Call of the Kiwi (In the Land of the Long White Cloud saga Book 3)

This trilogy was absorbing in content, but thoroughly spoiled by the translation by an American. I would have given 5 stars for the story but was so disappointed as the translations were in American terms for English places and his misunderstanding of England were woeful. A priest in the Church of England does not have his first "rectorate" for example!! For a new perspective on immigration and sheep rearing, and the immigrants relations with the Maori people it is a really good read, so don't be put off by the infelicities. Good to be able to read a "landscape" book in one go and find out what happens to all the generations.

I was a bit worried about the 1 st war coming into the story and put off reading this final book of Gwyneira s family but persevered with the horror . My only concern after reading all 3 was that noone in the family returned to her Powys roots (not far from me ) for a visit through all the years and no one visited her later when there were steam ships to make it a swifter voyage. The author researched well and the American translator did well to translate all from German. Also I now know a lot more about New Zealand and the Maori.

Considering the amount of care Sarah Lark has put into researching these books of early colonisation of New Zealand you would think she would have taken the trouble to get a translator who had some idea of English as it is spoken and spelled in the UK and New Zealand. Whiskey for instance is Bourbon or Irish whiskey. Scottish whisky and single malt is what they would have been drinking. Bangs, gotten, Fall , acclimated, I could go on. Sloppy and ruined my enjoyment of an otherwise well written tale.

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the series, as I did Books 1 and 2. I was really wrapped up in the story across all three books and came back to Earth with difficulty at the end of my New Zealand journey. Well worth the read

I absolutely loved this trilogy - and the final book was no disappointment. It was wonderful to be able to 'catch up' on each member of the family and know what happened/happens to them. It was sometimes a difficult read because of the content, but the material was always in keeping with the storyline, and there was nothing gratuitous about the 'gory' bits. You could read this book as a 'stand alone' novel, but it's all the better if you've read the previous two books in the trilogy. Would definitely recommend this, and will look out for more books by Sarah Lark

The third of htis series I couldn't wait to find out more of this family saga. I would say a good light holiday read not to be taken to seriously. There were some really obvious errors in the first book but forgivable as the story draws you in and you want to know what happens next. The errors were I realsed after the first book probably because this is a translated book (from German). The author's style is easy to read if not terribly stylish (again might be because of translation). Well worth a go.

Excellent storyline and characterisation but whole book is marred by the Americanisation of the grammar!! Whilst accepting that this is a translation the characters are of British origin and therefore would not be saying 'gotten' or would be likely to use any of the other American terminology that appears in the text of the book. Such a shame that when editing these books for the British market this error could not have been amended as it is extremely irritating for British readers!

I was not at all sure about reading this third volume of the trilogy, I had enjoyed the other two and didn't want to ruin the ending of the saga if it turned out to be a letdown. It didn't and it wasn't. A good book in it's own right and a good conclusion, I was glad I'd read it.

If like me you came to that book trilogy because you like the historical novels of James Michener, well this is nothing like it. This is just a pretext for a cheap romance. The intrigue is well constructed, but the psychology of the main characters is not very plausible and IMO doesn't reflect the real behaviour of the first immigrant in NZ. Relationships to the animals (hounds and horses are for a soup opera and more a mirror of our actual behaviour than that of the period described.Further, there is absolutely no historical events in the background. I read the three volumes and only the description of the miners social condition can pass. As for what if said of the Maori, I'm not very confident that what is said really reflect their situation after colonisation.

I enjoyed this book very much. The ending was inevitable but didn't retract from the story. Vivid, accurate descriptions of sheep farming in New Zealand's South Island. The heroine's trials in her attempt to return to NZ when taken overseas were harrowing and I wondered if, historically, stretched one's imagination considering her character and upbringing. However, that is a moot point. I think detailed descriptions of life in WWI trenches are now so well documented in history and novels that it spoils stories recently written about that conflict.. However, this is a good, enjoyable story and well worth reading. Great characters.

A very good follow up of the saga of the family but which this time includes the ANZAC experience of war in Gallipoli. Excellent pace of book, you really do not want to put it down, but perhaps a bit more predictable in the outcomes than the previous two books. You really do need to read the books in sequence or you will lose a lot of the nuances.

This would be the best series I've read all year just loved these books couldn't put them down once I had started reading them just loved all the characters and could just about picture each one ad described Sarah lark is a w wonderful writer and I can't wait to read more of her books

This third book in the McKenzie/Warden saga was brilliant and fast paced reading. There is nothing more enjoyable to an avid reader than a nice long book which takes you to another place and time, with the story totally enveloping you. I was so sad that this is the last book but will certainly read more Sarah Lark novels. Excellent work.

I found it very interesting to read and the author seems to have done a lot of background checking of the area etc also the attitude of the maori to the white people it mirrors Australia's early years somewhat.

Tengo una pega que poner : la traducción es nefasta .He apuntado varios errores de bulto.En cuanto a la novela en sí ,buena.Me gusta Sarah Lark ; lo mejor es lo bien documentadas que están sus novelas.

I read all 3 novels one after the other for the continuity, as the characters became a little confusing as the families grew & dispersed to other areas. As an Australian with family connections in NZ i did find the history & Maori culture fascinating & being familiar with a lot of the geography helped my involvement in the story. Well done Sarah Lark.

Like the two preceding books, this one was a great read and very informative on so many fronts. Sarah Lark is a new author to me but one I will be reading again. Cannot remember when I last read a trilogy that held my attention through each book, with no low spots.

This story brought the saga to an end but I have a feeling that there could be more! It's a saga not a trilogy! The author's description of the ANZAC's in Greece was all the more poignant in this the Centenary year since WW1 began. Sarah Lark's writing is well researched, easily read and her characters become your 'friends' as the story unfolds through life's surprises and disappointments. I thoroughly enjoyed the 'Call of the Kiwi'.

Early life in New Zealand brought tears to my eyes as the author recalled the hard life the early settlers had I have travelled extensively in NZ and found the storyline believable and interesting. I would recommend this saga of Maori and pakeha and the lives ( fictional) of two early families.

Let me start out by saying I love New Zealand. We have only visited once but can hardly wait to go back! The book starts out slowly but evolves into very rich storylines! I loved learning about Maori culture! A great read!

I have now read the 3 books in this series. I enjoyed the first book, plodded through the 2nd as it became more and more soap operish and didn't even get quarter of the way through the 3rd. The series started with such promise and dwindled into sentimental tosh.

Read the trilogy and Lark brings in past occurrences better than most continuations I have read. She is far more discreet and slips in past snippets without overdoing the history side and keeping the current story going. Definitely worth reading.

Call of the KIwi was a fantastic book and the characters all worked well together. I couldn't wait to start the next one. i am so glad I bought all three of the books together so I could continue uninterrupted. Wish there were more.