Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
“Personable characters and superb storytelling make this an excellent choice. . . . Essential for Pern fans of all ages.”—Library Journal (starred review) The son of a miner, Kindan has no expectations for any other life. He loves his lessons with the camp’s harper, but music isn’t part of a miner’s future. He also enjoys helping out with the camp’s watch-wher— a creature distantly related to dragons and uniquely suited to work in dark, cold spaces—but even that important job can’t promise a future above the ground. Then disaster strikes. In one terrible instant, Kindan loses his family and the camp loses its watch-wher. It will take a new friendship and a new responsibility to teach Kindan that even a seemingly impossible dream is never out of reach . . . and that light can be found in the deepest darkness. “A guaranteed pleaser [in] one of SF’s most splendid and longest-lived sagas.”—Booklist “Another delightful entry in the Pern series.”—Publishers Weekly
Is Dragon's Kin appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
A middle-grade science fantasy featuring a mining disaster that kills the protagonist's family; deals with grief and loss but emphasizes hope, friendship, and finding new purpose. Clean content with no romance or strong language.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent, death of a loved one, mass death, animal death, and grief.
Who'll love this
Readers who love dragons and stories about overcoming tragedy will connect with Kindan's journey from loss to new possibilities.