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Stormy is an orphan and a kitchen skivvy. He tends the compost, he scrubs the floors, and watches feasts make their way up the mountain as he survives on bread and water. A skivvy is all that Stormy can hope to be. But Stormy has a secret. He wants to be a sky-rider, to soar amongst the clouds on spitfyres: flying horses that spit fire and smoke, and answer only to their riders. A chance meeting with an escaped convict turns Stormy's life upside down. Sent up to the Academy he uncovers a web of lies, deceits and neglect, at the centre of which lies the mysterious thirteenth horse. Can Stormy save Thirteen, defeat the dark forces at work within the Academy and prove himself worthy as a sky-rider?
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Lisle
38 books15 followersMy name is Rebecca Lisle and I'm a writer. I have had 20 children's books published. I also like drawing and have illustrated some of my books. When I'm not writing I paint peculiar pictures of dogs. I live in Bristol and enjoy giving workshops and author visits in the South West.
I was born in Leeds and have always been very proud of my Yorkshire roots. My parents were born there too, and their parents: perhaps this is why I can cook Yorkshire puddings.
Boh my parents were artists. My father was the principal of the Jacob Kramer College of Art. He only had one eye so his students called him Popeye. My mother studied art too and still paints and draws. My parents always encouraged me and my brother and sister to be creative and we were. My sister is a painter and my brother does arty things with computers.
I went to School in Leeds, then studied botany at Newcastle University and one year at Oxford University. I had friends who had gone out to New York and they were having such a good time, I went out and joined them. I lived on Manhattan for a year and a half. Great fun.
Back in England, I did lots of jobs - waitressing, looking after small children, shop assistant, secretary, etc, but mainly I taught biology. I always taught part-time so that I could spend time writing because I dreamed of becoming a 'real' writer. By 'real' I mean published.
My first publication was a short story in a magazine. Seeing my name in print made me deliriously happy. I can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. If I saw someone with a copy of the magazine I wanted to rush up to them and, well, I don't know, just stand there and grin, I think.
I'm married with three teenage sons. My boys drive me mad. And make me laugh. They were the inspiration for many stories, particularily THE DOG IN THE DIAMOND COLLAR and THE BOY IN THE BIG BLACK BOX. They all play musical instruments - piano, guitar, drums and saxophone. Usually different tunes in different rooms, but always LOUD.
The other inspiration in all my books, just about, was Nike, our dog. Sadly Nike died last year. He did not do the dishes like Metal Mutt, worst luck.
After Nike died I started painting pictures of dogs in all different colours.
I was born in Leeds and have always been very proud of my Yorkshire roots. My parents were born there too, and their parents: perhaps this is why I can cook Yorkshire puddings.
Boh my parents were artists. My father was the principal of the Jacob Kramer College of Art. He only had one eye so his students called him Popeye. My mother studied art too and still paints and draws. My parents always encouraged me and my brother and sister to be creative and we were. My sister is a painter and my brother does arty things with computers.
I went to School in Leeds, then studied botany at Newcastle University and one year at Oxford University. I had friends who had gone out to New York and they were having such a good time, I went out and joined them. I lived on Manhattan for a year and a half. Great fun.
Back in England, I did lots of jobs - waitressing, looking after small children, shop assistant, secretary, etc, but mainly I taught biology. I always taught part-time so that I could spend time writing because I dreamed of becoming a 'real' writer. By 'real' I mean published.
My first publication was a short story in a magazine. Seeing my name in print made me deliriously happy. I can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. If I saw someone with a copy of the magazine I wanted to rush up to them and, well, I don't know, just stand there and grin, I think.
I'm married with three teenage sons. My boys drive me mad. And make me laugh. They were the inspiration for many stories, particularily THE DOG IN THE DIAMOND COLLAR and THE BOY IN THE BIG BLACK BOX. They all play musical instruments - piano, guitar, drums and saxophone. Usually different tunes in different rooms, but always LOUD.
The other inspiration in all my books, just about, was Nike, our dog. Sadly Nike died last year. He did not do the dishes like Metal Mutt, worst luck.
After Nike died I started painting pictures of dogs in all different colours.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 26, 2013
I picked this up really quickly at checkout in the library... I assumed it was an adult novel as it was in with other grown up books...it wasn't.
That's ok.... I like a good kids book.
The whole great expectations theme running through it made some of the storylines too predictable...(yes I know a lot of kids would not have read Dickens)
The book as a whole was ok, but not something I'd be raving about to the kids.
That's ok.... I like a good kids book.
The whole great expectations theme running through it made some of the storylines too predictable...(yes I know a lot of kids would not have read Dickens)
The book as a whole was ok, but not something I'd be raving about to the kids.
January 9, 2021
I picked this book up by chance when I saw it on offer. I'm so glad I did because it is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read.
