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beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read anything but this author, not even the Gossip Girl books that the television series was based after. Which, I did not watch this show when it was on television. What drew me to this book in the first place was the book cover and second the words "Black Beauty". I am a horse fan. It has been long over due since I have read a horse book. Which I found most of the other characters in this book good, it really was the Merritt and Red show. They were the true stars. I loved the alternating chapters with each of Merritt and Red's voices. The bond that these two shared was lovely. Watching them both blossom into butterflies gave me joy. I could not stop reading this book. I had grown such an attachment to Merritt and Red that by the end I almost cried and smiled at the same time. A must read for horse fans!
sjeckert's review against another edition
3.0
I mostly enjoyed this, but the ending was so depressing.
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
4.0
Oh I so enjoyed this one. It reminded me of a grown up BLACK BEAUTY (which I loved as a kid)--dual POV of Merritt, the sixteen year old girl, and her horse, Red. I didn't love the romance though there was barely ANY which was so refreshing!!!, nor that (missed opportunity!). I did love Red's point of view, and his mixing up of song lyrics which made me crack up.
Spoiler
Merritt was probably bisexual but she said she was "confused"amandawije's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely devoured this book!! The premise of this story is what made me want to pick it up. A teenage girl named Merritt finds herself spiraling out of control after going through some traumatic times in her life. In order to get back on track, her parents send her to an equine-based therapy rehab center where each girl is paired with a horse to take care of. Merritt is paired with a crazy horse named Red who is surprised to find himself actually caring about Merritt and wanting her to love him as much as he loves her. The only downside is that Red wants all of Merritt's attention all of the time and will do almost anything to make that happen.
I was skeptical of how Cecily would pull off the creepy vibes I was getting from the synopsis but I feel that she did a wonderful job! I was such a fan of the Gossip Girl series growing up and I definitely was reminded of how much I enjoy Cecily's writing style.
I loved all of the story elements in this book. I wish the ending was more satisfying since it's a standalone but I understand what Cecily was doing when she left it up to the reader's imagination. The reason I took off a star was that I felt there were some unnecessary side characters in this plot who didn't really help move the plot along at all. They all had their own little side plots but some of them were really just irrelevant and I wish the page time they got could have been more devoted to the main plot and characters of the story.
I was skeptical of how Cecily would pull off the creepy vibes I was getting from the synopsis but I feel that she did a wonderful job! I was such a fan of the Gossip Girl series growing up and I definitely was reminded of how much I enjoy Cecily's writing style.
I loved all of the story elements in this book. I wish the ending was more satisfying since it's a standalone but I understand what Cecily was doing when she left it up to the reader's imagination. The reason I took off a star was that I felt there were some unnecessary side characters in this plot who didn't really help move the plot along at all. They all had their own little side plots but some of them were really just irrelevant and I wish the page time they got could have been more devoted to the main plot and characters of the story.
silvercloudedskies's review against another edition
1.0
if you are looking for a good horse book, walk away now.
this book was so bad that i was inspired to actually type out words in order to talk about how bad it is. no likeable characters, a terrible premise, and no actual plot to speak of. if i could rate it negative stars, i would.
this book was so bad that i was inspired to actually type out words in order to talk about how bad it is. no likeable characters, a terrible premise, and no actual plot to speak of. if i could rate it negative stars, i would.
shelleyd's review against another edition
Just like with the author's gossip girl books, I couldn't get past the first 100 pages. While I would normally try to push on past and finish the book because of the interesting concept alone, I think I'll trust my instincts on this one and move on to books I KNOW I'll enjoy.
theawkwardbookw's review
3.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
*I received this book as part of Booktube Tours in exchange for my honest review*
VIDEO REVIEW TO COME SEPT 30th:
Dark Horses is told from two perspectives, Merritt a self destructive teenaged girl and an ex race horse named Red. After the death of her grandmother and horse, Merritt walks out in the middle of her SAT test after a night of drinking. Her parents opt to send her to Good Fences, an equestrian based rehab facility, where she meets Red. Red belongs to the owner's daughter Beatrice who also attends Good Fences. Red has been unable to bond with anyone and hasn't allowed anyone to ride him for years, until he meets Merritt. Their bond quickly catches the attention of Beatrice's owner, a very wealthy business man who decides to fund Merritt and Red to compete in horse races around the United States. Merritt develops a friendship with Beatrice and also a possible love interest in her competition, a rider named Carvin. Red does not take lightly to Merritt's new found friendships, anyone who comes between himself and Merritt poses a threat and he will stop at nothing to keep the two of them together forever.
