Post by Claire on Feb 9, 2011 14:28:14 GMT 1
WINTER OF THE CRYSTAL DANCES
By ANGELA DORSEY
MAIN CHARACTERS:
EVY – 13 year old horse-loving girl
KESTREL – Evy’s best friend
RUSTY – Evy’s horse
TWILIGHT - The wild filly Evy rescues
EVY’S MOTHER
SUMMARY:
This is the first of a new series - Whinnies on the Wind. Set in the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada, where wild mustangs and wolves still roam. Thirteen year old Evy lives in an isolated cabin with her artist mother and their two horses, Rusty and Cocoa. Apart from a neighbouring family, of whom one of the girls – Kestrel – is Evy’s best friend, mother and daughter live a reclusive life. Evy is home-schooled by her mother, who rarely leaves the cabin. There is some mystery about why her mother has chosen to live such a hermit-like existence and Evy, although she loves living in the wilderness, is becoming increasingly curious about their odd lifestyle.
But this is not the only strangeness in Evy’s life, for she has an extraordinary talent that allows her to feel horses’ emotions and even communicate with them somewhat. She can even ‘talk’ with her horse Rusty. Yet, Evy’s talent is not without it’s downside. When trying to communicate with Willow, one of the mares from the herd of wild mustangs that lives nearby, she frightens the horse, causing her to badly injure herself. When the mare seems to disappear from the herd, Evy is haunted by the fact that the horse has died through her interference.
As British Columbia becomes gripped by a harsh winter, Evy is determined to make up for her inadvertent crime by feeding the now hungry mustangs. And when a yearling filly from the herd named Twilight is injured by a wolf she risks going out into the freezing night to bring her back home and treat her wound. Yet Twilight is terrified and seems to hate Evy for taking her away from her wild family. Evy longs to use her gift to communicate to the filly and explain that she is only trying to help but she is too scared of the filly finding out she was the cause of Willow’s death to do so. She wants to keep Twilight but is devastated by the filly’s hatred of her. Then out on a ride, something happens which changes everything….
REVIEW
Another super story from one of the best writers of modern pony books around. With the Freedom series, Ms. Dorsey gave us a new take on the horsy ghost story, in the first book in this new series, she gives a similar twist to the familiar ‘rescue of a wild horse’ story. What I like about the author’s books is that she looks at familiar concepts in a new way. The ghost horse in Freedom for example is neither benign nor a mindless evil spirit as in most equine ghost stories, it is something quite different. Similarly, when Evy rescues the wild filly Twilight in this book, there is none of the usual hero-horse bonding seen in a legion of American horse stories, where the young protagonist unrealistically tames the wild horse who then becomes inexplicably devoted to him/her. In this book, the far more realistic outcome of the wild horse fearing and disliking its captor, takes precedence. And this gives the author a chance to explore a theme which is close to the heart of all animal lovers: that of communication – and more importantly the frustration of the inability to communicate – with animals. How many of us, when inadvertently frightening or hurting an injured animal whilst trying to help them, have felt the pain of not being able to tell them we are only trying to help? This too is Evy’s overwhelming sorrow.
Ironically, Evy is actually able – with her special ability – to communicate to some extent to equines, but still cannot get through to the rescued filly. This in turn reflects the relationships of humans who although able to talk with each other, still often manage to misinterpret or misunderstand what is said. Evy and her mother for example cannot discuss either Evy’s special ability or the secret behind their isolated lifestyle. Communication it seems, whether between human and animal or between human and human, is wrought with difficulties.
Another theme that is somewhat a continuation of the author’s Horse Angel series, is that of horse rescue. I do like the emphasis the author puts in her books on the love her characters have for horses. There is none of the awful self-preoccupation that many characters in today’s pony books have, nor the obsession with winning which also seems dominant. It is to the credit of the Stabenfeldt Publishers that they choose pony stories which have more old-fashioned values. All the best pony stories are at heart about a relationship between human and equine, not about winning competitions, looking good, or getting a boy to like you. Although young readers may be somewhat interested in these elements it is rather patronising to think that they will only read a book if it is jam-packed with them. The success of Stabenfeldt’s books, and indeed Ms. Dorsey’s, show that children are more discerning that some publishers may think. Like many previous generations of pony-lovers before them, they are interested mainly in the horse element of the stories. In fact this book is probably closer to a traditional old-fashioned pony story than most of the author’s other novels. It is slower paced and has less adventure and action than the Horse Angel and Freedom series and more concentration on the human-horse relationship.
