Customer Reviews

Christina's Shining Star (Thoroughbred)

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

 

 

I have not read any TB books for about two or three years now- i've just glanced at them, but never the less, I have been following what the new books are, and what they are about. What I would like to know, is why it has taken either almost, or over 10 books to get to the Kentucky Derby- does time seem to stand still or something? When Joanna Campbell was first writing them, the origional TB books had the anticipation and thrill that was needed in them- they started to go off a wee bit after about book 15, but got worse after Wonder died. Actually, I was most pleased to see a lovley looking cover for this book. From about 43 onwards, the covers had no life in them, and were just scraggly pictures, turning off the real light that was put into them when they first came out. However, the TB series are still quite good (Though i've not read past 48), and I would recommend them.

I personally thnk though, regardless of how ever many of you TB fans out there think that Star and Chris are spoiled, and that Mel and Jazz should win the Derby, It is my opinion that Star and Chris should win the Derby, after all they have been through, and also, after Christina's eventing history, before moving onto racing, she and Star winning would be a tribute to Ashleigh- one which Ashleigh richly deserves, after all that she has done... just think about that......

Finally some old charecters are mentioned! I have been a loyal fan of the Thoroughbred series since it all started with Ashleigh and Wonder (Yup-I'm too old to win the saddle) and sometimes I feel I know more about the series than the new writers do. But I was pleasently suprised by this book because it did have little bits of information about Legacy (I never understood how Christina could trade Legacy for Sterling when Brad had half ownership) Also a few new yearlings are mentioned as well as Ian, Mike, Sammy, and Tor. I'm glad to know that Mike still exists. Recently the books have been centering on Image and Star and it seems like they are the only two horses at Whitebrook. I wish they would write about the old horses like Fleet Goddess and Princess. And please tell me what happened to Mandy! Joanna Campbell did such a good job of creating charecters her readers cared about then the new authors picked up-apparently without even reading the previous books- and poof,all the original charecters disappeared. It seems like the people (Melanie and Christina) say that Image and Star are their special horses but there is no bond like Ashleigh and Wonder had or Sammy and Pride. Ashleigh would have loved Wonder just as much even if Wonder had never won a race. Now everything seems to be centered on winning. Anyway, this book took a little time to answer a few questions loyal readers had. I will continue to read the Thoroughbred series as long as they keep making them but I wish Joanna would come back.

This book was overall, alright I suppose. I don't think it was the greatest TB Book ever written, but it was better than some of the other books I've read lately. Basically, Chris doesn't think she's a good enough jockey for Star after losing the Kentucky Derby in last place, and has too much to worry about, the prom, Melanie, [who's keeping Image at Townsend Acres], Parker, the Preakness, and tons of other things. So then she gets some advice from Affirmed's jockey, and then starts to believe that Star can pull something off. I wasn't too happy with the ending, and I'm still disappointed that Star hasn't won any of the Triple Crown races [I'm a huge Wonder's Star fan] and I'm getting annoyed with all these famous people, jockeys, and horses and all, but I guess I can only complain, not write the books.

first of all I have read this book and thought that it was great. but very sad. and Second of all I just wanted to say that JOANNA CAMPBELL IS NOT DEAD,I WOULD KNOW SHE LIVES IN THE SAME TOWN AS MY GRANDMA, i also thought the part about "Image" almost being Put Down was very sad.

I thought this was a really good book and I read it all in one day, it brought back Samantha, Tor, Kaitlyn, Katie, Vince, Mike, and it was good to read about those characters in greater detail again. This book was after the Derby and Christina feeling she wasn't a good enough jockey for Star. She is overwelmed by Ashleigh trying to get her ready for the Preakness and reviewing the Derby over and over and also with finals, Parker, and the prom, she doesn't feel she has time for everything. Melanie is at Townsend Acres with Image while the horse recovers and Parker and Christina think Brad has a hidden motive for being so nice to her. Christina feels she isn't a good jockey and she is letting Star down, until she has a talk with Affirmed's JOCKEY not TRAINER and he gives her some good advice and brings up her convidence. The only reason I gave this book four stars was because I didn't like the ending, if you read this book you know why, but I don't want to give it away. I was VERY VERY VERY disappointed with the end of this book.

This book waz very good. i'm glad they did remember some of the original characters. The one thing that puzzeled me was Samantha. she was sick and pale. And when Christina told her about Ashleigh nagging her Sammy said that she would probably feel the same if it was her own kid then she placed her hand on her stomach. is she pregnant or something??????? Overall it was still a good book.

Ok, this wasn't the best book ever written but it was ok. The book DID bring up old horses and finally say something about them.
Star needs to step it up if he wants to win the Preakness. Christina is trying hard to bring him up to his best but Ashleigh won't stop trying to tell Chris how to ride him. After a run in with Affirmed's old JOCKEY (yes his JOCKEY not his TRAINER!) she learns she needs to believe in herself...and Star to win.
A decent ending (it wasnt what I expect to happen) but I think I got spoiled with the last book =-).

i enjoyed the book but then i do like chris and star but 1 thing that puzzled me - wasn't aaron and calm before the storm supposed to run in the preakness? i'm glad that parker and chris are starting to get closer together again but i think that they must hurry up and get back together.

Okay, I'm sorry I haven't read this book, but I just wanted to let everyone know...Joanna is dead, that's why she stopped writing the seris! If you notice in the about the author things about her it says how she has grandkids and stuff and that was like 12 years ago, so I think that you know..she's either dead or too old to write. Okay, sorry for sharing the bad news! I've got Thoroughbreds 1-50 and I'm saving up for the newest ones!

Well, by certainly they are using bribe's to get people to buy them, what's up with this Win a trip to a TB farm or win a free saddle?? Half of the loyal readers are over the age limit. But with the book, I mean come on, at least Legacy is found out again. But him only racing that one race because of Brad's Interferance? Come on, let's take a look back to Pride, what kind of stress did he ride under??? And Wonder too!! They can't tell me Brad didn't find a way to Race Legacy at all, that's pathetic and disheartening to him. And Wolf's bloated ego?? That seemed real enough at least, nothing like an apprentice ought to though. I'm sorry for any die hards out there that thought this was great, but I certainly didn't!