Christina's Shining Star

first of all I have read this book and thought that it was great. but very sad. and Second of all I just wanted to say that JOANNA CAMPBELL IS NOT DEAD,I WOULD KNOW SHE LIVES IN THE SAME TOWN AS MY GRANDMA, i also thought the part about "Image" almost being Put Down was very sad.

Okay, I'm sorry I haven't read this book, but I just wanted to let everyone know...Joanna is dead, that's why she stopped writing the seris! If you notice in the about the author things about her it says how she has grandkids and stuff and that was like 12 years ago, so I think that you know..she's either dead or too old to write. Okay, sorry for sharing the bad news! I've got Thoroughbreds 1-50 and I'm saving up for the newest ones!

Finally some old charecters are mentioned! I have been a loyal fan of the Thoroughbred series since it all started with Ashleigh and Wonder (Yup-I'm too old to win the saddle) and sometimes I feel I know more about the series than the new writers do. But I was pleasently suprised by this book because it did have little bits of information about Legacy (I never understood how Christina could trade Legacy for Sterling when Brad had half ownership) Also a few new yearlings are mentioned as well as Ian, Mike, Sammy, and Tor. I'm glad to know that Mike still exists. Recently the books have been centering on Image and Star and it seems like they are the only two horses at Whitebrook. I wish they would write about the old horses like Fleet Goddess and Princess. And please tell me what happened to Mandy! Joanna Campbell did such a good job of creating charecters her readers cared about then the new authors picked up-apparently without even reading the previous books- and poof,all the original charecters disappeared. It seems like the people (Melanie and Christina) say that Image and Star are their special horses but there is no bond like Ashleigh and Wonder had or Sammy and Pride. Ashleigh would have loved Wonder just as much even if Wonder had never won a race. Now everything seems to be centered on winning. Anyway, this book took a little time to answer a few questions loyal readers had. I will continue to read the Thoroughbred series as long as they keep making them but I wish Joanna would come back.

Ok, this wasn't the best book ever written but it was ok. The book DID bring up old horses and finally say something about them. Star needs to step it up if he wants to win the Preakness. Christina is trying hard to bring him up to his best but Ashleigh won't stop trying to tell Chris how to ride him. After a run in with Affirmed's old JOCKEY (yes his JOCKEY not his TRAINER!) she learns she needs to believe in herself...and Star to win. A decent ending (it wasnt what I expect to happen) but I think I got spoiled with the last book =-).

I have not read any TB books for about two or three years now- i've just glanced at them, but never the less, I have been following what the new books are, and what they are about. What I would like to know, is why it has taken either almost, or over 10 books to get to the Kentucky Derby- does time seem to stand still or something? When Joanna Campbell was first writing them, the origional TB books had the anticipation and thrill that was needed in them- they started to go off a wee bit after about book 15, but got worse after Wonder died. Actually, I was most pleased to see a lovley looking cover for this book. From about 43 onwards, the covers had no life in them, and were just scraggly pictures, turning off the real light that was put into them when they first came out. However, the TB series are still quite good (Though i've not read past 48), and I would recommend them.I personally thnk though, regardless of how ever many of you TB fans out there think that Star and Chris are spoiled, and that Mel and Jazz should win the Derby, It is my opinion that Star and Chris should win the Derby, after all they have been through, and also, after Christina's eventing history, before moving onto racing, she and Star winning would be a tribute to Ashleigh- one which Ashleigh richly deserves, after all that she has done... just think about that......