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Phantom Stallion #3
Dark Sunshine
The classic theme of a girl and her horse is set against a backdrop of mustangs, tumbleweeds, and a West that's still Wild. In the third book of the series Dark Sunshine, Sam rescues an abused horse from rustlers, but needs the Phantom's help in convincing the young mare to trust her.Ages 10+
234 pages, Library Binding
First published October 1, 2002
21 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
Terri Farley
128 books414 followersTerri 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/
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/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 16, 2023
I remembered this one a lot less than the first two books, maybe because the storyline of troubled kids (and sometimes adults) being put in programs that have them working with horses as a means of rehabilitation/therapy is fairly common in horse books (for good reason because they're highly effective programs irl) and I read other series as a kid that featured it. I still enjoyed the reread, though, and especially liked how the author contrasted Sam's conflicted feelings about the girl in the rehab program with the feelings of the adults in her life who took the girl on in the first place. Sam has a great head for horses and figuring out the cause of their problems, but struggled much more to sympathize with a fellow teen who had lived a very different life from hers. I especially liked the part when Bryanna finally was able to help her finally understand how much help and understanding this girl really needed.
The storyline of dealing with the rustlers who were treating Dark Sunshine poorly was also exciting.
On to book 4!
Content Advisory:
As with most of the books in this series, Sam sometimes takes risks when it comes to helping horses. In this book, she sneaks a mare away from horse rustlers who were starving her. The consequences of this choice result in some mild peril later in the story, but of course she finds a way out.
A fire breaks out because a teen girl was smoking too close to a barn. No people or horses are seriously harmed, though.
The storyline of dealing with the rustlers who were treating Dark Sunshine poorly was also exciting.
On to book 4!
Content Advisory:
As with most of the books in this series, Sam sometimes takes risks when it comes to helping horses. In this book, she sneaks a mare away from horse rustlers who were starving her. The consequences of this choice result in some mild peril later in the story, but of course she finds a way out.
A fire breaks out because a teen girl was smoking too close to a barn. No people or horses are seriously harmed, though.
January 25, 2026
3.5 rounded down because while this was quite good by middle grade horse book standards, those standards are pretty low so relative to all other books. ya know. but if you want to nourish your inner 9 yr old horse girl, have I got a book for you
May 22, 2020
It's weird that there's no mention whatsoever in the synopsis about the new girl or the program. If I hadn't read the sneak-peak in the last book, I'd have no idea, and that would be an awful surprise.
I don't like the addition of Mikki's character. She's why I was dreading this book. I misremembered her character, and thought she was Brynna's niece.
It was cute how Sam didn't wanna share her horses or Jake with strangers.
I don't like the HARP program of putting at-risk girls with wild horses, or that Brynna wanted it at their farm, & her dad actually said yes! That isn't like him at all.
I always like the information on horses, how mustangs have secret getaway trails that humans can't find.
There were more mature elements in here, like smoking, which I didn't care for. Mikki smoked, and she's only 12!
What does a regular farm know about troubled girls? They should be with counselors or psychologists, someone trained to help. At one point, Sam even says Mikki needed a counselor. It made no sense that their small ranch had time to help some stranger, and a troubled, dangerous one at that, learn about horses, for a couple hours every weekday, when they have their own chores to do. Especially having Jake and Sam do it, when they're in school. And even more so when Mikki arranges it so she can stay longer at the ranch. I was irritated by the whole thing.
Idc what Mikki's been through, I don't like mean, rude, snarky, troubled characters. I didn't care for her at all. and hoped this stupid program wouldn't be in any more books.
Sam's grandma was right when she said Sam was dense about people. She finally realizes more is going on between her dad and Brynna. I'm not a fan of Brynna, & I didn't root for them at all.
In some books, I like when someone can move on from their deceased spouse, but I don't like it in this case.
I hated the way everyone stood up for Mikki, how her mom was married three times, chooses men over Mikki, and dumped her off. I don't give a crap. I just don't. I have zero care for this girl.
And I don't like the HARP program on their ranch at all. That should be a facility on its own somewhere.
I was so irritated her dad was kissing Brynna after the fire. When Brynna's the one who brought the kid that started the fire. Also, when have they even dated that they jumped to kissing?
The whole fire scene was annoying, how no one even tried to save the horses til way later. It seemed like Sam should have been doing that, or Gram, while someone else fought the fire. You think Sam would have immediately gone and saved the horses.
I didn't care that Mikki loved horses and her face would light up and she'd lose the 'tude around them.
She trained Popcorn entirely too easy for someone who'd never been around horses.
It annoyed me that Brynna should have reported Mikki for starting the fire and burning a bunkhouse down. I just knew she wouldn't do it. And Mikki wanted Sam to tell Brynna how good she was with horses, that Popcorn had trusted her again after what she did.
