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Thoroughbred #67
Breaking the Fall
Will an injury spell the end for Christina's racing career and her friendship with Melanie?
After taking a year off to train with her beloved Star for the Breeders' Cup, Christina is back in silks riding a few preliminary races. But all her plans are shattered when she suffers a severe injury in a track accident. When she learns she won't be able to ride for at least three months, Christina reluctantly agrees to let Melanie train Star –– a situation that will begin to tear the cousins apart. Will they be able to mend their differences for Star's sake? And just what will Christina do while her injury heals?
After taking a year off to train with her beloved Star for the Breeders' Cup, Christina is back in silks riding a few preliminary races. But all her plans are shattered when she suffers a severe injury in a track accident. When she learns she won't be able to ride for at least three months, Christina reluctantly agrees to let Melanie train Star –– a situation that will begin to tear the cousins apart. Will they be able to mend their differences for Star's sake? And just what will Christina do while her injury heals?
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 14, 2012
Just a re-read because I was kind of missing my childhood books. I miss these guys sometimes; I can still remember taking this series to school in my backpack when I was around 8 years old <3
July 23, 2024
The best writer for the Thoroughbred series was Jennifer Chu. This was because she had been a fan of the series when it first came out. Unfortunately, Chu was only allowed to write three books. This was her last contribution to the already floundering series.
Chu introduces Allie, the girl who would take the series into the sunset with a whimper. But Allie has not taken over yet. This book is told from Christina's point of view. Chu also tried to introduce different plot points during her brief tenure, but most of them were ignored by the last ghostwriter of the series.
If Chu had stayed on, the series may not have lasted longer, but it sure would've been better reads, and would've had more continuity. If you've read all of the previous books STOP AT THIS ONE. Belive me, it gets much, much worse. Just make up a story in your head about what happens next. I can guarantee that it would be better than the crap that got published.
Harper Entertainment, the publishers, blew a promising series (which started plummeting in quality about 50 books previously). I think the series would have lasted years longer than it did had they dropped the Parker storyline, reduced the emphasis on horse racing (which, quite frankly, the authors knew Jack about) and switched to rescuing Thoroughbreds off the track. When I first saw the covers for the last two books, I thought that's what they did (I never read book blurbs if I can so I can be surprised.) Man, was I disappointed.
Speaking of blurbs, the description for this book ... clearly was for another book. There was no big confrontation over Star's training. The plot was Christina having to deal with a horrible accident during a race.
Oddly enough, zero mention is made about the filly who breaks down, Halo Delight. Christina doesn't ask about her, and I don't remember anyone telling her. I have no idea if Chu deliberately wrote it this way, or if mention of the fallen filly's fate was edited out. With her name, it was obvious that she was a daughter of Halo, who in the real world sired two Kentucky Derby winners.
For some reason, the back of the book has a bad photo and tiny bio of 1941 Triple Crown winner Whirlaway. I don't remember him having anything to do with the book.
Chu introduces Allie, the girl who would take the series into the sunset with a whimper. But Allie has not taken over yet. This book is told from Christina's point of view. Chu also tried to introduce different plot points during her brief tenure, but most of them were ignored by the last ghostwriter of the series.
If Chu had stayed on, the series may not have lasted longer, but it sure would've been better reads, and would've had more continuity. If you've read all of the previous books STOP AT THIS ONE. Belive me, it gets much, much worse. Just make up a story in your head about what happens next. I can guarantee that it would be better than the crap that got published.
Harper Entertainment, the publishers, blew a promising series (which started plummeting in quality about 50 books previously). I think the series would have lasted years longer than it did had they dropped the Parker storyline, reduced the emphasis on horse racing (which, quite frankly, the authors knew Jack about) and switched to rescuing Thoroughbreds off the track. When I first saw the covers for the last two books, I thought that's what they did (I never read book blurbs if I can so I can be surprised.) Man, was I disappointed.
Speaking of blurbs, the description for this book ... clearly was for another book. There was no big confrontation over Star's training. The plot was Christina having to deal with a horrible accident during a race.
Oddly enough, zero mention is made about the filly who breaks down, Halo Delight. Christina doesn't ask about her, and I don't remember anyone telling her. I have no idea if Chu deliberately wrote it this way, or if mention of the fallen filly's fate was edited out. With her name, it was obvious that she was a daughter of Halo, who in the real world sired two Kentucky Derby winners.
For some reason, the back of the book has a bad photo and tiny bio of 1941 Triple Crown winner Whirlaway. I don't remember him having anything to do with the book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews