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zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
The general outline of this story was pretty similar to the first book in this series. I personally don't find buggy racing to be all that interesting, or really horse racing either, but Farley's prose on racing always gets my heart racing, and his love of horses is evident. I love the relationship his characters have with their horses. Though I found Jimmy to be annoying and childish.
I recommend this to fans of horse literature, children's literature, or The Black Stallion series.
I recommend this to fans of horse literature, children's literature, or The Black Stallion series.
birdkeeperklink's review against another edition
5.0
To me, The Blood Bay Colt is where Walter Farley really hit his stride in the Black Stallion books. The Black Stallion was very good, if a bit dull at times, The Island Stallion was also very good, if a bit dull at times, and The Black Stallion and Satan was very exciting--although I felt like it was rushed. I loved The Black Stallion's Blood Bay Colt from start to finish--the characters were interesting (especially Jimmy Creech and Uncle Wilbur), the pacing was perfect, and the horses were lovable.
Don't get me wrong, I love Flame and The Black, but it was nice to have a break from the 'wild stallions who will only submit to the boys they love' thing. The vast majority of real horses aren't like that--they're more like Volo Queen and Bonfire. If you treat and train them right, they're gentle and eager to please. Of course, every horse has its own personality, but those two things are usually traits that can be attained through training. Also, I liked how Volo Queen and Bonfire were naturally sweet-natured. It was refreshing and enjoyable.
Don't get me wrong, I love Flame and The Black, but it was nice to have a break from the 'wild stallions who will only submit to the boys they love' thing. The vast majority of real horses aren't like that--they're more like Volo Queen and Bonfire. If you treat and train them right, they're gentle and eager to please. Of course, every horse has its own personality, but those two things are usually traits that can be attained through training. Also, I liked how Volo Queen and Bonfire were naturally sweet-natured. It was refreshing and enjoyable.
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
This series is a childhood favorite, and I reread it every year! Love it!
satyridae's review
3.0
The annoying thing about reading this book at home is that every time my DH walked by he said, "What are you reading about a blood clot for?" Annoying husbandly dyslexia aside, this was one I hardly remembered at all, though I know I've read it a number of times. Bonfire, out of Volo Queen by The Black, is the star of this book, but the real standout is Bonfire's owner, Jimmy Creech. You couldn't ask for a better study of Borderline Personality Disorder, complicated by Really Vague Ulcer Diagnosis. The machinations that our hero, young
Tom, and his elderly sidekick George, go through to keep Jimmy in nurses and good humor, are mind-boggling. The horse-racing, to me at this late date, was entirely secondary.
Tom, and his elderly sidekick George, go through to keep Jimmy in nurses and good humor, are mind-boggling. The horse-racing, to me at this late date, was entirely secondary.
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