The Island Of Lost Horses by Stacy Gregg: Book Review

Two girls divided by time, united by their love for some very special horses – an epic Caribbean adventure!

On a remote tropical island, twelve year-old Beatriz is about to embark on an epic journey, through hurricanes and across the high seas and back to the time of Christopher Columbus…

When Beatriz stumbles across a wild mare with strange markings in the jungle she can’t believe it is real. Yet from that moment on the strongest connection grows between them, and she begins to uncover an incredible history. For centuries ago, Felipa and her horse, Cara Blanca, were running for their lives.

As the fates of Beatriz, Felipa and their horses become entwined, Beatriz realises that the future of the world’s rarest horses depends on her.

Based on the extraordinary true story of the Abaco Barb, a real-life mystery that has remained unsolved for over five hundred years.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

If "The Girl Who Rode The Wind" didn't convince you how beautiful and majestic horses can be, then this book definitely will. The third stand-alone book written by Stacy Gregg will have you wondering why you're not out in the wilderness searching for long-lost, ancient species of wild horses. The unforgettable tale of the Abaco Barb horses which somehow descended from Spain to an island in the Bahamas; this is Stacy Gregg's version of her theory woven into an amazing children's novel which has stunned enough to win an award. This is the story of a twelve year old girl who has an undying love for horses (much like any horse obsessed person) yet can't manage to convince her marine biologist mother to let her move in with her Dad back in Florida in order for her to be able to do riding lessons, instead of travelling in a large boat they now call home looking for Jellyfish.

Beatriz is a typical horsey kid, much like how I was having a mother who would refuse to let me go have lessons, though our problem with that was more so having no money for it rather than living on a boat in the ocean for a living. I love how she was so interested in the wild horses and her wild imagination automatically thinking that the mare she finds in the forest is hers by default. It is definitely something I would have thought as well at that age. Immediately, showing the first diary entry of hers, Beatriz struck me as an adventurous and imaginative kid. Making friends with a native on the island was pretty risky, especially Annie being an old woman living by herself with no family or friends around her and who owned a seriously strange home in the middle of nowhere. That type of thing generally brings up a few questions as to why and I felt Beatriz' mum's concern when she realised that Annie had kept her at her house for two days straight. For some reason I automatically liked Annie, maybe it was just how open minded she was about everything from the wild horses to the crazy herbs she used to keep negative influences away. I guess that's typical from someone like an old woman who lives by herself. Throughout the novel, Beatriz seemed to gain a great sense of maturity and ownership and that type of thing is major for a kid her age. I bet most kids who read this book would be thinking, "Wow I would totally love to have a mum who had a job as a marine biologist and lived on a boat in the Bahamas". As Beatriz explains, it isn't as glamorous as it sounds but personally I wouldn't mind it, despite probably feeling a little seasick. Stacy managed to write a story which created a fantasy world for a horsey girl and made it feel almost real. Comparing Beatriz to the girl, Felipa from the 1600's, who had a long-lost diary which Annie found, showed a great contrast in the time and age of now. It would show younger children reading this novel what it was like back in the day of royalty and how the gender roles have dramatically changed in the past few centuries. But most importantly I felt like it was a tool for Beatriz to gain the courage to stand up for what she believed in and felt passionately about.

The basis of the story was about the famous Abaco Barb horses, the Medicine Hats that somehow mysteriously ended up on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. This is what I love about Stacy's latest work: she has started to do background research on her stories before she writes them and I absolutely love that because it give the book more of a purpose, makes it more special than any other fictional work, and it acts as a beacon of information - teaching kids the more important things going on in the world. This story in particular is special in its own way because its about the beloved Medicine Hats with bloodlines dating back to Spain in the early 1500's. Here is a picture of one if you would like to visualise it better while reading this book:

Overall I have to give this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it is so unique and well thought through, You have to give Stacy extra points for her research and time spend creating such a childhood masterpiece. This is one story that will stick with you for the rest of your life!

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add The Island Of The Lost Horses to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on MightyApe with 1 day delivery in New Zealand HERE

Find more out about my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith

The Girl Who Rode The Wind by Stacy Gregg: Book Review

An epic, emotional story of two girls and their bond with beloved horses, the action sweeping between Italy during the Second World War and present day.

When Lola’s grandmother Loretta takes her to Siena, Italy, for the summer, Lola learns of her family’s history of heartbreak and adventure, stretching back to the Second World War. In 1945, Loretta’s nickname was ‘The Daredevil’ due to her fearless competing in the town’s famous Palio horse races – until war broke out and led to sadness and loss for Loretta.

