unicornrhyfedd's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
This is a really mixed bag. On one hand I love the extra little details put into the story, but on the other it seems to glance over everything like a wordier screenplay. The emotional scenes don’t really pack a punch unless you’ve seen and become attached to the movie beforehand.
Usually I say that the book is always better, but in these circumstances the movie is definitely far better.
Usually I say that the book is always better, but in these circumstances the movie is definitely far better.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty
bubbles_36's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bookwolfash_13's review
5.0
5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
5 Stars
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has been one of my favorite movies (if not my favorite one) since I first saw it when it was released in theaters in 2002, at the tender age of 5 I knew that this movie would always be special to me and I was correct.
This is a book and also a series that I have always wanted to after learning about its existence but until now I have never had the chance. I highly recommend any horse lover or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron fan to read it.
The book is essentially the movie with some minor changes, since it's being told from Spirit's point of view through words and not visuals the reader gets a more insightful thought process on how his mind works from colt to stallion. It also helps explain the herds and horse behaviors which is nice for people that have no horse experience.
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate
If it is a .5 star I round up
5 Stars
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has been one of my favorite movies (if not my favorite one) since I first saw it when it was released in theaters in 2002, at the tender age of 5 I knew that this movie would always be special to me and I was correct.
This is a book and also a series that I have always wanted to after learning about its existence but until now I have never had the chance. I highly recommend any horse lover or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron fan to read it.
The book is essentially the movie with some minor changes, since it's being told from Spirit's point of view through words and not visuals the reader gets a more insightful thought process on how his mind works from colt to stallion. It also helps explain the herds and horse behaviors which is nice for people that have no horse experience.
mydarksymphony's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
samwescott's review
4.0
This was my favorite book series as a kid, and I couldn't resist a quick re-read when I found them at the library. This one is a really tight novelization, so if you liked the movie (which I did and still do), you're gonna enjoy the book. It's pretty straightforward. Lots of direct quotes.
That said, I do remember buying and reading this book as a wee babe before I had actually seen the movie and it was a great read by itself. I was the weird horse girl in elementary school, so this was right in my wheelhouse. I thought that the fact that the horses didn't talk made it "realistic" and cool, haha.
Very enjoyable nostalgic re-read.
That said, I do remember buying and reading this book as a wee babe before I had actually seen the movie and it was a great read by itself. I was the weird horse girl in elementary school, so this was right in my wheelhouse. I thought that the fact that the horses didn't talk made it "realistic" and cool, haha.
Very enjoyable nostalgic re-read.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
2.0
Full Review at Booklikes.
Disclaimer: This is an adaptation of a movie. This is for middle level readers – chapters and no pictures. I saw part of the movie and didn’t like it. The book was a gift. My comments about the plot are not reflective of the author who doesn’t even get listed in my edition. She had to work with the plot from the movie. This review is more of a criticism of the plot/movie plot than Duey's writing.
Spirit is the story of a stallion in the Old West and his adventures as he gets captured by white men. First, let me say, in terms of mechanics of writing the book is good. It is more than competent, and there is some humor.
It’s the plot I have issue with. First, I know this is a children’s book, but really, having Spirit become leader of the herd he was born into is highly unlikely and is so gender based I don’t know where to start (Gender based in the sense that Spirit acts like both the stallion and the lead mare, as well as why does it have to be about male horse to begin with?). But that is not my main problem. And let’s be fair, it is a children’s book and not ever horse book is going to be like Henry or Farley. Honestly, look at the Lion King. If we went all technical there, Simba and Nayla are half siblings who end up as a couple. So, I’ll admit I’m being hyper critical with this point.
My main problem is the heavy handed symbolic crap.
Disclaimer: This is an adaptation of a movie. This is for middle level readers – chapters and no pictures. I saw part of the movie and didn’t like it. The book was a gift. My comments about the plot are not reflective of the author who doesn’t even get listed in my edition. She had to work with the plot from the movie. This review is more of a criticism of the plot/movie plot than Duey's writing.
Spirit is the story of a stallion in the Old West and his adventures as he gets captured by white men. First, let me say, in terms of mechanics of writing the book is good. It is more than competent, and there is some humor.
It’s the plot I have issue with. First, I know this is a children’s book, but really, having Spirit become leader of the herd he was born into is highly unlikely and is so gender based I don’t know where to start (Gender based in the sense that Spirit acts like both the stallion and the lead mare, as well as why does it have to be about male horse to begin with?). But that is not my main problem. And let’s be fair, it is a children’s book and not ever horse book is going to be like Henry or Farley. Honestly, look at the Lion King. If we went all technical there, Simba and Nayla are half siblings who end up as a couple. So, I’ll admit I’m being hyper critical with this point.
My main problem is the heavy handed symbolic crap.
an_adult_ish_bookworm's review
4.0
More like 3.5 stars. I absolutely loved this movie when I was younger, (I'm definitely going to have to watch it again now that I've read this) but I think I can definitely say the movie was better with this one. I know it's written for a younger audience, but there was so much telling instead of showing... And it was a little strange how some manmade things were addressed as completely unfamiliar to Spirit, but then other things he knew exactly what they were. It was still a good short read, which is exactly what I was wanting, and it got me into the mood to watch the movie soon!
More...