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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
All the trigger warnings - This is a very a difficult and uncomfortable read. Just thinking about the topics of incest and child abuse can trigger strong emotions and Dark Horses was relentless in describing Roan Montgomery's experiences with her father making this a very challenging read. Roan's voice throughout was powerful and authentic and I could not put the book down. I was very quickly emotionally invested in this story. I don't think I have ever wished so hard for the death of a character in a book than I wished for this author to execute Roan's father in the most painful way possible. The reader is not spared from experiencing those feelings of powerlessness alongside the main character in the face the seemingly invulnerable omnipotence of her Olympic gold medal champion father and her mother's emotional abandonment. She survived by focusing all of her energy into her beloved horses and her own Olympic ambitions and risks everything by getting close to Will Howard, a classmate. I was drawn in by the bittersweet relationship between Roan and Will and also with her horses. I was sickened by the way her father used that love of her horses to control her and buy her silence and continued compliance. I highly recommend this to those who like dark, emotional books and are aware of the many trigger warnings. This was an excellent excellent read - unquestionable 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Roan Montgomery is a 15 year old champion horse rider, following in her father’s footsteps and hoping for Olympic stardorm. And while she is often interviewed and in the public eye showing a perfect life and a loving coach for a father, behind closed doors is an entirely different world. Roan has been abused by her father for almost as long as she can remember, and her mother is lost in her own world, drinking away the reality of the situation.
This is hands down the most difficult book I’ve ever read on this topic. There is nothing left to the imagination about the abuse Roan suffers at the hands of her father. It’s set in the world of horse riding, which is something I didn’t know a thing about. I struggled with this book just as I did with My Dark Vanessa. I understand that the entire grooming process makes the abused question everything they know about right and wrong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to read.
This is a shocking book but the takeaway is this - this does happen more than anyone is aware of and while it’s shocking to us, for many people it’s a reality. It took me a while to read as the content was so difficult and I did not find any of the characters likeable at all.
This is hands down the most difficult book I’ve ever read on this topic. There is nothing left to the imagination about the abuse Roan suffers at the hands of her father. It’s set in the world of horse riding, which is something I didn’t know a thing about. I struggled with this book just as I did with My Dark Vanessa. I understand that the entire grooming process makes the abused question everything they know about right and wrong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to read.
This is a shocking book but the takeaway is this - this does happen more than anyone is aware of and while it’s shocking to us, for many people it’s a reality. It took me a while to read as the content was so difficult and I did not find any of the characters likeable at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence
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!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Dark Horses is a deep and dark story of a strict and demanding parent and of child sexual abuse. I feel that the topic needs to be shared as this book would be a trigger for some people.
The author takes the reader into the competitive world of equestrian eventing. 15 year old Roan Montgomery is being coached by her abusive father. Roan’s talent makes her likelihood of following her father’s road to the Olympics positive. He demands that she call him sir and answer in complete sentences. Her focus on the horse and off must be razor sharp. Roan does everything her father tells her too.
Roan and her father have a secret relationship. One that the adoring fans don’t know about. Roan’s mother is a narcissistic alcoholic who chooses herself over her daughter.
Gertrude and Eddie are helpers who care deeply about Roan and offer her a semblance of normality.
When Roan and a boy at school become involved, Roan starts to see herself as deserving of a normal teen life. This change in mindset is what triggers a chain of events that will save Roan.
Heartrending and difficult, Dark Horses tells a story that happens behind many closed doors. It is graphic yet real. The character development is strong and can’t help but bring strong emotions to the forefront for the reader. The pace of the story is much like the performances of horse and rider during an event; steady and strong with a solid finish.
Thank you to @simonschusterca for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. Dark Horses publishes January 9, 2021.