The Pern Series


by Anne McCaffrey (Author) Todd McCaffrey (Author) Robert Silverberg (Editor) Michael Whelan (Illustrator) Tom Kidd (Illustrator)

Book Cover for the Pern Series
Reading level: Ages 11 and up
Books in series: 29
Read in order: Yes
Next book: Finished
Tags: fantasy  science fiction  dragon  adventure 

This fantasy series tells the story of inhabitants of Pern, a pristine and beautiful planet colonised when earth became too polluted and overcrowded. The suitability of the planet is marred by periodic attacks from space by the destructive Thread, a space-borne spore that destroys organic substances – and hence, humans - on contact. The settlers discover that a native life form, the fire-lizard, has developed adaptations against Thread.

The first book in the series starts when the society is well-established, and focuses on the character Lessa, who is working disguised as a kitchen girl, but is on the brink of reclaiming her stolen birthright. Everything changes, however, when she meets a queen dragon. They develop a strong bond which provides vital protection when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa's world is threatened by Thread. Dragons and their Riders once regularly protected the planet from Thread, but there are very few of them left these days. Now Lessa must risk her life, and the life of her beloved dragon, to save her beautiful world...

Note: The books in this series, also known as 'Dragonriders of Pern', are listed in order of publication. For a list of the books in chronological order, please refer to the series website.

Pern Series Books in Order

 Print series book list

1. Dragonflight  (1968)
2. Dragonquest  (1971)
3. Dragonsong  (1976)
4. Dragonsinger  (1977)
5. Get Off the Unicorn  (1977)
6. The White Dragon  (1978)
7. Dragondrums  (1979)
8. Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern  (1983)
9. Nerilka's Story  (1984)
10. Dragonsdawn  (1988)
11. The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern  (1989)
12. The Renegades of Pern  (1989)
13. All The Weyrs of Pern  (1991)
14. The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall  (1993)
15. The Girl Who Heard Dragons  (1996)
16. Dragonseye  (1996)
17. The Masterharper of Pern  (1998)
18. Legends  (1999)
19. The Skies of Pern  (2001)
20. A Gift of Dragons  (2002)
21. Dragon's Kin  (2003)
22. Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King  (2004)
23. Dragonsblood  (2005)
24. Dragon's Fire  (2006)
25. Dragon Harper  (2007)
26. Dragonheart  (2008)
27. Dragongirl  (2010)
28. Dragon's Time  (2011)
29. Sky Dragons  (2012)