Black Stallion's Shadow (Young Black Stallion)

Rating:
Summary: Hang In There!
Review: As a diehard fan of the Black Stallion, I felt obligated to (okay, well, I wanted to) read this continuation of stories about my childhood hero, The Black. While it wasn't as fast a read for me as the original Black Stallion series, Steven shows signs of becoming as good a writer of the Black series as his father. I was interested to see The Black move off the track and on to new adventures in other settings. Can't wait to see where the legacy of The Black goes next! Keep writing, Steven, and thank you very much for keeping this series alive for new readers (and us older ones!).

Rating:
Summary: It's okay
Review: I grew up reading Walter Farley's Black Stallion series. Although Steven is trying, he will never write the Black like his father did. I like how this book took Alec and the Black off of the race track and into new territory, and how the Black had to deal with his fear, making him more "real", and mortal, but it just wasn't the same. And the timing doesn't make sense. The Black is only 8 years old? I don't think so. It was exciting in spots, but the writing is too different; it doesn't feel like a "real" Black Stallion book. Maybe Steven should have just left the series alone.

Rating:
Summary: Not his father's Black Stallion
Review: Like other reviewers, I am an adult returning to the ongoing Black Stallion series that I loved as a child. I'm sure Steven Farley is a good writer, but his style is not his father's and his efforts to continue the Black Stallion stories from his father should be put to rest. The violent deaths of three horses in this book are enough to halt any fan of Walter Farley's. The relationship between the Black and Alec is missing the depth and understanding that readers of the series are used to. Time to go back to the originals and leave these new stories to others less familiar with Walter Farley's work.