January 1, 2009
Gr 4-7-Alec and the Black's latest adventure takes them to Ireland, where the Black has a chance to once again prove his brilliance as a racehorse. Then an injury forces them to prolong their stay. When a girl, Mora, finds a pony wandering the beach, Alec and the stallion are drawn into a mystery involving a kelpie. At first, he dismisses the tales about these shape-shifters but when Mora disappears, his search for her leads him and the horse into a deadly struggle to save her from this legendary creature. This is a carefully crafted novel, with Irish legend and daily life woven throughout. The suspense builds slowly but steadily. The lightly drawn characters support the story line, and Mora is typical of many girls whose greatest wish is to have a horse of their own. Devoted fans of the series will enjoy this latest adventure with a supernatural twist."Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA"
Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2009
Seaside in Ireland recovering from a sprain, the Black seems incidental to this story about Alec Ramsay helping a young rider, Mora, with her pony. The pony is really a shape-shifting kelpie trying to ensnare both Mora and the Black. Walter Farley's son Steven writes capable prose, but the decision to introduce a paranormal plot into this series seems questionable.
(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)