Customer Reviews

Cindy's Glory (Thoroughbred Series #14)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Cindy's Glory is the last book in the Thoroughbred series that Joanna Campbell wrote herself. As of spring 2003, the series has grown to 57 titles, 4 super editions, three reissues, and a spin-off Ashleigh series, which makes the original 14 books and 2 super editions even more precious. Most loyal readers agree that Joanna Campbell, as the original author and creater, was the best. She created real situations with flawed but likable characters. Even Cindy's Glory, however, slips a little on the scale.

Cindy's Glory is the story of Cindy Blake, an orphan who is staying temporarily at Whitebrook Farm with Ian and Beth MacLean, and their daughter Samantha. In the previous book, Cindy's Runaway Colt, Cindy found a stray colt named Glory and hid him while she tried to convince the MacLeans to save him from his abusive owners - who, it turned out, had stolen him. Now he is up for auction, so Cindy and her friend Heather Gilbert determine to train him as a racehorse to prove he's good enough for Whitebrook to buy.

Campbell is notorious for having her heroines - Ashleigh, the original character who started the series, and then Samantha - go off slightly half-cocked when it comes to horses. You really have to ignore the fact that two twelve-year-old girls are galloping a racehorse; if you do you'll be able to handle the whole book. Don't get hung up on the fact that it's totally unreasonable; this is one example of the way Campbell was definitely on the way out when she wrote this book.

Otherwise Campbell does a good job. Cindy's fear at being taken away from her foster home at Whitebrook is very real, as is her gratitude at being part of a loving family. And her relationship with Glory is much like Ashleigh's with her beloved mare Wonder, but not a carbon copy. Longtime readers will manage to find parallels and enjoy the bond between them, but it won't feel like Campbell ran out of things to say and just cut-and-pasted Ashleigh and Wonder stories.

Joanna Campbell wrote Thoroughbred books #1-14, the super editiongs Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle and Ashleigh's Diary, and the first three books of the Ashleigh series: Lightning's Last Hope, A Horse for Christmas, and Waiting for Stardust. She also wrote Battlecry Forever! and Star of Shadowbrook Farm, which were released as part of the "Ashleigh's Book Collection" series. If you plan to read Thoroughbred I recommend you start with #1 and go up, because the original 14 books really were the best.

Ok, Joanna Campbell must have gotten I little dilusional here. Since when are small children given the permission to train highly tempermental and valuble racehorses? I mean, this book is okay, but what is this? Small kids don't know what the heck they're doing. Cindy has only ridden for 6 months and suddenly she can train like a professional who has a degree and her friend, who can hardly ride, knows what to do also. I just don't like Cindy. And Heather is clueless. Cindy is running around riding this "amazing" horse. I'm not fond of him. If he's going to be sold, I don't think I'd let a novice horseback rider on him. Even if she was only "walking and trotting" him. Obviously, she intended to lie. She's galloping him. The chances that a novice galloping a high strung racehorse and not doing something wrong are low. I can't believe that they even wrote this book. It was okay, but entirely over the line. Unrealistic and annoying.

This book is a bomb. It was sad when they had to take Glory away.

I think this book was well written. Although in some places it was highly un realistic, it was still very good. Cindy is a great new character for the series.

Glory is such a great horse, and Cindy is turning out to be a neat new character! Definitely one to read!

In Cindys Glory, Cindy and Samantha showed that March To Glory, the stolen grey colt had a talent on the racetrack. Glory shows promise as a great racehorse. And Cindy is finally addoped by the Mcleans. Both stolen horse and orphan child both found a home at Whitebrook, a racing and breeding stable. But Mike reese and Ashleigh Griffen, both owners of Whitebrook Farm have found Glorys real owner and they want to sell Glory at an auction and Cindy still hasnt made a real home at Whitebrokk and the Mcleans. Cindy is soo sure that Glory had the potientle as a racehorse and a great one and Cindy tries to convince Ashleigh and Mike to buy Glory since they cant keep him now. But will Cindy have time to help Glory when she is in trouble herself? And will Glory and Cindy find their dream home at Whitebrook and have Glory do many great things. Find out if Glory and Cindy find another dieasterious home. Or stay at Whiotebrook. Or find out from me at Blades60@aol.com

The Cindy and second generation eventing portions of the series were dark days for Thoroughbred. The plots have since switched back to racing and the newest few books have been exceptional. Just as we thought there was hope for the Thoroughbred series to be restored to its former glory Harper Collins has decided to end the series abruptly after #72. With such a dedicated following and online fan base with members from all over the world, this is a classic and beloved series that has inspired many people and provided horse fans with vicarious thrills and adventure. Ashleigh saved Wonder, now it's up to you to help save Thoroughbred. [...]

It is a great book like the others in the series, but a little far-fetched the way she learns how to ride. I love this series though, it realy exposes the racing life. The complete series is a great one. Some of the books are better than others though.

The book was great. I cried in parts(I get very immotional). But something else. They've written Super Editons about Ashleigh and Samantha. So why not Cindy? They should write about what it was like for her when she was old enough to understand her parents death and how she escaped the orphanage. Just a suggestion.

This is a very good book! Cindy Has a special bond with Glory ,just like eney horse and owner should have. If I were Cindy I would have ridden glory one the track to! The auction was very discriptive and real. I give this book a BIG 5 !!! I love the TB series. Keep up the good work Campbel !!!!!