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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Highly enjoyed this book. It was much darker than I expected. As a survivor of sexual assault, it was a hard read for me. hence why I will not be talking too much about this book. I really did like it, but the subject matter was rather tough for me. I was so pleased with the ending though and I would share this book with friends, although warn them of the subject matter at hand.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow. First of all, Susan Mihalic’s writing is so beautiful. I went through so many different emotions while reading Dark Horses and I couldn’t put it down.
This book is dark. So if you want to start it, be careful because there is trigger warnings: rape/sexual abuse of a minor, alcoholism, death of animals.
This book is dark. So if you want to start it, be careful because there is trigger warnings: rape/sexual abuse of a minor, alcoholism, death of animals.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book so much. I knew it would be an extremely uncomfortable read, and sometimes this ruins a great literary work for me. Dark Horses sucked me in right away with the protagonist, Roan, in a horse-riding competition. I know nothing about this topic, so it was quite interesting to read about how these competitions work and to learn about training horses. Dark Horses was excellently plotted; the ending was so satisfying and couldn’t have been done better in my opinion. The pacing was great as well; nothing lagged or felt superfluous. The devastating power imbalance between Roan and her father was palpable—right away I could sense there was something deeply troubling between them. Her father was downright scary and repugnant, and had me on the edge of my seat. The pages started to fly in the second chapter. It felt like a YA novel if it weren’t for the subject matter. This wasn’t a bad thing.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book but not for the faint of heart. There are obviously many triggers. It was an intense read that made me sick to my stomach much of the time.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book but not for the faint of heart. There are obviously many triggers. It was an intense read that made me sick to my stomach much of the time.
CW/TW: sexual abuse, pedophilia, incest, animal abuse, substance abuse
"I wouldn't render myself powerless by embracing victimhood or even survivorship... What came after survival? There had to be something else."
15 year-old Roan Montgomery is an equestrian prodigy on her way to gold medals at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of both her grandfather and father. Early on in this novel, we learn Roan's dark secret: her father is sexually and psychologically abusive to her. Abuse is about power and control, and those themes define every interaction and event in their lives.
While this book is dark, graphic, and undoubtedly written to make the reader uncomfortable, Mihalic approaches Roan's story with respect and non-judgment. Roan grapples with feelings that can be common for survivors, including shame, complicity, and powerlessness, but as the novel progresses, she finds - and reclaims - her power.
I could not put this book down, although there were several times when I wanted to throw it across the room. One bright spot that kept me tethered to the story was Roan's love of horses and the joy she found in riding. I grew up horseback riding myself, so details about the farm, competitions, and the connection and empathy you can feel with horses all resonated and made the story that much more real to me. Another ray of hope in this story is Will, a gem of a high school boy who helps Roan along her painful journey. But make no mistake - Will doesn't save Roan. She saves herself.
I hesitate to call this a survivor story when Roan doesn't define herself that way, but Roan exemplifies female strength, resiliency, and bravery. I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone based on the content, but if you do pick it up, you can expect an unflinching, complex portrait of a young girl coming of age and fighting to take the reins in her life.
"I wouldn't render myself powerless by embracing victimhood or even survivorship... What came after survival? There had to be something else."
15 year-old Roan Montgomery is an equestrian prodigy on her way to gold medals at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of both her grandfather and father. Early on in this novel, we learn Roan's dark secret: her father is sexually and psychologically abusive to her. Abuse is about power and control, and those themes define every interaction and event in their lives.
While this book is dark, graphic, and undoubtedly written to make the reader uncomfortable, Mihalic approaches Roan's story with respect and non-judgment. Roan grapples with feelings that can be common for survivors, including shame, complicity, and powerlessness, but as the novel progresses, she finds - and reclaims - her power.
I could not put this book down, although there were several times when I wanted to throw it across the room. One bright spot that kept me tethered to the story was Roan's love of horses and the joy she found in riding. I grew up horseback riding myself, so details about the farm, competitions, and the connection and empathy you can feel with horses all resonated and made the story that much more real to me. Another ray of hope in this story is Will, a gem of a high school boy who helps Roan along her painful journey. But make no mistake - Will doesn't save Roan. She saves herself.
I hesitate to call this a survivor story when Roan doesn't define herself that way, but Roan exemplifies female strength, resiliency, and bravery. I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone based on the content, but if you do pick it up, you can expect an unflinching, complex portrait of a young girl coming of age and fighting to take the reins in her life.
Well this story made me feel quite sick if I'm honest.
Dark Horses is a deeply disturbing read, and there's no skirting that matter.
It's left me with a horrible feeling inside and I'm lost for words really.
Without spoiling the story, Roan is 15, she has a talent in horse riding and is destined for big things. Her coach, mentor and father can't support her more, he loves her and also believes big things are heading her way.
But from early on in the book, there's something stale about the relationship Roan and her father have. Something sinister and evil.
I might have cried for Roan if the story gave me more. And by that, I don't mean more of the awful, disgusting things she endured and grew up with because that was most obvious. But what I mean is, more of a back story, possibly her father's POV
Dark Horses is a deeply disturbing read, and there's no skirting that matter.
It's left me with a horrible feeling inside and I'm lost for words really.
Without spoiling the story, Roan is 15, she has a talent in horse riding and is destined for big things. Her coach, mentor and father can't support her more, he loves her and also believes big things are heading her way.
But from early on in the book, there's something stale about the relationship Roan and her father have. Something sinister and evil.
I might have cried for Roan if the story gave me more. And by that, I don't mean more of the awful, disgusting things she endured and grew up with because that was most obvious. But what I mean is, more of a back story, possibly her father's POV
I like my stories dark and twisted. Don't let this put you off me
5/5 Stars
A dark and gripping novel about a teenage girl’s courageous struggle to reclaim her life from her abusive father. Ultimately, it is a survivor story with themes of abuse, resilience and strength.
At first, I was hesitant about this book, as I don’t generally have any interest in equestrianism. I was wrong. I can honestly say that I was hooked after the very first chapter. Mihalic writes so thoughtfully and in such a way that you become deeply and uncomfortably drawn into Roan’s experiences. I was rooting for Roan from the first page to the last. Her character truly is the definition of a strong and resilient young woman.
Given the difficult and triggering themes explored in this book - it most definitely is not a read for everyone. I would say fans of My Dark Vanessa would most likely enjoy this dark and powerful novel.
As I finished reading the last page, I honestly thought to myself - wow. This is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a long time. If that’s not reading goals... I don’t know what is.
CW: sexual abuse, rape, assault, incest, animal injury/ death
A dark and gripping novel about a teenage girl’s courageous struggle to reclaim her life from her abusive father. Ultimately, it is a survivor story with themes of abuse, resilience and strength.
At first, I was hesitant about this book, as I don’t generally have any interest in equestrianism. I was wrong. I can honestly say that I was hooked after the very first chapter. Mihalic writes so thoughtfully and in such a way that you become deeply and uncomfortably drawn into Roan’s experiences. I was rooting for Roan from the first page to the last. Her character truly is the definition of a strong and resilient young woman.
Given the difficult and triggering themes explored in this book - it most definitely is not a read for everyone. I would say fans of My Dark Vanessa would most likely enjoy this dark and powerful novel.
As I finished reading the last page, I honestly thought to myself - wow. This is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a long time. If that’s not reading goals... I don’t know what is.
CW: sexual abuse, rape, assault, incest, animal injury/ death
dark
emotional
sad
tense