You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Holy moly. And not necessarily in a good way.
I assume I got an ARC of this book from entering on Facebook or Instagram; though I didn’t remember anything about it until it showed up from Simon & Schuster. At first glance I was already in love. Set on a horse farm in VA named Rosemont. I, too, live on a farm in VA with the same(ish) name (one letter off). And a trigger warning? I’m made of tough stuff. I was into it.
Dark subject matters don’t typically bother me. And this was dark. Really really dark. Overly graphic and stomach turning. I often felt physically ill after reading scenes.
I remember the outcry about Tampa. And I think there should be similar outcry here (though Tampa didn’t actually bother me nearly as much as this novel).
I liked the protagonist. I felt Roan was real and her journey was believable. Though I’m dead inside, I did cry for her at least once.
I’m not sure what else I can say. This was a tough and disturbing read. I didn’t hate it. But I didn’t love it, either. It was addicting and difficult to put down once I got into it. But at the same time, I also felt that sometimes I needed to force myself to go on and finish.
It’s definitely a unique book. Whether that’s a good thing or not is to be left to the reader.
I assume I got an ARC of this book from entering on Facebook or Instagram; though I didn’t remember anything about it until it showed up from Simon & Schuster. At first glance I was already in love. Set on a horse farm in VA named Rosemont. I, too, live on a farm in VA with the same(ish) name (one letter off). And a trigger warning? I’m made of tough stuff. I was into it.
Dark subject matters don’t typically bother me. And this was dark. Really really dark. Overly graphic and stomach turning. I often felt physically ill after reading scenes.
I remember the outcry about Tampa. And I think there should be similar outcry here (though Tampa didn’t actually bother me nearly as much as this novel).
I liked the protagonist. I felt Roan was real and her journey was believable. Though I’m dead inside, I did cry for her at least once.
I’m not sure what else I can say. This was a tough and disturbing read. I didn’t hate it. But I didn’t love it, either. It was addicting and difficult to put down once I got into it. But at the same time, I also felt that sometimes I needed to force myself to go on and finish.
It’s definitely a unique book. Whether that’s a good thing or not is to be left to the reader.
This book is one of my most anticipated reads this year. If you must know, I have a penchant for morbid reads. Not so much as horror but topics that typically make a normal person feel uncomfortable. In this case, Dark Horses deals with an incestuous relationship between a father and his daughter - among other things. And yet, regardless of the amount of time I've spent preparing myself for this read, the reality is, you can't really prepare for it. The descriptive scenarios in which Roan's situation made my skin crawl at times. Besides that, is Roan's state of mind, in which she finds herself kind of detached with the abuse and the twisted relationship she has with her father.
Roan Montgomery hails from a family of successful equestrians. She's driven, a hard worker, and disciplined. She's successful, and at a tender age of 15, she owes all her triumphs to her father. But behind the accolades and awards hide a sinister secret.
Over the years, Roan has learned to compartmentalize her father's role in her life: both personal and professional. After all, where would she be without her dad? Barely a chapter in, readers would learn that the relationship goes beyond familial. The abuse started when she was six years old and have been going on for years. Around her, people turn a blind eye to what's been happening. Her mother drowns herself in alcohol, while the rest of the household look after her concernedly while at the same time, not doing anything to help her get out of the abusive situation.
Needless to say, this book was incredibly hard to read. We see how Mont, Roan's dad manipulated her on a daily basis. And when Roan found a boy she could see herself with, he squeezed the vise harder on Roan. He groomed her into thinking that a life without her horses and success will be nothing; groomed her into thinking that without him as her coach and her father, she would have no career. When Roan fights back to gain control of her life, things got worse.
I enjoyed seeing Roan grow into a person and find her foot hold. Sometimes, her narrative is shocking especially at times when she gives in to her dad's demands. The way she mentally and emotionally accepts the abuse is something jarring. So you would have to be generous when you're reading Roan's story. In the end, her determination to escape was admirable and the means in which she went through it was fair. I absolutely enjoyed reading this frank tale of a young woman's journey as she escapes her abuser. It was difficult at times but offers hope that there is always an end.
