Incredibooks » Walter Farley http://incredibooks.com Book reviews by kids and teens Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:03:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 The Black Stallion and Satan http://incredibooks.com/2007/07/10/the-black-stallion-and-satan/ http://incredibooks.com/2007/07/10/the-black-stallion-and-satan/#comments Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:26:26 +0000 Becca http://incredibooks.com/2007/07/10/the-black-stallion-and-satan/ Younger Readers

Black Stallion and Satan (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0679813462

Price: USD 6.99
101 used & new available from USD 0.10

Abu Ishak has died, leaving Alec the Black. At the same time, Alec and Henry have entered Satan in a big race in which the top horses from around the world are going to compete. Then they discover that Abu Ishak had entered the Black in the same race. Taking the chance that they can overcome the Black’s viciousness towards other horses, Alec and Henry decided to take both the Black and Satan to the racetrack. But one of the entries is diagnosed with an incurable and highly contagious disease. All of the horses entered in the race are placed in quarantine. Then dangerous forest fires start ravaging the area…

This book is a pretty good read. It gets rather exciting near the end, though that’s not to say that the rest is boring. Also (can you believe it?) Walter Farley actually tells whether or not the Black is faster than Satan. This is the fourth book in the Black Stallion series.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2007/07/10/the-black-stallion-and-satan/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion http://incredibooks.com/2006/11/15/the-black-stallion/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/11/15/the-black-stallion/#comments Thu, 16 Nov 2006 02:11:28 +0000 Becca http://incredibooks.com/2006/11/15/the-black-stallion/

Buy The Black Stallion from Amazon

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Alec Ramsey is returning from a visit with his Uncle Ralph when his ship stops at an Arabian port and a giant black stallion is put on board. Alec makes friends with the horse, whom he names "The Black." Later, The Black saves Alec's life (rather unwittingly) by pulling him to an island. After quite a long time, Alec and The Black are rescued and make it back to Flushing, Alec's home. Alec finds lodging for his stallion at a neighbor's barn. Henry Dailey, the owner of the barn, sees The Black's potential as a race horse. And so Alec and Henry try to find a way to get The Black onto a racetrack with two of the greatest racing stars at the time...

An interesting book. The ending is rather predictable, but is still enjoyable. I find that The Black Stallion is one of the better books in the The Black Stallion series. I especially enjoy Tony, the Italian huckster.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0679813438

Price: USD 6.99
390 used & new available from USD 0.10

Alec Ramsey is returning from a visit with his Uncle Ralph when his ship stops at an Arabian port and a giant black stallion is put on board. Alec makes friends with the horse, whom he names “The Black.” Later, The Black saves Alec’s life (rather unwittingly) by pulling him to an island. After quite a long time, Alec and The Black are rescued and make it back to Flushing, Alec’s home. Alec finds lodging for his stallion at a neighbor’s barn. Henry Dailey, the owner of the barn, sees The Black’s potential as a race horse. And so Alec and Henry try to find a way to get The Black onto a racetrack with two of the greatest racing stars at the time…

An interesting book. The ending is rather predictable, but is still enjoyable. I find that The Black Stallion is one of the better books in the The Black Stallion series. I especially enjoy Tony, the Italian huckster.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/11/15/the-black-stallion/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion’s Filly http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/25/the-black-stallions-filly/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/25/the-black-stallions-filly/#comments Sun, 25 Jun 2006 16:47:06 +0000 Sarah http://incredibooks.com/?p=529

Buy The Black Stallion's Filly from Amazon

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Satan retires from his great racing career because of an injured leg, and for the first time, Henry Dailey goes to a horse auction to buy a horse for himself! And the horse he's after is Black Minx, the first daughter of the Black — sired by the Black and born by Elf away from Hopeful Farm. Eventually Black Minx was sold and spoiled — not to mention her tail being just about cut off after getting stuck in a door. But finally she came to a horse auction, where Henry bought her with his mind on racing her in the Kentucky Derby. But when Alec rides her, he knows she can go faster but she won't. However, they discover that if Alec pretends Black Minx is running away, she goes faster.

