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jkfugitt's review against another edition
While adoring the story of Alec and the Black, the Island Stallion stories I adore just a little less so.
tarakingwrites's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the description of Alec (was that even his name?) getting through the island to the meadows inside. Probably my favorite book of the series.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
2.0
The two stars are based solely on the story related to the history of the island, I found the Spanish Conquistadores' history fascinating. The rest was utter garbage.
I absolutely hated the characters in the book, there were really only 3 humans, and they were all loathsome. Pitch and Steve were unsympathetic, and though minor, Tom was a beast (but not a villain). They were annoying, flat and unlikable. "The Piebald" as a villain didn't fly - it's worst feature seemed to be that it wasn't beautiful? WTH is that? Lastly, the bizarre speeches about breeding were really off-putting, and the characters' cavalierness to horses lives was disturbing.
I don't recommend this book to anybody - even if you like The Black Stallion, this is a completely separate narrative-SKIP IT!
I absolutely hated the characters in the book, there were really only 3 humans, and they were all loathsome. Pitch and Steve were unsympathetic, and though minor, Tom was a beast (but not a villain). They were annoying, flat and unlikable. "The Piebald" as a villain didn't fly - it's worst feature seemed to be that it wasn't beautiful? WTH is that? Lastly, the bizarre speeches about breeding were really off-putting, and the characters' cavalierness to horses lives was disturbing.
I don't recommend this book to anybody - even if you like The Black Stallion, this is a completely separate narrative-SKIP IT!
birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
4.0
This has its boring parts. The lead-in to finally finding the valley (and therefore Flame) seems to take forever--realistically so, but it's still tough to get through.
The rest of it is pretty good. Steve and Pike are likable, and the horses and their valley sound beautiful. I'm not convinced of Farley's idea of the genetics of the island, but since it was written way back when, the fact that he even hand-waved it by having the Piebald represent the 'genetic weaknesses created by inbreeding' is pretty impressive in a non-sci-fi book.
The rest of it is pretty good. Steve and Pike are likable, and the horses and their valley sound beautiful. I'm not convinced of Farley's idea of the genetics of the island, but since it was written way back when, the fact that he even hand-waved it by having the Piebald represent the 'genetic weaknesses created by inbreeding' is pretty impressive in a non-sci-fi book.
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
This series is a childhood favorite, and I reread it every year! Love it! This is the first book following Steve and Flame, and Azul Island really is something else! I love learning about it and rediscovering it with Steve and Pitch every time I read it!
kstewart424's review against another edition
4.0
I was an avid Walter Farley reader when I was in middle/school and high school. I have actually read the entire series and the beginning of his daughter's series, The Phantom Stallion. I also remember this book in particular as it is my favorite of the series. It was exactly as I remembered it. It is a little too easy for me to read now, definitely meant for younger readers, but the vocabulary is great and the story moves well.
The plot follows Steve and his older mentor Pitch as they investigate an uninhabited island in the Caribbean. Pitch had moved to Antago to live with his brother Tom and work as his book keeper. Tom is the local horse wrangler for the wild horses that come off of Azul Island. The horses are nothing impressive, hardy little creatures full of spirit. Steve is mildly obsessed with horses. He goes to visit Pitch during summer vacation and agrees to spend two weeks on Azul Island with Pitch in exchange for any horse he wants on the island. While they are there, they see a magnificent stallion on the cliffs of the until then assumed uninhabited rock of the rest of the island. After an intensive search, Steve and Pitch discover a way into the interior of the island - a series of tunnels left by the conquistadores. The rest of the book is the discoveries they make and the growing connection between a boy and a stallion.
It is a fantastic book for young readers. The story revolves around loyalty, trust, compassion, and self-confidence. Also, the story moves well, with constant drama and action. I highly recommend this book to any reader in middle and high school, particularly ones who love horses. The series is also a great one. There is little to no swearing, all good clean reading that helps to inspire self-confidence and being true to ones' self.
https://bookmouseblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/the-island-stallion-black-stallion-4-by-walter-farley/
The plot follows Steve and his older mentor Pitch as they investigate an uninhabited island in the Caribbean. Pitch had moved to Antago to live with his brother Tom and work as his book keeper. Tom is the local horse wrangler for the wild horses that come off of Azul Island. The horses are nothing impressive, hardy little creatures full of spirit. Steve is mildly obsessed with horses. He goes to visit Pitch during summer vacation and agrees to spend two weeks on Azul Island with Pitch in exchange for any horse he wants on the island. While they are there, they see a magnificent stallion on the cliffs of the until then assumed uninhabited rock of the rest of the island. After an intensive search, Steve and Pitch discover a way into the interior of the island - a series of tunnels left by the conquistadores. The rest of the book is the discoveries they make and the growing connection between a boy and a stallion.
It is a fantastic book for young readers. The story revolves around loyalty, trust, compassion, and self-confidence. Also, the story moves well, with constant drama and action. I highly recommend this book to any reader in middle and high school, particularly ones who love horses. The series is also a great one. There is little to no swearing, all good clean reading that helps to inspire self-confidence and being true to ones' self.
https://bookmouseblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/the-island-stallion-black-stallion-4-by-walter-farley/
erinngillespie's review against another edition
4.0
https://youtu.be/07rcOziA_w4 Caution SPOILERS!!!!
giantsdancefarm's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 but I couldn't possibly drop back to a 3.
One of my absolute favorite series as an adolescent, before I ever was privileged to learn to ride but dreamt about it constantly.
Now that I've had my own horses for over 45 years, I certainly recognized a number of errors and inconsistencies, but I'm going to ignore those or maybe write them off as practices which have been changed since the books were written. I'll also admit that though I've owned two Thoroughbreds off the track (OTTB) the horse racing world is not my favorite discipline of the horse world.
I intend to go back to read the whole series now that my library is finally sort of open (still in online order with no contact pickup because of COVID-19).
FYI I'm going to be posting a similar if not very same review for many of these books with possible minor changes in rating and details specific to each book in the series. Or I may not if feeling lazy.
One of my absolute favorite series as an adolescent, before I ever was privileged to learn to ride but dreamt about it constantly.
Now that I've had my own horses for over 45 years, I certainly recognized a number of errors and inconsistencies, but I'm going to ignore those or maybe write them off as practices which have been changed since the books were written. I'll also admit that though I've owned two Thoroughbreds off the track (OTTB) the horse racing world is not my favorite discipline of the horse world.
I intend to go back to read the whole series now that my library is finally sort of open (still in online order with no contact pickup because of COVID-19).
FYI I'm going to be posting a similar if not very same review for many of these books with possible minor changes in rating and details specific to each book in the series. Or I may not if feeling lazy.