Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern #1)

Dragonflight is the first book in Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series. It was originally published in 1968. At last count the books that take place on the planet of Pern number 18! I will be reading them all, but the first trilogy is the Dragonriders.

It has been almost 400 years since the planet of Pern has been threatened by the Red Star. They are a part of the same solar system (Rukbat), but their orbits vary greatly. When the Red Star is close enough, it sends Thread onto Pern to try and take over the more temperate and hospitable planet. It is the job of the dragons and the dragonriders who ride them to keep Pern from being invaded.

But after 400 years, the traditions seem little more than legend or superstition. The Weyrs, where the dragonriders live, have always been supported by the Holds of the upper reaches. The Holds supply food and goods to the Weyr in return for protection. The Holds are getting a bit tired of tithing to a group they don’t think does anything but lay around and eat their food.

Ten years ago, Ruath Hold was taken over by a neighboring lord who slaughtered all with the the blood of Ruath. Or did he? Lessa has been hiding in plain sight for ten years, waiting for a time to reclaim the Hold in the name of her family. At the same time, a Search is going on for a woman to become the next Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr – someone to Impress with the soon-to-hatch dragon queen. And though Lessa has been able to hide her power from Fax, the ruler of her Hold, she may not fool the dragonriders as easily.

Some of the dragonriders are aware of the Red Star becoming more prominent in the dawn sky. But they will need the help of all, including a strong Weyrwoman if they have any hope of surviving the next Thread invasion.

McCaffrey, Anne. (1968). Dragonflight. New York: Del Rey Books.