Review by Booklist Review
Shy 14-year-old Kalli leads a privileged life in a small city in central Asia called Ershi. A talented equestrienne, she finds joy riding her beloved white mare, Swan, but dreads her arranged marriage to Arash and life without freedom. Then the Chinese army invades Ershi, seeking the famed Persian horses, and Swan is taken. As war intensifies and the city becomes increasingly isolated, Kalli must find confidence and use her wits and skills, as she embarks on a dangerous quest to help those she loves (and save Swan). First published in Germany in 2011, this engaging novel, set in second-century BC, features an appealing protagonist whose journey also becomes one of self-discovery. Densely descriptive prose, rife with historical and equine detail for horse-fiction fans, vividly portrays aspects of daily life and culture. Strong supporting characters include Kalli's brave, former-slave mother and her loyal, lively friend Batu. An endnote provides background on locales, events, and Persian-horse history. This is the first title in a planned trio.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-A horse race grabs readers at the outset of this novel set in ancient Persia, but it becomes secondary once Kalli and her friend Batu realize that the Chinese army is marching toward Kalli's village, endangering the lives of the villagers and Kalli's family's prized horses. Her mother is injured and her father is away, so the brave girl must rely on the skills her parents have taught her. She secures the horses, including her beloved mare, and musters up the courage to confront unsavory characters both inside and outside her village to save the animals. Kalli's character has the most depth, though readers will find her friends bring levity and warmth to her story and challenge her to take risks and grow in ways she may not have on her own. In the end, it is her mother's approval that is most satisfying to the young heroine. The writing feels forced when the characters and the scenery are introduced, but the rich storytelling, including descriptions of daily life and the landscape, and some impressive riding sequences, propel the action forward. Historical and cultural details are well integrated, as are facts about horses, and Harrison provides further information in the afterword. This novel, with its strong female protagonist and suspenseful sequences, may appeal to a broad range of readers.-Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Kallisto, thirteen, is a talented equestrian who'd do anything for her family's horses. When a Chinese army marches toward their mountain city, Kalli races to warn the others and protect the community's exotic Ferghana horses. The heroine's plucky determination and a crisply realized ancient Asia setting work well together in this historical girl-loves-horse story inspired by real events in Persia several thousand years ago. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