The book was extremely easy to read, fast paced and fun to read. I really enjoyed the changing POV between Merritt and Red. I loved Red's point of view, he was such a jerk and I was laughing at most of the things he thought about. I still don't know how I feel about Merritt... at times I found her very bland and boring but other times I really liked her as a character. The insta-love between Carvin and Merritt was a bit of a bummer to me, although it took awhile for their relationship to actually develop, the initial onset came way to quickly in my opinion. You could really tell that the author has an extensive knowledge about horses and equestrian lifestyle based off of the vocabulary she uses and her writing in general on the topic. The writing did occasionally go off on tangents that I didn't find relevant to the plot development, it was still an enjoyable read! I did feel like the plot was a bit too far-fetched and convenient at times though. I also found the ending to be unresolved, I really want to know what happens next with Merritt and Carvin! Overall, I enjoyed the story!
*I received this book as part of Booktube Tours in exchange for my honest review*
VIDEO REVIEW TO COME SEPT 30th:
Dark Horses is told from two perspectives, Merritt a self destructive teenaged girl and an ex race horse named Red. After the death of her grandmother and horse, Merritt walks out in the middle of her SAT test after a night of drinking. Her parents opt to send her to Good Fences, an equestrian based rehab facility, where she meets Red. Red belongs to the owner's daughter Beatrice who also attends Good Fences. Red has been unable to bond with anyone and hasn't allowed anyone to ride him for years, until he meets Merritt. Their bond quickly catches the attention of Beatrice's owner, a very wealthy business man who decides to fund Merritt and Red to compete in horse races around the United States. Merritt develops a friendship with Beatrice and also a possible love interest in her competition, a rider named Carvin. Red does not take lightly to Merritt's new found friendships, anyone who comes between himself and Merritt poses a threat and he will stop at nothing to keep the two of them together forever.
The book was extremely easy to read, fast paced and fun to read. I really enjoyed the changing POV between Merritt and Red. I loved Red's point of view, he was such a jerk and I was laughing at most of the things he thought about. I still don't know how I feel about Merritt... at times I found her very bland and boring but other times I really liked her as a character. The insta-love between Carvin and Merritt was a bit of a bummer to me, although it took awhile for their relationship to actually develop, the initial onset came way to quickly in my opinion. You could really tell that the author has an extensive knowledge about horses and equestrian lifestyle based off of the vocabulary she uses and her writing in general on the topic. The writing did occasionally go off on tangents that I didn't find relevant to the plot development, it was still an enjoyable read! I did feel like the plot was a bit too far-fetched and convenient at times though. I also found the ending to be unresolved, I really want to know what happens next with Merritt and Carvin! Overall, I enjoyed the story!
ashlit's review against another edition
2.0
The story from a horse's perspective is surprisingly entertaining, I literally laughed out loud during some parts. I did find the overall story lacking suspense and excitement. Not what I expected from the 'Gossip Girl' author, but still not horrible, just below average.
thesarahstory's review against another edition
3.0
Die Geschichte um Merritt und Red begann direkt ansprechend. Merritt ist ein schwieriges Mädchen und kommt in ein Heim für solche Teenager. Dort gibt es auch schwierige Pferde, wodurch sie eben Red kennenlernt, einen störrischen Hengst. Er beginnt ihr zu vertrauen und so entsteht eine Freundschaft zwischen den beiden, die sie weit bringt. Doch dann beginnt Red Dinge zu tun, um Merritt für sich zu haben, die alles aus dem Ruder bringen.
Letztendlich verläuft die Geschichte aber nicht deswegen so, wie sie verläuft - meiner Meinung nach. Im Grunde war das Ende von Anfang an vorbestimmt und irgendwie ganz anders, viel zu einfach und klischeemäßig, als dass es zur Beschreibung dieser Geschichte auf dem Klappentextes passen würde.
Das hat mich dann doch sehr ernüchternd zurückgelassen. Das ganze Drama, welches ich mir aufgrund dessen ausgemalt habe, blieb irgendwie aus. Natürlich war die Geschichte an einigen Stellen traurig und leicht schockierend, aber sie wurde eben leider nicht so geschrieben. Der Schreibstil schien dafür gesorgt zu haben, dass mich nichts davon wirklich berühren konnte.
Und was das Allerschlimmste ist, weswegen mir noch nicht einmal das Tier so leidtun konnte, dass es mir wirklich wehtut, wie es eigentlich immer ist - bei jedem Tier - war das: Der Schluss steht im PROLOG! Man hat also eigentlich nur gelesen, um herauszufinden, WIE es passiert, aber nicht mehr was überhaupt geschieht und das fand ich dann wirklich blöd.
