I was rapt to get an ARC copy of Tudor Robins’ latest release, Moving North. Of course, all horse books I read end up here for review! This is the first book in the Perryside Series and I’ve gotta say, I loved it.

The story is told from the point of view of teenager Perry. Dealing with the loss of her mother, Perry is working frantically to keep herself busy. And that’s not hard – she’s got an aged horse to look after, a four-year-old brother to help care for and a step dad who appreciates her help around the house.

Sure, Perry is distancing herself from her closest friend and ex-boyfriend. But it’s easy to tell herself time is short and she should spend as much time with her brother Leif – creating memories – as she has. After all, who knows when their time will run out? The same can be said of her grey gelding, North. He was originally her mother’s horse. As Perry struggles to remember some aspects of her mother, Perry clings to the gelding that she is now responsible for.

As life continues at a frantic pace, Perry isn’t blind to the fact that things aren’t working. It should be a relief that she can solve her family’s current problems, but it isn’t. She could help her step dad Justin to change his work life balance, move North to a place where he can be settled and allow Leif to live in a country town where he would thrive. But this all seems wrong when a move will mean leaving the house where Perry has so many memories of her mother and their interactions.

Moving North is a well named novel and a great introduction to the Perryside Series. The characters are realistic and really likeable. The relationship between Perry and her little brother was a delight to read. If you’re looking for a new young adult read, then I encourage you to check out Tudor Robins’ latest release.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook.

Recently I was contacted about being sent a horse book to read and review. Of course I am always keen to add to my horse book library. And so I received a copy of Beautiful Horseflesh by Karen S. Bennett. This book focuses around a boarding and water walk farm owned by the Smitt family. Eighteen-year-old Luis Smitt is rapt to know that a promising young thoroughbred filly is coming to their farm to make use of the water walking facility. Not only that, she is also set to race in a prestigious stakes race in the near future. It’s exciting!

Luis, his mother Patrizia and sixteen-year-old Miranda Smitt know that the impending arrival of the thoroughbred filly and her trainer Bud Coleman will change their sombre lives for awhile. The three are in their own ways learning to cope with the loss of Mr. Smitt and the medical bills that are hanging around after his passing.

Bud’s good looks immediately draw in Patrizia and her teenage daughter. Miranda’s athletic physique quickly captures Bud’s attention. Suddenly Patrizia Smitt is warning her teenage daughter to steer clear of the racehorse trainer. But Miranda is not interested in her mother’s advice.

Beautiful Horseflesh is an interesting mystery that builds quite well. The story behind Bud Coleman and his secrecy about the black thoroughbred filly he so protectively watches over draws the reader in. Luis finds his awe of the older man soon dissolving. Bud often smells of alcohol, seems too interested in his younger sister and appears to have a temper. Just what is this man hiding?

Although horses feature heavily in this novel, I found that some information was incorrectly portrayed. I struggled with the accuracy of the horse information. Otherwise, the story held surprises and ended in an upbeat way but not as I envisaged. For horse fans, the technicalities may be an issue, but otherwise the story is enjoyable.

Author: Karen S. Bennett
Fiction – mystery
In My Library? Yes.

I recently downloaded a copy of Henry the Horse: A New Home on Kindle. This horse book by April Pearson is a delightful tale for young horse fans. One aspect that I really like about this children’s horse book is the focus on teaching readers about horse colours. It even mentions the breed, the Australian Stock Horse, which is what Henry is.

Henry has come to a new home where he knows no other horses or animals. Bonnie the Butterfly befriends him and offers to help. And so starts a journey where Henry follows the beautiful butterfly to find some friends of his own kind.

Henry the Horse by April Pearson

Henry the Horse is a short, sweet story. The illustrations are lovely and the various horse colours that are explored in the story are described well.

The only aspect I felt was incorrect regarding horses and colour was the fact that Henry had blue eyes in the illustrations. Otherwise this story was good to read, easy for the young horse fan who is learning to read and made up with lovely illustrations.

Author: April Pearson
Fiction – children 2-5 years old
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

“My troubles are all over, and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my friends under the apple trees.” ― Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

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.