The Telling Pool [Hardcover]

David Clement-Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

A thrilling new fantasy from the author of the cult favorites Fire Bringer and The Sight.

From the author known for his popular, "intricately crafted" novels, as praised by The Boston Globe, comes a new tale set against the backdrop of Richard the Lionheart's Crusade to Jerusalem. The Telling Pool's richly atmospheric tale draws on Authurian legend and pagan belief, following the fate of young Rhodri Falcon and his crusader father as they become entangled in the war of a king and the machinations of a seductive sorceress who literally steals men's hearts. Its up to Rhodri to defeat the sorceress and save his father before all is forever lost. As Rhodri discovers the evils of war fought in the name of religion with enemies who will stop at nothing to defeat him, he must dig deep within to discover the hero who will save his father and lead himself toward the man he will become.

Expertly told, The Telling Pool transports young readers to the days of the Crusades, magic sorcery and the land where legends were formed. In the best-selling tradition of his previous books, Clement-Davies introduces readers a new character, Rhodri Falcon, who will forge ahead, determined to find good and in a land of evil.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–The late 12th century in England brought anguish to a divided land as King Richard led many of the ablest men on the quixotic and dangerous journey known as the Third Crusade. Rhodri, the son of Owen, master falconer on a manor in the Welsh borderland, is left in charge when his much-admired father follows their overlord to the Holy Land. Interweaving this historical fiction with a liberal dose of Arthurian legend, Clement-Davies creates a rich mixture of themes and metaphors. Two archetypal figures vie for Rhodri's soul: Tantallon, a Merlin figure who teaches the boy to look for answers in an ancient, magical pool deep in the forest; and Homeira, an evil-hearted Morgana figure who entraps his returning father's heart. Descriptions of Owen's behavior after experiencing the Crusade will ring true with anyone familiar with posttraumatic-stress symptoms. Rhodri's journey through the countryside to free his father from Homeira's enchantment tests the boy's courage, though a subplot involving an ostracized Jew and his daughter tests readers' credulity. The descriptions of medieval falconry, life on the manor, and Rhodri's interactions with other boys are carefully delineated, but those not steeped in Arthurian legend may find themselves confused by the context of Tantallon's teachings and Homeira's treachery. On the other hand, that could spur them to read further. The power of old legends to effect children's lives is always an interesting theme, one that is more fully developed in Kevin Crossley-Holland's The Seeing Stone (2001), At the Crossing-Places (2002), and King of the Middle March (2004, all Scholastic).–Connie C. Rockman, Stratford Library Association, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. A wizened crone at the village fair reads the cards for young Rhodri Falcon, revealing the suffering to come from a looming war. In his haste to escape from the crone's strange intensity, Rhodri is drawn toward a grizzled and blind blacksmith who speaks of quests, a true sword, and the mysterious Telling Pool. These ancients' interest in Rhodri, the son of a Welsh falconer who serves a Norman lord during the time of the Third Crusade, hinges on an ancestry of which he has no knowledge: Rhodri is descended from Arthur's Guinevere and has an important role to play in the dark times ahead. With the aid of the blacksmith, the powers of the Telling Pool, his beloved rock falcon, a wise young woman, and an infamous sword, Rhodri must walk a difficult path to save his family, king, and country from the forces of evil. Although it would have profited from increased tension in the final confrontation, this is nonetheless a satisfying and well-crafted story that through Arthurian lore, brings a steadfast young boy to manhood and adult understanding. Holly Koelling
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810957582
• ISBN-13: 978-0810957589
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,172,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mixing history, old legends, magic, and even a bit of romance, January 16, 2006

By 

Gary H. Cassel "Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews" (Baltimore, MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Telling Pool (Hardcover)

Rhodri Falcon has lived his 11 years in happiness with his mother and father, a master falconer. But as unrest in the lands sends his father, Owen, to fight in the wars, Rhodri has to take up the responsiblities of the man of the house, much to his disappointment. Over the next few years, Rhodri is haunted by a fourtune he heard at a fair and one day, he ventures into the forest against his parents wishes, where he comes upon a blind hermit named Tantallon. Tantallon guides him in the ways of magic and shows him the Telling Pool, a place where Rhodri sees what's happening to his father. When Rhodri discovers that his father has been enchanted by a witch namd Homeira, it's up to him to find the fabled sword Excalibur, the sword once held by King Arthur himself, to break the curse. On his journey, Rhodri discovers secrets about his family history. It's up to Rhodri to use his wits carefully before he gets enchanted too.

I really liked the Telling Pool. I took a while to get into the story; the beginning was a bit slow, but necessary to tie into the story. I'm fascinated with stories relating to King Arthur and Guenviere, so I enjoyed that aspect of the novel. The story was also cleverly set during the Third Crusade, and it's hard to find novels set at the time period. Being a fan of historical fiction, I really liked this new time. The magical element of the novel was fun as well. Clement-Davies did a good job of mixing history, old legends, magic, and even a bit of romance. I'd recommend this novel to anyone.

Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book from a great author!, July 11, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Telling Pool (Hardcover)

The Telling Pool was a very good book. Of the books David Clement Davies has written, it isn't my favorite, but that is most certainly NOT saying that I didn't enjoy it very much.

It is a wonderful blend of medieval fantasy, coming of age, and romance. As you can see, by what the other reviews say, there is a small religious aspect in the story. However, I think other reviewers may have been overreacting a little bit over the matter. David Clement Davies neither puts down one religion or states anything about one being better than another. He simply writes about them, and tells how a person of that religion would think or what they beleive. He doesn't even go into depth about any of them. Speaking of the religions, as far as I can tell, was essential to the story,(Because the war in the story was a religious crusade.) but was certainly not the main point of it. The story overall is a medieval fantasy.

Here is a summary of the plot: Rhodri, a 12 year old boy lives with his mother and his father, who is a master falconer. (One who trains and keeps falcons as pets.) During a fair he meets an old fortune teller who reads the tarot cards for him and tells him of a great destiny he is to have. Shortly afterwards, his father is called upon to go to war to fight for the return of the Holy lands. After his father leaves, Rhodri meets a blind hermit who is the guardian of a magical pool that can show Rhodri what he most wishes to see. Through the pool, he discovers his destiny, and eventually, upon the return of his distraught father, he embarks on a wonderful journey to make things right again.

David Clement Davies, has written a great book (yet again) with great voice, wonderful character developement, and he has even managed to make an original story out of what could have easily not been original. I would highly reccomend this, as well as his other works, The Sight, and Firebringer! Enjoy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - Sarah Howarth, January 6, 2006

By 

Sarah Howarth - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Telling Pool (Hardcover)

I really loved this. It is different to Mr Clement-Davies's other books but it's so full of great stuff. Magic and adventure and the bond between Rhodri and all his friends. The end is especially exciting, but I just love the descriptions. I think it says something different to Firebringer or The Sight because it's really about stories and people. I didn't want it to end.