Customer Reviews

Ariel's Journey (The Ice Horse Adventures, Book 1)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ariel's Journey is a book about teen conflicts that are resolved after they realize that there are more important things than how one dresses better than another or has better "things" than another. It is a story about two of the girls' love for their Icelandic horses and how a conflict with other girls in their horse club makes a mom come up with a clever way for the girls to resolve their differences. As the girls are on their trailride, they are magically transported to the past in Iceland with a problem to solve. Through great adversity the girls band together and form a bond to last a lifetime. I can't wait for the next book!!

I enjoyed Ariel's journey! was an easy read, very interesting and informative. I especialy enjoyed the unexpected twist in the story. I also felt it was a real life relationship learning tool for tweens that will read the book. Its a tough time for girls in this real part of their lives and this book tells what can happen when you can put those things aside. The authors did a particularly great job in character descriptions of both the girls on the journey and the horses that were their friends.

This is a perfect book for the pre-adolescent through teen reader. Enjoyable for the adult reader as well. It has everything from horses to action/adventure to time travel. Boys and girls alike will enjoy reading about the icelandic horses featured in the book and the conflicts, and ultimately friendship, formed by the girls in the story. Leaves readers hoping the next book in the series will arrive soon!

At first I was a little skeptical of the plot in Ariel's Journey... I mean, teenage girls traveling back in time to Iceland with magical horses? However, after finishing the book, I'm a BELIEVER! The story moves along at a nice pace and the characters are very well-developed. Kane and Wood give special attention to the little details that make each character endearing, such as Andrea's wild "morning hair" and the unrestrained enthusiasm that twelve-year-olds Kim and Darcy share for pretty much anything that comes their way. This story not only encourages "girl power" and teaches young women that they DO have the inner strength to accomplish great things, it is also rather gritty and realistic in surprising ways. The girls actually charge into battle wielding swords and there is some blood and gore! Ariel's Journey achieves a perfect balance of adventure, dialogue, romance, and female bonding. I have to admit that I became very attached to the characters and was sad when they arrived home, ready to resume their normal lives in modern society. Luckily I can take comfort in the fact that book #2 is coming out soon. I can't wait to see what happens next with Princessa, Skessa, Ariel, Hela, and Kedja and their brave young riders!

I gave this book to my horse-loving niece and she loved it so much I decided to read a few pages for myself. I was hooked. This book held my "grown woman" attention and was a huge hit with the 13 year olds as well.

The characters are so well written and the dialogue is true to life. I really enjoyed the story and recommend it for both kids and adults.

In terms of level and topic, this book is targeted at girls in their early teen years. However, I am uncertain as to how broad the appeal will be. Five young girls, Emily, Andrea and Laura who are in their early teens and the younger Kim and Darcy go on a great adventure. All of the girls enjoy riding horses and in the beginning, Andrea is a bit of a snob to the other girls. Their rivalry is typical of early adolescent girls and it even reached the point where there is a physical battle.
Emily's family owns Icelandic (Ice) horses, which are a separate breed. In an attempt to get the girls to put aside their rivalry, Emily's mother comes up with the idea to have the five girls go on a two-day trail ride where they will spend the night at a ranger-controlled cabin. Although the girls are initially reluctant, they agree and depart on their ride, each mounted on an Ice horse.
However, they give their horses their head and suddenly find themselves off the trail and lost. This is by design on the part of the horses, which have magic powers, including the ability to communicate telepathically with the girls. They inform the girls that they all are going to be transported back in time approximately 800 years and to the island country of Iceland. A war has sprung up between a peaceful village and the warlike village ruled by the evil Siklingur. Their goal is to intervene in the war and defeat Siklingur.
As part of the transport, each of the girls is transformed into a powerful warrior, capable of wielding swords and defeating seasoned male warriors. In a romantic subplot, Laura encounters the handsome Reynir and adolescent love blooms. In the climactic and decisive battle, the warrior girls stand side-by-side with the male warriors and they hack up their share of the opposition. Laura is the one who delivers the deathblow to Siklingur, although her wrist is broken in the battle. As part of their repertoire of magic, the horses can also heal, so Laura is restored to full functionality before the horses return the girls to the trail ride and their home timeframe. When they get back, the girls are fast friends with all aspects of their former rivalry forgotten.
The reason why I question the breadth of the appeal is that I doubt that the general adolescent girl is going to be excited about engaging in sword battles. I know my teen daughter has no interest in such things. The subplot of the romance between Laura and Reynir will be much more appealing. As an adult, I experienced some significant skepticism over the idea that the modern fourteen-year old girl could be transported back 800 years and immediately blend in as sword-wielding warrior. Specifically one capable of and comfortable with hacking a man to death and having his blood splashed on their clothing. These worlds are completely different and it would take a great deal of magic to make up the difference. In my opinion, too much would be needed.

Ariél's Journey is an amazing story of fact, fiction, adventure, and good verses evil with goodness prevailing in a magnificent and exciting way. I was captured by the story instantly. I so appreciated being able to learn factual information about the Icelandic horses combined with a magnificent twist of fantasy. It is an inspiring story of the relationships involving mothers, daughters, sisters, peers and friends. And, most of all, it is a story about the keen sense of loyalty pets impart to their human owners. The excellent descriptive writing made it very easy for my mind to conjure up vivid images of each Ice horse, character and the scenery. I am most eagerly awaiting Book 2 and more.

The book was a very good and an exciting adventure for a group of teenage girls. I liked the story because of the rich, descriptive accounts of Iceland. I also learned quite a bit about Icelandic Horses, which I didn't know much about. It was also neat to see how the girls developed and became more confident in themselves, which is a tough obstacle for many as they grow up.

Cute book about kids going back in time and visiting Iceland 800 years ago. Two things I liked a lot about it. It depicted Icelandic horses as being very wise and having magical powers. If you know any Icelandic horses, you'll know how they really seem to have those qualities. I liked that the teenage girls in the story developed into skilled warriors who rescue others instead of being rescued. Girls need to read more books like this. I hope these authors continue writing. People who like this book will enjoy an older book called "Cloud Horse" by Miriam Pinkwater. Annie

Ariel's Journey is an excellent book for teens and adults. It is a story that shows the true relationship a rider can have with their horse. Horses (especially the Icelandic breed) like humans have their own unique traits and personalities. This story describes the ability of horses to bond with their riders in a mystical way. It is a great adventure story filled with twists and surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat. It also teaches you a great deal about the Icelandic horse breed and their homeland.
I enjoyed the story from beginning to end. Each chapter leaves you wanting more, therefore, making it hard to put the book down. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next story.