Far Traveler: Ælfwyn is a shy, bookish maiden in Anglo-Saxon England, caught in the middle of her uncle the king's political plots. When the king forces her to choose between marrying an old man or becoming a nun, Ælfwyn runs away to become a singing bard on the open road. But circumstances drag her back into her uncle's clutches, and desperate men try to use her position in the king's family for their own political gain.
I really identified with Ælfwyn's character, because she loves to read. She is shy, and is frightened to ride the large and powerful horse her mother gives her. For most of the book, she depends on other people to tell her what to do and where to go, but when it really matters, she makes her own decisions, discovering courage and resilience from deep inside.
I liked the writing style in this book. It really pulls you in to the story, painting a picture of Old England with a few settings, people, and events drawn from real history. I especially liked the scenes when Ælfwyn is on the road, singing her songs and telling stories from her books to entertain the common people.
The plot has plenty of action and suspense, with warriors and battles lurking around the corner in every scene. But the focus is on how this young teenage girl deals with the danger and anxiety, and the subtle influence she exerts over the outcome of those wars. She seems so powerless at first, but her knowledge and intelligence give her power.
One of things I loved about this book is how Ælfwyn manages to take control of her own life choices, without needing to carry a sword or be strong in battle. She remains herself; quiet and bookish, but she begins to command respect from others, and discovers her power to change her life through the words she uses. This is NOT a warrior maiden story. It's a word-warrior story. Words are her weapons. Her mind is her armor.
Brilliant story-telling!#bookstagram #books #fantasy #historicalfiction #read #reading
Alec is heading home aboard a steamship, when the ship sinks in a storm and there are only two survivors: Alec and a spirited black stallion. The two are washed ashore on a small island, where they forage for food, and Alec tames the wild stallion.
I was completely riveted while reading this book! I couldn't put it down, and read it in one day. The writing has such good pacing, and the action moves swiftly along, pulling the reader into the next chapter and the next.
I adored Alec's character. He's smart and tough and resilient. He loves that wild horse and the bond the two share is evident to the world. I was amazed at Alec's energy. He never seems to get tired for long. He's always bouncing right back up after being injured or disappointed. He displays several different types of courage throughout the book; the courage of waiting, the courage of taking risks, the bravery it takes to stick with a task day in and day out, as well as physical courage, and moral courage. I just loved his character!
The Black is described so wonderfully that I could really imagine his wildness and feral energy. Everyone who sees the Black is overwhelmed by the power of his personality, his fire and strength and beauty. It's really excellent writing.
I can't wait to read more books in the Black Stallion series! #bookstagram #books #reading #classics #classicbook #blackstallion #horses #lovehorses #horsebook #classicchildrensbooks
