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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
This was dark, and if you have any issues reading about child abuse, I would not even crack this open. This book reminded me of My Dark Vanessa, but in my opinion had a bit less depth, in part because Dark Horses shared the protagonist’s story in the present tense, whereas MDV told the protagonist’s story 15 years after the fact, which offered greater perspective and reflection. So, while this was a weighty and sad story, it didn’t transcend the girl’s current circumstances, which I think would have added dimension. Still, a transfixing read.
dark
How do you talk about loving a book that is so dark and heavy? Mihalic’s debut follows Roan, an equestrian protege who aspires to make the Olympic team like her medal-winning father.
The horse competition side of the novel was incredibly fascinating and engrossing I loved everything about it. It definitely related to the fact that I went through an intense horse obsession when I was in elementary school. I adored Roan’s relationship with all of her different horses, but especially Jasper. The fact that the protagonist’s name is Roan- the color of a horse’s coat- is no coincidence.
I know some will dislike Dark Horses for it’s slower pacing. It is definitely a quiet character study and while it isn’t my normal cup of tea I found Roan and her narrative voice incredibly compelling.
Yet Dark Horses is not just about a fifteen year old athlete’s dream to compete in the Olympics and follow in her father’s footsteps, it also features the inappropriate relationship that exists between her and her father. This is where all the trigger warnings come in:
TW: sexual assault, rape, childhood neglect, all forms of abuse, animal death, death of a family member, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, etc…
Roan’s relationship with her father in public looks like a dream. He’s charming, adoring, and firm when he needs to be. But behind closed doors, the reality of their relationship is profoundly dark and infuriating to read and it’s supposed to be. Both of Roan’s parents are terrible; her father is a sexual predator and her mother is complicit, neglectful and selfish. The novel opens with Roan dealing with a UTI, when she hasn’t so much as kissed a boy her age. Yes, it is uncomfortable from page one.
Yet Dark Horses remains as hopeful as it is harrowing. From Roan’s successful competition to a developing relationship with a boy her age. During the course of the novel, Roan gradually finds her voice to stand up for herself, even if it took a little longer than I was expecting. As a protagonist, Roan reminds us that light can be found in the darkest of times.
I think so many facets of Dark Horses will be controversial, from it’s difficult subject matter to its complicated ending. But I loved this book from cover to cover and gave it 5
The horse competition side of the novel was incredibly fascinating and engrossing I loved everything about it. It definitely related to the fact that I went through an intense horse obsession when I was in elementary school. I adored Roan’s relationship with all of her different horses, but especially Jasper. The fact that the protagonist’s name is Roan- the color of a horse’s coat- is no coincidence.
I know some will dislike Dark Horses for it’s slower pacing. It is definitely a quiet character study and while it isn’t my normal cup of tea I found Roan and her narrative voice incredibly compelling.
Yet Dark Horses is not just about a fifteen year old athlete’s dream to compete in the Olympics and follow in her father’s footsteps, it also features the inappropriate relationship that exists between her and her father. This is where all the trigger warnings come in:
TW: sexual assault, rape, childhood neglect, all forms of abuse, animal death, death of a family member, alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, etc…
Roan’s relationship with her father in public looks like a dream. He’s charming, adoring, and firm when he needs to be. But behind closed doors, the reality of their relationship is profoundly dark and infuriating to read and it’s supposed to be. Both of Roan’s parents are terrible; her father is a sexual predator and her mother is complicit, neglectful and selfish. The novel opens with Roan dealing with a UTI, when she hasn’t so much as kissed a boy her age. Yes, it is uncomfortable from page one.
Yet Dark Horses remains as hopeful as it is harrowing. From Roan’s successful competition to a developing relationship with a boy her age. During the course of the novel, Roan gradually finds her voice to stand up for herself, even if it took a little longer than I was expecting. As a protagonist, Roan reminds us that light can be found in the darkest of times.
I think so many facets of Dark Horses will be controversial, from it’s difficult subject matter to its complicated ending. But I loved this book from cover to cover and gave it 5
Ok, first things first this book has many content warnings. The two most important are rape/sexual abuse of a minor and animal death.