A great book! At one point in the race at the end, I was just about laughing for joy. This book is mentioned in <a href="The Black Stallion's Courage, also reviewed by me. Please read The Black Stallion's Filly, you may be glad you did.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion’s Filly (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0394839161

Price: USD 6.99
135 used & new available from USD 0.10

With Satan retired from racing, it looks as if Henry is out of a job. Or is he? Black Minx, the Black’s first daughter, is up for sale at auction and Henry buys her with the Kentucky Derby in mind. Though spoiled by her previous owners, Black Minx can be cured of her bad habits. But when she shows a lack of enthusiasm for racing, will she really be able to enter and win this classic race?

I haven’t read this book for a while, so it was fun to read it again. And, despite the fact that I’m not really a horse-lover, it kept me quite interested.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/25/the-black-stallions-filly/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion’s Sulky Colt http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/04/the-black-stallions-sulky-colt/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/04/the-black-stallions-sulky-colt/#comments Sun, 04 Jun 2006 23:18:21 +0000 Rebekah http://incredibooks.com/?p=521

Buy The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt from Amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Bonfire is back, and Tom is nervously preparing for the Hambletonion when disaster strikes. Only a few weeks before the great race, Tom is involved in an racing accident, leaving him un-hurt, but leaving Bonfire terrified of any horse trying to pass him on his right side. Alec Ramsey, who came to see Bonfire the day of the accident stays to help Tom. Unfortunatly, yet another accident leaves Tom with a broken thigh bone. With the help of Henry Daily, Alec tries to cure Bonfire of his fear in time for the Hambeltonion.

This is the sequel to The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt. Comparing the two, this book's race at the end was even more heart-pounding. I kept finding myself only a few inches away from the pages!

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion’s Sulky Colt (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 039483917X

Price: USD 6.50
86 used & new available from USD 0.10

Bonfire is back, and Tom is nervously preparing for the Hambletonion when disaster strikes. Only a few weeks before the great race, Tom is involved in a racing accident, leaving him un-hurt, but leaving Bonfire terrified of any horse trying to pass him on his right side. Alec Ramsey, who came to see Bonfire the day of the accident stays to help Tom. Unfortunately, yet another accident leaves Tom with a broken thigh bone. With the help of Henry Daily, Alec tries to cure Bonfire of his fear in time for the Hambeltonion.

This is the sequel to The Black Stallion’s Blood Bay Colt. Comparing the two, this book’s race at the end was even more heart-pounding. I kept finding myself only a few inches away from the pages!

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/06/04/the-black-stallions-sulky-colt/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion’s Ghost http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/30/the-black-stallions-ghost/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/30/the-black-stallions-ghost/#comments Sun, 30 Apr 2006 19:23:19 +0000 Sarah http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/04/30/the-black-stallions-ghost/

Buy The Black Stallion's Ghost from Amazon

Rating: 1 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Alec and the Black are taking a vacation in Florida and meet, in the Everglades, Captain Philippe de Pluminel, who has trained a white mare to do Lipizanner tricks by music-cues - without a rider - and has traveled across the world with different circuses. Unknown to Alec, Captain Philippe has his eye on the Black for mating with his mare. Henry, (Alec's friend and horse-trainer) who is in New York, doesn't want Alec to have the Black mate. Alec is forced to stay at the captain's residence because of fierce lightning and thunder, and that night the captain secretly tries to mate the Black with his mare.

This is a rather weird book. I didn't mention it in the review, but the captain is superstitious and there's a creature called Kovi that I'm not positive is "real" or not in this book. This book isn't exactly all ages, because it probably wouldn't be suitable for younger people. There is, however, one race in The Black Stallion's Ghost, but it's a small, short one that's not very challenging - unlike in The Black Stallion's Courage. This might be the worst Black Stallion book. I don't really recommend it.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion’s Ghost (Black Stallion) (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0679869506

Price: USD 6.99
188 used & new available from USD 0.10

Alec and the Black are taking a vacation in Florida and meet, in the Everglades, Captain Philippe de Pluminel, who has trained a white mare to do Lipizanner tricks by music-cues, without a rider, and has traveled across the world with different circuses. Unknown to Alec, Captain Philippe has his eye on the Black for mating with his mare. Henry, (Alec’s friend and horse-trainer) who is in New York, doesn’t want Alec to have the Black mate. Alec is forced to stay at the captain’s residence because of fierce lightning and thunder, and that night the captain secretly tries to mate the Black with his mare.

