Anne McCaffrey

Anne McCaffrey was an American-born writer best known for her science fiction series, the Dragonriders of Pern. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction and the first to win a Nebula Award.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Dragonflight

    In a world where telepathic dragons and their riders protect the land from the destructive Thread that rains down from the sky, a young woman unexpectedly becomes the new Weyrwoman, bonding with the last queen dragon. As the traditional ways of the past clash with the urgent need to defend their world, she and her enigmatic dragonrider ally must rediscover ancient secrets and take to the skies in a perilous quest to unite the dragonriders and save their planet from annihilation. Their journey is fraught with challenges, both political and personal, as they strive to harness the full power of the dragons and ensure the survival of their way of life.

    The 1205th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Restoree

    In this science fiction novel, a young woman named Sara wakes up on an alien planet after being abducted from Earth. She discovers that she has been transformed into a "restoree," a person whose body has been repaired and altered by advanced alien technology. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, Sara becomes embroiled in political intrigue and a struggle for power, ultimately finding herself in a position to influence the fate of the planet. With her newfound abilities and determination, she challenges the oppressive regime and seeks to uncover the truth behind her abduction and transformation.

    The 4166th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Dragonquest

    In this sequel to the pioneering science fiction-fantasy novel set on the planet Pern, the inhabitants continue to grapple with the deadly threat of Threadfall, a spore that devours all organic material in its path. As the dragonriders, who telepathically bond with dragons to fight Thread, struggle with internal conflicts and the challenge of adapting to new technology, the protagonist seeks to unite the old ways with the new to ensure the survival of their world. Tensions rise between the conservative old-timers and the progressive new generation, leading to political intrigue and a quest for harmony between the dragonriders and the rest of the Pernese society.

    The 5686th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The White Dragon

    In a world where telepathic dragons and their human riders protect the land from threadlike spores that rain down from the sky, "The White Dragon" follows the young Lord Jaxom and his unique dragon, Ruth. As the smallest and only white dragon on the planet, Ruth's intelligence and ability to travel through time make the duo an extraordinary pair. Jaxom, caught between his noble responsibilities and his bond with Ruth, must navigate political intrigue and ancient traditions as they work together to prove their worth. Their journey is one of self-discovery, as they embrace their unique roles in a society that values conformity, ultimately playing a pivotal role in the survival and evolution of their world.

    The 6226th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Moreta

    Dragonlady of Pern

    In a world where telepathic dragons and their riders protect the populace from threadfall, a virulent plague threatens to decimate both human and dragonkind. The novel follows Moreta, one of the dragon riders, as she races against time to find a cure and orchestrate a daring plan to save her world. As the epidemic spreads, Moreta must navigate the intricate politics of her society and the limitations of her own mortality, culminating in a desperate act of heroism that solidifies her place in the annals of her world's history.

    The 6712th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Nerilka's Story

    A Pern Adventure

    Set in the universe of Pern, "Nerilka's Story" follows the tale of a young woman from a noble family who is disillusioned with her father's apathy towards a devastating plague. After her family's refusal to aid the suffering population, she takes matters into her own hands, assuming a false identity to distribute medicine and supplies to those in need. Along her journey, she faces challenges and finds herself in the midst of political intrigue, personal growth, and unexpected romance. The story is a testament to courage, compassion, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

    The 6933rd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Dragonsdawn

    In this science fiction novel, a group of colonists from Earth seek to establish a new society on the distant planet of Pern. As they struggle to adapt to their new environment, they are unprepared for the deadly Thread falling from the sky, which destroys all organic matter it touches. The colonists' survival depends on genetically engineered dragons, created from native lifeforms, which can burn the Thread out of the sky with their fiery breath. The bond between the dragons and their human riders becomes the cornerstone of Pernese society, as they work together to defend their home against the periodic onslaughts. The novel explores themes of pioneering, human ingenuity, and the forging of a symbiotic relationship between humans and dragons in the face of adversity.

    The 7259th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Renegades Of Pern

    In this installment of a science fiction series set on the planet Pern, the narrative follows a diverse group of characters as they uncover the ancient history of their world while contending with the deadly Threadfall that periodically threatens all life on Pern. As the renegades, who operate outside the traditional social structures of the planet, explore the Southern Continent, they discover evidence of their ancestors' technologically advanced society. These revelations come amidst political intrigue and the struggle for survival, as the characters must collaborate to harness old technologies and defend their homes against the relentless, life-destroying Thread.

    The 7383rd Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. All The Weyrs Of Pern

    In this science fiction novel set on the planet Pern, humanity faces the ongoing threat of Thread, a deadly organism that rains down from the skies, destroying all organic matter it touches. The inhabitants of Pern, including the dragonriders who traditionally protect the land, discover an ancient artificial intelligence that offers a chance to permanently eliminate the Thread menace. As they work to understand and activate this ancient technology, they must overcome internal political struggles and the skepticism of their peers to unite the planet's disparate communities and weyrs (dragon lairs) in a monumental effort to save their world from the relentless destruction of Thread and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for Pern.

