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The Black Stallion #17
The Black Stallion Challenged
The Black Stallion is the fastest horse in America and he and his jockey, Alec Ramsay, are training for a big race. Suddenly there comes a new Flame! An unproven racer, the Island Stallion can run like the wind and his jockey, Steve Duncan, knows that Flame will give the Black the race of his life. But what neither Steve nor Alec know, is that these two stallions have met before, and they hate each other.
246 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 1964
21 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Walter Farley
169 books1,035 followersWalter Farley's love for horses began when he was a small boy living in Syracuse, New York, and continued as he grew up in New York City, where his family moved. Young Walter never owned a horse. But unlike most city children, he had little trouble gaining firsthand experience with horses-his uncle was a professional horseman, and Walter spent much of his time at the stables with him.
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
"He wasn't the most successful trainer of race horses," Mr. Farley recalled, "and in a way I profited by it. He switched from runners to jumpers to show horses to trotters and pacers, then back to runners again. Consequently, I received a good background in different kinds of horse training and the people associated with each."
Walter Farley began to write his first book, THE BLACK STALLION, while he was a student at Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, and
finished it while he was an undergraduate at Columbia University. It was published by Random House when he was 26. He used his first advance to go traveling and after that hardly stopped longer than it took him to write another book. He traveled and lived in Mexico, Hawaii, the South Seas, most of the South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe.
The appearance of THE BLACK STALLION in 1941 was hailed by enthusiastic boys and girls all over the country. An avalanche of mail urged Mr. Farley to write more about Alec Ramsey and the Black. But World War II intervened. Mr. Farley went into the US Army, where he spent the next five years. Most of the time he was assigned to Yank, the army weekly magazine, and he was also trained in the Fourth Armored Division.
After the war Walter Farley resumed the adventures of Alec and the Black with THE BLACK STALLION RETURNS. This was followed by SON OF THE BLACK STALLION. Then Mr. Farley tried his hand at a story about a new boy, Steve Duncan, and a new horse, Flame, in THE ISLAND STALLION. Mr. Farley's readers were just as delighted with this book as his others.
Mr. Farley went on to write many more stories about the two stallions, and about other horses as well. Children of all ages have found Farley titles to enjoy, since many of the later stories were written for Mr. Farley's own children when they were too young to read his Stallion novels. And older readers and adults have been gripped by his fictionalized biography of America's greatest Thoroughbred, Man O'War. Walter Farley's titles reached a grand total of 34. The 21 Black Stallion and Island Stallion stories are still in print and selling steadily. His readers respond with passion, writing him thousands of letters and emails every year. In May 1949, the first Black Stallion Club was founded, in Kentucky. Mr. Farley designed a membership button for it; the button was in constant demand among his readers for years. The Black Stallion books were so popular in the late 1940s and '50s that they York Times annual list of best-selling children's books. Three nationwide Black Stallion contests were held. Walter Farley's books have been published abroad in more than 20 countries, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Israel, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaya, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as in the United States and Canada.
All his life Walter Farley remained a keen spectator of the racing scene, and he enjoyed nothing more than hobnobbing with horse trainers and other professional horsemen. It is thanks to these people that his books are so full of authentic details of raising and training horses. When not busy working or traveling, Mr. Farley liked to ride dressage and high school Lippizaner horses. He also sailed and sometimes raced his 35-foot auxiliary sloop "Circe."