This is a rather weird book. I didn’t mention it in the review, but the captain is superstitious and there’s a creature called Kovi that I’m not positive is “real” or not in this book. This book isn’t exactly all ages, because it probably wouldn’t be suitable for younger people. There is, however, one race in The Black Stallion’s Ghost, but it’s a small, short one that’s not very challenging — unlike in The Black Stallion’s Courage. This might be the worst Black Stallion book. I don’t really recommend it.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/30/the-black-stallions-ghost/feed/ 0 The Young Black Stallion http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/22/the-young-black-stallion/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/22/the-young-black-stallion/#comments Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:02:12 +0000 Ruth http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/04/22/the-young-black-stallion/

The story of the Black before meeting Alec. Abu Já Kub ben Ishak breeds the fastest and strongest Arabian stallions. One black colt stands out from the others as being the largest and wildest. Soon, though, the Black is stolen by a Bedouin scout, who is working for Mansoor the Cat. What will become of the Black?

The last Black Stallion book by Walter Farley. It's a moderately quick read, and I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. It is interesting to gain a little background history about Abu Ishak, but, overall, it's not a must-read of the Black Stallion series.

[ratings]
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The Young Black Stallion: A Wild and Untamable Spirit! (Paperback)
by Walter Farley, Steven Farley
ISBN: 0679813489

Price: USD 5.99
132 used & new available from USD 0.10

The story of the Black before meeting Alec. Abu Já Kub ben Ishak breeds the fastest and strongest Arabian stallions. One black colt stands out from the others as being the largest and wildest. Soon, though, the Black is stolen by a Bedouin scout, who is working for Mansoor the Cat. What will become of the Black?

The last Black Stallion book by Walter Farley. It’s a moderately quick read, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the others. It is interesting to gain a little background history about Abu Ishak, but, overall, it’s not a must-read of the Black Stallion series.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/22/the-young-black-stallion/feed/ 1 The Black Stallion’s Blood Bay Colt http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/15/the-black-stallions-blood-bay-colt/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/15/the-black-stallions-blood-bay-colt/#comments Sat, 15 Apr 2006 21:56:27 +0000 Rebekah http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/04/15/the-blood-bay-colt/

Buy The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt from Amazon

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Jimmy Creech, owner of the mare "Volo Queen," is awaiting the arrival of the Queen's foal. Jimmy, his friend George Snedecker, and a young boy named Tom, hope that this foal will become a famous horse. Sired by the Black Stallion, the colt turns out to be all they hoped for, but when Jimmy's stomach pains grow worse, racing the colt becomes their last hope for the money they need to pay for Jimmy's doctor bills.

Wonderful! The huge race at the end is heart-pounding action clear through. Walter Farley gives his characters such depth in this story, you feel like you know them. Tom's Aunt Emma and Uncle Wilmer are funny. Overall, I like this one very much. It's one of the better Black Stallion books, in fact, one of my favorites, after The Horse Tamer and The Black Stallion.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion’s Blood Bay Colt: (Reissue) (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0679813470

Price: USD 6.99
93 used & new available from USD 0.10

Jimmy Creech, owner of the mare “Volo Queen,” is awaiting the arrival of the Queen’s foal. Jimmy, his friend George Snedecker, and a young boy named Tom, hope that this foal will become a famous horse. Sired by the Black Stallion, the colt turns out to be all they hoped for, but when Jimmy’s stomach pains grow worse, racing the colt becomes their last hope for the money they need to pay for Jimmy’s doctor bills.

Wonderful! The huge race at the end is heart-pounding action clear through. Walter Farley gives his characters such depth in this story, you feel like you know them. Tom’s Aunt Emma and Uncle Wilmer are funny. Overall, I like this one very much. It’s one of the better Black Stallion books, in fact, one of my favorites, after The Horse Tamer and The Black Stallion.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/15/the-black-stallions-blood-bay-colt/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion’s Courage http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallions-courage/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallions-courage/#comments Sun, 02 Apr 2006 01:42:45 +0000 Sarah http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/04/01/the-black-stallions-courage/

When Hopeful Farm's main barn burns down, (and their insurance policy has ended) Alec Ramsay sets out to raise enough money to rebuild it. He takes Black Minx and the Black with him to New York. (Along with Henry Dailey.) Alec enters Black Minx in several races, but will she run like she did in the Kentucky Derby? Also, a three-year-old colt, Eclipse, has broken several records and a horse named Casey is winning himself to greatness. Will the Black be able to beat the two champions?

