For generations, the dragonriders had dedicated their lives to fighting Thread, the dreaded spores that periodically rained from the sky to ravage the land. On the backs of their magnificent telepathic dragons they flew to flame the deadly stuff out of the air before it could reach the planet’s surface. But the greatest dream of the dragonriders was to find a way to eradicate Thread completely, so that never again would their beloved Pern be threatened with destruction.
Now, for the first time, it looks as if that dream can come true. For when the people of Pern, led by Masterharper Robinton and F’lar and Lessa, Weyr-leader and Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr, excavate the ancient remains of the planet’s original settlement, they uncover the colonists’ voice-activated artificial intelligence system—which still functions. And the computer has incredible news for them: There is a chance—a good chance—that they can, at long last, annihilate Thread once and for all.
“When McCaffrey’s beloved dragons roar and their riders soar upon the beasts’ mighty backs…fans of Pern will likely be enthralled.” —Publishers Weekly
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"Once again, I fell for another book about Pern. After reading The Renegades of Pern, I was excited to read on and discover how the populates of Pern were going to use the new wisdom/technology they had uncovered. McCaffrey certainly delivered with a tale of enlightenment, struggle, and good old fashioned entertainment. For all those truly invested in the series I'm issuing a tear jerker alert! With so many books on my shelf, I'm trying to stay away from the next title to prolong the series for as long as possible. No promises can be made though!"
— Sabrena (5 out of 5 stars)
“When McCaffrey’s beloved dragons roar and their riders soar upon the beasts’ mighty backs…fans of Pern will likely be enthralled.”
— Publishers Weekly" I love all of Anne McCaffrey's books and wish they were all available in unabridged Audio versions. I've read this particular book many times since it was first published, but it was lovely to be able to listen, rather than read, the familiar tale. It was just as gripping, I binge-listened because I couldn't stop until the end. "
— Annabel, 4/8/2024" Great adventure within a very interesting reality of a planet with dragons--of many sizes. Watch out for the sensuality in some of these books. However, they're still worth reading--well written fantasy adventure with positive characters and decisions, with the ultimate triumph of the noble and good. "
— Sandra, 2/13/2014" This book has everything - all the characters we've met and loved in the earlier Pern books, a 'quest' with a guide, albeit an artifical intelligence, scandal, intrigue, murder and kidnapping plots, romance and hero (two if you count Ruth) and an ending that will leave you wanting even more Pern and dragonrider adventures. Luckily, there are more. ;) "
— C.G., 2/7/2014" This book picks up where Renegades left off... with the discovery of the Artificial Intelligence Voice Address System, or Aivas. The original settlers had programmed Aivas to discover a way to end the threat of thread forever. Aivas may have found just such a way, but it will take the cooperation of all the weyrs and a special role for Jaxom and Ruth to accomplish. Not everyone on Pern thinks that Aivas is a good thing. Some call it abomination and will fight to keep the Pernese from following the dictates of Aivas. "
— Gere, 2/5/2014" Sort of the end of the series. A nice tribute and the AIVAS storyline goes well with the fantasy elements. I always liked how the series mixes a kind of medieval fantasy with a technological future. This story does it the best. "
— Ben, 1/26/2014" Bah. Who put the science fiction in my fantasy? "
— Katy, 1/25/2014" I really enjoy the Dragonriders of Pern books. Some of the later books get into some homosexual references, which I don't enjoy reading about. It is a side element and not a main plot line. But because of this I would caution the young reader from getting into this series, until they can clearly think through this issue. "
— Dawnetta, 1/21/2014" This picks up a few years after the end of The White Dragon. (the books' internal dates would probably indicate what the gap separating the two is, and I'm sure fans have it calculated to the day, but I can't be bothered) The advanced computer AIVAS has guided the inhabitants of Pern in recovering the technology available to their predecessors who landed on the planet over 2500 years previously; this suits most Pernese quite well, but a few resent the machine which they call "Abomination". Despite these naysayers' efforts, AIVAS engineers the end of Thread on Pern through two methods: a) moving the Red Star's orbit such that it will no longer pass through the Oort cloud and b) creating a parasite which will destroy Thread at its source, ensuring that the threat will never recur. This and the death of (retired) Masterharper Robinton ends an era on Pern...and, frankly, I think this book should have ended the series of Pern books, although the dedicated fans think otherwise. "