Was ich auch total bescheuert fand, waren englische Liedzitate oder Liedtitel, die in der deutschen Übersetzung richtig bescheuert daherkamen. Ich meine, schwer vorzustellen, dass ein Pferd überhaupt so denkt wie wir (es gibt eine Perspektive des Pferdes), aber wenn das Pferd dann auch noch in zwei Sprachen denkt und nur, weil immer das Radio an ist, es alle möglichen Textstellen zitieren kann, dann frage ich mich, ob das sein muss... fand ich jetzt nicht so passend, kann aber eine persönliche Ansicht sein.
Insgesamt war das Buch okay, aber sicher ausbaufähig. Es ist eine schlichte Geschichte über schwierige und irgendwie scheinbar immer noch pubertierende Jugendliche, die selten wahre Emotionen gegenüber irgendjemandem zeigen und für die ich keine große Sympathie hegen konnte. Da gab es, gerade zum Schluss, auch noch andere Gründe dafür.
Ansätze und Ideen gab es definitiv gute! Schade, dass daraus nicht mehr gemacht wurde. Und auch in anderer Richtung. (Vor allem frag ich mich: Welcher tierische Instinkt?? Das Tier dachte und handelte wie ein Mensch, aber keineswegs wie ein Tier. Zumindest ist das meine Ansicht.)
Dieses Buch konnte mich ein wenig unterhalten, aber leider nicht glücklich machen. Es tat mir nur leid, dass Red keine bessere Perspektive hatte. Im Leben, wie auch in dem Buch. Er hätte eine andere Sprache bekommen müssen.
Schlichtweg gilt: Kann man lesen, muss man aber nicht. Und für Pferdefans oder Reitfans... ist die Geschichte wohl etwas zu langweilig, klischeemäßig und emotionslos, gerade gegenüber den Beziehungen zu den Tieren.
Letztendlich verläuft die Geschichte aber nicht deswegen so, wie sie verläuft - meiner Meinung nach. Im Grunde war das Ende von Anfang an vorbestimmt und irgendwie ganz anders, viel zu einfach und klischeemäßig, als dass es zur Beschreibung dieser Geschichte auf dem Klappentextes passen würde.
Das hat mich dann doch sehr ernüchternd zurückgelassen. Das ganze Drama, welches ich mir aufgrund dessen ausgemalt habe, blieb irgendwie aus. Natürlich war die Geschichte an einigen Stellen traurig und leicht schockierend, aber sie wurde eben leider nicht so geschrieben. Der Schreibstil schien dafür gesorgt zu haben, dass mich nichts davon wirklich berühren konnte.
Und was das Allerschlimmste ist, weswegen mir noch nicht einmal das Tier so leidtun konnte, dass es mir wirklich wehtut, wie es eigentlich immer ist - bei jedem Tier - war das: Der Schluss steht im PROLOG! Man hat also eigentlich nur gelesen, um herauszufinden, WIE es passiert, aber nicht mehr was überhaupt geschieht und das fand ich dann wirklich blöd.
Was ich auch total bescheuert fand, waren englische Liedzitate oder Liedtitel, die in der deutschen Übersetzung richtig bescheuert daherkamen. Ich meine, schwer vorzustellen, dass ein Pferd überhaupt so denkt wie wir (es gibt eine Perspektive des Pferdes), aber wenn das Pferd dann auch noch in zwei Sprachen denkt und nur, weil immer das Radio an ist, es alle möglichen Textstellen zitieren kann, dann frage ich mich, ob das sein muss... fand ich jetzt nicht so passend, kann aber eine persönliche Ansicht sein.
Insgesamt war das Buch okay, aber sicher ausbaufähig. Es ist eine schlichte Geschichte über schwierige und irgendwie scheinbar immer noch pubertierende Jugendliche, die selten wahre Emotionen gegenüber irgendjemandem zeigen und für die ich keine große Sympathie hegen konnte. Da gab es, gerade zum Schluss, auch noch andere Gründe dafür.
Ansätze und Ideen gab es definitiv gute! Schade, dass daraus nicht mehr gemacht wurde. Und auch in anderer Richtung. (Vor allem frag ich mich: Welcher tierische Instinkt?? Das Tier dachte und handelte wie ein Mensch, aber keineswegs wie ein Tier. Zumindest ist das meine Ansicht.)
Dieses Buch konnte mich ein wenig unterhalten, aber leider nicht glücklich machen. Es tat mir nur leid, dass Red keine bessere Perspektive hatte. Im Leben, wie auch in dem Buch. Er hätte eine andere Sprache bekommen müssen.
Schlichtweg gilt: Kann man lesen, muss man aber nicht. Und für Pferdefans oder Reitfans... ist die Geschichte wohl etwas zu langweilig, klischeemäßig und emotionslos, gerade gegenüber den Beziehungen zu den Tieren.
kolymaarasto's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5