Stormy is an orphan and a kitchen skivvy. He tends the compost, he scrubs the floors, and watches feasts make their way up the mountain as he survives on bread and water. A skivvy is all that Stormy can hope to be. But Stormy has a secret. He wants to be a sky-rider, to soar amongst the clouds on spitfyres: flying horses that breathe fire and smoke, and answer only to their riders. A chance meeting with an escaped convict turns Stormy's life upside down. Sent up to the Academy he uncovers a web of lies, deceits and neglect, at the center of which lies the mysterious thirteenth horse. Can Stormy save Thirteen, defeat the dark forces at work within the Academy and prove himself worthy as a sky-rider?
I loved this book so much. It was full of excitement, adventure, fantasy, and one little orphan's triumph over adversity. Stormy was a sweet and likeable character who I was rooting for all the way through.
I would describe this book as a mixture of Great Expectations and Harry Potter. Children and big kids (like me) will enjoy this book for sure.
Stormy is an orphan and a kitchen skivvy. He tends the compost, he scrubs the floors, and watches feasts make their way up the mountain as he survives on bread and water. A skivvy is all that Stormy can hope to be. But Stormy has a secret. He wants to be a sky-rider, to soar amongst the clouds on spitfyres: flying horses that breathe fire and smoke, and answer only to their riders. A chance meeting with an escaped convict turns Stormy's life upside down. Sent up to the Academy he uncovers a web of lies, deceits and neglect, at the center of which lies the mysterious thirteenth horse. Can Stormy save Thirteen, defeat the dark forces at work within the Academy and prove himself worthy as a sky-rider?
I loved this book so much. It was full of excitement, adventure, fantasy, and one little orphan's triumph over adversity. Stormy was a sweet and likeable character who I was rooting for all the way through.
I would describe this book as a mixture of Great Expectations and Harry Potter. Children and big kids (like me) will enjoy this book for sure.
October 16, 2017
It is an engaging novel to say the least. The writing is easy to read and the descriptions in each line drag the reader in until all you can do is read and breath the chapters. I loved the spitfyre descriptions and their characterisations - one of the many reasons why I picked up the novel (dragons!).
My only negative point is the dialogue. It felt clunky and too fast paced, especially at the beginning of the novel. One line would be one topic, then the next a completely different one. It was confusing and a bit frustrating at times; however, it settled towards the end. The only time I didn't have a problem with it was when it came to Araminta. That girl is all over the place throughout the novel - I felt as confused as Stormy did trying to unravel what the girl meant with her cryptic sentences.
My only negative point is the dialogue. It felt clunky and too fast paced, especially at the beginning of the novel. One line would be one topic, then the next a completely different one. It was confusing and a bit frustrating at times; however, it settled towards the end. The only time I didn't have a problem with it was when it came to Araminta. That girl is all over the place throughout the novel - I felt as confused as Stormy did trying to unravel what the girl meant with her cryptic sentences.
September 9, 2020
What a fun book! Rebecca Lisle created a fantastic world about flying, fire-breathing horses, races, and an academy that's hiding secrets. She gave us an amazing main character and a brilliant cast of side characters. As far as middle grade fantasy goes, this has to be one of the coolest ones I have read. That said, it took me a bit to get into and I didn't feel fully connected to it only gets three stars. I would like to read more from Lisle, though.
April 2, 2022
I honestly didn't think I would give this book 5 stars but there really isn't a reason not to. The amount of unexpected twists in this book are unbelievable. Really glad I read it and wish I could read it for the first time because WOW..its such an amazing book :)).
August 21, 2022
This is literally one of those books everyone jokes about but secretly loves. All horse lovers know the one; the mysterious horse that is said to be unrideable but our main character develops a bond with and is eventually able to ride it.
Cliché but I love it anyway.
Cliché but I love it anyway.
August 15, 2017
One of my favorite books, I can't believe how many people don't know it! #booktube
Have a listen to my review https://youtu.be/Q3fvKnpU5aU
Have a listen to my review https://youtu.be/Q3fvKnpU5aU
July 3, 2019
Sweet, fun re-imagining of Great Expectations about a boy who loves flying horses & who saves the day. (And who doesn't love flying horses?)
July 23, 2022
honestly one of the FIRST and most FAVS of the books i’ve read. wish i could read this again for the very first time :(
March 30, 2023
The ending is very fairytale perfect and the world building at the start a little clunky, but I still had quite a good time reading this one! The descriptions of the spitfyres and that Stormy got to see the Academy from three different angles were my favourite parts of the book.
November 26, 2013
I think this book was brilliant, i would reacommend it to someone who likes a good twist to the book, this one is full of them, when you think someones the good guy, they're really bad and many other twists. I think you should read it, definately, its one of the best books ever
December 21, 2015
A nice story about an orphan with a good heart. The beginning was a bit slow but then it picked up. Interesting twists... a bit naive, but it's for kids, so it's ok.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews