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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Susan Mihalic’s debut had me in a mood the whole time I was reading it. It’s so dark and haunting, and reads just like a page-turning memoir. I was positive that Roan’s story was a real-life story. In fact, I forgot that it was fiction. Hence, the mood. This is a psychological thriller to the nth degree. I highly recommend just diving in and seeing where the story takes you. Don’t read the blurbs, the back cover or the book summary. It’s so shocking and compelling. It will take you on a wild ride!
Triggers: Sexual abuse, incest
Special thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for sending me the book after I won the Goodreads Giveaway. I also signed up to review the book via NetGalley.
Triggers: Sexual abuse, incest
Special thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for sending me the book after I won the Goodreads Giveaway. I also signed up to review the book via NetGalley.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not sure what to say about this one. I got it because it had been compared to one of my favorite books ever, All The Ugly and Wonderful Things. I thought it was “pretty good”. I read this pretty quickly and even read 100 pages in one go towards the end. My issues were that it read like a YA novel, but I guess it couldn’t be categorized as such considering the daddy-daughter fucking. Glad to see a somewhat happy ending and Roan standing up for herself unlike characters in other books (*The Great Alone*). Overall, the book was good but I think I could have been better.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
First off, someone finally has written about the horse world with accuracy... Thank You!
This was a tough read, sexual assault trigger warning, but over all a great read. I'm glad I stumbled across this in the library and listened to my inner horse girl.
This was a tough read, sexual assault trigger warning, but over all a great read. I'm glad I stumbled across this in the library and listened to my inner horse girl.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was very torn on what to rate this so I decided to stick to the middle with 3-stars. On one hand, I could not put this book down. It was gripping and hard hitting. But on the other hand, it was the most disturbing, uncomfortable, and frankly disgusting book I’ve ever read. I appreciate books that deal with dark subject matters and I liked that this book explored the psychological and physical impacts/trauma of abuse. But I wasn’t actually a big fan of the other major part of the story, which is the equestrian stuff. The main character is an equestrian prodigy, trained by her Olympian father but the connection of the character with the sport wasn’t present for me. I was being told she loved it and was willing to risk anything for it, but didn’t actually feel it.
Roan Montgomery has spent her entire life surrounded by horses. A 15-year old equestrian prodigy from a long line of Olympic equestrians, Roan has to live up to a certain level of expectation. After all, it’s her job to carry on the family legacy and the future of Rosemont Farms. Coached by her father, Olympic champion Monty Montgomery, Roan has the ability to make her mark—should she follow his rules. Governed by strict obedience, Roan has no choice but to see the multiple sides of her father she will never escape. Though her relationship with her father is strained, and inappropriate, she has no choice but to follow his rules or she risks losing the legacy and her beloved animals.
Compartmentalizing the difficult aspects of her life and her father-daughter relationship, Roan takes on the path to Olympic Gold. Roan is forced to separate her school life, her childhood, and her sport in order to succeed. Ruthlessly focusing on her ambitions as a rider, Roan is certain that she can keep going if she just holds on a little longer—until she meets Will Howard, a boy from school who teaches her to question just how much of her childhood is truly normal.
Review
4.5/5 stars
I think there’s a lot to be said about Dark Horses. As a debut novel, this is one of the stronger ones I’ve read. Mihalic does a great job with character development and literary devices, sculpting a story that’s difficult to read through, but even more difficult to put down.
While I’d like to give this book 5 stars, I’m taking off a few points for the un-realistic ending. While I thought this story was very real and could and has happened with many pro-athletes (and other celebrities), the ending was just tied up too neatly. I think Roan’s courage is something that many real-life victims never get to experience—for them, just living through the day-to-day aspects of victimization is brave. While I won’t spoil the ending for those of you who want to read this one, I do think that it came together a little too perfectly.
With that being said, I also think that Will’s character is a little impractical as well. Though he plays a crucial role in Roan’s storyline, so many real-life situations don’t have a Will Howard. Victims of abuse are often so secluded, they don’t even have access to someone like Will, let alone the bravery to allow him into their lives.
Overall, there’s so many things that this book does well. For someone not familiar with the topics this novel approaches, this is a good read that will help bring awareness to something that has been happening under our noses for a very long time.
Read my full review at afterthelastpage.com
Compartmentalizing the difficult aspects of her life and her father-daughter relationship, Roan takes on the path to Olympic Gold. Roan is forced to separate her school life, her childhood, and her sport in order to succeed. Ruthlessly focusing on her ambitions as a rider, Roan is certain that she can keep going if she just holds on a little longer—until she meets Will Howard, a boy from school who teaches her to question just how much of her childhood is truly normal.
Review
4.5/5 stars
I think there’s a lot to be said about Dark Horses. As a debut novel, this is one of the stronger ones I’ve read. Mihalic does a great job with character development and literary devices, sculpting a story that’s difficult to read through, but even more difficult to put down.
While I’d like to give this book 5 stars, I’m taking off a few points for the un-realistic ending. While I thought this story was very real and could and has happened with many pro-athletes (and other celebrities), the ending was just tied up too neatly. I think Roan’s courage is something that many real-life victims never get to experience—for them, just living through the day-to-day aspects of victimization is brave. While I won’t spoil the ending for those of you who want to read this one, I do think that it came together a little too perfectly.
With that being said, I also think that Will’s character is a little impractical as well. Though he plays a crucial role in Roan’s storyline, so many real-life situations don’t have a Will Howard. Victims of abuse are often so secluded, they don’t even have access to someone like Will, let alone the bravery to allow him into their lives.
Overall, there’s so many things that this book does well. For someone not familiar with the topics this novel approaches, this is a good read that will help bring awareness to something that has been happening under our noses for a very long time.
Read my full review at afterthelastpage.com
5*
Very dark, very graphic, very gripping.
I’d place it in the same category as My Dark Vanessa, even though I enjoyed the latter a bit more. Nevertheless one of my best reads 2021. It’s by no means an easy read but despite how uncomfortable it makes you feel the writing style won’t let you be able to put it down.
TW: sexual abuse, abuse, emotional abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, physical harm, death, emotional control, harmful behavior
Very dark, very graphic, very gripping.
I’d place it in the same category as My Dark Vanessa, even though I enjoyed the latter a bit more. Nevertheless one of my best reads 2021. It’s by no means an easy read but despite how uncomfortable it makes you feel the writing style won’t let you be able to put it down.
TW: sexual abuse, abuse, emotional abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, physical harm, death, emotional control, harmful behavior