Darkling [Hardcover]

K.M. Peyton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1990

The new owner of Darkling, a wild, dark chestnut colt, Jenny is determined to develop his power and speed, a goal that finally enables her to meet Goddard Strawson, the jockey on whom she has always had a crush. Reprint. VY. C.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jenny is determined that Darkling, the wild colt her grandfather bought her, will become the champion racehorse she believes he is destined to be. Spurred on by this goal, Jenny works long hours as a stablehand for the trainer who has agreed to take on the colt. Her hard work is sweetened by Darkling's progress and Jenny's involvement with another stablehand, who happens to be the son of her family's worst enemy. In a satisfying ending, Jenny's horse lives up to her wildest dreams, and her romance has the strength to withstand the revelation of a tangle of nasty family secrets. Darkling is a sturdily constructed horse story, filled with a pleasing combination of romance and equine nitty-gritty. But its rambling plot and relatively leisurely pace may disappoint Peyton fans who yearn for a book as gripping as her Flambards trilogy. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-- In this emotion-filled story, Peyton weaves a complex narrative about horses, family, society, and first love. Inhabiting the plot and subplots is a stableful of fascinating characters. Fifteen-year-old Jenny's eccentric grandfather gives her a temperamental thoroughbred foal, Darkling, and Jenny devotedly raises it. As both girl and horse mature, Jenny survives the ups and downs of her unorthodox family, the resolution of a long-standing feud with a wealthy neighbor, and a passion for the handsome son of the neighbor. Jenny is shy yet intense. Darkling's racing career serves as a metaphor for her life; he grows into a champion while she gains maturity. Peyton expertly recreates the highs and lows of adolescent emotions, exhibiting her trademark style of brisk sentences establishing a vibrant atmosphere. She sustains a strong mood, alternating dark episodes with flashes of light. Typically Peyton and typically excellent storytelling .
-Charlene Strickland, formerly at Albuquerque Public Library , NM
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385300867
• ISBN-13: 978-0385300865
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,562,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Typically Peyton, typically lovely, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Darkling (Mass Market Paperback)

Darkling is very very depressing. There is simply no other way of putting it. Every beautifully written line of it practically weeps with the sorrow and folly of all human relationships. The book is set in the modern day, and tells the tale of a young girl named Jenny, who lives in desperation and poverty, longing fruitlessly for the gorgeous boy next door and the success of her colt, Darkling in the racing world. Jenny is a sympathetic and very well rounded lead character. Her story is a fascinating one... but brace yourself for realism over sweetness.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darkling, May 11, 2000

By 

Alexis Pedersen (Iowa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darkling (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book. I have read it 5 times! I have been reading it since i was in 6th grade! It's kinda sad but it gets better. It gets better everytime i read it.

3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Book For Little Girls Into Horses, But..., January 24, 2012

By 

Rune Rindel Hansen (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darkling (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a perfect gift for a little girl who is into horses. Proberly also bigger girls, who are into horses will like the book. But I am not a little girl, and I am not into horses, so my enthusiam about the book is so-so. What bothers me about this books is that the characters are too superficially drawn. Otherwise I can say that the book gives a very English feel, that is a UK how it was before, before it was turned into the multicultural UK we know today.