Desert Dancer

Phantom Stallion #7

by Terri Farley

The Phantom's lead mare is missing from the herd, and Sam's worried she may have been captured. When Sam finds the mare safe -- in government custody -- she's desperate to set her free. But the horse is badly injured, and setting her free on the range could slow down the mare's entire herd, putting them at risk in the dangerous winter months. How far should Sam go to help the horses she loves?

Genres: Horses, Animals, Contemporary, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2003

About the author

Terri Farley is the best-selling author of books about the contemporary and historic West. Her PHANTOM STALLION series has sold over 2 million books world-wide and it relaunches with new art & content in March 2023.
Terri's most recent non-fiction book Wild at Heart: Mustangs and the Young People Fighting to
Save Them (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) is a Junior Library Guild selection; winner of the
Sterling North Heritage award for Excellence in Children's Literature.
Terri's only contemporary fantasy is SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA.
Terri is an advocate for the West's wild horses and for young people helping to make their voices heard.

https://www.facebook.com/PhantomStall...

https://twitter.com/Terri_Farley

https://www.instagram.com/terrifarley/

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that I might be getting a bit old for these books... haha.
Having said that, I think I will probably still read them, I mean how could I stop seven books into a series?

I think this particular novel might not have been as interesting as previous ones in the series. While I do feel I'm getting a bit old for these books, I still think I enjoyed previous novels in the series more. I felt the story was lacking in the plot, it wasn't as interesting or suspenseful. I noticed the narration was a bit immature, but like I said, these books are not aimed at people my age so that might not matter if someone younger is reading it.
Having said all that, I still think this novel was a nice read but I probably wouldn't read it again.

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book where Sam's dad and Bryanna get married. I remembered bits and pieces of the story, but not all of it, and I honestly think it's among my favorites in this series so far during my rereading journey. While Sam's dad and new step mom are on their honeymoon, Sam's being cared for by her maternal aunt, and I really liked their dynamic together. Some things we learn about Sam's mom here are sweet, too. I was also glad that this was one book where the perpetual antagonist, Slocum (sp?) actually saw some consequences for his actions.


Content Advisory:
There are the usual risky choices around horses that are typical to this series, though it does feel like Sam consistently learns from mistakes, accepts advice, and thinks things through more as the series goes on. In this book in particular, no one gets injured in any way.

This book touches a little more on Sam's lingering grief over her deceased mother. The start of the story happens around Christmas and Sam quietly holds onto a belief/hope that her mother visits her as an angel when she makes a traditional visit to the barn each year on the night of Christmas Eve. When feathers fall from the rafters, even though Sam knows logically that it's just wild birds up there, she also thinks of the feathers as angel wing feathers, indicating her mother's visiting presence.

There are still hints of mild, innocent attraction between Sam and Jake, but they continue basically treating each other like brother and sister, sometimes annoying each other, but always faithful friends.

[Michelle Osborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phantom Stallion was one of my absolute favorite book series growing up. I randomly saw this book was available to be borrowed with out counting against the 6 books I can normally borrow a month I jumped at the chance to revisit it. It was a shock to realize Sam was only 13 in some of these books, she seemed so much older when I was younger lol. While is wasn’t as deep as I remember it or as long it was still such a nice nostalgic read.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had wondered why Farley hadn't written anything about the Phantom's lead mare, since she has made fleeting appearances in all 7 books. Finally, she stars in her own story, but with a really unusual twist -- a pagan teenager wants to adopt her because she wants to be like Sam and the Phantom. This had some good unpredictable twists and some nice descriptions, but overall this is a book to just chill out to. It is not exactly an ax to split a frozen sea -- not even a toothpick, but it's a relaxing read for anyone who ever wanted a wild horse.

[AnnaScott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good book! The only downfall was the fact that the author seemed to put getting revenge in the right, but the Bible says we should love our enemies and return love for evil. Other than that, the book was really good.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series as a kid but my library didn't have all of them. Just found all of the audiobooks on Hoopla so I'm finally getting to finish it!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Phantom's lead mare is missing, Sam Forster tracks to find her and discovered that she was taken in by the Bureau of Land Management. Though this was probably for the best as the mare's injured and would have been eventually left to die by her herd if she can't keep up. Especially with winter coming in.

But when a slightly older, emanicpated teen Callie Thurston (complete with bright-colored hair and piercings) adopts the kead mare, now named Queen, Sam cannot help but admire and be envious at the same time. As Sam helps Callie adjust to Queen, Sam also has to deal with her father and new stepmother being away for their honeymoon, her friends being away for the winter break, and living with her urbanite of an aunt who is staying with her for the holidays, it would seem that, again, Sam has a lot on her plate. Adding a surprise sleet to the mix with only a few ranch hands for helpd, this book makes for another adventure-filled story.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating system

5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate

If it is a .5 star I round up

4 Stars

This was one of my favorite series from my childhood, although this was one of the books I missed out on due to the fact that the local libraries didn't have it and the book stores didn't have this one in stock whenever I went to them.

The Phantom's lead mare is missing from the herd, and Sam's worried she may have been captured. When Sam finds the mare safe -- in government custody -- she's desperate to set her free.

But the horse is badly injured, and setting her free on the range could slow down the mare's entire herd, putting them at risk in the dangerous winter months. How far should Sam go to help the horses she loves?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I forgot about Queen. It's so bittersweet and Farley does a good job portraying the various angles and emotions.

I loved the discussion between Jake and Sam after the prank. Each nugget of character development for Jake is so interesting. I also really like Aunt Sue. She's not around much but I think she's pretty cool.

Linc is such a piece of work. At least Norman White does one thing right.

[Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has a lot to follow up from the action of the previous book and doesn't fully deliver. That being said, I still found it a nice reprieve from chaos and action, a nice chill book without anything feeling too much at stake.
Aunt Sue was a surprisingly fun character arc, and while I found Callie's character lackluster, I think she's a fun addition to the cast.
I admittedly found myself struggling to fully stay engaged with this book, but I still enjoyed it!

[mimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice! We haven't touched on Sam's fear of falling off her horse in a while, and this book does a good job tackling that, along with her memories of her mother as Brynna becomes her stepmother. I also like the story about Queen, the Phantom's lead mare, being adopted after a hoof injury.

[Nicole Mosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average teen series.

[Em's Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite. Sort of average and one of the characters is beyond annoying.

[AnnieM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I figured this wouldn’t be my thing, but I wanted to read at least one befell so I could recommend or not recommend the series to readers.

[Liv]

honestly what did terri put in ace to make him the best horse to ever horse

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the seventh book in the Phantom Stallion series, Desert Dancer, Samantha Forster finds herself torn. The Phantom’s lead mare is missing. Sam knows this makes things harder on her beloved horse. He needs to find extra energy reserves to keep the herd in order. Aside from this, where has the mare gone? Read more at http://equus-blog.com/desert-dancer-t...

[Jessica Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little sad, not as interesting as the others.

[Beka Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!!!!! I am glad that the phantoms stallion`s lead mare didn`t go with the herd, but stayed with its new owner!!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Jessica H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome series!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Jessica Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and cute.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one, although not as much as the previous six volumes.
Still a wonderful book, though.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book not only is it exiting but it also is informing about the wiled horse problem in the U.S

[Arianna Centrella · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was sad but awesome.

[Lafanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series for the young horse-lover! I read the whole series as a kid and each book keeps you interested and racing for the next!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

[Cale_Steps]

Good to pass time. Can be interesting/exciting-but def. for horse freaks!

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much.......

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terri Farley is an amazing writer who creates a beautiful story of family and finding your confidence set in the beautiful Nevada deserts. Five stars!