THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION (Black Stallion Series) [Hardcover]

Walter Farley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 1989 | Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Black Stallion Series

Traces the early life of the black stallion in the mountains of Arabia before he was captured and brought to the West. A prequel to the first book in the Black Stallion series.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The wonderfully improbable chronicles of the Black Stallion continue with this narrative of the Black's colthood in the mountains of Arabia. Specially bred to strengthen the bloodlines of Sheik Abu Ishak's herds, the Black is the victim of a failed horse raid. Driven out of his secluded pasture, the colt takes up with a herd of ibex. Soon he is scaling sheer rock faces and dueling fierce rams to the death. Befriended by Rashid, a young Bedouin, the stallion journeys to the desert, attempting to elude the rival groups of horse traders that seek him. As all devotees of the series know, the Black is finally recaptured and put aboard the tramp steamer Drake , just in time for his star-crossed meeting with Alec Ramsay, his future master. Although this prequel never quite matches the sparkle of the earlier works, it certainly should answer several questions about the Black's beginnings. Even the book's rather cloying mystical streak is unlikely to disturb the loyal followers of the legendary stallion. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- Almost 50 years after the publication of The Black Stallion (Random, 1944), Farley and his son explain the events leading up to "Shetan's" boarding the ill-fated steamer. The adventure begins with a raiding party's attempts to steal the yearling from his breeder, Abu ben Ishak. Shetan, angered by the cruel Ibn al Khaldun, escapes from the pasture. Sharing his new life as a fugutive is Rashid, Khaldun's Bedouin scout who bungled the raid. In a series of cinematic episodes, Rashid and Shetan survive the dangers of Arabia's mountains. Some coincidences mar the plot's believability, but readers will enjoy the story's twists and exciting scenes. The last chapters rehash the truck racing scenes from The Raiders of the Lost Ark, but readers will be driven to complete the story. The Farleys repeat the trademark style, complete with excess adjectives and breathless scenes. Rashid is portrayed as a devout Moslem who frequently thanks Allah for his survival. Shetan's hatred of man arises from his struggles to escape the raiders--and his supposed heritage as the son of "The Stallion of the Midnight Sky." Devoted readers might accept the former premise, but they will discard the second. The Black Stallion Mystery (Random, 1965) confirmed that a real-life stallion, Ziyadah, sired Shetan. Compared to other Farley titles, this rates average. Anxious fans will savor the story, nonetheless. --Charlene Strickland, formerly at Albuquerque Public Library , NM
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (November 29, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394845625
• ISBN-13: 978-0394845623
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,859,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Exactly Sure Why....., May 19, 2001

By 

"horses423" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Black Stallion: A Wild and Untamable Spirit! (Paperback)

This is the book you want to read if you want to hear about all of the blacks early adventures right up to the point when The Black boards The Drake. Great for adventure lovers and all who want to know the whole story. Yet something about it doesn't appeal to me maybe its because theres no Alec. You can judge fthis book yourself but I'd definetly try it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To Possess the Star-Sired Colt, June 29, 2009

By 

Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Young Black Stallion: A Wild and Untamable Spirit! (Paperback)

The father-son authors have produced an excellent story, recreating the youth of the Black until the time when Alex Ramsay witnesses him being loaded--with savage fury and hatred for all men--on board The Drake in a Middle Eastern port. The Prologue and Epilogue are set in the Arizona desert where Alec, now a young man, spends the night with his beloved stallion, grazing nearby. Contemplating the starry nocturnal sky Alec locates the Horsehead Nebula and seriously ponders the tantalyzing theory that his horse was sired by a celestial equine.

The main body of the book narrates the desperate attempts of various men who pursue ownership of Shetan--for pride and breeding purposes. Sheikh Ishak hides the yearling in a remote mountain fastness, but a rival sheikh sends a bold band to steal him. A young hunter and tracker named Rashid is selected to kill the venerable Old Herder, who suspects the colt's semi-divine pedigree. Abandoned to certain death by the rival sheikh, Rashid spends months in the mountains, trailing Shetan and rescuing him from a ferocious leopard. But toleration of the man's presence does not forge a true bond between the Arabian strangers. Also Rashid is haunted by the intermittent appearance of a peregrine falcon, which hovers over him like a future menace.

Rashid's plans to capture and sell Shetan, to assure himself a life of comfort, are foiled by the Ishak and the arrival of a resourceful English agent called The Cat. Who will ultimately triumph during this prolonged battle of wills? His breeder and rightful owner, the rival sheikh, Rashid with whom readers come to empathize, Mansoor (the Cat) or the mighty stallion himself? Dramatic conflict is enhanced from the obvious Man vs Man scenario to Man vs Nature, for the harsh mountains and pitiless desert environments interject challenges unforeseen by human schemes. Characterized by minimal dialogue and elements of surrealism this book proves fascinating for readers of all ages.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Young Black Stallion, August 18, 2010

By 

jayden robyn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Young Black Stallion: A Wild and Untamable Spirit! (Paperback)

This was a good book compared to the last few BS books in the series (Ghost, the Girl, and Legend). As a prequel, it was interesting to learn about the past of the Black, and it was different in some ways. It was good for being co-authored with Steven Farley (whose own BS books don't cut it for me), but the first few were better.