Dragon's Time
Fourth collaboration in the Dragonriders of Pern series.
Dragon's Time is a science fiction novel in the Dragonriders of Pern series, co-authored by Anne McCaffrey and her son Todd McCaffrey. Released by Del Rey Books in June 2011, it is the fourth book they wrote together and follows Todd McCaffrey's *Dragongirl*. The McCaffreys later published one more joint sequel, *Sky Dragons*, in July 2012.
The story takes place over ten days in the summer of year 508 AL (After Landing), roughly six months after the start of the Third Pass of the Red Star and its Threadfall. Much of the plot involves a lengthy time-travel expedition led by Fiona, now Weyrwoman of Telgar Weyr. The main goal is survival, allowing people and dragons to recover or mature to strengthen Pern’s forces. This premise echoes Todd McCaffrey’s earlier novel *Dragonheart*, but the setting is now six months into the crisis rather than a few weeks. The refuge is in the recent past but far away geographically—the little-known Western Continent, across the sea from the settled Northern Continent. A secondary aim is reproduction, with the childbearing of key women as a recurring theme. Fiona and her temporary Weyr play a smaller role here than in *Dragonheart*; she shares the lead, often alongside her queen dragon Talenth, with Lorana.
Lorana, the protagonist of Todd McCaffrey’s first solo novel *Dragonsblood*, is an expert time traveler. She guided Fiona and others on a backward journey in *Dragonheart* and attempted the first forward journey at the end of *Dragongirl*. In this book, she makes many short trips, some far in time, and is also skilled at bending the rules.
- published
- June 2011
- publisher
- Del Rey Books
- series
- Dragonriders of Pern
- authors
- Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
- preceded_by
- Dragongirl
- followed_by
- Sky Dragons
Lore & Background
The frame story of Dragon's Time is set during ten days of year 508 AL (years After Landing on Pern), about six months after the start of the 'Third Pass' of the Red Star and its attendant Threadfall. Much of the action takes place during a long episode of time travel led by Fiona of Fort Weyr, who is the Telgar Weyrwoman in 508 AL. The primary purpose of the expedition is to survive, and to mature or to convalesce, and thus to gain man and dragonpower in the present crisis.
Reader's Guide
Dragon's Time continues the Dragonriders of Pern series, a long-running science fiction saga initiated by Anne McCaffrey in 1967. As the fourth collaboration between Anne and Todd McCaffrey, it bridges the narrative from Dragongirl to Sky Dragons, published in July 2012. The novel explores themes of survival, reproduction, and time travel within the established Pern universe, focusing on the characters Fiona and Lorana. Its significance lies in expanding the series' timeline and geography, introducing the Western Continent as a refuge. The book maintains the series' tradition of blending science fiction with fantasy elements, particularly through the telepathic bond between dragons and their riders. For readers, it offers a deeper look into the Third Pass and the consequences of time travel on Pern.
Did You Know?
- Dragon's Time is the fourth collaboration between Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey.
- The novel is set in year 508 AL, about six months after the start of the Third Pass.
- Much of the action involves time travel to the Western Continent, distant in space from the Northern Continent.
- Lorana, the expert time traveler, makes many short-duration trips, some distant in time.
More in Novels by Anne McCaffrey 1-24
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