Airs Beneath the Moon (Horse Mistress Saga) [Mass Market Paperback]

Toby Bishop (Author)

Book Description

Series: Horse Mistress Saga | Publication Date: December 26, 2006

In the Duchy of Oc, the most precious of creatures are the winged horses blessed by the goddess Kalla. When one is born, it is immediately taken to the Academy of the Air to be trained and watched over. But when a spirited peasant girl bonds with a winged horse of her own, the Academy gets more than it bargained for.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Larkyn Hamley, a 14-year-old farm girl with a special affinity for animals, finds a lost, starving, pregnant mare and cares for her. The mare dies giving birth to a colt that, much to Lark's surprise, has wings. She lovingly cares for him, and he bonds with her. A bond with a winged horse is for life, and when Horsemistress Philippa Winter arrives for the colt, she realizes she must take Lark, too, to the Academy of the Air, which trains winged foals and their riders-to-be. There Lark faces snobbery and hostility on the part of young women of noble birth, and she runs afoul of the devious plans of the power-hungry, sadistic eldest son of the dying duke, owner and protector of the birth lines of the winged horses. Bishop enables us to visualize the horses in solo flight and complicated formations, scenes at the academy are utterly real, and the characters have dimension. In short, this is a thoroughly satisfying read, fortunately with enough loose ends to justify a sequel. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Ace; Reprint edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441014623
• ISBN-13: 978-0441014620
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,290,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 12, 2007

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airs Beneath the Moon (Horse Mistress Saga) (Mass Market Paperback)

Larkyn Hamley lives in the Uplands in the Duchy of Oc. Until recently she's lived a pretty normal life on the family farm with her three brothers. Until she finds Char. Horses are more than rare in the Uplands, and until now Larkyn has never seen a real one. But, here she is, and it's only the beginning. Char dies trying to give birth to her foal. Not just any horse, but a winged horse! Winged horses, by law, belong to the Duke. Their bloodlines are monitored. Winged horses are bred. They don't just show up on farms in the Uplands. Until now.

What Larkyn doesn't know is that winged horses bond for life with one female only. Usually those females are specially chosen, monitored, and trained. All Larkyn knows is that her new friend Tup needs to be fed and cared for, and Tup doesn't really like her brothers. By the time Mistress Phillipa Winter from the Academy arrives, it's too late. Larkyn and Tup are inseparable. There is really no choice to be made. She wasn't chosen, she's not prepared, she's far too young, and she may never fit in, but Larkyn is off to the Academy with Tup, to train for their service to the Duke.

It's quickly apparent that fitting in, while virtually impossible, is the least of Larkyn's problems. And, difficult as the situation is, Larkyn is the least of the Academy's problems. When the Duke dies, and his son takes over, there may be a lot more to worry about, for the entire Duchy.

This book is unbelievably absorbing! At first I found it mildly hard to follow, because it doesn't explain everything outright. Gradually, I realized that all my questions were answered as the story unfolded. By the end I not only appreciated the assumption of intelligent readership, I also realized how much more involved in the story I was, because of the way it was written. Not to mention that it is, plain and simple, a great story. All of the characters are very well formed, very real, and interesting. The Duke's son is incredibly disturbing, as are some of his habits, most of which are only alluded to (and trust me, that's a good thing). But he's kind of pitiful at the same time; you almost feel a little bad for him. Almost.

This is the first in what is planned as a trilogy. Good thing too, otherwise I would have some issues with Ms. Bishop. I hadn't had nearly enough by the end of this book. It doesn't so much end with an "OMG! What happens next?" but more of an "I want to know more. I want to spend more time here." I think I'll end up reading it over and over until the next one comes out!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspired writer can give wings to your imagination..., December 26, 2006

By 

Girls Horse Club (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airs Beneath the Moon (Horse Mistress Saga) (Mass Market Paperback)

I run an online community for young (and not so young) girls who love horses and was thrilled to receive a preview copy of Airs Beneath the Moon. But now that I've finished reading it, I'm sad. Why? Because I want to keep reading.

I want to continue getting lost in the story of Larkyn Hamley, a young farm girl whose life changes course when she bonds with Tup, a winged horse, and joins the Academy of the Air to train for an elite team of courageous young women who partner with their flying horses to serve and protect the Duchy of Oc. I want to follow the growth of Larkyn's spirited bondmate who (like Larkyn) does not fit the mold at the Academy. I want to imagine him flying above the Duchy, a place unlike any that exists in our time and space, but one that feels familiar to anyone who loves horses.

I want to learn more about the interesting characters. Like Phillippa Winter, the kind horsemistress who takes Larkyn under her wing (so to speak). And Hester Morning, who sees Larkyn for who she is, not where she comes from. I want to detest the mean characters, like Petra Sweet, who think Larkyn is inferior just because she's a farm girl who rides bareback. Or William, heir to the Duke's throne, who is so desperate to experience the power of flight he's capable of evil things.

I want to continue feeling all the emotion and excitement that comes with being transported into a great story filled with interesting characters and imaginative settings. An inspired writer can give wings to your imagination. Although I may never experience the thrill of flying a winged horse, thanks to the talent of Toby Bishop, I can imagine.

NOTE: Parents should know that Airs Beneath the Moon is written for fluent readers, so younger girls may find it challenging. Also, the bad guy in the story is really bad. Although the author doesn't go into detail, some of his evil actions may be troubling for younger readers. If Airs Beneath the Moon was a movie, it would probably have a PG rating. If parents have a concern, read the book first (you'll love it too!) or (better yet) read it with you

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Engaging and enjoyable book, January 29, 2007

By 

M. Verdecchia - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Airs Beneath the Moon (Horse Mistress Saga) (Mass Market Paperback)

Since there are so many reviews that describe the book, I shall not to save time. This was an enjoyable book, and like the many above, I found myself absorbed in the book. I had a hard time putting it down. The story line was something new and interesting. As well as finding strength in women, no matter the birth. (bringing a young woman out of 'common' area to rise to be a horsemistress).

Here is why I did not give it 5 stars; 1.) there is no where the book states it will be a trilogy. So I found myself at the end saying, there are so many unfinished things, which can aggravate a reader. I had to go searching the web to see if Toby was going to finish this (what I hoped to be) a series. (And just so you know- NOT all stories are finished - a Wonderfully engaing book called 'The Beserker's Horse' written in the 1990s was never completed- but ended somehwat like this- wrapped up- but unfinished.)

The other (spoiler alert) 2.) No matter if you are man or woman- we all have carnal desires. I dislike how it seems in the book- they made sex the object of evil in this book. First - they called it 'breeding' and in several caes you the horse is put down when their bonded Horsemistress chooses to 'breed'. It seemed a woman could not be both a Strong woman and one able to have sex int his book. 2Second, the Duke's sexual passions bordered on deranged desires. He beat the women almost to- or to death, and in one case they mention how his passion to bond with a horse 'stirred him like no women could'. I just did not like how they made sex so evil in this book.


But best be sured- I will be buying the rest of the series, to see how this pans out.