The Black Stallion and the Lost City

Black Stallion Returns #5

by Steven Farley

When Alec and the Black are hired to work as stunt doubles in a film about Alexander and his horse, Bucephalus, they find themselves on set in the remote mountains of the Greek/Bulgarian border. Movie making involves a lot of waiting, so they set out for a morning of exploring. Chasing an elusive albino mare, the two find themselves caught in an underground river which drops them, half-drowned, beside a city lost in time.
Revered at first, they soon discover that they are intended as the entertainment at a horrific ritual . . . sacrifices to the legendary flesh-eating mares in the coloseum of King Diomedes.
Another thrilling new Black Stallion novel by Walter Farley's son, which proves that the art of writing a great horse story is definitely in the genes! "From the Hardcover edition."

Genres: Horses, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Middle Grade, Young Adult

ebook

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Steven Farley is the son of Walter Farley, the man who created the Black Stallion and wrote twenty stories about the best-loved literary horse of all time. A freelance writer based in Manhattan, Steven travels frequently, especially to places where he can enjoy riding, diving, and surfing.

Reviews

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our destiny is written in the stars."

This is the last of Steven Farley's Black Stallion novels (and Walter Farley's, too) but because I can't find a copy of The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser to save my life, I'm reading this one first.

We're off the scope of reality with this one again - much like The Island Stallion Races and The Black Stallion Legend, but I didn't mind with this one so much. With The Island Stallion races, it's aliens, which I almost always hate as a trope, and with The Black Stallion Legend it's the apocalypse, which seemed like just a close-ended way to end the series. And then on Steven Farley's end we've got the kelpie in The Black Stallion and the Shape-Shifter.

But here's is the Man-Eating Mares of Greek mythology and Alexander the Great's Bucephalus! Both things I positively adore! So definitely my favorite Steven Farley book!

[Convoluted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming at this series from an entirely different viewpoint from when I began reading them over 20+ years ago, I enjoyed once more being back with Alec, and the researched historical elements regarding the relevant ancient mythology. I've always been a fan of Alec and the Black as characters, though I tend to prefer the story lines that deal a little less with the mythical (this not being the only one that has pushed the bounds of belief for the sake of telling children a good story). The details of the setting were certainly vivid. It was certainly a shift to get perspective from the Black's point of view. Still, it was a light, quick, and enjoyable read.

[max theodore]

books i remember nothing about except they scared the ever living SHIT out of me as a kid. those horses ATE A GUY

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love The Black Stallion books; Walter Farley was my favorite author as a tween, and all through my teenage years. Though Steven Farley has the same skill to create a lovable horse story, the way his father did, I found this particular book a little hard to digest. Perhaps it was the way Steven painted the picture of this 'lost city' and all its inhabitants. Or maybe it was the fact that I do not truly enjoy books that involve rituals such as the one in this book. That aside, let's get on with the review.

Alec Ramsay and the Black were given the opportunity to portray Alexander the Great and Bucephalus in a a movie. With the fame of racing, and the mysterious black horse, Alec thought this would be a great chance for him and the black to get in the brighter spotlight. Which may or may not have been the best decision. The film location is set in an old ruin in ancient Greece, just across the river from what is known as the Acracia Resort.
Supposedly, this resort was on a members only type of thing, and once someone enters the resort, they are never seen again. Along with the Black his new friend, Xeena, Alec finds himself on the other side of the river, and lost in time. Lured by a mysterious, albino mare, the Black wanders away from Alec, in hopes of becoming acquainted with the mare. This is no ordinary mare. This mare is one of the flesh-eating horses that was tamed by the Greek hero, Hercules. When Alec and Xeena find the Black, they realize they are not in their world. As though even the time has changed, and something does not feel right about the water being offered as drink.
Alec and Xeena soon learn that the reason no one ever returns from this "resort" is because if they stop drinking this "water", they begin to grow old again. One of Xeena's relatives is living in the retched place. He helps them to escaped, but dies in the process, due to the three flesh-eating mares devouring him on the spot. Horrible, I know!

I suppose, if you enjoy books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, this would be a book for you. I do not suggest anyone younger than (maybe) sixteen reading it. My 11yr. old brother started to read it, and he loves The Black Stallion as much as I do. These are his very words: "I think Steven Farley took it a little too far. I prefer the other Black Stallion book over this one."

[Kelli George · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once again Steven Farley BUTCHERS the Black Stallion series with a book that is RUBBISH!!! His father wrote a wonderful series of books and here comes his son and destroys the series with his garbage books that do not follow the storyline of The Black and Alec which his father so carefully wrote about in a sequential series!!!

[Arwen Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, but it felt a little out of place. Alec was such an American the whole time, he's just not the character I used to know and love. Walter Farley spent a whole series and a lifetime developing a character and Steven Farley chucked that character in the trash can. I don't think it was the greatest wrap up book for the whole black stallion series.

Summary:

When Alec and the Black are in Greece acting in a movie about Alexander the Great, he and another actress end up swept away. They end up in some sort of Ancient Greece Shangri-la. Alec and the Black are haunted by an Albino mare named Celera. Alec realizes they are not letting him leave, not unless he leaves on the "Red Road". Alec takes it for granted, until he realizes what that means. While in a temple for Diomedes, they cast an elderly couple into a pit, wherein the flesh eating mares of Dionysus finish them. Alec realizes that this is their intention for him, and the red road is the road of blood. Alec kicks and screams, and somehow manages to hold them off, while the Black comes to save him. He and the other actress make it out alive and get back to camp. A few months later, the movie director Stiv Bateman goes missing on that area.

I want to offer my absolute love for this series. It gave me joy and happiness and I loved it so much! I feel like nothing can ever replace the Black Stallion series in the history of literature. Walter Farley and Steven Farley are such amazing authors, and this is series was a blessing I can never thank them for. I love the Black. I love Alec. I LOVE THE BLACK STALLION!

[Shea Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having bought and read twenty-three out of twenty-four Black Stallion books, I'd like to leave a short comment.

With the exception of the Island Stallion novels, I wasn't keen on the inclusion of paranormal/sci-fi elements by Walter and his son Steven. The books on harness racing weren't the strongest either. However, it's obvious that I enjoy the writing of both Farleys or I wouldn't have stuck with the series.

Why twenty-three out of twenty-four books? you might wonder. The Black Stallion's Steeplechaser isn't available for Kindle.

[J]

SKW to BHW

[Ziva Dahlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flesh eating horses

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally rated G by Amanda Perini
This book follows the tradition of the original Black Stallion books. The horse in this book is not sweet tempered or gentle. He is the untamed beast who only loves one person (Alex). The story itself is an unapologetic adventure story filled with narrow escapes, legendary figures, and ancient customs. Buy if you have horse lovers or readers who keep asking you for adventure stories that do not have magic in them.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish you would stick with more believable and realistic storylines.

[Whirlawayka · Rating 5 out of 5]

mom hates it i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it I did not even finish it It just wasn't interesting it seamed like it said the same thing over and over again

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the Shapeshifter book by the same author, but not by much. Felt disconnected from the characters and the story and wasn't impressed by the writing.

[Lisa]

It was good