Mr. Farley and his wife Rosemary, had four children: Pam, Alice, Steve, and Tim, whom they raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and in a beach house in Florida. In addit
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'intrigue qui pour une fois laissait planer le doute sur la fin du livre. Dans l'ensemble j'ai plus réussi à me détacher du milieu pas très correct des courses de chevaux. Par contre énormément (13) d'erreurs de frappe/d'impression dans ce livre (meme si c'est une vieille édition qui m'a coûté 1.50€)
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'intrigue qui pour une fois laissait planer le doute sur la fin du livre. Dans l'ensemble j'ai plus réussi à me détacher du milieu pas très correct des courses de chevaux. Par contre énormément (13) d'erreurs de frappe/d'impression dans ce livre (meme si c'est une vieille édition qui m'a coûté 1.50€)
August 23, 2015
The Black Stallion Challenged! is really not a good book, not if you've read any of the Island Stallion sub-series. In those books, Steve is a good, nice kid who loves his horse, just like Alec. But suddenly, when the two meet up, Steve becomes a snotty, arrogant jerk with anger problems. Just like in The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt, any time Alec meets up with another boy who loves a horse, he becomes a saint. This is not an enjoyable thing to read.
Also, Farley doesn't really clear up the issue of whether Flame or The Black is faster. He leaves you with the implication that The Black is a nose-bob faster, but never really comes out and definitively says (most likely trying not to make any Flame fans angry). It would have been a little easier to take if he'd had The Black a narrow but clear winner.
Also, Farley doesn't really clear up the issue of whether Flame or The Black is faster. He leaves you with the implication that The Black is a nose-bob faster, but never really comes out and definitively says (most likely trying not to make any Flame fans angry). It would have been a little easier to take if he'd had The Black a narrow but clear winner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2011
A far more realistic storyline than The Black Stallion and Flame, with those two facing off in a horse race. Other than the fact that Flame's owner, Steve, becomes a total pod person, I liked this one. I was, however, rather amused by the exclamation point in the title. Why?
October 3, 2014
The main characters are Steve Duncan and Alec Ramsay. Steve Duncan has blonde hair and rides a red horse named Flame. Alec Ramsay rides a horse named the Black. This book takes place at Hialeah, Fla. The problem in this book is a guy named Steve Duncan writes a letter to Alec about his horse, Flame, and how he needs "help" to buy an island for his horse. He also puts in the letter that he thinks his horse is faster than the black. In the end Steve brings Flame to Hialeah and they end up racing together in the Widener Cup. In the race it is very difficult for Steve and Flame to get in the lead but in the end they end up racing in the backstretch together and the Black won by the thinnest fraction of a nose. In my opinion I think the book was perfect. i don't have any issue with the book. I would very highly recommend this book to you. It has a lot of excitement, wonder, and curiosity in it. This book is awesome!
August 1, 2024
I read this dozens of times when I owned a paperback copy and yet I still cannot decide how many stars to give it. Maybe I'll need to buy myself a replacement copy to determine star value if Goodreads demands I do.
EDIT August 1, 2024: I finally decided to give it five stars. So sue me.
Although The Black Stallion Challenged! (don't forget that !) had many enjoyable elements (a great race -- Flame Vs The Black) it also had some cheesy elements (Steve wants to buy the island where Flame and his herd live). It's hard for me not to look back at this book without wearing the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia.
EDIT August 1, 2024: I finally decided to give it five stars. So sue me.
Although The Black Stallion Challenged! (don't forget that !) had many enjoyable elements (a great race -- Flame Vs The Black) it also had some cheesy elements (Steve wants to buy the island where Flame and his herd live). It's hard for me not to look back at this book without wearing the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia.
September 5, 2012
Oh, Henry, you cranky old geezer! Oh, Steve, you hot-headed young punk! Oh, Alec, you wise-beyond-your-years paragon! Oh, Flame, you wild and unreliable stallion full of beauty and heart! Oh, Black, there aren't any words big enough for you, you are Horse Incarnate.
Which is to say, yes, more of the same, but who can quibble with races like these?
Which is to say, yes, more of the same, but who can quibble with races like these?
July 26, 2010
Finally a horse that can give the Black Stallion a run for his money. The ending had to work out the way it did.
December 9, 2022
Steve Duncan wants to buy the island where his horse Flame and his herd live, but for that he needs to earn a lot of money. So he plans to bring Flame to the USA and race him there. But Flame is an unknown horse and has little chance of finding a place on a racetrack, but with Alec's help, he may be able to make it.
As with almost all Black Stallion books, the story is told primarily from Alec's perspective. Alec has become an experienced jockey, and this book gives me the feeling that Alec's and Black's racing careers are coming to an end. Like many other sport horses throughout their careers, Black has been injured, causing the injured leg to be somewhat weak, although the injury has healed completely. Henry also seems much older in this book and is suffering from the winter weather. Compared to Alec and Henry, Steve is a young man who still has a lot to prove. He might have been a breath of fresh air in the series, but unfortunately his character was an almost unbearable know-it-all. I'm very glad he's giving up horse racing after this book, because I couldn't have stood it if he had stuck around any longer.
The story itself was interesting, but predictable. Still, I love the realistic nature of the book. Once again, horse racing is described for what it is. It is dangerous and it is more likely that a horse or jockey will quit due to injury than retire healthy.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and am a bit sad that there aren't many more books in the series.
As with almost all Black Stallion books, the story is told primarily from Alec's perspective. Alec has become an experienced jockey, and this book gives me the feeling that Alec's and Black's racing careers are coming to an end. Like many other sport horses throughout their careers, Black has been injured, causing the injured leg to be somewhat weak, although the injury has healed completely. Henry also seems much older in this book and is suffering from the winter weather. Compared to Alec and Henry, Steve is a young man who still has a lot to prove. He might have been a breath of fresh air in the series, but unfortunately his character was an almost unbearable know-it-all. I'm very glad he's giving up horse racing after this book, because I couldn't have stood it if he had stuck around any longer.
The story itself was interesting, but predictable. Still, I love the realistic nature of the book. Once again, horse racing is described for what it is. It is dangerous and it is more likely that a horse or jockey will quit due to injury than retire healthy.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book and am a bit sad that there aren't many more books in the series.
August 16, 2024
Very, very close to being five stars. I really loved how he leaned more into the people than the horses this time around. I enjoyed reading about the jockeys and how different they were from one another. This book, along with The Island Stallion Races, are so far the only two books in this twenty-book series that I will read again.
September 2, 2023
3.5/5 rounded down
Why did all the characters change personalities just to fit the plot?? Also, the ending was immensely unsatisfying.
Why did all the characters change personalities just to fit the plot?? Also, the ending was immensely unsatisfying.
September 2, 2014
Yes, there are elements of the predictable in the Black Stallion series. Yes, this is one book that isn't all about adventure, being stranded on an island, wandering the desert, or surviving another plane or boat disaster. But this is a book by Walter Farley and I am certain that those who love horses, those who love the track, will enjoy this book from cover to cover. Farley writes racing like no one else can, making you believe you are living the book yourself. In this installment, where the Black meets his rival Flame on the track, readers get to see almost every aspect of life behind the scenes of racing. There is a a surgery, there are workouts, there is time in the jockey's room, and, of course, there are the races themselves. Never before have I put down a book feeling as if I have just spent the day in front of the television, watching the day's racing and news reports. For those who love the sport will be a very wonderful and welcome experience to become lost in time with these two beautiful horses at historical Hialeah Park.
March 11, 2010
"The Black Stallion Challenged" was a book that got intense in some parts but for the most part this book was not a very good book. The book was for much younger kids and the only reason I picked this book was because I thought I would still like the series. This book had a very limited vocabulary and also had a corny ending which I did not like. Overall this book is one of the worst books I have ever read and I will not read another one in this series again.
April 6, 2024
I enjoyed the official meeting of the Black and Flame in this book. I remember well Flames meeting with the Black on Azule Island. I would like to know more of Flame’s training and progress that made him so well mannered to run these handicap races without fighting his dominant stallion instincts.
