To the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father and took over his lands. Now the time has come for Lessa to shed her disguise and take back her stolen birthright. But everything changes when she meets a queen dragon. The bond they share will be deep and last forever. It will protect them when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa's world...

Menolly flees her home because she is not permitted to make music there, and is taken by the Masterharper himself to Harper Hall, where she learns that only her own self-doubt stands in her way.

When his boy soprano voice begins to change, Piemur is drafted by Masterharper Robinton to help with political work and is sent on missions that lead him into unusual and sometimes dangerous adventures.

A band of renegades, led by Lady Thella, rose from the ranks of criminals and the disaffected and pursued Aramina, who had a telepathic link to the dragons, as their quarry.

When a mine containing firestone, the mineral that gives the dragons of Pern their ability to breathe fire, explodes, killing the miners trapped there, young Cristov volunteers to take over the dangerous task of retrieving the explosive rock for the dragons.

It's been two-hundred years since the deadly Thread fell like rain upon Pern, devouring everything in its path. No one alive remembers that first horrific onslaught and no one believes in its return--except for the dragonriders. For two centuries they have been practicing and training, passing down from generation to generation the formidable Threadfighting techniques. Now the ominous signs are appearing: the violent winter storms and volcanic eruptions...

"Everyone, holder and dragonrider alike, pitched in to help except Nerilka's father, who refused to share Fort Hold's bounty with the other Holds. So, ashamed of her family and determined to do her part, Nerilka packed up medicines and supplies and sneaked off to aid her people."--Page 4 of cover.

From "New York Times" bestselling author McCaffrey comes a special illustrated gift book edition featuring three beloved Pern stories and a thrilling new Dragonriders tale.

Three tales about the fantasy world of Pern, where a kitchen drudge battles dragonmen, a tiny fire-dragon causes big problems and a bored Lord trains to conquer a threatening force.