Science fiction and fantasy writers frequently expand their short stories and other short works into novels.

From the beginning of the Dragonriders of Pern series, McCaffrey has included an introduction, which has been revised since its inception, giving the origins of the Pernese and their ongoing struggles against Thread. Avid fans who have been watching the changes in these essays now have a full novel on the founding of Pern. Dragonsdawn signals a new Pern series, answering questions and developing interesting new characters. Because Dragonsdawn is a prequel to the other Pern novels, McCaffrey creates a new cast of characters. However, these new characters are not totally unfamiliar; they have left their namesakes in Pern's weyrs and holds. Ironically, these heros and antiheroes have been forgotten by their descendants, who, in The Renegades of Pern and later novels, will seek their lost history.

The new series...