I do like the central premise of the book, which is Evy’s ability to communicate with horses. Again we have a familiar pony book plot-line – the girl that has a special connection with horses - made unfamiliar. The author takes it one step further in that Evy can actually feel horses’ emotions and talk (in a rudimentary fashion) with them -something that has fascinated a lot of us older readers since our childhood days reading the Dr. Doolittle books! This slightly supernatural off-beat element adds interest for the younger readers of today who like to have a fantasy element in their books. However I think what is really innovative about this idea is how the author has dealt with Evy’s talent by focusing on the negative aspects of it as well as the positive. We see how some of the horses are frightened by her attempts to talk to them and how she actually causes harm to them through her talent. Once again Ms. Dorsey is looking at things from a different and more interesting angle.
The character of our heroine Evy is well-rounded and sympathetic. The first person narrative gives us added empathy with her feelings and just as she can almost feel the wild horses’ joys and sorrows, so we too share hers. The mother character is also portrayed well. Nor is she that cliché of an eccentric artist; although she is a recluse this is not the result of artistic temperament, but instead due to circumstances (which are not yet explained). I also like the way the equine characters come to life. Evy’s ability to feel the horse’s emotions enables the author to give us a glimpse into how they are feeling, and this gives an added depth to their character, in particular that of Twilight. Although only briefly drawn, the characters of Rusty and Loonie the dog, also come across well. I particularly like Rusty’s slightly holier than thou attitude at Evy’s attempts at deception, which he frowns upon with the disapproval of a school prefect. Horses it seems are far more honest and open than people and don’t tell lies!
The last interesting element of the story is the mystery surrounding Evy and her mother’s lifestyle. This is only hinted at in this, the first book in the series, but it really whets our appetite to read on and find out more, Although I haven’t yet read many books in the series I am hoping that at least some of the mystery will be revealed soon! It is good that Ms. Dorsey has left this side of the plot for a later volume as it does not overwhelm the main plot of Evy’s involvement with the mustangs, yet still gives an interesting little sub-plot. We also ask ourselves: does the mstery of Evy’s mother’s withdrawal from the world have something to do with Evy’s talent – or are they completely unrelated? Like me, you will certainly want to find out by reading the rest of the series.
To sum up, in Winter of the Crystal Dances, Angela Dorsey gives us a traditional old fashioned story of the love of a girl for a wild horse with an interesting and intriguing modern twist, and just a dash of mystery. Animal loving children of all ages will enjoy the story, whilst parents can be happy in the knowledge that the important values of empathy and integrity are being upheld. As with many of the author’s other books, this story explores an important issue – that of animal and human interaction and communication – whilst still delivering a page-turning story. Not an easy feat, but something this author is adept at. The book can be enjoyed at many levels and will keep the interest of a wide range of age groups, including adults.
4-5 HORSESHOES: VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT
By ANGELA DORSEY
MAIN CHARACTERS:
EVY – 13 year old horse-loving girl
KESTREL – Evy’s best friend
RUSTY – Evy’s horse
TWILIGHT - The wild filly Evy rescues
EVY’S MOTHER
SUMMARY:
This is the first of a new series - Whinnies on the Wind. Set in the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada, where wild mustangs and wolves still roam. Thirteen year old Evy lives in an isolated cabin with her artist mother and their two horses, Rusty and Cocoa. Apart from a neighbouring family, of whom one of the girls – Kestrel – is Evy’s best friend, mother and daughter live a reclusive life. Evy is home-schooled by her mother, who rarely leaves the cabin. There is some mystery about why her mother has chosen to live such a hermit-like existence and Evy, although she loves living in the wilderness, is becoming increasingly curious about their odd lifestyle.
But this is not the only strangeness in Evy’s life, for she has an extraordinary talent that allows her to feel horses’ emotions and even communicate with them somewhat. She can even ‘talk’ with her horse Rusty. Yet, Evy’s talent is not without it’s downside. When trying to communicate with Willow, one of the mares from the herd of wild mustangs that lives nearby, she frightens the horse, causing her to badly injure herself. When the mare seems to disappear from the herd, Evy is haunted by the fact that the horse has died through her interference.
As British Columbia becomes gripped by a harsh winter, Evy is determined to make up for her inadvertent crime by feeding the now hungry mustangs. And when a yearling filly from the herd named Twilight is injured by a wolf she risks going out into the freezing night to bring her back home and treat her wound. Yet Twilight is terrified and seems to hate Evy for taking her away from her wild family. Evy longs to use her gift to communicate to the filly and explain that she is only trying to help but she is too scared of the filly finding out she was the cause of Willow’s death to do so. She wants to keep Twilight but is devastated by the filly’s hatred of her. Then out on a ride, something happens which changes everything….
