Every 200 years or so, shimmering threads fall, bringing black ruin to Pern. The great dragons hurl themselves through the skies, flaming tongues of fire to destroy deadly Thread and save the Planet. But it was not Threadfall that made Menolly unhappy. Her father betrays her ambition to be a Harper and thwarts her love of music. She runs away and while sheltering from Threadfall, finds a group of fire-lizards hatching. She sings to them and teaches them to sing, and now she is no longer alone. Cover art by David Roe.