happylittlestar's review against another edition
3.0
Very old school western. I enjoyed the ending the most
bernadettebloom's review against another edition
5.0
Part historical fiction, part ghost story, part non-fiction.
The book takes place in the years before the Civil War (that’s the history part). Silas’ father is a boot maker, and a photographer (the descriptions of the process and equipment is the non-fiction part) who is forced from his home one night by three riders. Silas sets out to rescue his dad, and follows on a mysterious horse that comes back for him, with a white face like a skeleton. His companion on the journey is Mittenwool, his best friend who happens to be a ghost he’s seen and known from birth (ghosty part, obvs).
This book reminded me so much of The Man from Snowy River but make the hero a kid coming of age with a horse only he can control. It’s pretty heavy stuff so 12 and older for sure.
The book takes place in the years before the Civil War (that’s the history part). Silas’ father is a boot maker, and a photographer (the descriptions of the process and equipment is the non-fiction part) who is forced from his home one night by three riders. Silas sets out to rescue his dad, and follows on a mysterious horse that comes back for him, with a white face like a skeleton. His companion on the journey is Mittenwool, his best friend who happens to be a ghost he’s seen and known from birth (ghosty part, obvs).
This book reminded me so much of The Man from Snowy River but make the hero a kid coming of age with a horse only he can control. It’s pretty heavy stuff so 12 and older for sure.
larkin21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mistylynnita's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ericwheeler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
lawbooks600's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: Death of a father
Can't wait to read this, I loved Wonder, so I might like this one.
Update: 7.5/10, wow, this was a very emotional, but still very enjoyable book. The plot was very simple, but very entertaining, however the last part was very sad. The characters in this book were enjoyable, and they got along well together, I really liked Silas, Mittenwool, and the farmer whose name I forgot. Silas even experienced character development by making a connection with his horse and the other characters, becoming more courageous, and even became a father at the end, which was heartwarming.
The plot is that Silas' father was taken away, which led him to journey into the woods to try and find him, as I read more of the book, I discovered who the criminal was, though I didn't understand why he would kidnap Silas' father, maybe because of the money or his inventions? In the end, the police got the criminal and his accomplices, however Silas' father was shot, so he did find his father in the end, but it was the last time he saw him alive. The ending is bittersweet as later on I saw Silas grow up and have a family without his father. If you want a great historical book, this is for you.
Can't wait to read this, I loved Wonder, so I might like this one.
Update: 7.5/10, wow, this was a very emotional, but still very enjoyable book. The plot was very simple, but very entertaining, however the last part was very sad. The characters in this book were enjoyable, and they got along well together, I really liked Silas, Mittenwool, and the farmer whose name I forgot. Silas even experienced character development by making a connection with his horse and the other characters, becoming more courageous, and even became a father at the end, which was heartwarming.
The plot is that Silas' father was taken away, which led him to journey into the woods to try and find him, as I read more of the book, I discovered who the criminal was, though I didn't understand why he would kidnap Silas' father, maybe because of the money or his inventions? In the end, the police got the criminal and his accomplices, however Silas' father was shot, so he did find his father in the end, but it was the last time he saw him alive. The ending is bittersweet as later on I saw Silas grow up and have a family without his father. If you want a great historical book, this is for you.
internationalkris's review against another edition
5.0
I was smitten by young Silas's bright, true and individual voice throughout this historical adventure. A beautiful work full of research that seamlessly colors the setting and characters and elevates the plot to an enlightened level. I was sad to leave this world after only two days but I just couldn't put it down.