May 7, 2017
Alec Ramsay and his faithful trainer Henry Dailey are wintering in Hialeah, Florida, where they hope to race their prize horse, the Black Stallion. Provided, of course, that the Black has fully recovered from the hoof injury he received some months back. One day Alec receives a piece of fan mail asking for his help. It seems that young Steve Duncan has a horse he’d like to race, a stallion named Flame…if he can convince the racetrack officials to let him.
Unbeknownst to Alec or Steve, Flame and the Black have met before, and feel a strong rivalry towards each other. Plus, Steve needs to make a lot of money very quickly, in order to save Flame’s island home. The stage is set for a thrilling match between the two great stallions!
This is the sixteenth in the Stallion series penned by Walter Farley, and the last that’s a straight-up horse racing story. There’s some time compression involved; the first book, The Black Stallion, clearly takes place in 1940 when it was written, and this volume takes place in 1964, but the Black is most assuredly not twenty-four years older.
However, the main attraction of the series is less the plausibility of the setting (one book had aliens!) and more the detailed descriptions of horse care and racing, and Mr. Farley delivers well in this volume. (Some details are different–the rules of horse racing have changed since the 1960s, let alone the 1940s.) The final race in particular is exciting as the outcome is in doubt until the horses pass the finish line.
The Stallion series is nominally children’s books, so I should mention that there is an operation on an injured horse that may be too intense a scene for sensitive readers. Several characters smoke; one specifically mentions that he neither smokes nor drinks alcohol for his health. I am told there’s period racism and sexism in some of the volumes, but this one manages to avoid that.
The book starts slowly; a one-page letter gets stretched over an entire chapter in a manner that does not build suspense in the mind of anyone who read the back cover copy. A couple of scenes stuff a lot of telling about the personalities of supporting characters in, rather than showing by their actions. And to be honest, Alec, Henry and Steve are not deep characters. (Steve’s a bit more of a hothead here than in his solo appearances.)
But all of that pales compared to the exciting race scenes and the bond between the riders and their horses. The hardback edition with illustrations by Angie Draper may be hard to find, but there are inexpensive paperback reprints which you can probably get through interlibrary loan. Recommended to young horse lovers and horse lovers young at heart.
Unbeknownst to Alec or Steve, Flame and the Black have met before, and feel a strong rivalry towards each other. Plus, Steve needs to make a lot of money very quickly, in order to save Flame’s island home. The stage is set for a thrilling match between the two great stallions!
This is the sixteenth in the Stallion series penned by Walter Farley, and the last that’s a straight-up horse racing story. There’s some time compression involved; the first book, The Black Stallion, clearly takes place in 1940 when it was written, and this volume takes place in 1964, but the Black is most assuredly not twenty-four years older.
However, the main attraction of the series is less the plausibility of the setting (one book had aliens!) and more the detailed descriptions of horse care and racing, and Mr. Farley delivers well in this volume. (Some details are different–the rules of horse racing have changed since the 1960s, let alone the 1940s.) The final race in particular is exciting as the outcome is in doubt until the horses pass the finish line.
The Stallion series is nominally children’s books, so I should mention that there is an operation on an injured horse that may be too intense a scene for sensitive readers. Several characters smoke; one specifically mentions that he neither smokes nor drinks alcohol for his health. I am told there’s period racism and sexism in some of the volumes, but this one manages to avoid that.
The book starts slowly; a one-page letter gets stretched over an entire chapter in a manner that does not build suspense in the mind of anyone who read the back cover copy. A couple of scenes stuff a lot of telling about the personalities of supporting characters in, rather than showing by their actions. And to be honest, Alec, Henry and Steve are not deep characters. (Steve’s a bit more of a hothead here than in his solo appearances.)
But all of that pales compared to the exciting race scenes and the bond between the riders and their horses. The hardback edition with illustrations by Angie Draper may be hard to find, but there are inexpensive paperback reprints which you can probably get through interlibrary loan. Recommended to young horse lovers and horse lovers young at heart.
