I was recently given the opportunity to acquire a copy of the first book in the Brown River Stables short novella series. So of course I added it to my read and review list! The New Girl by Ella J. White explores the life of teenager Clarissa. Being the new girl for the third time in a year, Clarissa finds it easier to just hide in the background. After all, what is the point of making friendships and attachments if you’re just going to move again?

And yet, the sixteen-year-old finds that in this new town she is very quickly swept up into friendship. Her horse passion just happens to be shared with one of the first people she meets at school. An invite to visit Emily’s horse finds Clarissa letting down her guard when she really doesn’t want to.

The New Girl is a good introduction to Clarissa and her take on life. For such a short story, it spans a few years and at times it wasn’t easy to determine how much time had passed within a chapter. Emily’s interest in Alistair builds nicely and another male’s interest has the reader questioning just who she will end up with.

The story ends with a question, easily leading into the next book. But before that, The New Girl describes well the world of agisting horses (livery), riding and even competing. The one part of the story I struggled with was her relationship with her boyfriend – it seemed too controlling. Toward the end, Clarissa’s interest seemed also to be torn between two men, in spite of her love for one.

Although Clarissa appeared to be waking up to the unhealthy side of her relationship with her boyfriend, it seemed too easy for her interest to sway from the man she claimed she loved. I found these two relationship focus points to be disappointing for me. This part of the story appeared to focus on some unhealthy relationship qualities and that didn’t appeal to me. Otherwise the story was an easy and enjoyable read.

Author: Ella J. White
Fiction – young adult, novella
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

My horse book reading has been a little slow of late. Now this is by no means because of a lack of books to read! I’ve just found most of my reading time has been attributed to my children and their school books, or them reading to me! That said, I have recently finished Lily and the Unicorn King by Kate Gordon.

This fantasy book follows the lives of three girls in New Zealand. Lily, Sasha and Chloe are all horse crazy young girls. They spend as much of their time as possible riding their horses. All three are working toward qualifying for an upcoming show jumping championship.

An unexpected beach visit results in Lily stumbling across the most incredible sight: unicorns. Even more surprising, it seems that Lily has an incredible connection with the Unicorn King. Lily is amazed to find these mystical creatures are in trouble, being pursued by an evil witch.

Lily is bursting to share her discovery with her friends. When she does, the three girls find they are desperate to help these majestic creatures. And so starts an incredible, unexpected journey for the three.

Lily, Sasha and Chloe find their days as busy as ever, but at night they are sneaking out to spend time with the unicorns and plotting a way to save them. Lily and the Unicorn King is an interesting, entertaining the read. The mythical aspect is lovely and the cover illustration gorgeous. An added bonus is inclusion of some of the Maori language and traditional medicine from Lily’s grandmother. This story is bound to engage young horse fans.

Author: Kate Gordon
Fiction – middle grade, fantasy
In My Library? It is as an ebook.