Roan Montgomery hails from a family of successful equestrians. She's driven, a hard worker, and disciplined. She's successful, and at a tender age of 15, she owes all her triumphs to her father. But behind the accolades and awards hide a sinister secret.
Over the years, Roan has learned to compartmentalize her father's role in her life: both personal and professional. After all, where would she be without her dad? Barely a chapter in, readers would learn that the relationship goes beyond familial. The abuse started when she was six years old and have been going on for years. Around her, people turn a blind eye to what's been happening. Her mother drowns herself in alcohol, while the rest of the household look after her concernedly while at the same time, not doing anything to help her get out of the abusive situation.
Needless to say, this book was incredibly hard to read. We see how Mont, Roan's dad manipulated her on a daily basis. And when Roan found a boy she could see herself with, he squeezed the vise harder on Roan. He groomed her into thinking that a life without her horses and success will be nothing; groomed her into thinking that without him as her coach and her father, she would have no career. When Roan fights back to gain control of her life, things got worse.
I enjoyed seeing Roan grow into a person and find her foot hold. Sometimes, her narrative is shocking especially at times when she gives in to her dad's demands. The way she mentally and emotionally accepts the abuse is something jarring. So you would have to be generous when you're reading Roan's story. In the end, her determination to escape was admirable and the means in which she went through it was fair. I absolutely enjoyed reading this frank tale of a young woman's journey as she escapes her abuser. It was difficult at times but offers hope that there is always an end.
What a phenomenal book. It was hard to get through at points but the triumph in the end is worth the whole read.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Trigger warnings for the book: incest, sexual abuse, pedophilia, blackmail, physical abuse, mental abuse, verbal abuse, abandonment, revenge**
This book contains hard to read sexual scenes between a father and daughter.
The overall story line was good and engaging. The frequent graphic sex scenes were uncomfortable due to the incestous nature. The emotional journey we witness with the daughter is very well-thought and true to life for the situation she is in.
This book contains hard to read sexual scenes between a father and daughter.
The overall story line was good and engaging. The frequent graphic sex scenes were uncomfortable due to the incestous nature. The emotional journey we witness with the daughter is very well-thought and true to life for the situation she is in.
3.5 for its close observation, yet very painful to make my way through it
(2.5)
Roan Montgomery is 15 and a world-class equestrienne. She lives in a rarified world with her every need anticipated and taken care of, but with each minute mapped out and no personal life. She doesn’t care because, in Dark Horses, Susan Mihalic’s debut novel, she has only one goal: Olympic gold. Roan’s family money isn’t the only thing in her favor—her father is Monty Montgomery, one of the best-known event riders in the world and winner of three Olympic gold medals. With him as her coach and the best horses, trainers, and facilities in the South, Roan is on a fast track to achieving her dream.
Of course, this is contemporary fiction and the simple story of a girl who loves horses and has a dream isn’t deemed enough to hold a reader’s attention so Mihalic wastes no time in ratcheting up the drama. In chapter one we learn her mother is having an affair with her school’s headmaster, that Roan calls her father either Daddy or Sir, and he controls every aspect of her life. It’s an explosive first chapter, but Mihalic only keeps going from there. Soon enough, it’s clear that Roan’s father is molesting her and even more chilling, her mother knows and doesn’t seem to care.
Mihalic simultaneously amplifies and deadens the impact of Roan’s situation by making her the novel’s narrator. She relays the details of her life—having been sexually groomed by her father since the age of four—with a detached nonchalance that is both horrifying and numbing. Her careful compartmentalization of her life doesn’t begin to crack until she meets a boy at school and they embark on a relationship. This is no small feat as Roan is not allowed online and doesn’t have a cell phone. As she starts to experience a teenager’s normal feelings and desires they conflict with what she sees as her ‘affair’ with her father.
