Dragonpond

The Kine Saga #3

by A.R. Lloyd

In Kine's lifetime the weasels have always their green and secret valley, equal to every threat.

But Kine, the hunter king, is growing old. Memories of past battles return to haunt him - memories made all the more painful by the death of his proud queen Kia.

It was then that he heard the rumour echoing around the hedges and river banks. Rumour of the threat that lay buried in the depths of the Moon Pond. Soon the day would dawn on the greatest challenge for a warrior king - a confrontation with an unseen and terrible enemy.

Genres: Childrens

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This splendid conclusion to the KINE SAGA is every bit as good as the two volumes which preceded it. The story follows an older and not-very-wiser Kine as he tackles a new menace lurking in the vicinity, although the title is a bit of a misnomer as it turns out to be based on a misunderstanding. This slim book carries on the story very well, introducing a cast of characters who are recognisable and worthy returns, with a number of familiar faces welcome by their presence (Watchman, Scrat, et al).

The tale isn't quite as dark as its predecessors - particularly the first book - but there's a wealth of violent incident, and some villains which successfully make the blood run cold. As usual, it's the interaction between a whole variety of species and characters that makes this work so well. They're warm, lovable, quirky, and perfectly captured. The action-packed narrative is intensely readable. I honestly think the KINE SAGA is very close to the quality of Richard Adams' WATERSHIP DOWN, one of the granddaddies of this genre.

[Lone Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Third in the ‘Kine’ series, though the two sequels are essentially superfluous – both use the same storyline as the first one, just changing the species of the antagonists. In this instalment, Kine’s enemies are a polecat, a ferret and an owl. Despite growing old, the ever-heroic weasel (of course) vanquishes them. Not worth reading if you’ve read either of the previous books.