The Book of Tudllan
When visiting the ruins of an abbey, Alfie spots four mysterious people consulting an old leather-bound book. What could they be looking for in the dark of night? Alfie soon learns an old book, called The Book of Tudllan, has been stolen from the British Library and contains a riddle hinting at a hidden treasure which some believe might be within their local abbey. The riddle mentions the “high cup of Christ.” Could this be a reference to the Holy Grail? Around this same area but 1500 years earlier, Cai is entrusted by his dying master to deliver a mysterious object to a man named Gwion. Fleeing the battle that took his master’s life, Cai must traverse an unfamiliar land to deliver a wrapped bundle to a remote abbey. Inside the bundle lies a plain wooden cup.
Alfie is a sweet young boy who wants to find a way to save his mother, who is slowly dying of an unnamed disease. The moments between Alfie and his mom are achingly beautiful, particularly as the story (and his mother’s illness) progresses. The heavier emotions are well-balanced between moments of investigation and adventure. My only concern for this young reader’s fantasy book involves the extended moments of exposition, one being five pages long that explains the state of ancient Britannia. Weaving such details into dialogue or spreading them out gradually would help the story’s pace. Otherwise, Hamer’s story puts an intriguing new spin on the Holy Grail mythology. A well-written and enjoyable dual-timeline adventure. Recommended!
