The Sight [Library Binding]

David Clement-Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2008

In the shadow of an abandoned castle, a wolf pack seeks shelter. the she-wolf ’s pups will not be able to survive the harsh transylvanian winter. And they are being stalked by a lone wolf, Morgra, possessed of a mysterious and terrifying power known as the sight. Morgra knows that one of the pups born beneath the castle holds a key to power even stronger than her own—power that could give her control of this world and the next. but the pack she hunts will do anything to protect their own, even if it means setting in motion a battle that will involve all of nature, including the creature the wolves fear the most—Man.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In an epic tale of good and evil, legend and history, and the blessing and curse of an extraordinary gift of the Sight (an ability to see through others' minds and into the future), David Clement-Davies obliges the many fans of Fire Bringer with a new fantasy novel. The Sight features a Transylvanian wolf clan faced with the terrifying changes brought about by Morgra, a bitter she-wolf determined to fulfill an ancient legend in order to have supreme power over all Vargs (wolves). Young Larka, a white wolf pup born with the Sight, embarks with her brother Fell and the rest of her family on an extraordinary quest for truth and salvation, with shocking consequences that even the most astute reader may not foresee. Clement-Davies's multilayered and elaborate plot will keep young readers riveted for hours on end, drawing on Christianity, fairy tales, and mythology in a colossal allegory and cautionary tale for its human audience. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

As in his Fire Bringer, Clement-Davies's new fantasy novel features talking animals (Vargs, or wolves, instead of deer), a militant pack with a power-hungry leader, a prophecy involving a newborn that proves gifted (a white wolf who has the Sight, which can be used to see the future, heal and even control others) and the author creates imaginative mythologies (here drawing on everything from Christianity to Little Red Riding Hood). Also, both prophecies speak of a marked one (this time it turns out to be a stolen human child) and the revelation of a secret. But readers may find the creative plotting here even more compelling than in the author's first novel and the cryptic prophecy's meaning will keep them guessing. Larka, a white wolf, and her family are hunted, initially by Morgra, who strives to become the powerful Man Varg (also foretold in the prophecy); a rebel pack also hunts them (Slavka, its leader, seeks to destroy all that claim to have the Sight). After Larka loses members of her pack, she embarks on a solo journey and finds teachers who help her master the Sight, using it to heal the "human cub" and to prepare to face Morgra. Despite sophisticated language and some complex concepts, such as the origins of evil, the author's clever plot twists (such as which wolf eventually claims to be Wolfbane) make the thick novel well worth the commitment. Strong female characters also provide a refreshing change to the often male-dominated science-fiction/fantasy field. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 465 pages
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-04-03 (April 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435236467
• ISBN-13: 978-1435236462
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (180 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine animal fantasy with a deeper message, March 13, 2004

By 

Claude Avary "West Coast Reader" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sight (Mass Market Paperback)

"The Sight" is an animal fantasy in the tradition of Richard Adams's classic "Watership Down," where the author crafts a mythological culture for a group of animals living alongside humans. Where Adams used rabbits in contemporary England, David Clement-Davies selects wolves (or `Vargs' as they call themselves) living in war-torn fifteenth-century Transylvania, during the reign of Vlad Dracula. It's an immediately intriguing concept, and Clement-Davies does some wonderful work with the exotic, gothic backdrop and the mysterious nature of wolves -- beautiful, tough, misunderstood animals that project an alluring magic that perfectly fits this type of tale.

But "The Sight" is far different from "Watership Down" in some important ways. Magic and the supernatural play a huge part in the story. The Sight of the title is a supernatural power granted to certain wolves; a kind of sixth sense, sensory projection, telepathy, and prophetic ability rolled into one. The wolf Morgra possesses the Sight, and from her hate plans to use it to fulfill a complex prophecy: summon a demonic entity called Wolfbane and create `the Man Varg,' a mysterious figure linked with a stolen human child. If the prophecy is fulfilled, Morgra can possess all of nature. Standing against her is another wolf who possesses the sight, young Larka, and her family. The plot moves through many turns as the extremely tricky prophecy propels the factions of wolves into wars against each other, plunges Larka's family into grief, and spirals closer and closer to a final confrontation between wolves, birds, men, and spirits of the dead.

"The Sight" is a busy and intricate book with a very dark tone, but it will appeal to intelligent younger readers who hunger for something more than simple fantasy. Clement-Davies lacks Richard Adams's wonderful myth-making skills; his mythological background for the wolves is sometimes too thickly layered and patchwork to be effective. The book also dips into a few too many lengthy philosophical discussions between the wolves. Nonetheless, it's an excellent book and quite exciting. The finale ties the story into the history of humanity and ends up offering a moving lesson that reflects on our own world. "The Sight" seems to be about wolves, but David Clement-Davies has crafted a story with a deep meaning at its core. (He explains in an interesting afterward how this theme developed from his visit to Romania in 1990).

I highly recommend this fantasy novel to anyone who enjoyed "Watership Down," the "Redwall" books, or Clement-Davies's previous animal-fantasy, "Fire Bringer." Wolf lovers or anyone with a taste for the gothic will also enjoy this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Moving - wow, August 19, 2005

By 

Tiger Reviews "Shamrook" (USA: land of the mustang. Florida: land of thae gator.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sight (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked this book a lot, (if you have not read the book do not read the next sentence) although the evolution thing in the end sort of ruined it. (ok you can read again)you will cry and laugh. The plot was great a little creepy in some parts but a beautiful work! Terribly sad in some parts well, in a lot of parts it makes us never want to hate again, over all it was very good! not a great book for young readers. 3 1/2 due to the end vision it would have goten better if not for that.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I would've given it 6 stars if i could've!!!, November 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sight (Mass Market Paperback)

I read the the back of the book and I thought this is stupid. MAGIC WOLVES! c'mon? I read the book anyway and man am I glad. This isn't some strange sci-fi with aliens and wolves fighting side by side. This is book has it all. Combat. A Difficult Journy. Friendship. Death.( if you have a weak stomache don't read the last 50 pages)and a twist ending that will take your breath away. If you don't buy the book here, go to a library, do SOMTHING! Just make sure you read it!