It’s hard for me to put into worlds how I feel after spending a large part of the day reading this book with almost no breaks. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The pacing, the character development, and the outrage you feel is a roller coaster and there was no way I was taking this book in chunks. It was an all or nothing read.
That said, I had to put it down and walk a way for a few minutes more than once. There are several visceral gut punches in this book and you literally will go blind with rage and sometimes grief. As someone who showed horses competitively I probably had some extra insight to how Roan’s mind worked during her training and competitions and how your horse and your future can feel like it‘s dangling by a thread at times. On top of being a child pushed to their limits, the control of an abuser over your animals that can definitely make you feel extra vulnerable.
This book is one of the most engrossing, disturbing, but worthwhile books I’ve ever read. That fact that this is a debut novel blows me away It’s very dark, ala Flowers in the Attic or My Dark Vanessa, but so much better written than either one.
It’s hard for me to put into worlds how I feel after spending a large part of the day reading this book with almost no breaks. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The pacing, the character development, and the outrage you feel is a roller coaster and there was no way I was taking this book in chunks. It was an all or nothing read.
That said, I had to put it down and walk a way for a few minutes more than once. There are several visceral gut punches in this book and you literally will go blind with rage and sometimes grief. As someone who showed horses competitively I probably had some extra insight to how Roan’s mind worked during her training and competitions and how your horse and your future can feel like it‘s dangling by a thread at times. On top of being a child pushed to their limits, the control of an abuser over your animals that can definitely make you feel extra vulnerable.
This book is one of the most engrossing, disturbing, but worthwhile books I’ve ever read. That fact that this is a debut novel blows me away It’s very dark, ala Flowers in the Attic or My Dark Vanessa, but so much better written than either one.
A COMPLICATED BOOK THAT HAD MY HEART IN MY THROAT THE WHOLE TIME
Wow what a crazy messed up story. This one definitely reminded me a whole lot like All the Ugly and Wonderful Things as well as My Dark Vanessa. If you have read those and didnt like them then this one wouldn't be for you. The story is messed up and yet you still want to keep reading.. I felt so bad for Roan and I was really hoping through the whole story she would of said something to help what was going on in her situation but never did and I Just was like oh come on why would you want to go through with that!?? WHY?! But nope... anyways, good but messed up story. At least the ending was good and should have turned out that way like it did.
Published: February 16, 2021
Gallery/Scout Press
Simon & Schuster
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Mihalic has worked as a book editor, curriculum writer, writing instructor, freelance writer, and editor. She has also taught therapeutic horseback riding. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and now lives in Taos, New Mexico.
“Every time she looked at it, I wanted her to see the ten-year-old girl who’d told her mother—a mother who’d done nothing.”
Roan is a champion equestrian destined for the Olympics, just like her award winning father. Her father strictly structures her world. She has a short scheduled school schedule, a strict riding schedule. Her father controls everything she does. Even her body is under his control. Her mother is an addict and takes no interest in anything except herself. Everything changes when Will comes into Roan’s life. Suddenly she wants normal things. She wants to say no. To take control of her life. And her father is not happy.
This book is heavy. Really heavy. I have to start this review with a trigger warning; this novel contains sexual abuse towards a minor. Not necessarily in graphic detail, but enough to know what is happening. That may disturb some readers. Be aware.
This was a beautiful broken novel about a girl who has been controlled and broken her entire life until suddenly she isn’t under her father's control anymore.
This is a story of redemption and forgiveness, of growth and success. This novel will mean different things to different readers. But mostly, this is a novel of healing. Of growing and learning to ride on your own.
Roan spends most of her life trying to please her father in every sense of the word. She spent her life trying to make him happy. To earn his praise. And she never considered what that cost her.
Until it hits her full force, and suddenly she wants to break free of the man who has been building her to be a champion. Secrets weigh a ton, and secrets this heavy are sure to cause some trauma, but Roan is strong. She is smart, and she is tired of being a victim of her circumstances.
She has tried and failed to find her footing previously, but now she is ready to break free. With the support of Will, she knows she will find her freedom. But at what cost?
Gallery/Scout Press
Simon & Schuster
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Mihalic has worked as a book editor, curriculum writer, writing instructor, freelance writer, and editor. She has also taught therapeutic horseback riding. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and now lives in Taos, New Mexico.