— Josephine, 1/19/2014" This is my favorite of the Pern series. By far. I've reread it again and again. "
— Rachel, 1/16/2014" Tells of her dragons and dragonriders and how they try to end the attacks upon the planet. Great story! "
— Joene, 1/13/2014" It's kinda boring, but its good. "
— Wendy, 1/11/2014" This one of McCaffrey's more complex plots and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The surprise ending is both bittersweet and prophetic. "
— Sue, 12/25/2013" i have all of anne mccaffrey's dragon books. I just finished re-reading this one, and enjoyed it after several years of being away from Pern. Lovely read. "
— Lbd, 12/23/2013" not a bad book. ended abruptly, but at least it tied up all the threads (pun intended) "
— Kelly, 12/11/2013" Solid epic about ridding Pern of Thread "
— Bill, 10/7/2013" That was beautiful. That ending. Beautiful. I refuse to comment on anything else. "
— Emma, 9/15/2013" The end of Masterharper Robinton is one of the perfect, if not the perfect, scene. "
— Jesterjoker, 7/26/2013" This book was interesting because of the significant changes it brought about in Pern. It will be so interesting to read on and see what happens as a result of the events in this book. "
— Jess, 4/22/2013" This was a major event book in the Pern series. Lots of interesting things happen in this book. I found it a really enjoyable and fun to read. "
— Michael, 3/24/2013" Not bad. The scientific descriptions felt rather unwieldy. Lots of tying up of loose ends and resolving some apparent discrepancies from earlier books. A bit on the long side, but a decent resolution to the ninth pass storylines. "
— Kirsa, 3/7/2013" 11th Pern story in publication order. "
— Janis, 1/28/2013" I think this is the book that actually killed this series for me. "
— Ash, 8/25/2012" If you love dragon books and great characters McCaffrey is your author. These books in my opinion are for adults. The dragons and humans have unmoral habits. "
— Melissa, 4/16/2012" Not my favorite Pern book, but an interesting read. I had a really hard time finishing this one. "
— Sara, 2/26/2012" I really love this book and have read it a number of times. I find it strange that my copy is from the first mass market printing, but the ISBN I have matches up with a different printing. Or at least with a different cover. So I picked this edition so that the cover would match. I'm silly, I know. "
— Erinn, 7/30/2011" I loved it! It was totally amazing! "
— Elizabeth, 6/10/2011" That was beautiful. That ending. Beautiful. I refuse to comment on anything else. "
— Suicide-blonde, 6/7/2011" Excellent Pern novel. I was a little hesitant about AVAIS system, but it did turn out ok. I prefer the fantasy aspects more than the sci-fi of this series so I was a little put off by the sudden advancement of Pern society. I did love the focus on Jaxom however. He is a great character. "
— Angie, 1/29/2011" <br/><br/>If you love dragon books and great characters McCaffrey is your author. These books in my opinion are for adults. The dragons and humans have unmoral habits. "
— Melissa, 1/15/2011" Another of my all time favorites in the series! "
— Glinda, 12/29/2010" I HOPE THER IS MORE ABOUT FLAR &LESSA IN THE FUTUTE..I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE END OF THIS PARTICULAR STORY ARC/TIME FRAME "
— Michele, 11/14/2010" This book, jesus, is just so, amazing, I don't think I could ever really explain how much emotion this book evokes from me. "
— Fumouffu, 9/15/2010" I loved it! It was totally amazing! "
— Elizabeth, 6/2/2010" For the real addict - this one did not flow as did her earlier ones. Even though I have probably read 5 or 6 Pern books (and maybe three or four of her other books), this was hardgoing because I was struggling with her allusions to past events. Still fun at times, however. "
— Pam, 5/31/2010" A satisfying conclusion to the series. "
— Bryan457, 4/25/2010Anne McCaffrey (1926–2011), one of the world’s most popular authors, was best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series. She was the first woman to win the two top prizes for science fiction writing, the Hugo and Nebula awards. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, and was named a Science Fiction Writers of America Nebula Grand Master. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1926, McCaffrey relocated to Ireland in the 1970s, where she lived in a house of her own design, named Dragonhold-Underhill.
Tanya Eby is a novelist and an audiobook narrator who has earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards and been nominated for the Audie Award. She has a BA degree in English language and literature and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.