Book Review: The Sight
The Sight
David Clement-Davies
In a cave in Transylvania, two wolf cubs are born, one white, one black. Could the white cub, Larka, be the white wolf that heralds the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy? Larka's mother's sister, a powerful and evil wolf named Morgra, thinks so, and in her anger and her hunger for power, she curses Larka and her family. Morgra has the power of the Sight, an ability to see far things and to see through the eyes of animals, but she seeks the ultimate power foretold in the prophecy.
As Larka's family flees, trying to escape both Morgra and the prophecy, they encounter danger after danger as the prophecy, and Morgra's curse, seem to be coming true. They are also pursued by a pack of rebel wolves forming a greater wolf pack under a harsh leader named Slavka. Slavka seeks to wipe out belief in the Sight, the prophecy, and all superstition, and Larka's family is caught in the middle between Slavka and Morgra. As Morgra calls forth the power of Wolfbane, the evil one, can the love of the family overcome Morgra's ambitions and the prophecy itself?
This is an incredibly rich, detailed and complex book. The story is deep and moving, drawing on many sources including Christianity, history, folklore, and fairy tales. Clement-Davies brings to life the wilderness of the Carpathian mountains and the lives of the animals with beautifully expressive language and metaphor. There are some interesting plot twists that caught me by surprise, and that's not easy to do.
This is not an easy book to read; with its complicated plot and detailed language, it may be challenging for some young people. I was a little put off by the message, which seems a little heavy in the last part of the book. But in general, teens who are good readers and who enjoy a richly imagined animal fantasy will find a lot to like about this book.
A sequel to The Sight, Fell, will be published this month by Amulet Books.
Labels: book review, fantasy, wolves, young adult books
posted by Sheila Ruth @ 5:44 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Hi Sheila! Sorry to not see you on the roster for Chicago! Hope to meet at another event some day. Cheers!
Yeah, I'm disappointed that I won't be able to come and meet everyone. But it's not in the finances right now. Have a great time! I'll look forward to reading the blog reports, and maybe I can come next time.
Aah! Laini Taylor! Famous amazing author people! *dies*
If you by some miracle you happen to see this, can I please have Backbiter? That is the most amazing dagger in the world. :P
The Sight was such an amazing (if horribly depressing) book. I checked it out from the library once, but it was put on hold and I had to return it before I could finish it. So I bought it. It was incredible. I also got and read Fire Bringer, and I now have The Telling Pool, which I will start soon... I need Fell now.
I later learned that the person who checked out The Sight after me was someone I had just made best friends with at school. :P
Anyways, I recommend The Sight to all fantasy lovers who can stand this much darkness. The writing is amazing, and I love the way the wolves and the Sight are portrayed. I really loved how the Sight was shown as not just a misunderstood gift, but as an actual burden with both its bad sides and its bonuses. A very original book, and I hope someone who hasn't read the book sees this and reads it, because you must.
Hi Spirithunter,
You're right that The Sight was pretty dark. I enjoyed it, but it's not a book for people who don't like sadness in books.
And it is cool that Laini Taylor stopped by and commented on my blog!
It is cool. I'd better get to meet her some time, cuz I live right next door to Portland. :P Blackbringer was such a cool book, I love the spells... and the moonlight... I can't wait for Silksinger. Do you know when that'll be released?
I don't know, Spirithunter, but you could keep an eye on her blog:
http://growwings.blogspot.com/
She might announce it there when there is an official date.
Heya! Um, im a middle school girl and my friend lauren let me borrow the book over the weekend..ive read some of it but i accidentally left it in my locker bcuz we had a dance XD im probably gonna buy it so i dont have to worry about finishing it yet.Its AWESOME i love wolves and fiction, and the christian metaphor almost makes it like narnia...
omgh this book was amazing, i can't believe how it ended, and how humanly david made the wolves. I loved the unique names, and how touching this book was.
i loved your awesome review shelia. thx
Thanks for the compliment on my review, tylerdude. You're right, it was a touching book.
what is the theme of the sight?
i love the book , but i wnat to know what the message behind it is.
what is the theme/ message of the book? i can't figure it out :(
what's the theme/message?
ps. i love this book!
I also think this is an amazing and rather heartbreaking book. Also, I've been trying to figure out the theme of this book as well, and I'm thinking it could be something like, "Just because someone was mistaken and wrong, we can’t have the world live forever in hatred and guilt and darkness; hate is the betrayer, for it feeds on itself. We have to learn to forgive and to show compassion, and to love. But love takes responsibility, and to really love one another, we first must see, and understand suffering."
I looked mostly at what Larka said to Morgra at the end of the book, and I combined most of the messages I found...I don't know if this is really what the author intended, but it's what I think. Anyone have a different opinion? I'd like to know :)
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