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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
What the fuck? The ending sucked and made the whole entire story not worth the read. What an abrupt and stupid way to end a book, left me feeling like I’d just wasted my time. Kept waiting for some type of pinnacle but nooooo
This book was very disturbing and hard to read but very worth it!
"Dark Horses" is an intense, raw and heavy read reminiscent of "My Absolute Darling" and "My Dark Vanessa."
The book follows 15-year-old Roan Montgomery — a quickly-rising equestrian champion and daughter of a multi-Olympic gold-medalist rider. Her father, Monty Montgomery, is also her coach and determined for Roan to carry on his legacy. Her entire life is dedicated to finding success, leaving little time for school, friends or relationships. Yet, behind the facade of perfection, her father is a controlling narcist that's been secretly molesting her since she was a child and he goes to extreme lengths to prove he holds the power.
For years, Roan exists in a holding pattern as she compartmentalized her abuse on the path to success. But, after her mother leaves and she meets a boy who quickly changes her perspective. Roan struggles with internal questions about what's considered consent versus simply surviving as her once-familiar way of life comes apart. Roan quickly realizes there's no going back and goes to drastic lengths to take back her power.
Overall, it's a powerful read I devoured quickly. I cannot recommend this book enough, but only if you know what you are delving into before picking it up. "Dark Horses" doesn't tiptoe around the sexual abuse. The descriptions are graphic and frequent. That being said, books about sexual violence shouldn't be an easy read and that very boldness is what makes this book so authentic and gripping. It's not a thriller, by any means, but a shocking coming-of-age novel and tale of resilience.
The book follows 15-year-old Roan Montgomery — a quickly-rising equestrian champion and daughter of a multi-Olympic gold-medalist rider. Her father, Monty Montgomery, is also her coach and determined for Roan to carry on his legacy. Her entire life is dedicated to finding success, leaving little time for school, friends or relationships. Yet, behind the facade of perfection, her father is a controlling narcist that's been secretly molesting her since she was a child and he goes to extreme lengths to prove he holds the power.
For years, Roan exists in a holding pattern as she compartmentalized her abuse on the path to success. But, after her mother leaves and she meets a boy who quickly changes her perspective. Roan struggles with internal questions about what's considered consent versus simply surviving as her once-familiar way of life comes apart. Roan quickly realizes there's no going back and goes to drastic lengths to take back her power.
Overall, it's a powerful read I devoured quickly. I cannot recommend this book enough, but only if you know what you are delving into before picking it up. "Dark Horses" doesn't tiptoe around the sexual abuse. The descriptions are graphic and frequent. That being said, books about sexual violence shouldn't be an easy read and that very boldness is what makes this book so authentic and gripping. It's not a thriller, by any means, but a shocking coming-of-age novel and tale of resilience.
Wow. That’s really all I can say about this book.
The subject matter is truly upsetting, but somehow it reads like a thriller. It’s written with such respect and complexity that you love Roan and all her conflicted feelings. It’s simultaneously hard to read and hard to put down.
The subject matter is truly upsetting, but somehow it reads like a thriller. It’s written with such respect and complexity that you love Roan and all her conflicted feelings. It’s simultaneously hard to read and hard to put down.
I had a hard time writing a review for this book because I had a hard time even reading it Within the first 50 pages I kept asking myself, why am I reading this book? But then another 50 pages would go by. Every part of me was screaming "put this book down!" but yet I had to keep going.
This book is INTENSE and DISTURBING to say the least but there was something about it that kept me intrigued. The way Milhalic depicted sexual trauma in a teenager was impressive and realistic up until the last chapter (in my opinion). I did not appreciate the ending as a reader. My biggest issue was I did not find the total 180 degree flip in personality at the end realistic at all. I understood and felt Roan's struggle through every page and was begging with every page for someone
The only reason for the 3 stars at the end is the ending as it took a lot away from the story for me which isn't easily explained without giving spoilers which I refuse to do in my reviews ever!
This book is INTENSE and DISTURBING to say the least but there was something about it that kept me intrigued. The way Milhalic depicted sexual trauma in a teenager was impressive and realistic up until the last chapter (in my opinion). I did not appreciate the ending as a reader. My biggest issue was I did not find the total 180 degree flip in personality at the end realistic at all. I understood and felt Roan's struggle through every page and was begging with every page for someone
The only reason for the 3 stars at the end is the ending as it took a lot away from the story for me which isn't easily explained without giving spoilers which I refuse to do in my reviews ever!
Book Thoughts: Dark Horses
I can’t review this book or decide what my star rating is but I will share my thoughts with you. This book should come with a hazard sign and blinking lights. If stories that contain sexual assault, child abuse and incest are triggers for you or just make you feel sick, stay away from this book. If you can deal with the heavy subject matter and enjoy stories about horseback riding and competition, then you may like this book a lot.
The book reminds me of My Dark Vanessa but I don’t think it does enough to add to the Me Too era conversation around sexual abuse by men in positions of power and the reasons why girls and women often don’t come forward.
I can’t review this book or decide what my star rating is but I will share my thoughts with you. This book should come with a hazard sign and blinking lights. If stories that contain sexual assault, child abuse and incest are triggers for you or just make you feel sick, stay away from this book. If you can deal with the heavy subject matter and enjoy stories about horseback riding and competition, then you may like this book a lot.
The book reminds me of My Dark Vanessa but I don’t think it does enough to add to the Me Too era conversation around sexual abuse by men in positions of power and the reasons why girls and women often don’t come forward.
4/5 ⭐️ - this was a really tough decision between a 4 and a 5 star for me. dark horses is about Roan, a 16 year old girl who competes in equestrian sports. she is the model athlete with an olympic gold medalist father who is her trainer and coach. underneath the seemingly perfect surface, roan’s father keeps her under lock and key. massive tw for incest, rape, and other extremely difficult topics.
overall this book was gripping and i couldn’t put it down. i loved exploring and learning more about the world of equestrian sports. as someone that has had a fascination with horses since i was a child, i’ve always loved learning more about horses and their riders. the themes explored in this book reminded me of my dark vanessa, but they were portrayed perhaps a little less poignantly (or perhaps in a way i couldn’t relate to as much). while i thought the book was well written and fast paced, roan fell a little flat for me and i feel like the complexities of trauma and abuse were undiscovered. the very end didn’t feel satisfying to me, and i thought the author could have concluded the story a bit better.
overall this book was gripping and i couldn’t put it down. i loved exploring and learning more about the world of equestrian sports. as someone that has had a fascination with horses since i was a child, i’ve always loved learning more about horses and their riders. the themes explored in this book reminded me of my dark vanessa, but they were portrayed perhaps a little less poignantly (or perhaps in a way i couldn’t relate to as much). while i thought the book was well written and fast paced, roan fell a little flat for me and i feel like the complexities of trauma and abuse were undiscovered. the very end didn’t feel satisfying to me, and i thought the author could have concluded the story a bit better.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Rape