Dark Horses pulled me in two directions. Roan herself, with her love of horses and her determination to achieve her dreams, is a magnetic character. There is so much about her to be explored. But her significance is overshadowed by the sex scenes with her father—words that make me cringe to type. Dark Horses doesn’t simply graze in the pasture of incest and move on. It burrows into the soil, poisoning every aspect of the story.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: https://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2021/02/dark-horses-by-susan-mihalic/
Roan Montgomery is 15 and a world-class equestrienne. She lives in a rarified world with her every need anticipated and taken care of, but with each minute mapped out and no personal life. She doesn’t care because, in Dark Horses, Susan Mihalic’s debut novel, she has only one goal: Olympic gold. Roan’s family money isn’t the only thing in her favor—her father is Monty Montgomery, one of the best-known event riders in the world and winner of three Olympic gold medals. With him as her coach and the best horses, trainers, and facilities in the South, Roan is on a fast track to achieving her dream.
Of course, this is contemporary fiction and the simple story of a girl who loves horses and has a dream isn’t deemed enough to hold a reader’s attention so Mihalic wastes no time in ratcheting up the drama. In chapter one we learn her mother is having an affair with her school’s headmaster, that Roan calls her father either Daddy or Sir, and he controls every aspect of her life. It’s an explosive first chapter, but Mihalic only keeps going from there. Soon enough, it’s clear that Roan’s father is molesting her and even more chilling, her mother knows and doesn’t seem to care.
Mihalic simultaneously amplifies and deadens the impact of Roan’s situation by making her the novel’s narrator. She relays the details of her life—having been sexually groomed by her father since the age of four—with a detached nonchalance that is both horrifying and numbing. Her careful compartmentalization of her life doesn’t begin to crack until she meets a boy at school and they embark on a relationship. This is no small feat as Roan is not allowed online and doesn’t have a cell phone. As she starts to experience a teenager’s normal feelings and desires they conflict with what she sees as her ‘affair’ with her father.
Dark Horses pulled me in two directions. Roan herself, with her love of horses and her determination to achieve her dreams, is a magnetic character. There is so much about her to be explored. But her significance is overshadowed by the sex scenes with her father—words that make me cringe to type. Dark Horses doesn’t simply graze in the pasture of incest and move on. It burrows into the soil, poisoning every aspect of the story.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: https://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2021/02/dark-horses-by-susan-mihalic/
First and foremost this was a book club read. Secondly the ending was a fucking joke. I'm going to mention the ending and I don't give a shit. Why would 15 year old Roan, who had been prayed upon for a good chunk of her young life by her pedo dad allow him to be in her presence at all after the accident? I would've stuck his quadriplegic ass in the nearest home quietly lamenting the fact that the horse hadn't killed him. The last sentence in the book, "watch me, and never have me again." Wtaf? Sick.
This book is just gross. It reads like a 16 years old fanfic 'what if my dad was hot and also had a crush on me?' kinda thing.
It SO clear the author didn't bother with researching how CSA survivors actually respond to their abuse. It never mentions both the physical and emotional damage which results from continued abuse, I mean the main character just loving to have sex? After been abused since early childhood? OK, very realistic uh.
Anyway, don't read this expecting it to be deep or truthful or even just respectful to abuse survivors.
This was written with 'daddy fetish' in mind, and that is all there's to it.
It SO clear the author didn't bother with researching how CSA survivors actually respond to their abuse. It never mentions both the physical and emotional damage which results from continued abuse, I mean the main character just loving to have sex? After been abused since early childhood? OK, very realistic uh.
Anyway, don't read this expecting it to be deep or truthful or even just respectful to abuse survivors.
This was written with 'daddy fetish' in mind, and that is all there's to it.
I almost never read literary fiction, but I was curious when looking at the GR description on this and entered a Goodreads Giveaway. I won it and was able to experience this incredible book. What a lucky stroke of chance, because it was powerful.
TLDR Tropes
- CW : sexual/physical/emotional abuse
- Dark family drama
- Female centered storyline of overcoming trauma
- Quick read
- very dark.
Roan comes from a family of equestrians and herself is very accomplished. At home she lives with a mother who wishes she was never born, and her coach father, who sexually abuses her. She's been living a hollow existence for years until she starts to get closer to a boy her own age, and her fragile reality begins to shatter.
