The Weyrs are full again, with old and new riders taking to the skies to fight Thread once again. But all is not well across Pern - the Oldtimers are struggling to adapt to the changes their centuries-long absence has brought and F'Lar and Lessa must carefully balance their conservative ways against those of their allies in the Crafts and Halls. As new technology makes the Red Star appear closer than ever, F'Lar's brother F'Nor starts to look for ways to rid Pern of Thread once and for all...but at what risk?

There has never been a dragon quite like Ruth - he's small, agile, able to communicate with fire lizards and has an uncanny ability to know exactly when he is. His bond with the young Lord Holder Jaxom is uniquely strong thanks to their unlikely connection and the fact that nearly everybody else on Pern thought the diminutive dragon wouldn't survive to adulthood. With Jaxom set to inherit control of his Hold, the pair is banned from fighting Thread, their flying time strictly limited at the insistence of the Weyrleaders and Lord Holders.

Menolly has returned home and entered the Harper Hall. But her entry into the Hall proves the beginning of more troubles, and the Master Harper gives her a difficult time because she is a girl. As Menolly begins to despair, she finds help in the shape of nine bright allies.

Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern. All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.

When the voice of Piemur, an apprentice at Harper Hall, changes, he has to leave the companionship of Master Shonagar behind. But his disappointment is soon replaced by a new challenge. He is to enter the service of the Master Harper himself as a rider of dragons. Soon, he embarks on a dangerous mission to the Southern Hold. The future of Pern hangs on his success.