March 21, 2025
I was kind of surprised by this one as it mentions that Flame was coming to race the Black so Steve can use the money from it to buy his island. ( But Flame did run in a race in a Cuba in the International The Island Stallion Races when he and Steve were flown there by an outsider Jay in the cruiser spaceship and beat all the other racers that had gone to the post for it. And what happened to the money that they had to leave behind after the race was run?? ) Thought the book was good and due to reading them again I ended up buying the model of Flame on the Running Stallion put out by Breyer with the buy now from a seller on ebay. But the 2 horses really didn't hate one another as they resolved their differences in trying to protect the herd from certain danger. If anything during a workout the two went at it in speed during a workout to see whom was the fastest. Have yet to find it in my apartment to read it again1
December 17, 2022
I love the Black Stallion series, and this one is one of my favorites. Who doesn't wonder who would win, Black or Flame? Well, I did and I was thrilled to learn the content of this book. The words on the pages blew my mind, and I love this book and recommend it!
Summary:
Alec Ramsay is shocked to hear anyone thinks they have a horse faster than the Black. Steve Duncan insists his horse is, and needs money to buy an island, and he'll get it racing his horse, Flame. Racing him against the Black. He raced him in one race where the Black did not participate. He won, ad he has enough money now. But he wants to prove Flame is faster than the Black, much to Alec's disgust. When they meet up for a race The Black beats Flame, Flame on second place.
Summary:
Alec Ramsay is shocked to hear anyone thinks they have a horse faster than the Black. Steve Duncan insists his horse is, and needs money to buy an island, and he'll get it racing his horse, Flame. Racing him against the Black. He raced him in one race where the Black did not participate. He won, ad he has enough money now. But he wants to prove Flame is faster than the Black, much to Alec's disgust. When they meet up for a race The Black beats Flame, Flame on second place.
September 17, 2023
Given that Flame was a part of this story, and I've pretty much hated all of the Flame/Island Stallion stories, this was pretty good. I really hope we're done with this branch of the series though.
I absolutely could not stand Steve. He was a little more likable in his other books, but he was a whiny, immature ass in this book. I couldn't understand why Alec wanted to be his friend or put any effort into helping the jerk.
The main redeeming quality of this book are the horse races - Farley is SO GIFTED in writing a compelling horserace. I can't help but be hypnotized each time he casts his spell.
I recommend to fans of the series, or those looking for a fun read about horse racing. The horse racing is phenomenal, if you can get back Steve as a character.
I absolutely could not stand Steve. He was a little more likable in his other books, but he was a whiny, immature ass in this book. I couldn't understand why Alec wanted to be his friend or put any effort into helping the jerk.
The main redeeming quality of this book are the horse races - Farley is SO GIFTED in writing a compelling horserace. I can't help but be hypnotized each time he casts his spell.
I recommend to fans of the series, or those looking for a fun read about horse racing. The horse racing is phenomenal, if you can get back Steve as a character.
March 5, 2022
In this book, we finally see The Black Stallion and Flame go head to head in a match race. The Black is the fastest horse in America, but is challenged by Flame. Flame is untested, unproven, but also extraordinarily fast. Alec and Steve are unaware the stallions have had contact on the island, but they are about to find out how much the stallions hate each other and want to win against the other. I liked this book, but, again, the Flame books aren't some of my super favorites.
August 9, 2022
Overall, it was a good story. There was more filler than usual, but it was good information.
January 23, 2023
Enjoyable read, wonderful for young readers who love horses!
Read
July 26, 2023SKW to BHW
October 23, 2017
This is a fast paced one! Literally and figuratively. Steve Duncan contacts Alec wanting to race Flame against the Black. Alec is very open to the challenge, but not in an aggressive way; Alec is the perfect sportsman. Steve has a chip on his shoulder and doesn't want to take any advice about racing. He knows his red stud will take the lead and keep it. While Alec sympathizes, he knows that his own horse is every bit as good, and this is one race that will be up to the riders.