Then Brynna saying her and Sam's dad are going to the Brahma-que together. Ugh!
Then it annoyed me when the Phantom didn't recognize Sam, when she got out on the roadside to watch him and his herd, with the newly acquired Dark Sunshine.
I loved the scene when Sam goes to tell Jake she overheard Flick and another rustler planning to catch the Phantom, then runs into Jake coming out of the diner. She says guess what she just heard and the rustler is right behind Jake, asking her what? so she makes up that she heard you can marry at 16 in Reno, & calls Jake honey. And if the rustler had turned to look, he'd seen Jake dragging her to the truck, and he explodes when they get in the truck, asking if she's gone nuts, knowing what the gossips in town live for. So funny!
I would LOVE if that came up again, that someone in town heard they were getting married!
When Sam repeats what Flick says about "there was no trouble Dr. Winchester couldn't handle" Jake flinched and says "Gee, Sam, I sure wish you'd mentioned that earlier. Unless I'm mistaken, that means Flick has brought along a Winchester rifle."
Flick says he doesn't think Sam will die and Jake says she won't. I loved that he showed up with Flick's rifle then.
When Flick says Jake won't shoot him, Jake says "You know what you always say, Flick. There's no telling what my kind will do." Cause Flick looks down on Jake and his family for being Native American.
When Flick goes to lunge for Jake, Sam grabs his ankles. I love a proactive heroine, that she did it to help Jake. I don't like simpering girls on the sidelines.
Jake tosses the gun over the cliff. When Flick says his ankle is swelling Jake repeats his line he gave Sam back to him: "It'll take em a while to find you, but I don't think you'll die up there." Smart Jake grabbed Flick's truck keys, so he couldn't leave before the cops came.
I loved when Sam asked Jake why he threw the rifle over the cliff he swallowed and said "After he threatened to leave you there, I was afraid I might use it."
Sam was so right in saying Mikki barely got punished for starting the fire and that if she'd done that she'd be grounded for life. All Wyatt made Mikki do was shovel up the burned bunkhouse. When Brynna asked if she should have kicked her out of the program and made her see Dark Sunshine's injuries and send her home brokenhearted, I agreed with Sam when she said yes. I was thinking that sounded good to me.
But then Brynna stands up for Mikki - again - and says Mikki would turn even more mean and tough. Poor little Mikki. So once again she's given another chance.
I guess the lesson was in giving people second chances, I just wish it didn't come with such an irritating character.
They said Mikki was 12, then 11.
I didn't like that Mikki was even told of the Phantom, that Sam let her borrow the bracelet made of his hair, and that she got to see him when few people have.
Of course Mikki had to have a perfect ending with Popcorn with her loser mom watching. Popcorn comes to her without food and lets her touch him like Jake stipulated, all in what, a handle of days? A week or two?
Mikki has to be part of the rescue and it's totally unnecessary. Anyone could have led Popcorn over so Dark Sunshine could have followed him, because she knows Popcorn for some reason. She knew Ace better than that, it seems.
Mikki behaves like a 'professional' after just a little training. And Sam has to share the credit of rescuing Dark Sunshine with her. Even though she really didn't do much. And even though there was no rescue at all. Actually, the Phantom rescued her, by bringing her back to the ranch, knowing the horse needed medical help. (Btw, it's unrealistic that Phantom knew the horse needed help from people, and that horses seem to know things animals probably wouldn't know.)
Then as if everything wasn't upsetting enough Sam gives her the bracelet of the Phantom's hair. Why. Would. You. Do. That? Ever? Give her a bracelet of Popcorn's hair if any.
Mikki's coming back next summer. Geez. I hope that's not in the book. Idw read about one more troubled girl in these books.
Unfortunately the subject matter of the program for troubled girls and the girl featured were too annoying and it ruined the book. As I said, the book had enough of a plot with the rustlers without it. At least it delivered on that.
I liked the scene with her and Jake, but it was rushed, over so quickly, then it just recaps how people talked about it for weeks but we don't get to see anyone's reaction that night or the following days.
It's always something with the Phantom. It's a bit much at times, this back and forth, always needing saving, then one might he trusts Sam, the next he doesn't.
This wasn't that good of an ending, probably cause it involved Mikki then just cut off with Sam saying she could probably get another bracelet.
I was glad when Dark Sunshine was in the wild herd cause they don't need the horse. She's better off wild.
So I didn't like the new horse, new girl, or Wyatt and Brynna's romance. So yeah, not much left to enjoy but the horse rustlers.
As Sam said, the romance is too soon. She's only just back at the ranch after being gone two years, so her dad shouldn't be changing things for her. I really didn't like how he didn't tell Sam himself about any of it, that he liked her, that they were going as a date to Linc's Brahma-que. And for them to be kissing like that after the fire, when did they even date?
