Dragonriders of Pern

Short Stories

A Time When (1975) .
	"A Time When is the next installment of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. It follows young Jaxom of Ruatha, and Ruth, his white dragon. For a number of reasons: Ruth's small size, Jaxom being future Lord Holder at Ruatha, Ruth's unorthodox hatching and impression, the pair doesn't really fit anywhere on Pern. Jaxom isn't really a dragonrider - he and Ruth have gotten none of the formal training that they ought to have. Ruth knows nothing about firestone and less about Thread and Jaxom's knowledge is all second-hand. In addition, Jaxom isn't really a Lord Holder, other than in name, since Lytol - his guardian - is really doing all the administration. It's a difficult situation, and Jaxom isn't really sure of what he wants- - other than to see Ruth accepted as a real dragon - NOT an overgrown firelizard. To that end, he resolves to teach Ruth to chew firestone, intending to present Benden Weyr and Ruatha Hold with irrefutable evidence of Ruth's dragonhood. Then the Queen egg from Ramoth's latest clutch gets stolen."

The Girl Who Heard Dragons (1986) .
	"Romance, humour, colourful description and affecting characters are Anne McCaffrey's hallmarks and the fifteen stories herein have these virtues in abundance. She is a "master of the well-told tale" (The Chicago Sun Times). "The Girl Who Heard Dragons" is the story of Aramina, a teenage girl of Pern, who hears dragons - a skill which does not seem likely to solve any of her family's problems. Her family is "holdless", and must constantly roam the land, trying to hide from bandits. Aramina's mother fears losing her daughter completely to the life of a dragonrider, but McCaffrey skilfully weaves a tale in which Aramina can exploit her rare abilities without deserting her beloved family. All in all, The Girl Who Heard Dragons is a banquet of delights."

Rescue Run (1992) .
	"The distress call was sent by Pernese settlers who had just experienced their first Threadfall. A Federation ship answered the call-but not until 49 year later… Rescue Run is an intriguing novella about that ship-the story of its crew's unsettling encounter with spaceborn Thread…of a landing party's visit to the abandoned early settlements on Pern's southern continent (they assumed the northern continent was uninhabited because their instruments detected no concentrations of heat or radio signals from the Holds, which had been build into caves to protect the colonists from Thread) and the would-be rescuers' startling conclusions about both the planet and the fate of those who had settled there half a century earlier. First published in Analog magazine, Rescue Run was later released in book form by Wildside Press. This special, jacketed Book Club edition features decorative page borders plus ten interior illustrations by noted SF artist Pat Morrissey."

The Dolphin's Bell (1993) .
	"Nine years after human beings first came to the planet Pern, the colony at Landing, far to the south, faced a catastrophe that threatened to undo much of what they had all worked so hard to accomplish. Two long-dormant volcanoes were on the verge of erupting, and the settlers' only hope of survival was to rejoin those who had long since gone north, seeking a haven from Threadfall. It was a time when the magnificent telepathic Dragons were yet in their "infancy"…a time when the humans' most dependable allies in the taming of a world were the dolphins they'd brought from Earth. So they range the Big Bell at Monaco Bay to summon their seagoing friends. For with the dolphins' aid, the Landing colonists at least stood a chance of moving not only themselves but their vital, irreplaceable equipment and supplies to the new location. Yet it would be a long and treacherous journey for humans and dolphins alike, filled with unexpected perils."

The Runner Of Pern (1998) .
	"Of course, the legendary "lopers" - the ones who had been able to do a hundred miles in a day - had perished ages ago, but their memory was kept alive. Their endurance and dedication were an example to everyone who ran the traces of Pern. There hadn't been many of them, according to the legend, but they had started the runner stations when the need for the rapid delivery of messages arose, during the First Fall of Thread. Lopers had been able to put themselves in some sort of trance which not only allowed them to run extended distances but kept them warm during snowstorms and in freezing temperatures. They had also planted the original traces, which now were a network crisscrossing the entire continent. While only Lord Holders and Craftmasters could afford to keep runnerbeasts for their couriers, the average person, wanting to contact crafthalls, relatives, or friends across Pern, could easily afford to express a letter across the continent in runner pouches, carried from station to station. Others might call them "holds," but runners had always had "stations," and "station" agents, as part of their craft history. Drum messages were great for short messages, if the weather was right and the winds didn't interrupt the beat, but as long as folks wanted to send written messages there'd be runners to take them. Tenna often thought proudly of the tradition she was carrying on. It was a comfort on long solitary journeys. Right now, the running was good: the ground was firm but springy, a surface that had been assiduously maintained since the ancient runners had planted it. Not only did the mossy stuff make running easier but it identified a runner's path. A runner would instantly feel the difference in the surface, if he, or she, strayed off the trace."

Beyond Between (1999) .
	"Fantasy fans, rejoice! Seven years after writer and editor Robert Silverberg made publishing history with Legends, his acclaimed anthology of original short novels by some of the greatest writers in fantasy fiction, the long-awaited second volume is here. Legends II picks up where its illustrious predecessor left off. All of the bestselling writers represented in Legends II return to the special universe of the imagination that its author has made famous throughout the world. Whether set before or after events already recounted elsewhere, whether featuring beloved characters or compelling new creations, these masterful short novels are both mesmerizing stand-alones - perfect introductions to the work of their authors - and indispensable additions to the epics on which they are based. Beyond any doubt, Legends II is the fantasy event of the season. Includes Anne McCaffrey's Beyond Between."

