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Black Horses for the King

Black Horses for the King

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Athurian book
Review: Anne McCaffrey has out done herself again.Stepping out of the Pern world, she come back to earth in a great way.The characters are weel developed,the plot carries you alpng.A knowledge of horses helps, but is not needed to enjoy this book. I almost got seasick my self during some of the sea voyages.The sights and smells of a horse auction was realted very well.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A fresh look at an oft-told tale
Review: As a parent and soon-to-be teacher, I'm always on the lookout for books that are unique. Something that may take a new spin on an old tale, or may present my kids with a story that they might not have known before.

Black Horses for the King is Anne McCaffrey's take on the Arthurian legends, with a twist; the protagonist of the tale is a young man who ends up caring for the special horses that will carry Arthur's warriors into battle. Ms. McCaffrey paints a vivid picture of England after the Romans abandoned it, and slips in what was really happening (and might probably would have been happening) with the citizens, and with the land.

It was an engrossing story for this adult; I think there's enough here that can captivate a wide variety of readers. I would let my soon-to-be third grader read it, but it's more intended for fourth through sixth grade. But hey! Read it because it's good! There's drama, some fighting, horses, and even a little humor. I think Anne McCaffrey did a great job with this story; I hope you feel this way, as well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It was the best book I have ever read. It kept you going.
Review: Black Horses for the King is an exciting book that everybody should read at least once. I had so much history in it and also a lot of parts that wanted you to know what happened next. I never put the book down until I finished it. I you are a big person on medievel times, king arthor, and horses you should read this book. You'll never forget the story of a young boy and these beautiful, aggresive horses that he loved so much.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A good young adult novel, nothing more
Review: Good young adult novel, which I am giving to my elder kidlet (age 9) to read now. He'll enjoy the mixture of horses and King Arthur, I think. Probably the only McCaffrey I ever intend to voluntarily give him. If he finds the rest of those books, he'll do it of his own accord. No sense making him read sci-fi slop if he can avoid it. 4 stars of 5, as a kid's book. If I rated it for adults, 2 stars of 5.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good, depending
Review: I give this book four stars for it's interest. The reason I read this book was for the Arthurian connections. If that's what you're looking for, it may or may not be what you'll find. For one thing, don't expect Lancelot or Guinvere to ever come into the story. Lord Artos -the legendary King Arthur- is a bachelor. I am not a huge horse fan, but I did enjoy the horse connections in this story. The conflict in "Black Horses" relates to the Saxon threat and to recent Irish raids. To prove his power and define his strength, Lord Artos acquires the enormous Libyan stallions. One problem- they're footsore, with problems like cracked hooves, growth rings etc, arising. That's when the "horse sandals" are made. "Black Horses" explores this knowledge and the devotion to Lord Artos through the eyes of Galwyn. It is a very good book, and I'd recommend it for a bit of light reading.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not bad, but I expect more from McCaffrey
Review: I liked the Arthurian flavor of this book, but it seemed to be a little on the low end of McCaffrey's ability. I sensed a kind of C.S. Lewis theme with the horse stuff...kind of like _The Horse and His Boy_ if you have ever read that. I wouldn't recommend it for someone looking for a Pern-Like book, it will dissapoint you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another Awesome McCaffrey Book
Review: I really enjoyed this book. So much I have read it twice. It is great for the horse lover because it tells about where farriring may have begun. I really like the characters and it gave me another point of view of King Arthur! I was sad when it was over and wished we could have learned more about the lives of the characters and the great war horses.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Could be better
Review: If you like horses you won't have problems to read the book right til the end. But it is rather a description of how Artos got his black horses than a story about it. None of the characters really captured me

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Black Horses is a refreshing, unique look at King Arthur
Review: In a departure from her normal fare of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Anne McCaffrey gives us a hugely believable tale of King Arthur, and the true uniting of all the Britons. Told from the point of view of a young runaway, Galwyn Varianus, Black Horses traces Lord Artos', who is later thought to be King Arthur's, search for fast horses. These horses had to be big enough and strong enough for his knights to ride to give the Britons a fighting chance against the bigger armies of the Saxons.

Historically accurate, Black Horses is a fast read, and an emminetly exciting story. Despite the lack of the mystical turn of the normal King Arthur tale, or perhaps because of it, Black Horses for the King takes the reader into a realm of fantasy both thrilling and moving. A highly satisfying story aimed at the young adult, Black Horses is a treat for all readers, young and old alike. King Arthur fans will enjoy this unique look at their favorite hero, and those who like more realism in their stories will like this likely view of a piece of history.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: After you're done, pass it on to your horse-lover
Review: McCaffrey usual style, but not a dragon story. My niece (age 12 and with a lot of horse fantasies)loved it as well. The hardback especially makes a nice gift.


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