I found this book confusing sometimes. However, it's still a pretty good book. You may find yourself sucked into this book near the end.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion’s Courage (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0394839188

Price: USD 6.50
98 used & new available from USD 0.10

When Hopeful Farm’s main barn burns down, (and their insurance policy has ended) Alec Ramsay sets out to raise enough money to rebuild it. He takes Black Minx and the Black with him to New York. (Along with Henry Dailey.) Alec enters Black Minx in several races, but will she run like she did in the Kentucky Derby? Also, a three-year-old colt, Eclipse, has broken several records and a horse named Casey is winning himself to greatness. Will the Black be able to beat the two champions?

I found this book confusing sometimes. However, it’s still a pretty good book. You may find yourself sucked into this book near the end.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallions-courage/feed/ 0 The Black Stallion Challenged http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallion-challenged/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallion-challenged/#comments Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:26:24 +0000 Ruth http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/04/01/the-black-stallion-challenged/

The Black has recovered from his foot, er, hoof injury sufficiently to begin training for racing again. Things are all set for the Black until Alec receives a letter from Steve Duncan asking for his help in getting Flame into the race, too. The Black and Flame finally have an opportunity to race against each other! Which one really is the fastest?

Yes! Believe it or not, Walter Farley finally does say which horse is better. He avoids it for the entire series, but he seemed to have written himself into a corner. But I think it's one of the better of the series.

[ratings]
]]> All Ages

The Black Stallion Challenged (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0394843711

Price: USD 6.99
135 used & new available from USD 0.10

The Black has recovered from his foot, er, hoof injury sufficiently to begin training for racing again. Things are all set for the Black until Alec receives a letter from Steve Duncan asking for his help in getting Flame into the race, too. The Black and Flame finally have an opportunity to race against each other! Which one really is the fastest?

Yes! Believe it or not, Walter Farley finally does say which horse is better. He avoids it for the entire series, but he seemed to have written himself into a corner. But I think it’s one of the better of the series.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/04/01/the-black-stallion-challenged/feed/ 0 The Island Stallion http://incredibooks.com/2006/03/28/the-island-stallion/ http://incredibooks.com/2006/03/28/the-island-stallion/#comments Tue, 28 Mar 2006 18:03:42 +0000 Sarah http://incredibooks.com/index.php/2006/03/28/the-island-stallion/

Buy The Island Stallion from Amazon

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author: Walter Farley

Steve and his friend Phil Pitcher (known as Pitch) go to Azul Island and discover a way to get into the interior of the island, which is surrounded by steep yellow walls. Inside, there is a pack of horses, led by a beautiful red stallion, Flame. Tom, Pitch's step-brother, made a bet with them that if they actually stayed on Azul Island two weeks, as they planned to, he would give Steve his pick of the horses there. Will Steve be able to own Flame?

This book has underground tunnels, three stallion fights, discoveries... in other words, adventure. I found The Island Stallion to be confusing at points, but it's still a pretty good book. The next book about Flame and Steve is The Island Stallion's Fury.

[ratings]
]]> Younger Readers

The Island Stallion (Black Stallion) (Paperback)
by Walter Farley
ISBN: 0394843762

Price: USD 6.99
161 used & new available from USD 0.10

Steve and his friend Phil Pitcher (known as Pitch) go to Azul Island and discover a way to get into the interior of the island, which is surrounded by steep yellow walls. Inside, there is a pack of horses, led by a beautiful red stallion, Flame. Tom, Pitch’s step-brother, made a bet with them that if they actually stayed on Azul Island two weeks, as they planned to, he would give Steve his pick of the horses there. Will Steve be able to own Flame?

This book has underground tunnels, three stallion fights, discoveries… in other words, adventure. I found The Island Stallion to be confusing at points, but it’s still a pretty good book. The next book about Flame and Steve is The Island Stallion’s Fury.

Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it. ]]> http://incredibooks.com/2006/03/28/the-island-stallion/feed/ 0