A Gift of Dragons (2002) .
	"For more than thirty years, Pern has conjured visions of brave men and women mounted upon the backs of dragons. As anyone knows who has been touched by the storytelling magic of Anne McCaffrey, to read of the exotic world of Pern is to inhabit it-and to experience its extraordinary dragons is to soar aloft with them and share their dazzling adventures. Now, A Gift of Dragons brings together three beloved stories and a thrilling new tale of Pern in a single volume illustrated with beautiful artwork by Tom Kidd. In "The Smallest Dragonboy," Keevan is the youngest dragonrider candidate, determined to impress a dragon when the next clutch of eggs hatches. But what transpires will surprise everyone-Keevan most of all. In "The Girl Who Heard Dragons," a young girl's rare ability to communicate with dragons puts her family in danger and will bring her face to face with her greatest fears-and with her most secret desire. The "Runner of Pern" is a girl named Tenna, who follows family tradition by delivering messages-and who will find her destiny on the mossy traces that runners have used for centuries under the dragon-filled sky. And finally, a very special gift: an exciting new Pern adventure, published here for the first time, fresh from the imagination of Anne McCaffrey."

Omnibuses

The Dragonriders of Pern (1988) .
	"The first three books in the world's most beloved science fiction - finally together in one volume! Dragonflight After ten long years, Lessa was ready to come out of hiding, to claim her birthright and become Weyrwoman of Benden. But suddenly the deadly silver threads once again threatened all Pern with destruction. The mighty telepathic dragons were fewer in number, not nearly enough to protect the planet in its hour of greatest peril... until Lessa hatched a daring and dangerous scheme to rally support from people who had long ago ceased to exist! Dragonquest Another Turn and the deadly silver Threads began falling again. The cold dragonriders took to the air once more to destroy the shimmering strands before they hit the ground. But F'lar knew he had to find a better way to protect his beloved Pern, before the Oldtimers could breed any more dissent… before his brother F'nor could launch another suicide mission… and before those dratted fire-lizards could stir up any more trouble! The White Dragon Never before had there been as close a bond between adventurous Lord Jaxom and his extraordinary pure white dragon, Ruth. Though Ruth was a dragon of many talents, almost everyone on Pern thought he was a runt. But Jaxom knew better, knew he could teach his dragon to fly and to destroy the deadly silver Threads… a belief that put them both in the path of danger and in a position to prevent the biggest disaster of all!"

The Harper Hall of Pern .
	"The planet Pern, where riders mount huge dragons to fend off deadly threadlike spores that fall from the sky, continues to be one of SF's most popular settings. Here, for the first time in one volume, are three novels featuring Menolly and Piemur, two young Pernese with extraordinary musical talent. In Dragonsong, Menolly's yearning to sing is silenced by a stern father who believes it a disgrace -- leaving her no choice but to run away. Dragonsinger brings Menolly to the Harper Hall, where she can fulfill her ambition to sing, if only the others there will accept her. Dragondrums is the thrilling adventure of Piemur, a brilliant boy soprano whose fate changes suddenly when his voice does."

Moreta's Ride .
	"Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern Moreta, the business-like Weyrwoman of Fort Weyr, is unusually happy this fine spring day. Her queen dragon, Orlith, will clutch soon; the Gather at Ruatha Hold is extremely merry; and she's enjoying the attentions of Alessan, Ruatha's charming new Lord Holder. Even though she and her dragonriders must soon risk their lives fighting the recurrent menace from space called Thread, all seems well on Pern. Then, during a race, a runnerbeast collapses with a mysterious ailment and dies. Soon other animals are dying, and the awful epidemic spreads, striking holders, craftsmen and , worst of all, dragonriders. With Threadfall looming closer, Pern is in mortal danger, for, if dragonriders do not rise to char the parasite, it will devour all organic life it encounters. Moreta and the other Pernese leaders must find a way to stop the plague-or it could spell destruction as surely as the worst Threadfall. Nerilka's Story The deadly epidemic that initially struck Ruatha Hold is sweeping Pern, and now it has taken Nerilka's mother and four sisters as well. But while everyone-holder and dragonrider alike-pitches in to help, Nerilka's father refuses to share Fort Hold' bounty with the stricken holds and weyrs. Ashamed of her father and determined to do her part, Nerilka packs up medicinal supplies and sneaks off to join the Healers. Her quest leads finally to Ruatha Hold, where Lord Alessan is frantically preparing the precious serum needed for mass inoculations. Nerilka has no idea that, in fighting to save the lives of countless Pernese, she has found the purpose of her own life."

On Dragonwings (2003) .
	"Perfect for diehard fans as well as readers discovering McCaffrey for the first time, this dazzling new volume features three classic novels from the early years of Pern - Dragonsdawn, Dragonseye and Moreta. The spectacular planet Pern seems a paradise to its new colonists - until unimaginable terror turns it into hell. Suddenly deadly spores are falling like silver threads from the sky, destroying everyone and everything they touch. Pern is in mortal danger. The only thing that can stop Thread is the fire from Pern's flying dragons. Now, the colonists must join forces with the dragons to burn the Thread before the parasite devours any and all organic life - and turns lush Pern into a barren wasteland. On Dragonwings traces the story of the early generations on Pern. From the colonists who first created the fire-breathing dragons for protection, through the rise of the dragonriders, these three novels set readers on a daring quest to protect a beautiful and extraordinary planet."

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