Thoroughbred #54: Cindy's Last Hope (Thoroughbred, 54)

Rating:
Summary: Not The Best...
Review: I was really dissapointed with this book. For one thing...Cindy is all ticked off because she can't ride Gratis. She acts as if she can't ride at all. Another thing...she was complaning that Wolf would never ride Gratis because it takes years of experience to ride in the Derby. But remember in book 22? Didn't Cindy ride in the Dubai World Cup after riding in only TWO races? Yes Cindy, it takes YEARS of experience to ride in a world class race. Brad Townsend? Gimme a break! Attitude way WAY to strong. It made me want to rip the book into thosands of pieces. But I guess it's an important book, so you should buy it...only if you have a lot going on around you.

Rating:
Summary: A Really Good Book
Review: This was a very good book, but not as good as the other Thoroughbred books I have read. This book was a good chance to get to know the character of Cindy McLean because she hasn't been mentioned much in the series. With the Kentucky Derby coming up Cindy is pressured to get a jockey. Christina and Melanie both are riding their own horses, so Cindy doesn't have much choice for a really good jockey, either they can't handle Gratis or the already have rides. Gratis is the most stubborn and untrained horse I have ever heard about. He is pig-headed and tries to throw his rider off at any chance he gets. I can understand Cindy's suffering of not being able to ride because of her shoulder injury. She really wants to race Gratis and she probably could if she could ride. I really enjoyed this book because it showed a side of Cindy I had never seen before. The only thing I would change about it is that it probably needed a bit more action in it, although it did have some. I can't wait to find out who wins the Derby! You should definitly buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: Where is the Derby?
Review: Yet another book to stretch out the time before the derby....Mary Anderson, why? Why did the series suddenly become even more of a soap opera? Really, the character of Brad Townsend is so greatly exaggerated that is borders on the ludicrous. I realize that they are trying to present him as the antagonist and as a flat character that will never change, but honestly! Furthermore, I found Cindy to be infuriating in this novel...the only way she got to be a jockey was having a family in the business and willing to help; yet she can't give Wolf a chance? And didn't she get to ride Glory when she was barely learning? She is taking her frustration at not being able to ride out on Wolf. She is still the insecure, petty, ungrateful child she always was, and will remain.