I'm not actually sure I'd give this book 5 - probably more like 4 - but I'm jumping it up here to offset what I see as unduly low reviews, because I think this is a good, solid read, definitely up there with most that are rated 3.5 or 4 or 4.5 in this genre, and well worth reading, especially (but not only) by fans of the author or people who know what the name of the book is referring to!I found it, like most of the author's current works, charming and warm; it's not my favorite of hers (that would be Holiday Outing), but I liked it a lot and will definitely re-read it. To be fair, this might be partly because I am a big horseperson (with three of my own), and specifically someone who does the sort of riding described in this book. So the horse bits really spoke to me - I thought the author was dead on in so many of her descriptions both of horse owners and of horses. In particular, she captured so very well, and often with just a few lines, those sometimes clashing feelings of sublime joy, anxiety, and heartbreak that characterize horse ownership. I loved how her descriptions were often slightly barbed and...maybe perplexed, from the perspective of an outsider, while still obviously (to me at least) showing an "insider's" (i.e., horse lover/owner's) understanding of and empathy with that seeming craziness.So the horse setting - and the characters in that setting, and the protagonist's (Paul's) reaction to it - were, I felt, very well done; I'd have enjoyed the book for these alone. (And admittedly, there were some things in the book that perhaps could only be fully appreciated by someone who does in fact read Dressage Today every month, and has gone to the World Equestrian Games, and is familiar with the current raging helmet controversy in the dressage world; unlike many sports, dressage is not one familiar to many who don't participate.) But I also enjoyed the underlying characters and story; in particular, seeing Paul grow and change - seeing his feelings about the place evolve, seeing him overcome long-ingrained fears (fears to which any horseperson can certainly relate). Paul's love interest, Estevan, wasn't as well developed, and I didn't feel as great an attachment to him, but I still enjoyed his role. Again, part of this was recognition: he's a type (the arrogant, naturally gifted dressage trainer/rider) so familiar to me, an object of both awe and mockery. I got such a kick out of the scene in which he, who is blessed with such natural gifts and "feeling" for riding, attempts to teach a plodding, average, amateur, with classic lines like "put him on the aids" - instructions that are utterly meaningless unless you already know, and can feel, what they mean. Such a familiar scene to anyone who's been in this sport who isn't naturally gifted! But I also liked seeing Estevan humbled, seeing him overcome barriers of his own to be with Paul, seeing how deeply he cared for the horses, and what he was willing to do to save people - and horses! - he loved. And the author, I thought, did reasonably well at showing Estevan's conflict and confusionfrom Paul's first person POV.The mystery was fun - I didn't figure the entire thing out on my own. It was appropriate for a book set in the horse world - in some elements it reminded me of an old Dick Francis. The resolution did, as another reviewer noted, reveal that Paul had been lied to, but - again perhaps because of my horse background, I don't know - I did not feel at all that he should have felt more angry and/or betrayed about this than he did. In fact, I can't imagine any horseperson I know facing that situation ending up angry about that "betrayal" once discovering the reason, no matter how great their purported "love of honesty" - so perhaps the point of his lack of more extreme reaction was to show his growth and healing: he now sees that in some cases there might in fact be things more important than 100% honesty and he realizes what the horses and the barn operation are coming to mean to him.This wasn't a perfect book - in particular, it did feel as if some problems were overcome too quickly and easily, specifically with regard (as mentioned by other reviewers) to barn finances, and also to the resolution of Paul's feelings about and history with the hostile atmosphere of the town. But I found it a fun, enjoyable read, with what has become (to me) Astrid Amara's trademark blend of light humor and a sort of non-saccharine sweetness of spirit, solidly written, with an interesting and unique setting. I definitely recommend it, and doubly so to anyone with a remote familiarity with or interest in things equine. 4.5 starsComfortable, feel-good story that has everything I love - gorgeous horses, lovely characters, and a mystery-suspense that had me guessing to the end.The horses stole my heart even though they weren't the stars of the story. Solo and Tux, you need to be riding together with your owners more often. The horses were adorable, antics and personalities described humorously - great interaction with the characters.Paul seemed to have lost everything in his life, his job, his love, his only relative that meant anything to him. But as bad as his fate was, it forced him to face some of his demons and perhaps given a second chance to rediscover himself. And as simple as that sounds, it's my favorite type of story. I'm not interested in reading about a story without a character who grows and matures - someone who gains knowledge of himself even though it takes a while. I don't need to identify with the character, but I need to know his motivations and understand him, and that's what I got with Paul. Estevan was more of a mystery than other characters I've encountered, and I think he was meant to be annoying to the reader because he was just so elusive and unpredictable. I was disturbed until about halfway into the book and all of a sudden, everything cleared up. And from that point on, I fell in love with his character. However, I wished the reveal happened sooner because I felt that I could have gotten to know him better as a reader. The plot really picked up towards the end of the story, and that's just something that kept me on my toes. Without going into the details, I'm going to say the ending definitely feels like a beginning for Paul and Estevan. I can foresee tournaments and adventures for the two, and it's the best place to leave their story. Frankly speaking, I think the length of the book really makes a difference. I'm not one who needs a book to be exceptionally long, but I've always felt that characters and plot need time (and words!) to grow. It's probably my own preference, but I'm done with mini-novellas that leave me hanging and unsatisfied (short stories are a different category). All in all, a fantastic read and highly recommended.
What do You think about Half Pass (2011)?
Funny, interesting, great MCs with slow burn and a good plot - an all around winner :-)
—tsee
Enough mystery, a little humor, some romance... just right.
—kyle