“Every time she looked at it, I wanted her to see the ten-year-old girl who’d told her mother—a mother who’d done nothing.”
Roan is a champion equestrian destined for the Olympics, just like her award winning father. Her father strictly structures her world. She has a short scheduled school schedule, a strict riding schedule. Her father controls everything she does. Even her body is under his control. Her mother is an addict and takes no interest in anything except herself. Everything changes when Will comes into Roan’s life. Suddenly she wants normal things. She wants to say no. To take control of her life. And her father is not happy.
This book is heavy. Really heavy. I have to start this review with a trigger warning; this novel contains sexual abuse towards a minor. Not necessarily in graphic detail, but enough to know what is happening. That may disturb some readers. Be aware.
This was a beautiful broken novel about a girl who has been controlled and broken her entire life until suddenly she isn’t under her father's control anymore.
This is a story of redemption and forgiveness, of growth and success. This novel will mean different things to different readers. But mostly, this is a novel of healing. Of growing and learning to ride on your own.
Roan spends most of her life trying to please her father in every sense of the word. She spent her life trying to make him happy. To earn his praise. And she never considered what that cost her.
Until it hits her full force, and suddenly she wants to break free of the man who has been building her to be a champion. Secrets weigh a ton, and secrets this heavy are sure to cause some trauma, but Roan is strong. She is smart, and she is tired of being a victim of her circumstances.
She has tried and failed to find her footing previously, but now she is ready to break free. With the support of Will, she knows she will find her freedom. But at what cost?
The title speaks for itself here, this is not a light read... it’s dark, think... My dark Vanessa.
I don’t think this book will be for everyone as there’s some definite trigger warnings to be mindful of before opening this one up, they are graphic, specifically in regards to sexual abuse and incest. I appreciated the honest yet agonizing depiction of love-hate relationships that can coexist while navigating abuse.
I have no doubt this book will make you uncomfortable. But it also highlights a completely realistic yet taboo topic.
This was a extremely well written book and a complete page turner... I finished it in two days. I also learned a whole lot more about equestrian life and eventing.
I don’t think this book will be for everyone as there’s some definite trigger warnings to be mindful of before opening this one up, they are graphic, specifically in regards to sexual abuse and incest. I appreciated the honest yet agonizing depiction of love-hate relationships that can coexist while navigating abuse.
I have no doubt this book will make you uncomfortable. But it also highlights a completely realistic yet taboo topic.
This was a extremely well written book and a complete page turner... I finished it in two days. I also learned a whole lot more about equestrian life and eventing.
Trigger Warning: Rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, emotional abuse. I loved that @scoutpress put this front and center so you would know the triggers going into this book.
Roan has always been known in the equestrian world as one of the best. Having one of the best Olympians for a father and coach has certainly helped. Nobody sees the father she sees behind closed doors however. The father that that uses what Roan cares about to force her obedience. The father that has been sexually abusing her for years. When she meets Will though, Roan finally starts to see that maybe there is more to strive for. Will Roan finally be able to stand up to her father?
Oh man, this was a tough read. There were so many times I just wanted to scream, wanted to throw the book, wanted to jump through the pages and say to Roan “tell them! They care about you and will help you if you just tell them!” Between both her mother and her father, I wanted to call child protective services so many times. Might have been a weird call since I would be calling about a fictional character in a book? It just broke my heart that Roan had so many people that loved her, yet her father kept so much control over her. This was an incredibly powerful book and the writing was beautiful!
Roan has always been known in the equestrian world as one of the best. Having one of the best Olympians for a father and coach has certainly helped. Nobody sees the father she sees behind closed doors however. The father that that uses what Roan cares about to force her obedience. The father that has been sexually abusing her for years. When she meets Will though, Roan finally starts to see that maybe there is more to strive for. Will Roan finally be able to stand up to her father?
Oh man, this was a tough read. There were so many times I just wanted to scream, wanted to throw the book, wanted to jump through the pages and say to Roan “tell them! They care about you and will help you if you just tell them!” Between both her mother and her father, I wanted to call child protective services so many times. Might have been a weird call since I would be calling about a fictional character in a book? It just broke my heart that Roan had so many people that loved her, yet her father kept so much control over her. This was an incredibly powerful book and the writing was beautiful!