Heavnly Horse West

My first reaction to seeing this book's title was to wonder what the author was thinking. It didn't sound particularly inspiring. I pulled the book off its shelf at the used bookstore I found it in, and immediately regretted my first impression. The cover art suggests a story far darker and deeper than you would expect from the book's title, and a Tolkien-esque epic scale. I bought it without another thought.Sure enough, this was no children's book. What Richard Adams did for rabbits in Watership Down, Mary Stanton does here with her horses. The antagonists are truly evil in ways most storybook villians only aspire to, and the equine mythology/religion thoroughly detailed. My only disappointment was in thinking this masterpiece was a one-shot wonder, a belief that was thankfully proven wrong by the discovery of this book's more epically titled sequel, "Piper at the Gate"NOT for young children (say, under 13). Anor the Executioner will give them the screaming meemies, and Anor's master (the equine analog to the devil) will give them nightmares (no pun intended) for weeks. But a MUST READ for anyone over the age of 13, whether you like horses or not.NOTE: Due to the dark and supernatural nature of the storyline and antagonists, I'm tempted to catagorize this one under "anthropomorhpic/horror" instead of fantasy.

I came across this book in the library when I was 11 years old. I just had to find me a copy. To this day I look at my horses with a different perspective. The fact Mary Stanton made these horses love, hurt, and the sacrifices they all made to be free, is one touching look at the animal itself. I had always wished there was more to this beautiful animal and her book made my dream become a reality. Even though it is a fantansy, I am hooked on a wonderful book that I have read over 20 times, AND IT NEVER GETS OLD!!!! If you ever thought there were more to the horse, and that there is a higher being for every animal to look up to, this a perfect book for anyone.

I owned this book since i was about nine and i've read it about 20-30 times, it never gets old. it isn't anywhere near my usual genre as i much prefer horrors but this really was the greatest book i have ever read. At first it seemed to be a simple flighty fantasy tale but i soon became too caught up in Duchess, The Dancer, Susie, El Arat and all of the others, i couldn't put it down, the book is so deep and goes onto so many levels, i suppose you have to be a horse liker to appreciate it but having lost it i would love to get hold of it again as the plot and storyline and the bordering on believable fantasy are all so captivating...

Y'know, there's always that one impulse book that you buy, and this one is mine. You should never judge a book by its cover, but if you see this cover you'll know why I did. It turned out to be a wonderful story reminiscent of Watership Down and that sort of style ( animals talking to one another, sharing myths, group heirarchy, & so on) but I thought it was much more interesting. The characters in these horses' myths actually live and pose a real threat to them. I read it in two days and set out the third to find the sequel.

I loved this book!! I liked it better than Piper at the Gate, although that was also a wonderful book. I agree with Jane Yolen- "If you loved Watership Down, but don't like rabbits... this is the fantasy book for you: lovingly detailed, heart-quickening, and full of horses." It's a beautiful love story without getting crude, as authors tend to do these days, and full of insight into the lives of animals. Here's one who not only writes about horses, but actually lives with them and knows what she's talking about!