A review by foggy_rosamund
Flambards by K.M. Peyton

4.0

Christina is an orphan, sent from relation to relation, without any control over her life. But worst of all is Flambards: a huge, ramshackle house owned by her choleric uncle, and the home of her two cousins. Her uncle was injured in a riding accident, but still cares only for horses and hunting. Christina gradually finds a space for herself at Flambards, discovering that she is a talented rider and lovers horses. But living with her capricious uncle is hard for everyone, and when Christina tries to save an injured horse, she ends up hurting Dick, the groom and her only true ally. This is a fast-paced story but full of depth, touching on issues of loss, disability, war, child abuse, class and social and technological change. It has the more depth than most horse stories, but is also a beautiful portrait of riding and countryside.