The series takes place on the fictional planet of Pern, where life is presented as a pre-industrial society with lords (feudal counts or barons), holds (villages/towns), craftspeople (a system of professions very similar to medieval German crafts ( Zunft)), and dragons.

In 1991, Dragonflight, the first Pern book published, was released as a set of three graphic novels by Eclipse Books of Forestville, California. If you’d rather read about dragons and what’s happening with their riders, don’t worry too much about the Harper Hall trilogy just yet, and simply move right on to The White Dragon. The remainder of the stories in this collection either expand on events in Dragonsdawn or carry out plot threads that are not wrapped up in that book. Towards the end of the book, McCaffrey pulls some authorial gymnastics to shoehorn Robinton into situations from the original books that truly strained my belief.Moreta is mentioned in songs and legends in the original trilogy, and this book gives us more information on this compelling character.

And then I recommend that you get your hands on the rest of the Pern books written by Anne as they are a wonderful read! These stories take place immediately before and concurrently with those depicted in Dragonquest and The White Dragon. After exploring the area, D'kor finds a murdered Balen; and Zenth confirms via S'lon's dragon Gonuth that S'lon was not responsible.I originally read these novels many years ago and recommend as classic fantasy for anyone who enjoys this genre. In time, D'kor discovers that a sickness with similarities to the one chronicled in the Ballad — the main difference being that this strain is more virulent and appears to kill outright — is affecting man and herdbeast; as such, they may all be infected already. It's the perfect spot for readers to get a glimpse of what lies within the pages, helping them decide which book to dive into next. The society resembles feudal Europe, but with some significant differences – especially, farmers are organized in their own guild, independent of the Holders – rather than being serfs as in historical feudal societies. In 1983, Mayfair Games created a board game Dragonriders of Pern featuring cards with Pern characters and locations.

Hans van der Boom reported 2008/09 that McCaffrey at age 82 had warned its completion may not be possible: "with recurring health problems, it is very hard to find the energy . Here, you'll discover not just the publication year, which is essential for understanding the context and evolution of the series, but also a succinct summary that teases the story without spoiling any surprises. Honestly, this might be a pretty good place to stop reading the series entirely, if you are growing weary of Pern after the four to six books you’ve read so far (nine, if you took time to read the Harper Hall trilogy). This book is another excellent read, particularly when the story shifts as the forgotten secrets of the original colonists are unearthed.After waiting until morning for the herdbeast traders to arrive, D'kor discovers that the sickness isn't coming from Istan herdbeasts; the sick herdbeasts are merely travelling through. Quandary said: "It's an absorbing adventure-cum-interactive story with a lot of people to converse with, a lot of good deeds to do, and an arch baddie to expose". After the meeting, V'hul gives D'kor a message to deliver to Lamrat, the steward at Fort Hold and cousin of Lord Gralt, and D'kor and K'tan travel to Fort Hold, where a gather is underway. At the Harper Hall, Headwoman Salyn gives D'kor instructions on how to contact the Istan Harpers for their assistance. D'kor goes to meet him, and Belan confesses out of guilt that he poisoned Nalaya with the aid of others.

Songbooks are also available containing the music from the first CD, with a similar book for the second in the works.Remember, the journey through a book series is not just about reaching the end but also about the memories created along the way. Although D'kor is prevented from entering Dawn Sisters Pub, since Ista Weyr's dragonriders have given themselves a bad reputation recently, N'eth is allowed to enter.