I absolutely loved this book. I love both stallions, but I think that Alec is by far the better man of the two. He is sportsmanlike and quiet spoken, with deep respect for his fellow riders. He is a true horseman, as in he knows that you never stop learning, and bragging about all you can do is a good way to tell everyone that you don't know much. He may be young, but he is fully matured.
Steve is still a boy, with the follies of youth. He is a cool guy, but not so mature.
Five stars of reading it over and over. Some things never get old.
I absolutely loved this book. I love both stallions, but I think that Alec is by far the better man of the two. He is sportsmanlike and quiet spoken, with deep respect for his fellow riders. He is a true horseman, as in he knows that you never stop learning, and bragging about all you can do is a good way to tell everyone that you don't know much. He may be young, but he is fully matured.
Steve is still a boy, with the follies of youth. He is a cool guy, but not so mature.
Five stars of reading it over and over. Some things never get old.
October 4, 2023
"Having a great horse could make anyone really enjoy life to the fullest."
Honestly, I would give this book an entire other star if not for one reason...
I HATE Steve Duncan in this. He was not obnoxious in The Island Stallion, The Island Stallion's Fury, OR The Island Stallion Races. But here he's this conceited, arrogant little... ugh! He was the worst thing about a book that could have been a great match between two literary stallions.
Honestly, I would give this book an entire other star if not for one reason...
I HATE Steve Duncan in this. He was not obnoxious in The Island Stallion, The Island Stallion's Fury, OR The Island Stallion Races. But here he's this conceited, arrogant little... ugh! He was the worst thing about a book that could have been a great match between two literary stallions.
August 6, 2016
In an epic and inevitable story - the Black and Flame finally meet on the track. Steve Duncan travels to the U.S. with his horse in a bid to finally secure his future and his horse's safety. They have their eye on big money - and The Black.
It's an easy decision for me to root for Alec; I've never connected with Steve in the same way, and The Black Stallion is simply too much of a survivor for me to want anyone to best him. Still, tension remains throughout the story, regardless of who you root for, because once and for all it's proven these horses are each other's equal. Hang on for the ride of your life. I'd say my number one favorite race of all time happened during Alec and The Black's race against fire in The Black Stallion and Satan, and this race is a close second.
It's an easy decision for me to root for Alec; I've never connected with Steve in the same way, and The Black Stallion is simply too much of a survivor for me to want anyone to best him. Still, tension remains throughout the story, regardless of who you root for, because once and for all it's proven these horses are each other's equal. Hang on for the ride of your life. I'd say my number one favorite race of all time happened during Alec and The Black's race against fire in The Black Stallion and Satan, and this race is a close second.
Read
December 14, 2017I read this childhood favorite for my work challenge. It does not break the Law of Sustainability: An author's ability to write well, especially for a series, deteriorates over time. (I'm guessing someone could graph this and show a direct inverse correlation between the number of books in a series and the quality of each book.) This is the 16th book in the Black Stallion series, and it is a lame sister compared to the first book. I did learn something about the business of horse racing in the 1960's.
February 1, 2017
Have you ever been scared while being challenged in a race? The black stallion is a champion until an unproven racer with skills. Steve Duncan his owner thinks that he can beat the black. The black always wins with out a challenge. Flame proves in a workout that he can keep up with the black. Will the black have the race of his life? Read to find out if he will be defeated by the island horse Flame.
-Juan Romero
-Juan Romero
October 10, 2024
I raced through this series as a child. Of course, "The Black Stallion" was my favorite, and I read it a few times, but I waited eagerly for any of the books to return to my branch of the library so I could snap them up.
August 20, 2011
It was an extremely good book. But what I didn't like is Steve Duncan's character was changed into an arrogant snotty kid. He was definately different in this book then all the others. I highly recommend the book still.
April 8, 2017
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
August 22, 2007
awesome book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews