The Dragonriders of Pern

by Anne McCaffrey

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Together in one volume--the first three books in the world's most beloved science-fiction series DRAGONFLIGHT On a beautiful world called Pern, an ancient way of life is about to come under attack. Lessa is an outcast survivor--her parents murdered, her birthright stolen--a strong young woman who has never stopped dreaming of revenge. But when an ancient threat reemerges, Lessa will rise--upon the back of a great dragon...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345340248
• ISBN13: 9780345340245
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 864 Pages
• Weight: 1.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Anne McCaffrey’s Purn books should be movies.

This book is so good for all ages, with minimal filtering. The return of a menace from the sky send the dragon riders searching for answers. They must figure out how to increase the number of dragons tenfold. Lessa’s is ability to communicate with any dragon is thrilling to enjoy. I read this book as a teenager, and I don’t know how many times I’ve read it since then. Why they would make four versions of Robin Hood and not consider the per series as a moneymaking adventure is beyond my understanding.

An author who paved the way for modern Dragons

This is a bit more spacy (leaning a bit heavier on the sci-fi) than my normal taste in high fantasy epics, but still good. The relationships are real, even though a lot of people complain about F'lar being abusive. I'm all for real hard core relationships with problems to resolve. The first book has a bit of a plot... Jump... (Without spoiling it) and I have all kinds of unanswered questions and problems with it. The second book is quite unremarkable for me though I can appreciate that it carries on the plot. It didn't have me dying to find out what happened next but was enjoyable to return to Pern every evening to find out what was going on. The end was a bit abrubt in my opinion and I hope it is delved more into in the third book which I am currently reading. There are romantic aspects but remember the day in which this was written. The love is dry and take a backseat (think far far far backseat... Like back of a bus) to the main plots. So if you're looking for a steamy fantasy read this isn't it. I appreciate this was one of the earlier Dragon books, at least one of the earliest written that I've read, but I have so many questions. I dislike that the author will bring someth up, seem to make a big deal out of it, then resolve it "off page" in a flippant comment. That happened quite a bit in the second book. Here's to hoping The White Dragon will be better! Also, note that apparently we're missing a story between the 2nd and 3rd books. Master Harper Robinton refers to an incident and character that seemed to have happened in the meantime. Perhaps in the Dragonsong trilogy? I'm unsure. Overall I will continue reading these books not as a "pager turner" or "couldn't put it down" but more as a comfort read. Something interesting to calm my brain down before I go to sleep at night.

Be warned, great books, lousy edition

I read these books years ago. I am glad to say I enjoyed rereading them just as much now as I did then. However, as at least one other reviewer noted, this is a lousy edition. There are numerous typographical errors that totally ruin the joy of a good read. Read these books, just not this edition.

There is no better book

Ever since I first picked up this book, Anne McCaffrey has been my favorite author. The Pern series is the most incredible I have ever read, from the majestic, yet empathetic dragons to the likable and unique characters who ride them. I cannot begin to calculate the number of times I have read and re-read the Pern series, especially these first three books. Anne McCaffrey pulls off wonders with her writing -- no other author could have concocted or done justice to Pern and its people as she does. Lessa especially is such an intricate, complicated, and wonderful character that I would have loved this book if she were the only detailed character, and I look to her as my first role-model. Not only am I in love with F'lar, Masterharper Robinton, and Jaxom, but they make this series more than just my favorite, but one that really affects my life as well. I have read every book about Pern that I could, and I will never tire of this world and its dragons. Anybody who likes science fiction or fantasy will love it, as will anybody who likes to read at all.

One of the all-time classic fantasy series'.

This trilogy is so enthralling and interesting that it's hard to put it down before finishing all three books. It's too bad that sleep is necessary and interferes with the reading. The charming affinity between the people and dragons and their telepathic connections was a new thing when these were written. The "Dragonriders" was actually "plowing new ground all the way" and was unique unto itself at the time. It has a lot of action and is well developed as a story and the characters are well done. I believe that it's up there with the best of the best in fantasy writing.

It became a movie in my mind. That is the perfect kind.

I have read every "Pern" book that I could get my hands on. The last being "The Masterharper of Pern". They are so well written that you forget that you are reading and can visualize them in your head. I am a huge fan of Sci-Fi and Fantasy and I love it when the Author can write in a way that allows you to see the characters not just read about them. The Dragonriders Of Pern is one of the best series of books that I have read. I found that I could not wait for the next book. When I would sit down to read one, I would tend to forget about the things that I needed to do and read the book until it was done. I couldn't put it down. I look forward to more books in this series if she has more to give.

A must-read for any dragon lover!

This trilogy stands as one of the best series I've ever read -- and it will bring you into a long series of books on the people and dragons of Pern. I first read "Dragonflight" when I was 13, and it hooked me on fantasy novels in general and Anne McCaffrey in particular. If you haven't read any of her work, this is a great place to start; and, if you have read her work, you will love this trilogy. It is the epic story of how one man, believing in the tales of the past when everyone else ignored them, managed with the help of his co-leader and his brother to save the world, and make themselves legends in the process