REVIEW
Another super story from one of the best writers of modern pony books around. With the Freedom series, Ms. Dorsey gave us a new take on the horsy ghost story, in the first book in this new series, she gives a similar twist to the familiar ‘rescue of a wild horse’ story. What I like about the author’s books is that she looks at familiar concepts in a new way. The ghost horse in Freedom for example is neither benign nor a mindless evil spirit as in most equine ghost stories, it is something quite different. Similarly, when Evy rescues the wild filly Twilight in this book, there is none of the usual hero-horse bonding seen in a legion of American horse stories, where the young protagonist unrealistically tames the wild horse who then becomes inexplicably devoted to him/her. In this book, the far more realistic outcome of the wild horse fearing and disliking its captor, takes precedence. And this gives the author a chance to explore a theme which is close to the heart of all animal lovers: that of communication – and more importantly the frustration of the inability to communicate – with animals. How many of us, when inadvertently frightening or hurting an injured animal whilst trying to help them, have felt the pain of not being able to tell them we are only trying to help? This too is Evy’s overwhelming sorrow.
Ironically, Evy is actually able – with her special ability – to communicate to some extent to equines, but still cannot get through to the rescued filly. This in turn reflects the relationships of humans who although able to talk with each other, still often manage to misinterpret or misunderstand what is said. Evy and her mother for example cannot discuss either Evy’s special ability or the secret behind their isolated lifestyle. Communication it seems, whether between human and animal or between human and human, is wrought with difficulties.
Another theme that is somewhat a continuation of the author’s Horse Angel series, is that of horse rescue. I do like the emphasis the author puts in her books on the love her characters have for horses. There is none of the awful self-preoccupation that many characters in today’s pony books have, nor the obsession with winning which also seems dominant. It is to the credit of the Stabenfeldt Publishers that they choose pony stories which have more old-fashioned values. All the best pony stories are at heart about a relationship between human and equine, not about winning competitions, looking good, or getting a boy to like you. Although young readers may be somewhat interested in these elements it is rather patronising to think that they will only read a book if it is jam-packed with them. The success of Stabenfeldt’s books, and indeed Ms. Dorsey’s, show that children are more discerning that some publishers may think. Like many previous generations of pony-lovers before them, they are interested mainly in the horse element of the stories. In fact this book is probably closer to a traditional old-fashioned pony story than most of the author’s other novels. It is slower paced and has less adventure and action than the Horse Angel and Freedom series and more concentration on the human-horse relationship.
I do like the central premise of the book, which is Evy’s ability to communicate with horses. Again we have a familiar pony book plot-line – the girl that has a special connection with horses - made unfamiliar. The author takes it one step further in that Evy can actually feel horses’ emotions and talk (in a rudimentary fashion) with them -something that has fascinated a lot of us older readers since our childhood days reading the Dr. Doolittle books! This slightly supernatural off-beat element adds interest for the younger readers of today who like to have a fantasy element in their books. However I think what is really innovative about this idea is how the author has dealt with Evy’s talent by focusing on the negative aspects of it as well as the positive. We see how some of the horses are frightened by her attempts to talk to them and how she actually causes harm to them through her talent. Once again Ms. Dorsey is looking at things from a different and more interesting angle.
The character of our heroine Evy is well-rounded and sympathetic. The first person narrative gives us added empathy with her feelings and just as she can almost feel the wild horses’ joys and sorrows, so we too share hers. The mother character is also portrayed well. Nor is she that cliché of an eccentric artist; although she is a recluse this is not the result of artistic temperament, but instead due to circumstances (which are not yet explained). I also like the way the equine characters come to life. Evy’s ability to feel the horse’s emotions enables the author to give us a glimpse into how they are feeling, and this gives an added depth to their character, in particular that of Twilight. Although only briefly drawn, the characters of Rusty and Loonie the dog, also come across well. I particularly like Rusty’s slightly holier than thou attitude at Evy’s attempts at deception, which he frowns upon with the disapproval of a school prefect. Horses it seems are far more honest and open than people and don’t tell lies!
The last interesting element of the story is the mystery surrounding Evy and her mother’s lifestyle. This is only hinted at in this, the first book in the series, but it really whets our appetite to read on and find out more, Although I haven’t yet read many books in the series I am hoping that at least some of the mystery will be revealed soon! It is good that Ms. Dorsey has left this side of the plot for a later volume as it does not overwhelm the main plot of Evy’s involvement with the mustangs, yet still gives an interesting little sub-plot. We also ask ourselves: does the mstery of Evy’s mother’s withdrawal from the world have something to do with Evy’s talent – or are they completely unrelated? Like me, you will certainly want to find out by reading the rest of the series.
To sum up, in Winter of the Crystal Dances, Angela Dorsey gives us a traditional old fashioned story of the love of a girl for a wild horse with an interesting and intriguing modern twist, and just a dash of mystery. Animal loving children of all ages will enjoy the story, whilst parents can be happy in the knowledge that the important values of empathy and integrity are being upheld. As with many of the author’s other books, this story explores an important issue – that of animal and human interaction and communication – whilst still delivering a page-turning story. Not an easy feat, but something this author is adept at. The book can be enjoyed at many levels and will keep the interest of a wide range of age groups, including adults.
4-5 HORSESHOES: VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT
