Why Arabs, Indeed?!

I can so relate to this post! I too was horseless as a kid and read every horse centered book, I could get my hands on. I also watched many boring Westerns just to see the horses. I too fell in love with Arabian Horses because of books, but for me it was The Black Stallion Series. A kind elementary school librarian noticed I was always checking out horse books, so one day she took me by the hand and led me to The Black, who I am still in love with to this day! Librarians are the best!!! I came to the Jinny and Shantih books late in life and wish I had known about them early on. Jinny is definitely someone I would have related to!

The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter by Steven Farley

So, I picked up this little lovely awhile back at Half Price Books and finally got around to reading it. It was a nice little find. It’s a first edition even.

As you all know, I have loved The Black Stallion series all my life, so I wasn’t sure about reading a story about the Black not written by Walter Farley. Well, it turns out his son, Steven, has taken up the mantle and handled it well. I loved this story! I’m partial to stories with a supernatural bent too, so I was enamored even more with this book.

Alec Ramsay and the Black head to Ireland so the stallion can exhibit his racing talents to a new audience. The Black is injured in the race, so Alec and his horse end up at a farm near the shore for recuperation. At first their visit is quiet and relaxing, but soon Alec begins to witness sights that can’t be easily explained. There is a long mystical history in this ancient place and Steven Farley has written the story in a believable way.

I really enjoyed this story because as always, a beautiful Arabian horse is at its center, but also a magical shapeshifting horse and lonely horse loving girl who Alec befriends and helps. These are all elements that I love, so I was very happy I came across this book. I highly recommend it to all lovers of horses and the mystical!