The Sight

by David Clement-Davies

Paperback, 2003

Status

Available

Call number

823.914

Publication

Firebird (2003), Edition: Reprint, Mass Market Paperback, 480 pages

Description

In Transylvania during the Middle Ages, a pack of wolves sets out on a perilous journey to prevent their enemy from calling upon a legendary evil one that will give her the power to control all animals.

Media reviews

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.

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School Library Journal

In Transylvania, some time in the past, a she-wolf named Palla gives birth to two cubs, an all-white female named Larka and a male named Fell. These are strange times for the Varg, as the wolves call themselves-Palla's outcast sister Morgra has gained power over a large group of fighting wolves and

is determined to gain ultimate power by creating a "Man Varg," mingling the consciousness of a Sighted wolf with that of a human child in order to achieve a Vision of the world. Young Larka has the Sight, a form of ESP, and her pack is torn apart as Morgra attempts to capture her. Roman mythology, Christianlike theology, and supernatural horror all combine to form the legends that lead the Varg toward their destinies. Its members are realistically wolflike; their cold, harsh environment is vividly depicted; and elements of the story are quite exciting. However, much of the tension is lost by a convoluted plot and a multitude of interminable scenes, mostly discussions between characters, that will make many readers either skip ahead or abandon the book entirely. However, this may be a good choice for readers who have outgrown Brian Jacques's "Redwall" series (Philomel) and are ready for a more complicated animal fantasy. Grade 6 Up

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User reviews

LibraryThing member Connor16

A unique book with a theme not usualy portrayed. Wolves in the Transylvanian forests in the time of Vladmire the Impaler, the great dracula himself. It is a story of brotherhood compainionship and the bonds of a family, and of course giant wolf fights and magic wolves.

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LibraryThing member CanBeBribed

If you like wolves or magic I wholeheartily recommend this. Its beautifully written and the writer really knows how to paint a scene and write the charcters. Its a mystic adventure, really.

LibraryThing member Lunar_Rose

Over all one of the best books I've read. The plot is amazing and the characters are so well expressed. Everything about this book is great. The only setback is, that it's hard to put down.

LibraryThing member midnighttwilight101

The Sight by David Clement-Davies is a book about wolves told through the point of view of wolves. This book was one of the most original works I’ve ever read. The wolves seemed like wild beasts, yet strangely human-like, especially strange because some of the wolves have magical powers.

LibraryThing member DJLunchlady91404

I was a little apprehensive about reading the sight due to the fact that it wasn’t my typical type of reading material but I kept my mind open when I began reading it. The first half of the book seemed to drag on a little but as I read I became so seduced by the storyline and after the first 100

pages I was no longer able to put the book down. The emotions that I felt while reading The Sight will stick with me for a long time. I will defiantly recommend this book to anyone who asks.

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LibraryThing member DF5B_HannahJ

A wolf pack is a very good thing to be in. This wolf pack has just had four pups but 2 oh them died.

LibraryThing member thePaperWoman

An amazingly written story that is as exciting as it is chilling.

LibraryThing member platsdevil

This is my absolute favorite book. As you follow these characters, you can't help but notice who they really are. Larka is tangled in a web of mistery and misery and she loses everthing she loves until finally she must face her destiny. You couln't find a closer family and I think anyone with any

sense could see how amazing this tale is. The whole time I asked myself, what is the bigger picture of this story, and I figured it out. Now it's your turn.

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LibraryThing member earthlistener

A beautiful work of fiction. Not only is the story overall complex and richly detailed, but so are the characters, both large and small. Every character no matter how small had a part to play. The Sight is not an easy read. The plot has may rich nuances, complicated interwoven back-stories, and

many twists and turns. Clement-Davies even creates new words for the wolves to use and define their world rather then using human ones.

The Sight is a deeply moving story in which the reader can easily find themselves concerned for all the characters both large and small. Even the main a villain, Morgra, found my deep hearted sympathy. All the characters have a reason to be doing what their doing. You understand their motives and the scars that mark their past.

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LibraryThing member willbarnes

Wow! But I agree, sad ending :(

LibraryThing member br14rego

David Clement-Davies makes an excellent book that for most writers would be hard to manage. Its from a wolfs point of view. I don't know of any other authors that could pull this off. There is Palla who gives birth to four cubs but two die during the birth. It tells of them hunting, and their gods.

It also talk about the Pallas sister Morgra and the stories of the "sight" or the ability to see through the eyes of birds. Soon after the birth of the cubs Morgra shows up after chasing the pack back to their birthing den. The author does an amazing job with detail of how she looks, and the emotions the wolfs were feeling. I have only read 30 pages so i do not know much more, but Clements does a good job with detail. The only problem with this book is that it is slow going. you get bored of it very easily, and that's why i dropped it. Other than that it was an okay book.

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LibraryThing member br14saal

Magic. Ancient legends come to life. Evil sorceresses and powerful forces. The Sight by David Clement-Davie will keep you turning pages the whole way through.
When Larka is just a pup, a curse is placed on her family that threatens to tear their pack apart. The Sight follows one wolf pup and her

families struggle against Morgra, an evil drappa wolf, as well as their fight to keep their clan together. They are forced to flee from the curse, all the while it picking them off one by one. They soon learn the Larka has the power off the sight, and that they are the family that is going to defeat the powers of evil. Larka soon finds herself on her own, and unless she can figure out how to harness her powers, all of the animals will find themselves under Morgra’s rule. She has to travel far, in both the worlds above and below, and consult with both the living and the dead. The ending will shock the readers in an twist that you will never see coming.

I thought that The Sight was slow during some points, and confusing and fast-paced during others. Overall, though, the author did a good job of keeping the story interesting. He does a poor job, however, of explaining the more mystical and spiritual parts, most of them leaving the reader confused about what was going on. The book itself was written beautifully, one of the best I had ever read. David will transport you into a magical world, full of love, friendship, and evil. It was a beautifully spun tail, one that I would recommend to any reader willing to read through a few slow parts to get to the ones that really matter.

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LibraryThing member lkmuir

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