Horse lovers who admire stories of independent women will be moved by Evie’s immediate, intuitive bond with a wild mustang that turns up out of the blue—a charming scene that warms the heart and changes the course of Evie’s life. Almost 200 years earlier, Belle, the youngest daughter of “Mr. Mac,” also finds in her love of horses the courage to embark on her own journey toward what she believes will be a new life of freedom. Would that life were so easy, as both women face societies eager to dictate how they should live. A lyrical early description of wild Arizona horses seizes the heart and connects to both protagonists: “Freedom was her fuel, propelling her tirelessly until she reached the tall green mesas that marked the start of the high desert.”
The split narrative and fleetly lyrical prose inspire contemplation of perennial needs like safety, compassion, and connection. As the narrative crosses centuries, Thalasinos occasionally leaps ahead over courtships and other human developments without significant dramatization. Instead, the focus remains on the hearts of Evie, Belle, and their horses—and the many subtle and surprising ways these women are linked.
Takeaway: Vital, nourishing story of two women, centuries apart, finding freedom in horses.
Comparable Titles: Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races, Elizabeth Letts’s The Ride of Her Life.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
