Customer Reviews

Misty's Twilight

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been reading the Misty of Chincoteague books to my 7 yr old horse-loving daughter over the last few months, and have loved Misty, Stormy, and Sea Star. Twilight was an incredible let-down. We felt we knew the Beebe family and many of the Chincoteague residents intimately; none of them were mentioned in this book, and even Pony Penning and all it's festivities were only touched in passing. We never connected with the characters in this book. The kids weren't likeable because they didn't like horses, and complained about having to work on the Farm. Sandy, the Mom, was inconsistent, proclaiming her love of horses and of spending time with them, but not doing it. Chapter 16 closes with them thinking they'll try making Twilight into a cross country jumper, with Sandy envisioning herself riding the jumps with her pony. Yet Chapter 18 opens with Sandy not having had any contact with Twilight for months, and wondering if there was even any bond left between the pony and herself. Sandy lost all credibility with me, and my daughter, when she sent her son away to boarding school because of "teenage mischief-making;" she obviously spent as little time with her children as with her horses, and solved her problems with her children the same way as with her horses, by sending them off to someone else to deal with. The book also lost credibility when Sandy missed Twilight's first dressage show because of opening the invitation too late, but has her dreaming of watching the show, then researching dressage for a hour to learn what her horse had been doing for the last year, instead of picking up the phone and calling to find out how the horse did. And lastly, somehow "Twi" was invited to participate in a prestigious regional show after placing in two events in one show; anyone who knows anything about showing horses knows you need to earn a high number of points in the duration of a show season to get such an invite. We forced ourselves to finish this book, but it was drudgery, not the eager anticipation we had for the previous Misty books.

Do you love the classic "Misty of Chincoteague"? Then you'll absolutley die for Twilight! Twilight is the great-great granddaughter of the famous Misty. Twilight is a Chincoteague Pony/Throughbred cross with a heart of gold. She can jump, she can cut (as in cattle cutting), she can even perform in the Dressage ring at international levels! What happens to the little super-star? Read this book ;0)

This charming story takes place long after Misty's death, but the spirit of this famous Chincoteague pony lives on-inspiring another generation of horse-loving children and adults. Down in Florida on Stolen Hours Farm Dr. Sandy cherishes a dream: to travel to the coast of Virginia to purchase
some Chincoteage ponies of her own. Captivated by the MISTY book and nationally-beloved story about the little filly of Pony Ranch, she drags her unenthusiastic kids along--returning home with four ponies in her trailer.

But she pins great hopes on Sunshine, a direct descendant of Misty. Working with a wise and generous horse breeder she envisions a special blend of Chincoteague and Thoroughbred. The result is a pinto spitfire filly whom she names Twilight. But which course will be best for
Misty's lively great-granddaughter? Should Sandy train her to be a Cutting horse--facing cows and bulls-or to be a Jumper in the show ring, or to learn the noble art of Dressage? This spunky blend of both equestrian worlds is eager and willing to try all three paths to fame.

But many years later Sandy realizes that Twilight has an even greater challenge; to help people realize the value of preserving a place for the wild things. This talented pinto will serve as a "symbol of what Nature has to offer us." A pleasant read for horse-lovers of all ages, this book reminds us of what we stand to lose if we fail to honor the Misty's legacy.

With many horse books, as with the horse industry in general, the plots often revolves around one particular equestrian sport. What I love about this book, though, is that it exposes the readers to different skill areas and the overall versatility that horses are capable of, and the injustice of breed prejudice that is prevalent in some circles. Not many horses may actually be able to compete at the levels that Misty's Twilight reached, but she proves that a good horse can come from any sort of background. When Mrs. Henry wrote this novelization, it HAD been a while since she had composed her classics, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I think every fan of hers should give it a look. I think children will enjoy the fact that it follows the mare's life from the time she was little, but I think the style and topics may be a bit better understood by the 10-13 year-olds. Contrary to insinuations that this book was made up, Misty's Twilight is in fact a real horse, and is a dressage champion living in Florida. If you do a websearch, there are pictures of her online at her trainer's website.

I loved it as a child, bought it for my daughter who hates to read. She hasn't made it through this one yet. It is one book of an awesome series of books for girls who love horses.

Even though some of you thought this book was a disapointment, I just wanted to let all who are thinking of reading it, it is wonderful! I personally thought it was better than Misty, Stormy, and Sea Star's books, even though I love them dearly. I have re-read it at least twice. I also thought that they should tell more about Twilight's dressage career, and they should've given Twilight a while to actually develop into a jumper. Also, I thought that Sandy should do something that her kids wanted to do for their birthdays. Anyway, despite those flaws, I loved the book, and it gets five stars.

I have just read the book Misty's Twilight. It is the best book I have ever read. It has wonderful illustrations, and it makes you feel all the confusion and excitement of pony penning day. The story also pulls you in to the frustration and excitement of finding Twilight's true talent. I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just horse lovers like me.

We have a camping trip planned this May for Assateague Island, so L purchased the Misty books for my Grandchildren to read before the trip. Thought that they would enjoy some of the history of the area,

The order was very late arriving. A refund was given immediately upon request. Later the books arrived. I wonder where they had been. However, we sent these tardy books back to the sender. I appreciate the quick refund.

I admittedly do not know how much is truth and how much is fictionalized BUT this book is so wonderful and the humans love and care for their horses so much it is beautiful!

THIS is NOT just a kids book but a book for horse lovers of aLL ages!