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A review by morgancmorgal
Dark Horses by Cecily Von Ziegesar
4.0
I picked up this book because I was a fan of the Gossip Girl series, and I was curious to see how the author would handle a darker and more complex story. I was not disappointed. Dark Horses is a gripping and emotional tale of a troubled girl and a misunderstood horse, and their journey to find themselves and each other.
Merritt Wenner is a 17-year-old who has lost her way after the death of her beloved grandmother and horse. She acts out in self-destructive ways, such as skipping the SATs and getting drunk. Her parents, who are too busy and distant to care, send her to an equine therapy program in Connecticut, hoping to fix her. There, she meets Red, a former racehorse who has been abused and neglected by his previous owners. Red is a rebel and a loner, who doesn't trust anyone or let anyone ride him. But Merritt sees something in him that no one else does, and they form a bond that changes their lives.
With the help of a mysterious benefactor, Merritt and Red enter the competitive horse show circuit, where they face new challenges and temptations. Merritt finds herself torn between Carvin, a charming and talented rider who is her rival on the course, and Beatrice, a sweet and supportive groom who works at the barn. Red, meanwhile, becomes jealous and possessive of Merritt, and will stop at nothing to keep her to himself. As their relationship intensifies, Merritt and Red must confront their past traumas, their inner demons, and their true feelings for each other.
Dark Horses is a captivating and compelling read, with vivid and realistic characters, settings, and dialogue. The author does a great job of portraying the world of horse shows, with its glamour, drama, and politics. She also explores the themes of addiction, recovery, identity, and love, with sensitivity and insight. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Merritt and Red, which adds depth and suspense to the plot. I especially enjoyed reading Red's chapters, as they gave me a glimpse into his mind and heart, and made me empathize with him more.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the ending, which felt rushed and unsatisfying. I won't spoil it, but I will say that I was hoping for a different outcome for Merritt and Red, and I was left feeling disappointed and confused. I think the author could have done a better job of wrapping up their story, and giving them some closure and hope.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, romance, or psychological thrillers. It is a dark and twisted version of Black Beauty, with a touch of Romeo and Juliet. It is not for the faint of heart, as it contains some scenes of violence and abuse. But it is also a powerful and moving story, that will make you think and feel. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Merritt Wenner is a 17-year-old who has lost her way after the death of her beloved grandmother and horse. She acts out in self-destructive ways, such as skipping the SATs and getting drunk. Her parents, who are too busy and distant to care, send her to an equine therapy program in Connecticut, hoping to fix her. There, she meets Red, a former racehorse who has been abused and neglected by his previous owners. Red is a rebel and a loner, who doesn't trust anyone or let anyone ride him. But Merritt sees something in him that no one else does, and they form a bond that changes their lives.
With the help of a mysterious benefactor, Merritt and Red enter the competitive horse show circuit, where they face new challenges and temptations. Merritt finds herself torn between Carvin, a charming and talented rider who is her rival on the course, and Beatrice, a sweet and supportive groom who works at the barn. Red, meanwhile, becomes jealous and possessive of Merritt, and will stop at nothing to keep her to himself. As their relationship intensifies, Merritt and Red must confront their past traumas, their inner demons, and their true feelings for each other.
Dark Horses is a captivating and compelling read, with vivid and realistic characters, settings, and dialogue. The author does a great job of portraying the world of horse shows, with its glamour, drama, and politics. She also explores the themes of addiction, recovery, identity, and love, with sensitivity and insight. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Merritt and Red, which adds depth and suspense to the plot. I especially enjoyed reading Red's chapters, as they gave me a glimpse into his mind and heart, and made me empathize with him more.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the ending, which felt rushed and unsatisfying. I won't spoil it, but I will say that I was hoping for a different outcome for Merritt and Red, and I was left feeling disappointed and confused. I think the author could have done a better job of wrapping up their story, and giving them some closure and hope.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, romance, or psychological thrillers. It is a dark and twisted version of Black Beauty, with a touch of Romeo and Juliet. It is not for the faint of heart, as it contains some scenes of violence and abuse. But it is also a powerful and moving story, that will make you think and feel. I give it 4 stars out of 5.