This is a tough read y'all. In terms of writing it's absolutely brilliant. It's easy to pick up and follow, and the plot moves at a speedy pace even with a somber and slow tone. In terms of content though, there are some very detailed scenes of father daughter sexual abuse, leaving absolutely no detail out.
The bulk of this book really centers on Roan's relationship with both of her parents, and how she escapes those relationships in different ways.
Somehow, my most visceral responses were towards Roan's mother, who you find out very early on never wanted to have her. Roan's mother is an alcoholic and has body image issues. She is not a victim of abuse, but rather, Roan's father does not particularly care about her. She knows that Roan is being abused but doesn't particularly care, instead, blaming her for monopolizing her father's affections.
Roan's father of course, has a significantly more twisted relationship with her, both wanting to mold her into an extension of his legacy and wanting to treat her like a girlfriend. His detachment from a healthy reality is easily enabled by his celebrity status, as well as his strict control over ever aspect of Roan's life, which has limited her ability to fight back.
Its impossible not to feel for this young girl, this book is so intimate and personal and takes you through every single mindset of an abuse victim. There is a morbid fascination element at play yes, and if you have experienced any capacity of abuse by an authority figure, Roan's internal thoughts are all too relatable.
I can not recommend Dark Horses enough, but ONLY knowing what you are getting into. Speaking as directly as possible, this book will likely trigger you if you have been sexually abused. That being said, its boldness; its frank discussion of the topic, and its realistic portrayal of abusers is a much needed and welcome voice. With the topic of the abuse of children being such a hot topic these days, its worth remembering that most sexual abuse of minors happens within the home. Abusers are often charismatic and charming and know how to hold onto power. They aren't boogeymen in the night coming to snatch kids, not usually.
With that being said, please consider reading this book and donating to SAFE, which provides rape test kits, trauma assistance, housing, etc for victims all over central Texas.
https://www.safeaustin.org/get-involved/donate/donate/
TLDR Tropes
- CW : sexual/physical/emotional abuse
- Dark family drama
- Female centered storyline of overcoming trauma
- Quick read
- very dark.
Roan comes from a family of equestrians and herself is very accomplished. At home she lives with a mother who wishes she was never born, and her coach father, who sexually abuses her. She's been living a hollow existence for years until she starts to get closer to a boy her own age, and her fragile reality begins to shatter.
This is a tough read y'all. In terms of writing it's absolutely brilliant. It's easy to pick up and follow, and the plot moves at a speedy pace even with a somber and slow tone. In terms of content though, there are some very detailed scenes of father daughter sexual abuse, leaving absolutely no detail out.
The bulk of this book really centers on Roan's relationship with both of her parents, and how she escapes those relationships in different ways.
Somehow, my most visceral responses were towards Roan's mother, who you find out very early on never wanted to have her. Roan's mother is an alcoholic and has body image issues. She is not a victim of abuse, but rather, Roan's father does not particularly care about her. She knows that Roan is being abused but doesn't particularly care, instead, blaming her for monopolizing her father's affections.
Roan's father of course, has a significantly more twisted relationship with her, both wanting to mold her into an extension of his legacy and wanting to treat her like a girlfriend. His detachment from a healthy reality is easily enabled by his celebrity status, as well as his strict control over ever aspect of Roan's life, which has limited her ability to fight back.
Its impossible not to feel for this young girl, this book is so intimate and personal and takes you through every single mindset of an abuse victim. There is a morbid fascination element at play yes, and if you have experienced any capacity of abuse by an authority figure, Roan's internal thoughts are all too relatable.
I can not recommend Dark Horses enough, but ONLY knowing what you are getting into. Speaking as directly as possible, this book will likely trigger you if you have been sexually abused. That being said, its boldness; its frank discussion of the topic, and its realistic portrayal of abusers is a much needed and welcome voice. With the topic of the abuse of children being such a hot topic these days, its worth remembering that most sexual abuse of minors happens within the home. Abusers are often charismatic and charming and know how to hold onto power. They aren't boogeymen in the night coming to snatch kids, not usually.
With that being said, please consider reading this book and donating to SAFE, which provides rape test kits, trauma assistance, housing, etc for victims all over central Texas.
https://www.safeaustin.org/get-involved/donate/donate/