has produced strong characters, new and old, a wholly conceived fantasy world, and a nice balance between problems that are present in any civilized society and a sense of humor that lightens both exposition and dialogue.

Zena Sutherland, "New Titles for Children and Young People: 'Dragondrums'," in Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (© 1979 by the University of Chicago; all rights reserved), Vol. 32, No. 11, July-August, 1979, p. 195.