Customer Reviews

Phantom Stallion #16: The Wildest Heart

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

 

 

I disageree with most of the reviewers who think the series took a downhill slide. I read the first book and could not put it down. I am eleven years old and love Mrs. Farley's books. If she is trying to catch the attention of younger horse lovers, well she's definately done it!

#16 is the only one of the newer books in the series that really appeals to me. Suprisingly, Slocum caused no trouble throughout this book, and I liked that. Terri's wonderful writing style is pleasently evident. I really liked it!

Ok, I really to like this series and the author's style of writing, but the last three or four books have not been that great. The author tends to forget or leave things out from prior books. The style is still great, but she is not dealing with loose ends like she did in the first part of these series.

If you don't want any spoilers, PLEASE don't keep reading as I am going to tell a little bit about the book and if you don't like spoilers, this might ruin it for you.

Well, basically in this book, Sam suddenly develops an interest in the Blind Faith Mustang Sanctuary where the blind mustang filly Faith lives (way back from the fifth book in the series I think). I find that a little odd because it had not mentioned once since the original book, but oh well.

Anyway, Sam is helping paint the fences so the Sanctuary looks nice when an accident happens to the owner's grandson. The owner leaves to be with her daughter and grandson and leaves Sam in charge, along with Callie, the "weird" girl that adopted Queen in another of the early books. Like Faith, Callie and Queen were never mentioned again after their book, but suddenly reappeared.

So, the two girls are taking care of everything when a brush fire happens and the Phantom's herd ends up on the Sanctuary (I won't say how because I don't want to tell the whole story). Anyway, The Phantom and his son, Pirate get hurt by exploding paint cans. The colt, Pirate is hurt worse BUT they never tell us exactly what is wrong with him! Only the vet says he'll pull through, but probably won't be able to live on the range because of his lungs. Huh? I thought he was hurt by the paint cans, but suddenly it was smoke inhalation, but that makes no sense because neither the Phantom nor any of the others in his herd have that problem. Well, Pirate is only mentioned now and then, because as usual the story is mostly about Sam worrying over the Phantom.

The Phantom's hearing is damaged by the explosion of the paint cans and of course Sam freaks out and worries about him being able to survive even though both the vet and her step-mother tell her that is almost certainly temporary, which of course it is. The story ends with her all happy because The Phantom and his herd are FREE...but they were never really in any danger of NOT being free. They were just staying where they were for a short time until the fire cooled down and it was safe.

More happens (quite a bit of it predictable at least to me), but that is the main theme of the book this time.

Overall, interesting but not as great as I was hoping. The only surprising note was that Linc Slocum was not mentioned and somehow did not end up being the reason for the fire, as he has been the reason for every other bad thing that has happened in the entire series. I did like that the author changed that a bit. Again, I really do like the series but I wish the author would link the books together a bit more as she did in the earlier books.

I love your books and all i can say is keep writing!! I will keep readin!!

This IS the only one of the newer books in the series that appeals to ME. Lately, the whole series has been going downhill, so I've cut back on reading them. Moonrise was okay but 15 stunk, except for Shy Boots of course. :P And, how the heck does Blaze JUST showup? This is starting to turn into THOROUGHBRED. *Sighs* This one was alot better, but still lacking alittle. Callie suddenly shows up? She lets the Phantom go even though he MIGHT still be deaf? They don't explain what REALLY happened to Pirate? I don't want him to live with Scott! AGHGGHHHHHGGHH!!!!!! ERRRRRRR!!!!!!! EEEEEEEHHHHHHH!!!! TORT!!!(Sorry, that was for the Grim Grotto review) ACKKKKKKCKCK!!!! Okay, I had to get that out. I hope everything clears up, or this series will DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! I miss the older books. Slocum is just juvenile. And EVEN *GASP* Sam is getting annoying. *Ppl throw cups at me, and tomatoe juice* SORRY, case closed.

This whole series, to me anyway, is junk. In my opinion, the wild mustangs are very well cared for by the BLM. God, if you wanna read a good, western, great reading book, try Louis L'Amour....