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Summary: Fabulous & Refreshing!
Review: Mary Stanton weaves a fascinating tale about horses, their gods, and their culture. More mythology than fantasy, this book is a refreshing alternative to most fantasy hum-drums and "Watership Down" wannabees. Compared to this, though, "Watership Down" seems "watered down".
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Summary: Not your typical horse story...
Review: My first reaction to seeing this book's title was to wonder what the author was thinking. It didn't sound particularly inspiring. I pulled the book off its shelf at the used bookstore I found it in, and immediately regretted my first impression. The cover art suggests a story far darker and deeper than you would expect from the book's title, and a Tolkien-esque epic scale. I bought it without another thought.Sure enough, this was no children's book. What Richard Adams did for rabbits in Watership Down, Mary Stanton does here with her horses. The antagonists are truly evil in ways most storybook villians only aspire to, and the equine mythology/religion thoroughly detailed. My only disappointment was in thinking this masterpiece was a one-shot wonder, a belief that was thankfully proven wrong by the discovery of this book's more epically titled sequel, "Piper at the Gate" NOT for young children (say, under 13). Anor the Executioner will give them the screaming meemies, and Anor's master (the equine analog to the devil) will give them nightmares (no pun intended) for weeks. But a MUST READ for anyone over the age of 13, whether you like horses or not. NOTE: Due to the dark and supernatural nature of the storyline and antagonists, I'm tempted to catagorize this one under "anthropomorhpic/horror" instead of fantasy.
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Summary: Totally the best book I've ever read.
Review: The best book I've ever read. I found it in a bargin book bin at a Shop Rite store and was intreged by the cover. (I LOVE HORSES) I have since read the book many times over, and just heard of Piper at the gate. I hope it's a sequal, and I wish to read it!!!!
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Summary: i luvvvvvvvvvvvv this book!
Review: The title was abit odd, but as soon as i read it, i was crazy for it! Duchess ,Susie, and El Arat were only some of the rich characters featured in this book. (WARNING SPOILERS!) i totally cried a river when Susie died and was totally shocked to find out about El Arat being evil. after the billionth time i read it, you start to see clues to her dimise. an awesome book do not pass up!
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Summary: More, please..
Review: This book is amazing! I got it when it was new and have read it hundreds of time since then. The horses don't seem human, but suddenly you understand why they do what they do. I have heard that the author never intends to write another book for this series, I wish that this wasn't true. The ending of Piper at the gate was too loose. I love these books and hope to some day see another.
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Summary: Simply awesome
Review: This book is an amazing mix of fantasy, horses and the fact that we will never know everything about this incredible animal. Stanton deserves 10 stars out of 5! The Heavenly horse. is a perfect example of of a book you cannot put down...i cant think of how else to describe it!!!!! I too would love to know what my horse gets up to!
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Summary: For Equine Lovers Everywhere
Review: This book was amazing. I loved horses to begin with, but after reading Mary Stanton's work of art, my love for them grew. Her novel showed me a new way of looking at the lives of horses and helped me in my own writings. This book is a MUST for any horse lover.
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Summary: The Ulitimate Horse Fantasy!
Review: This is a book worth looking for. It is a fascinating tale told from the horses' point of view. I was immediatealy taken into their world and the horses' struggle between good and evil. I also recommend the sequal Piper at the Gate. Altough it is a much darker tale, it is as good and as compelling as the first. Mary Stanton , if you're reading this please write more!
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Summary: Why No Animated Movie?
Review: This is a truly epic read.
I would even venture that people who have no interest in horses should pick it up and get stuck in.
Like most of the reviwers here, i was first introduced to it as a teenager and have gone back to it countless times since.
Anyone that enjoyed Watership Down, or indeed epics such as The Hobbit, should consider getting hold of a copy (i've just purchased my second copies of both 'Heavely Horse' and 'Piper' - the urge has come to read tham again and just i can't wait long enough to pick up my original copies from my mums house!)
One thing i don't understand is why an reputable-but-edgy animation studio (Blue Sky, or Brad Bird - are you reading this?) has not spotted this book's potential and made a film out of it. One reason could be that some of the characters are truly terrifying, and they would find it difficult to rate as a result (yes boys, there's plenty of eerie - not to mention downright horrific - stuff happening here; so, as many readers have mentioned, don't let the title put you off!)
Finally, for the benefit of those that are not overly keen on the fantasy genre (of which i am one!), it should be mentioned that this book is not purely fantastical. It has a strong grounding in reality and day-to-day issues such as animal cruelty. This make it all the more compelling.
Read it.
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Summary: THE BEST BOOK ABOUT HORSES, EVER!!!
Review: This is absolutely the best book about horses I have ever read. The only other one that even comes close to being as good as this one is Traveller, by Richard Adams. I wish Mary Stanton would write a sequel to Piper At the Gate!!
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