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emerygirl's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a fun, quick read. It is all about the crusades, which I know very little about. Add in a little romance and it was well worth the time it took to finish it.
mufasa_nafisa's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. it was unlike anything i have ever read. the author managed to perfectly create a unbreakable bond between a horse and a young buy and how the horses guidance and mysterious wisdom helps him overcome the difficult problems in his kingdom. It had me on the edge of my seat and i would definitely recommend reading the two after this.
tdumatrait's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. It didn't make either side look wrong, but showed the causes that each side was fighting for. I would definitely recommend this book for a middle school or high school audience. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
meringued's review against another edition
3.0
Will is a young noble growing up in England, where he knows two things: he must follow King Richard in the Crusades, and he needs an amazing warhorse to accomplish that. When his father finally gives him the chance to pick a charger, something draws him instead to a small red horse. No one expects this horse, named Hosanna, to be much of anything; some mock him for making the choice to take such a puny horse into battle. But time and time again Hosanna saves not only Will but those around him. He has a miraculous quality about him, one that calms and soothes the spirit as well as gives courage to men going into battle. The English warriors look to Hosanna for strength, until one day he is taken from Will. My brother suggested this book to me, since he knows I'll read almost anything and I'm a sucker for a medevial adventure. This book will not disappoint for those fellow lovers of all things medieval. However, if you're looking for much romance or anything like that, I wouldn't read this book. Although the blurb suggests some romance between Will, Ellie, and Gavin, there isn't a whole lot in this book. The sequel gives more strength to the relationships.
I really did like this book. It's not a favorite; not one I'm going to be buying anytime soon. I couldn't help but fall in love with Hosanna, or the title's blood red horse, just as everyone in the book has their heart's softened by the creature. He really is unbelievable, but he never does anything totally out there. I thought Hosanna would be saving people left and right, talking, and whatnot when I went into the book, but he never did anything out of the ordinary for a horse. The power he sent people, however, had me wishing for a horse like him. Hosanna is probably the best character in this book. Will and Ellie are both very likeable, with more depth than I expected from a Young Readers book. I even came around to liking Gavin towards the end, but I still have mixed feelings about him. He never is just one sort of person; I can't categorize him, and he never does what I think he will, so Gavin was also a nicely developed character.
This book is more plot based than character based. Blood Red Horse moves constantly through with action. Not many parts (and those aren't very long) are filled with Will hanging around, being bored. It shifts constantly between battle to battle, from Ellie back home in England fighting her own wars with enemies at Hartslove, and from a young Muslim man who enters the story once the Crusaders enter the Holy Land. Even though the story was meant to be 'non-stop action', there were times when I felt bored especially with the fight scenes. It got a little old after a while. Maybe this is just me, because I can easily get bored with any battle. 300 and Gladiator don't impress me much. If you enjoy lots of details of war without too much gore, Blood Red Horse is definately for you.
I really did like this book. It's not a favorite; not one I'm going to be buying anytime soon. I couldn't help but fall in love with Hosanna, or the title's blood red horse, just as everyone in the book has their heart's softened by the creature. He really is unbelievable, but he never does anything totally out there. I thought Hosanna would be saving people left and right, talking, and whatnot when I went into the book, but he never did anything out of the ordinary for a horse. The power he sent people, however, had me wishing for a horse like him. Hosanna is probably the best character in this book. Will and Ellie are both very likeable, with more depth than I expected from a Young Readers book. I even came around to liking Gavin towards the end, but I still have mixed feelings about him. He never is just one sort of person; I can't categorize him, and he never does what I think he will, so Gavin was also a nicely developed character.
