The Untameables

Under the bloody rule of King Arthur – as the cruel knights of the round table wage wars and hunt magical creatures – the ordinary people of Camelot are getting sick. Really sick. Something is poisoning the land. No one in Arthur's court seems to care, but a spark of hope remains... The Holy Grail could save them all, and two children embark on a quest to find it.

Shy, gentle Roan, a young dog keeper who works for the knights, is desperate to find a cure for his mum. He befriends Elva, a generous and outspoken kitchenhand with her own reasons for seeking the elusive Grail. Together, can they beat the knights to find it? And will drinking from it save Roan's mum? Beautifully illustrated by Reena Makwana.



Clare Pollard has published five collections of poetry with Bloodaxe, most recently Incarnation and a pamphlet The Lives of the Female Poets, published by Bad Betty Press. Her poem 'Pollen' was nominated for the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem 2022. She has been involved in numerous translation projects, including translating Ovid's Heroines, which she toured as a one-woman show. Clare has also written a play, The Weather, that premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and a non-fiction title, Fierce Bad Rabbits: The Tales Behind Children's Picture Books. Her debut adult novel Delphi was published in 2022. The Untameables is her first book for children.



"The writing style is sharp and accessible, often feeling like an oral storytelling session, as befits the author's experience as a poet. Roan's vulnerability and Elva's strength nicely flip the traditional gender roles that are often found in historical fiction, giving young readers a pair of well-rounded and identifiable protagonists to root for. A charming tale of friendship and bravery that will appeal to fans of Kate DiCamillo and Eva Ibbotson."



"Funny, thought-provoking and intensely satisfying."



4/5 - "Folklore has been a frequent theme in Pollard's poetry, and she writes with the precision of someone thoroughly at home in her milieu… The plot moves briskly, and the engaging, chatty prose will find much appeal with younger readers."