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thereadergram's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
christinaescapesreality's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
audiblybooked's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
All the trigger warnings - This is a very a difficult and uncomfortable read. Just thinking about the topics of incest and child abuse can trigger strong emotions and Dark Horses was relentless in describing Roan Montgomery's experiences with her father making this a very challenging read. Roan's voice throughout was powerful and authentic and I could not put the book down. I was very quickly emotionally invested in this story. I don't think I have ever wished so hard for the death of a character in a book than I wished for this author to execute Roan's father in the most painful way possible. The reader is not spared from experiencing those feelings of powerlessness alongside the main character in the face the seemingly invulnerable omnipotence of her Olympic gold medal champion father and her mother's emotional abandonment. She survived by focusing all of her energy into her beloved horses and her own Olympic ambitions and risks everything by getting close to Will Howard, a classmate. I was drawn in by the bittersweet relationship between Roan and Will and also with her horses. I was sickened by the way her father used that love of her horses to control her and buy her silence and continued compliance. I highly recommend this to those who like dark, emotional books and are aware of the many trigger warnings. This was an excellent excellent read - unquestionable 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
lilacsandliterature's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Roan Montgomery is a 15 year old champion horse rider, following in her father’s footsteps and hoping for Olympic stardorm. And while she is often interviewed and in the public eye showing a perfect life and a loving coach for a father, behind closed doors is an entirely different world. Roan has been abused by her father for almost as long as she can remember, and her mother is lost in her own world, drinking away the reality of the situation.
This is hands down the most difficult book I’ve ever read on this topic. There is nothing left to the imagination about the abuse Roan suffers at the hands of her father. It’s set in the world of horse riding, which is something I didn’t know a thing about. I struggled with this book just as I did with My Dark Vanessa. I understand that the entire grooming process makes the abused question everything they know about right and wrong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to read.
This is a shocking book but the takeaway is this - this does happen more than anyone is aware of and while it’s shocking to us, for many people it’s a reality. It took me a while to read as the content was so difficult and I did not find any of the characters likeable at all.
This is hands down the most difficult book I’ve ever read on this topic. There is nothing left to the imagination about the abuse Roan suffers at the hands of her father. It’s set in the world of horse riding, which is something I didn’t know a thing about. I struggled with this book just as I did with My Dark Vanessa. I understand that the entire grooming process makes the abused question everything they know about right and wrong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to read.
This is a shocking book but the takeaway is this - this does happen more than anyone is aware of and while it’s shocking to us, for many people it’s a reality. It took me a while to read as the content was so difficult and I did not find any of the characters likeable at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence