The Diamond Horse

My 10 year old tender hearted, animal loving child stopped reading this book near the beginning because the mom of the main character died and the brother tortures animals (in great detail). I finished the book just to see if justice was served and the good guys won, but from where my daughter stopped things got worse before they got better (the brother continues his torturous ways, a horse the main character is riding dies in a weird accident, the girl has to send away one of her beloved pets, her favorite foal is set to be “eliminated,” and she discovers her dad kills animals all the time). If you have a true animal loving heart this isn’t a book you are likely to enjoy.

Good book thank you

My niece loves this books

This book is split between two times - Russia of Catherine the Great, and modern Russia. Each tale carries a girl, a horse and a black diamond, the Orlov Diamond. In the main tale our heroine is Anna, daughter of Count Orlov, sister of the young Ivan the Terrible. The problem is mainly isolation. They are stuck out alone in the wild snowy wastes of Russia. There are servants, of course, but at this period the servants are serfs and have to do as they are told.Anna loves animals, in the absence of playmates, and adopts a runty puppy - her impatient father is starting the breed of Borzoi dogs - and an Amur tiger cub, and a horse. In an implausible scene she causes the death of an imported Arabian stallion. Arabians have one fewer rib than other breeds so this is an extremely odd one to have an extra rib more than the Russian coldbloods; that would mean he has two more than other Arabs. But cats can be born with extra toes, so why not. Anyway, the stallion had sired a foal on a good mare, which Anna adopts, and this Drakon starts the breed of Orlov Trotters.I'm puzzled that the nobility don't swop carriages for sleighs in the snow. Nobody would drive a carriage through deep snow, and the troika, a three-horse team, not mentioned, is specifically to pull a sleigh.The modern day tale takes a while to make its date clear, as it features a circus girl Valentina with a pink roan horse Sasha which, as it turns out, is an Orlov Trotter. The author lets us know that this is based on a true story of a horse making it to the top in dressage. Like all working breeds of horse the Orlov Trotter is endangered.I'd previously just read one pony story by this author - Blaze and the Dark Rider - so I'm delighted to discover that she has a historical collection of horse stories too. I'll look out for them. I just saw one clumsily written sentence, which an editor should have cleaned up, but otherwise The Diamond Horse is beautifully written. This book would suit readers from 8 - 13, particularly girls, and anyone who loves horses.I borrowed this book from Raheny Public Library. This is an unbiased review.

*** I voluntarily reviewed this book, I gained no monetary incentives nor was I specifically requested to review the book, these are my honest ramblings and I hope you enjoy reading them - kat***I have just finished New Zealand Author Stacey Gregg's latest horse adventure for readers that love horses. Whether you are 10 or 100 if you love horses you will love this book. I loved it... it's not just a child's book. Its an adventure into two young girls and their special horses lives in Russia. .. the mystery of what links the two girls I will leave you to discover yourself. This book is going to be on my #grandaughters stocking list. She and her mum will love it just as much as I did.The publishers also did a great job with both the cover and the formatting. With sparkling highlights, it will be a feature on any bookshelf.I loved the magical landscape created by the author, the tension, the courage.Anna and Valentina were strong capable girls with heart and great role models for any young girl ( or boy - who am I to generalise who would enjoy this story)Drakon, oh how he reminded me of Jesterdale, my big but beautiful, majestic standardbred, he had a heart of a lion, loyal and bold, god rest his soul. Sasha, well he reminded me of my daughter's horse Bae, who when paired with my daughters riding transforms from his Gisborne bred roots to a magical moving horse when doing dressage. Anna's other companions, Boris and Igor were heros in their own rights and combined the book would make a faboulous gift a child would treasure forever.Thank you, Harper Collins, New Zealand for allowing me to review this story, I am ordering a copy for my granddaughters Christmas box.

Amazing imagery - great read!!!5th grade teacher :)

My daughter loves these books by Stacey Gregg. She can't put them down.

I loved this book because before I even got to chapter 2 I felt like I was unable to ever put the book down again because I was so hooked into it I think that this book was absolutely brilliant

Absolutely amazing book! Loved every second reading it, at times it made me want to cry and others it made laugh! Great book amazing story line, would definitely recommend to anyone! 5 stars

I accidentally bought this while trying to get it for my friend's daughter. Even as an adult, this is a beautiful read - so much so I'm going to accidentally buy some more of Stacy Gregg's books!!!

Daughter loved this book great for any horse lover