Her dad didn't even find out that Flick was going to leave her tied up in the canyon. No one found out about Jake and the gun. The author left out what could have been good scenes with both their families.
I resented Brynna's presence so much in here, and the way she always popped up, even when Sam was walking home.
Also what frustrated and annoyed me about Sam is that she was angry and upset about her dad and Brynna, and about Mikki, but never said anything. It irritated me the way she kept quiet when she should have been speaking out. I wanted a big showdown with her telling her dad and Brynna she didn't want Mikki there. Also looking back, knowing how dangerous it is to smoke around the barn, why didn't she tell anyone that Mikki smelled of smoke, because apparently her dad, grandma and Brynna were idiots and couldn't smell it themselves. If Wyatt's too lovesick to smell smoke, then I guess he deserves the bunkhouse burning down.
A thing that bothers me is that her dad had no idea how close she came to danger. He knew the rustlers might be looking for her, and so she can't go anywhere alone, but then he doesn't know the ending with her and Jake.
I do wish this had focused more on the rustlers, and had a bigger ending with them, instead of the horse program.
The next book is crazy. How did the Phantom end up in the arena? And again, he needs saving!
I don't like the addition of Mikki's character. She's why I was dreading this book. I misremembered her character, and thought she was Brynna's niece.
It was cute how Sam didn't wanna share her horses or Jake with strangers.
I don't like the HARP program of putting at-risk girls with wild horses, or that Brynna wanted it at their farm, & her dad actually said yes! That isn't like him at all.
I always like the information on horses, how mustangs have secret getaway trails that humans can't find.
There were more mature elements in here, like smoking, which I didn't care for. Mikki smoked, and she's only 12!
What does a regular farm know about troubled girls? They should be with counselors or psychologists, someone trained to help. At one point, Sam even says Mikki needed a counselor. It made no sense that their small ranch had time to help some stranger, and a troubled, dangerous one at that, learn about horses, for a couple hours every weekday, when they have their own chores to do. Especially having Jake and Sam do it, when they're in school. And even more so when Mikki arranges it so she can stay longer at the ranch. I was irritated by the whole thing.
Idc what Mikki's been through, I don't like mean, rude, snarky, troubled characters. I didn't care for her at all. and hoped this stupid program wouldn't be in any more books.
Sam's grandma was right when she said Sam was dense about people. She finally realizes more is going on between her dad and Brynna. I'm not a fan of Brynna, & I didn't root for them at all.
In some books, I like when someone can move on from their deceased spouse, but I don't like it in this case.
I hated the way everyone stood up for Mikki, how her mom was married three times, chooses men over Mikki, and dumped her off. I don't give a crap. I just don't. I have zero care for this girl.
And I don't like the HARP program on their ranch at all. That should be a facility on its own somewhere.
I was so irritated her dad was kissing Brynna after the fire. When Brynna's the one who brought the kid that started the fire. Also, when have they even dated that they jumped to kissing?
The whole fire scene was annoying, how no one even tried to save the horses til way later. It seemed like Sam should have been doing that, or Gram, while someone else fought the fire. You think Sam would have immediately gone and saved the horses.
I didn't care that Mikki loved horses and her face would light up and she'd lose the 'tude around them.
She trained Popcorn entirely too easy for someone who'd never been around horses.
It annoyed me that Brynna should have reported Mikki for starting the fire and burning a bunkhouse down. I just knew she wouldn't do it. And Mikki wanted Sam to tell Brynna how good she was with horses, that Popcorn had trusted her again after what she did.
Then Brynna saying her and Sam's dad are going to the Brahma-que together. Ugh!
Then it annoyed me when the Phantom didn't recognize Sam, when she got out on the roadside to watch him and his herd, with the newly acquired Dark Sunshine.
I loved the scene when Sam goes to tell Jake she overheard Flick and another rustler planning to catch the Phantom, then runs into Jake coming out of the diner. She says guess what she just heard and the rustler is right behind Jake, asking her what? so she makes up that she heard you can marry at 16 in Reno, & calls Jake honey. And if the rustler had turned to look, he'd seen Jake dragging her to the truck, and he explodes when they get in the truck, asking if she's gone nuts, knowing what the gossips in town live for. So funny!
I would LOVE if that came up again, that someone in town heard they were getting married!
When Sam repeats what Flick says about "there was no trouble Dr. Winchester couldn't handle" Jake flinched and says "Gee, Sam, I sure wish you'd mentioned that earlier. Unless I'm mistaken, that means Flick has brought along a Winchester rifle."
Flick says he doesn't think Sam will die and Jake says she won't. I loved that he showed up with Flick's rifle then.
When Flick says Jake won't shoot him, Jake says "You know what you always say, Flick. There's no telling what my kind will do." Cause Flick looks down on Jake and his family for being Native American.
