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sparkly44's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a sucker for a horse story, which this is not. It’s a story about a young woman on a journey. What makes it fantastic is her ability to write extremely well, and her recognition and owning of her own flaws. I knew nothing of Mongolia, except the Khans, and now I want to visit! The truth about her journey is that it could have gone terribly wrong, given Lara’s seat of her pants approach, but it didn’t, and her looking back and assessing the race gives readers a chance to assess so much in their own lives.
Well done, Miss Prior-Palmer!
Well done, Miss Prior-Palmer!
polly_baker's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I enjoyed this. Mostly for my own nostalgia of a youth spent galloping skittish ponies across open country.
Some reviewers have charaterized Lara as a "spoilt brat", but I felt that there was a self-awareness to writing herself this way. She could be viewed as an undeserving winner - unprepared in every way - like the stereotypical teenager that refuses to revise for exams. In many ways, her defiant teenage personality, her blind naivety and the comfort of her priviledge, created the perfect cocktail for entering the race at all. Once she was there, a waif of a 19yr old, all awkward and eager, was bound to be underestimated.
I loved the descriptions of the Steppe and the differing personalities of her steeds. The race itself seemed to just dwell in the background, but I think I preferred it that way.
Some reviewers have charaterized Lara as a "spoilt brat", but I felt that there was a self-awareness to writing herself this way. She could be viewed as an undeserving winner - unprepared in every way - like the stereotypical teenager that refuses to revise for exams. In many ways, her defiant teenage personality, her blind naivety and the comfort of her priviledge, created the perfect cocktail for entering the race at all. Once she was there, a waif of a 19yr old, all awkward and eager, was bound to be underestimated.
I loved the descriptions of the Steppe and the differing personalities of her steeds. The race itself seemed to just dwell in the background, but I think I preferred it that way.
emilyandthewhippet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
jennifer_d's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited by the subject of this book, but I just never got into how the book is written.
towering_tbr's review against another edition
2.0
The story was interesting but it felt padded out with too much filler. Additionally, I was not a fan of the author's voice. She came off pretentious most of the time.
curlypip's review against another edition
1.0
How on earth this has been nominated for any prizes is beyond me. It rambled on for far too long, without making any sense or telling any real story. A waste of paper and ink, I’m not sure how it ended up on my bookshelf