In them you meet all the characters and learn a lot about life on Pern. Up until the ninth and tenth book, you feel you are reading about a planet with the technological abilities and life styles seen in medieval times. This life was disrupted by the discovery of Thread, the dreaded spores that periodically rained from the sky to destroy all organic matter, and the eruption of a volcano which caused the settlers to move north. Before moving north the settlers noticed that the small creatures they named firelizards would kill thread by producing flame. The settlers produced dragons by bioengineering the eggs of the firelizards.
Dragons form a telepathic bond with their riders at hatching.
The dragons and their riders have been protecting the planet and its people from Thread for over 2500 years. Their one goal is to rid the planet of this menace. I have read the ten books in this series many times. I'm a devoted fan of Anne McCaffrey's. I have also emailed her on several occasions.