    The 7614th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. The Chronicles Of Pern

    First Fall

    In this collection of novellas set within a richly detailed science fiction world, human colonists on the planet Pern face unexpected challenges as they adapt to their new home. The book chronicles the earliest days of the settlement, including the discovery of the deadly Thread which periodically rains from the sky, decimating all organic matter it touches. The settlers must band together, forging a symbiotic relationship with the native dragon-like creatures to combat this threat. As they struggle to survive and maintain their technology-dependent lifestyle, they lay the foundation for the unique society that will define future generations on Pern.

    The 7777th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. The Ship Who Sang

    In a future where disabled individuals can have their minds transferred into spaceship bodies, a young woman named Helva becomes a "brainship." As she navigates the universe, Helva forms unique relationships with her human partners and discovers her own strength and purpose. This science fiction novel explores themes of identity, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

    The 14225th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. The Rowan

    A Novel of the Tower and the Hive

    "The Rowan" is a science fiction novel set in a future where telekinesis is a common ability. The story follows a young girl named The Rowan, who possesses an extraordinary level of telekinetic power. She is discovered by a powerful organization called the Talent, who train her to use her abilities to protect humanity from dangerous space phenomena. As The Rowan grows older, she becomes a respected leader within the Talent and faces numerous challenges, both personal and professional, as she navigates her role in saving the human race.

    The 14371st Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. The Smallest Dragonboy

    In a world where dragonriders are revered, a young boy named Keevan dreams of becoming one despite being the smallest and youngest candidate. Facing ridicule and bullying from his peers, particularly from a rival named Beterli, Keevan's determination is put to the test during the Impression ceremony, where dragons choose their riders. Against all odds, Keevan's perseverance and inner strength are rewarded when he impresses a dragon hatchling, proving that courage and heart matter more than size.

  14. 14. Dragonsinger

    Harper of Pern

    In this fantasy novel, a young girl named Menolly, who possesses a rare musical talent, escapes her restrictive and unsupportive home to find refuge at the Harper Hall, a prestigious music school. There, she struggles to fit in and prove her worth amidst skepticism and jealousy from her peers. With the help of her fire lizards and the encouragement of supportive mentors, Menolly gradually gains confidence and recognition for her extraordinary abilities, ultimately finding her place and voice in a world that initially seemed unwelcoming.

  15. 15. Dragondrums

    In this captivating tale, the story follows Piemur, a young apprentice at the Harper Hall, who faces unexpected challenges when his voice changes, threatening his singing career. As he transitions to a new role as a messenger, Piemur embarks on thrilling adventures across Pern, encountering danger, intrigue, and self-discovery. Throughout his journey, he navigates complex relationships and uncovers secrets that test his courage and resilience, ultimately finding his place in a world filled with dragons and harpers.

  16. 16. Dragonsong

    In this novel, a young girl named Menolly, who lives in a strict and traditional society on the planet Pern, discovers her passion and talent for music, which is discouraged by her family. After running away from home, she finds herself surviving in the wilderness, where she befriends a group of fire lizards, small dragon-like creatures. As she nurtures her musical abilities and bonds with the fire lizards, Menolly's journey leads her to a new life where her talents are recognized and celebrated, ultimately finding acceptance and a sense of belonging in a community that values her gifts.

  17. 17. The Dragonriders Of Pern

    Set on the planet Pern, the story follows the lives of dragonriders who bond with telepathic dragons to protect their world from the deadly Thread, a spore that periodically falls from the sky and destroys all organic matter. The narrative explores themes of duty, tradition, and innovation as the dragonriders, led by a determined young woman and her dragon, strive to preserve their society while facing internal and external challenges. Through their adventures, they uncover ancient secrets that could change the future of Pern forever.

  18. 18. Dragonsblood

    A Novel of Pern

    In a world where humans coexist with dragons, the story unfolds across two timelines, exploring the challenges faced by dragonriders and their telepathic bonds with their dragon companions. The narrative follows a young dragonrider who discovers a mysterious illness threatening the dragons' existence and a healer from the past who seeks to develop a cure. As the two timelines intertwine, the characters must overcome obstacles and harness their unique abilities to save their beloved dragons and ensure the survival of their world. Themes of courage, innovation, and the enduring connection between humans and dragons are central to the tale.

  19. 19. Dragonheart

    A New Adventure in the Dragonriders of Pern

    Set in the world of Pern, the story follows young Fiona, a noblewoman who unexpectedly becomes the Weyrwoman of a dragon weyr during a time of crisis. As Pern faces the deadly threat of Threadfall, Fiona must quickly adapt to her new role, learning to lead and protect her people and dragons. With the help of her dragon, Talenth, and a group of loyal friends, she navigates the challenges of leadership, time travel, and personal growth, ultimately discovering her own strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.