From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10–David Clement-Davies' novel (Amulet Books, 2005) delivers a tale of Arthurian legend and magic grounded in historical fiction set during the Third Crusade. Rhodri lives an idyllic life as a falconer's son and doesn't believe the fortune-telling old hag and blind blacksmith—who are not exactly what they seem—who predict that he is destined for greatness. When Rhodri's father marches off to support the king in the war a few years later, Rhodri, wishing he could have gone with him, meets the blacksmith again. Tantallon, living as a hermit in the forest, tells Rhodri the secret of the Telling Pool, a magical lake that shows the past, present, and future. After hearing about the tragic love triangle of Guinevere, Lancelot, and King Arthur, Rhodri sets off to find Excalibur, the sword that brings peace, determined to save his family and his land from an evil enchantress. The details of day-to-day life in the 12th century are intriguing and, although some of the secondary characters stray into the stereotypical, Rhodri's struggles to become a man of worth as he embarks upon a hero's quest of self-discovery are rich and rewarding. Narrator Gerard Doyle does a capable job with the combined English, Welsh, and French accents that populate the novel, and convincingly brings Rhodri from child to young man. A solid choice for libraries with fans of historical fiction and Arthurian legend.–
Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Set in medieval England, this quest tale finds 12-year-old Rhodri Falcon destined for adventure after a fortune-teller's prophecy. Rhodri meets Tantallon, a blind blacksmith, who introduces him to the Telling Pool, which reveals a future that includes his father's imprisonment by an evil sorceress, as well as the coming of bloody crusades, the troubles of Arthur and Guinevere, and the search for Excalibur. Narrator Gerard Doyle shows versatility as he navigates among various characters of different origins and social classes. His portrayal of Rodri is particularly adept as he expresses the insecurity, bluster, and fear of a young boy as he encounters magic, evil, and, ultimately, himself. M.H.N. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