This book is more plot based than character based. Blood Red Horse moves constantly through with action. Not many parts (and those aren't very long) are filled with Will hanging around, being bored. It shifts constantly between battle to battle, from Ellie back home in England fighting her own wars with enemies at Hartslove, and from a young Muslim man who enters the story once the Crusaders enter the Holy Land. Even though the story was meant to be 'non-stop action', there were times when I felt bored especially with the fight scenes. It got a little old after a while. Maybe this is just me, because I can easily get bored with any battle. 300 and Gladiator don't impress me much. If you enjoy lots of details of war without too much gore, Blood Red Horse is definately for you.
marlo_c's review against another edition
2.0
The subject matter is interesting, and the characters are likeable. I find it interesting, however, that we must throw in the modern day doubts about war and tolerance of all religion. I appreciated most the development of the sibling relationship, and I'll read the remaining books in the trilogy because my son is interested in them.
duffypratt's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the idea of this book: a YA novel focusing on a young knight who accompanies Richard the Lionhearted on the Third Crusade. And it wasn't badly done, but wasn't very good either. The characters, with one exception, are flat and exactly what you would expect. The story lacks any drama, and feels more like Grant is ticking off boxes in the considerable historical research she has done. And uniting it all is the disturbing notion that one particular horse is more worthwhile than any of the people that we are following. At one point, the younger knight compares the temporary disappearance of his horse to his brother's loss of his right arm. Even in 1100, I will give you a choice, cut off your arm or lose your horse. For the younger brother, the more noble of the two, it appears that this is basically a toss-up.
I had some trouble with a couple of historical details. There's a reference to the plumbing in the castle in England. To be fair, Grant does say that her research showed the existence of some plumbing in great houses at the time. Even so, it was very rare, and would be worth some extra comment. It seems to me that it would be an oddity that the characters would appreciate - something that sets them apart. There's also the question of literacy. It's fine to have the nearby monks be literate, but the Granvilles also have a servant named "Old Nurse" who tries to teach the boys to read and write. The chances of some wet nurse in 1100 being able to read and write were practically zero.
Later, the younger son gets really mad that the older boy has "read" a letter for him. Again, I don't buy it. Neither of them could read, and the author of the letter is aware of that. Thus, the writer would know that someone else would have to read the letter, and would avoid touching on stuff that was confidential or embarrassing. And the recipient would also know that the letter would have to be read by others, and thus would not get offended if someone else read it. The anger at reading a private letter assumes a whole system of familiarity with reading and writing letters that is way more modern than the times in this book.
On a more troubling note, the centerpiece of this book is the Third Crusade. As loathsome and venial as the Crusades were, at least many of the knights involved were genuinely and deeply religious. Grant doesn't manage to convey this sense of devotion. Thus, there is no feeling of some great loss or fall at the disillusionment that follows when our young hero sees the events unfold. Instead, mostly he worries about his horse.
I did like the character of Kamil. He's a muslim boy whose entire family was killed by a knight. He starts out entirely bent on revenge, and it seems at the start that he is the 12th century analogue of a contemporary jihadist. But, unlike anyone else, Grant moves this boy through an interesting development and he is definitely the most interesting, and the most sympathetic, character in the book.
Finally, I have to wonder about the name of the book. The horse, named Hosanna, is red. But Kamil once notices how the red of his coat actually clashes with the color of blood. It's a good name, but it's also clearly inappropriate.
I had some trouble with a couple of historical details. There's a reference to the plumbing in the castle in England. To be fair, Grant does say that her research showed the existence of some plumbing in great houses at the time. Even so, it was very rare, and would be worth some extra comment. It seems to me that it would be an oddity that the characters would appreciate - something that sets them apart. There's also the question of literacy. It's fine to have the nearby monks be literate, but the Granvilles also have a servant named "Old Nurse" who tries to teach the boys to read and write. The chances of some wet nurse in 1100 being able to read and write were practically zero.
Later, the younger son gets really mad that the older boy has "read" a letter for him. Again, I don't buy it. Neither of them could read, and the author of the letter is aware of that. Thus, the writer would know that someone else would have to read the letter, and would avoid touching on stuff that was confidential or embarrassing. And the recipient would also know that the letter would have to be read by others, and thus would not get offended if someone else read it. The anger at reading a private letter assumes a whole system of familiarity with reading and writing letters that is way more modern than the times in this book.
On a more troubling note, the centerpiece of this book is the Third Crusade. As loathsome and venial as the Crusades were, at least many of the knights involved were genuinely and deeply religious. Grant doesn't manage to convey this sense of devotion. Thus, there is no feeling of some great loss or fall at the disillusionment that follows when our young hero sees the events unfold. Instead, mostly he worries about his horse.