Lola jumps at the chance to enter the modern-day Palio on a beautiful horse called Nico – can she win, in honour of her beloved grandmother? And solve a mystery that will bring happiness and hope to Loretta?

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Returning to Stacy Gregg's novels is a breath of fresh air for me. I grew up loving her very first series, "Pony Club Secrets" and reading one of her latest novels such as this one, it has opened my eyes again to my love for horses and has sent a deep ache of pain and agony through me - reminding me of how much I miss having the companionship of a gorgeous horse and being upon his back while soaring across the field in an open canter. Stacy has not failed to impress me with her writing skills, even as a children's author I feel like she has done an impeccable job of conjuring up a story of which delves right into the hearts of horse lovers and brings about a new understanding of the history of WW2 while giving horse racing a whole other meaning of competition. Choosing the famous 'Palio' horse race in Italy was a great choice to write about as it not only was the perfect way of describing passion in horse riding and honour, but teaches children the basics of the war with Hitler and the Nazi's, therefore this would be a great read to prepare any child to the age of thirteen for the harsh and brutal reality of History that they teach you at high school. I wish she had of written this book for me five years ago!

Lola reminded me a lot of how I used to be as a kid, a little bit crazy about horses with a talent to cope with a tempered horse well (according to my old best friend's riding instructor when a Mare I was riding had spooked and I was able to stay on while she had a fit and I eventually calmed her down), yet not very popular at school due to having her nose stuck in a book but having the courage to stand up to a bully if need be. However, Lola seemed a little more courageous than what I was; I don't know whether I would have had the will to enter a race like the Palio if I were in her position! One thing I really liked about Lola is that she cared for the horses to no extent - she would rather worry about them and their safety or comfort rather than her own. One quote from the book that really got me thinking about the type of character Lola really was, said, "Was a feather mattress enough to protect a horse if it crashed at a full gallop?". This made me stop for a second and made me realise how caring she was for a twelve year old girl who was about to ride in the Palio in Italy to regain her family's contrada respect and value. I respect this about Lola as she seemingly retrieved that habit from her Nonna and made sure that the horses came first no matter what. Again she showed this later on in the race but I'll leave that for you to find out!

In terms of character development, both Lola and her Nonna seemed to come a long way and learned a lot through their trip to Nonna Lorretta's home town in Italy. I feel like Lola realised her responsibility by the end of the story to make a good life for herself and her family by deciding on an agreement with her father. Nonna's history played a massive part in this book and it really helped Lola throughout everything she attempted in Italy, but also Nonna had a lot of her own skeletons in her closet which she eventually got around to sorting out and that seemed to bring her and Lola closer together. There were a lot of hidden messages in this novel which I think is highly important for growing children to learn but I think the one thing I got most out of this read was learning to be strong and courageous, but also to forgive, forget and move on because you can't ever truly be happy if you don't eventually deal with your past and let go. It's one thing not only children must learn, but many adults too and I feel like that is another reason why this book is great for any horse lover, any age.

I noticed by the end of the book that there wasn't any sort of minor romance for the main character, Lola as there was for Issie in PCS who had a brief relationship with Aidan but it couldn't stay afloat due to bigger responsibilities. Personally I think that was a good choice as this was more about the retelling of the Palio race and what happened back in the 1940's during the war. Of course there was a bit of romance which took a back seat to the main course of the novel through Nonna's retelling of her bringing up in Italy before she came to America. It was sweet and romantic to read about a grandmother's view of her first love and what happened in the end. Although I truly feel like the real love story was the bond between girl and horse; the relationship between Lola and Nico was strong and showed a fierce passion and connection between the two. That's what I like most about Stacy's books, is that she always has this unending theme of that bond between a human and a horse and that's sometimes all someone, especially a young girl at Lola's age, really ever needs. I'll just quickly add that a rider on a dark bay horse just rode past my house and my heart leapt out of my chest! Stacy, you have made my inside's hurt but also fill me with joy again with this book and I thank you for that.

Overall I have given this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it is such a timeless and ageless read that it could be read by anyone and still be enjoyed, horse lover or not, young or old. Stacy is truly a pony genius and knows exactly how to warm the heart of a pony lover. A great novel for kids to read - I'm not at all surprised that it has won an award!

Thank you HarperCollins New Zealand for the review copy! Go like their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Harpercollinsnz?fref=ts

Go add The Girl Who Rode The Wind to your Goodreads list HERE

Go buy it on MightyApe with 1 day delivery in New Zealand HERE

Find more out about my writing career at:

http://ellafleming-christie.weebly.com

My YouTube Channel: FeathersandFaith