A review by birdkeeperklink
The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
3.0
This book was okay. I didn't really feel like I got what was advertised by the name and the blurb, but I'm used to that. The worst part was that I had a very hard time connecting with the characters. It took a serious amount of effort for me to really 'get' them, which is supposed to be the author's job. I mean, of course the reader has to care enough to try to engage in the book, but I don't feel like I was met even a quarter of the way, let alone half.
Part of it can probably be attributed to the dry, distant writing style. Things and people are described in almost a muted fashion, making it seem like it's all taking place very far away.
After I made that effort, though, I did like the characters--the nice ones, anyway. The ending was a little awkward, but I didn't actually mind the main character's choice that much. It bothered me a little, but I was mostly comfortable with it.
I liked the book and would recommend it, I would just caution that it's not really about horses (or their hearts). The horses are more of an incidental factor.
Part of it can probably be attributed to the dry, distant writing style. Things and people are described in almost a muted fashion, making it seem like it's all taking place very far away.
After I made that effort, though, I did like the characters--the nice ones, anyway. The ending was a little awkward, but I didn't actually mind the main character's choice that much. It bothered me a little, but I was mostly comfortable with it.
I liked the book and would recommend it, I would just caution that it's not really about horses (or their hearts). The horses are more of an incidental factor.