I did like the character of Kamil. He's a muslim boy whose entire family was killed by a knight. He starts out entirely bent on revenge, and it seems at the start that he is the 12th century analogue of a contemporary jihadist. But, unlike anyone else, Grant moves this boy through an interesting development and he is definitely the most interesting, and the most sympathetic, character in the book.
Finally, I have to wonder about the name of the book. The horse, named Hosanna, is red. But Kamil once notices how the red of his coat actually clashes with the color of blood. It's a good name, but it's also clearly inappropriate.
samihah's review against another edition
3.0
I have absolutely zero interest in war and the crusades specifically. If it wasn't for the huge focus on horses and Khamil, I wouldn't have finished the book. That said, if you're into historical fiction and this time period you should love it!
I really love and appreciate the nuanced depictions of Richard the Lion Heart and Saladinn. The book felt pretty fair and unbiased in my opinion. The author definitely did her research and her depictions of Islam felt accurate too.
I really love and appreciate the nuanced depictions of Richard the Lion Heart and Saladinn. The book felt pretty fair and unbiased in my opinion. The author definitely did her research and her depictions of Islam felt accurate too.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
First in a trilogy set in 12th century England, this book introduces us to the de Granville brothers, William and his older brother Gavin, and the girl, Ellie, who has grown up in their household after her parents died. Ellie comes from a rich family, and is expected to marry Gavin--but she is better friends with William. It's also the story of a brilliant red horse named Hosanna, who becomes William's battle horse when he is knighted and sent off on Crusade to Jerusalem. Very good historical novel about honor, and war, and love--and horses. Hosanna is a spectacular horse, and even spends time as the mount of a "Saracen" or Muslim soldier in the battles. The crusades are depicted very realistically, with lots of horrific action and inaction, too, as they wait months for supplies or ships to arrive, etc. William and Gavin are headstrong and have a lot to learn as they become soldiers. I can't wait to read book two!
lckeser7's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
Much, much better than I'd anticipated. I had to read it, because I had to teach it, otherwise, I never would have. It's themes are clear and the plot is intricate enough to maintain a good pace, necessary when reading a nearly-300-page novel with 7th graders.
Regardless of how charitable I try to be when remembering who this is written for--middle schoolers--I can't overlook its flaws. The plot is predictable and the characters stock. Worse than that, the writing, at the sentence level, is infuriatingly poor. The sentences are often so unnecessarily long that it feels like their purpose is obfuscation. Just clause after phrase after clause, all piling up until all meaning is lost. And that was happening to me, an avid reader and teacher. For seventh graders, the labyrinthine sentences felt impossible sometimes.
Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised that it wasn't horrible, but I'm glad I only had to teach this one and not the whole trilogy.
Much, much better than I'd anticipated. I had to read it, because I had to teach it, otherwise, I never would have. It's themes are clear and the plot is intricate enough to maintain a good pace, necessary when reading a nearly-300-page novel with 7th graders.
Regardless of how charitable I try to be when remembering who this is written for--middle schoolers--I can't overlook its flaws. The plot is predictable and the characters stock. Worse than that, the writing, at the sentence level, is infuriatingly poor. The sentences are often so unnecessarily long that it feels like their purpose is obfuscation. Just clause after phrase after clause, all piling up until all meaning is lost. And that was happening to me, an avid reader and teacher. For seventh graders, the labyrinthine sentences felt impossible sometimes.
Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised that it wasn't horrible, but I'm glad I only had to teach this one and not the whole trilogy.
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read, but took a while to get into. It's a teen book which focused on the crusades in...well, I can't remember the date and I gave the book back to my friend so I can't check. Anyway, from the middle onwards the story picked up but I wasn't really interested in the Muslim side of the story (mainly because the character on that side was all "REVENGE! I MUST KILL PEOPLE!" and quite creepy) and would have preferred to hear more about Ellie, who only appeared once after the guys set off for the Middle East. Plus, I was annoyed that the horse switched sides so easily - not cool. There are two more books and I might like to read them, but I cared more about the characters than the horse and I think the horse is still a main character in those books. Don't be put off by the horse being central to the story, the book is good despite this! 8/10