When Flick goes to lunge for Jake, Sam grabs his ankles. I love a proactive heroine, that she did it to help Jake. I don't like simpering girls on the sidelines.
Jake tosses the gun over the cliff. When Flick says his ankle is swelling Jake repeats his line he gave Sam back to him: "It'll take em a while to find you, but I don't think you'll die up there." Smart Jake grabbed Flick's truck keys, so he couldn't leave before the cops came.
I loved when Sam asked Jake why he threw the rifle over the cliff he swallowed and said "After he threatened to leave you there, I was afraid I might use it."
Sam was so right in saying Mikki barely got punished for starting the fire and that if she'd done that she'd be grounded for life. All Wyatt made Mikki do was shovel up the burned bunkhouse. When Brynna asked if she should have kicked her out of the program and made her see Dark Sunshine's injuries and send her home brokenhearted, I agreed with Sam when she said yes. I was thinking that sounded good to me.
But then Brynna stands up for Mikki - again - and says Mikki would turn even more mean and tough. Poor little Mikki. So once again she's given another chance.
I guess the lesson was in giving people second chances, I just wish it didn't come with such an irritating character.
They said Mikki was 12, then 11.
I didn't like that Mikki was even told of the Phantom, that Sam let her borrow the bracelet made of his hair, and that she got to see him when few people have.
Of course Mikki had to have a perfect ending with Popcorn with her loser mom watching. Popcorn comes to her without food and lets her touch him like Jake stipulated, all in what, a handle of days? A week or two?
Mikki has to be part of the rescue and it's totally unnecessary. Anyone could have led Popcorn over so Dark Sunshine could have followed him, because she knows Popcorn for some reason. She knew Ace better than that, it seems.
Mikki behaves like a 'professional' after just a little training. And Sam has to share the credit of rescuing Dark Sunshine with her. Even though she really didn't do much. And even though there was no rescue at all. Actually, the Phantom rescued her, by bringing her back to the ranch, knowing the horse needed medical help. (Btw, it's unrealistic that Phantom knew the horse needed help from people, and that horses seem to know things animals probably wouldn't know.)
Then as if everything wasn't upsetting enough Sam gives her the bracelet of the Phantom's hair. Why. Would. You. Do. That? Ever? Give her a bracelet of Popcorn's hair if any.
Mikki's coming back next summer. Geez. I hope that's not in the book. Idw read about one more troubled girl in these books.
Unfortunately the subject matter of the program for troubled girls and the girl featured were too annoying and it ruined the book. As I said, the book had enough of a plot with the rustlers without it. At least it delivered on that.
I liked the scene with her and Jake, but it was rushed, over so quickly, then it just recaps how people talked about it for weeks but we don't get to see anyone's reaction that night or the following days.
It's always something with the Phantom. It's a bit much at times, this back and forth, always needing saving, then one might he trusts Sam, the next he doesn't.
This wasn't that good of an ending, probably cause it involved Mikki then just cut off with Sam saying she could probably get another bracelet.
I was glad when Dark Sunshine was in the wild herd cause they don't need the horse. She's better off wild.
So I didn't like the new horse, new girl, or Wyatt and Brynna's romance. So yeah, not much left to enjoy but the horse rustlers.
As Sam said, the romance is too soon. She's only just back at the ranch after being gone two years, so her dad shouldn't be changing things for her. I really didn't like how he didn't tell Sam himself about any of it, that he liked her, that they were going as a date to Linc's Brahma-que. And for them to be kissing like that after the fire, when did they even date?
Her dad didn't even find out that Flick was going to leave her tied up in the canyon. No one found out about Jake and the gun. The author left out what could have been good scenes with both their families.
I resented Brynna's presence so much in here, and the way she always popped up, even when Sam was walking home.
Also what frustrated and annoyed me about Sam is that she was angry and upset about her dad and Brynna, and about Mikki, but never said anything. It irritated me the way she kept quiet when she should have been speaking out. I wanted a big showdown with her telling her dad and Brynna she didn't want Mikki there. Also looking back, knowing how dangerous it is to smoke around the barn, why didn't she tell anyone that Mikki smelled of smoke, because apparently her dad, grandma and Brynna were idiots and couldn't smell it themselves. If Wyatt's too lovesick to smell smoke, then I guess he deserves the bunkhouse burning down.
A thing that bothers me is that her dad had no idea how close she came to danger. He knew the rustlers might be looking for her, and so she can't go anywhere alone, but then he doesn't know the ending with her and Jake.
I do wish this had focused more on the rustlers, and had a bigger ending with them, instead of the horse program.
The next book is crazy. How did the Phantom end up in the arena? And again, he needs saving!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2016
Page 219............ ^_^
September 15, 2020
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
4.25 Stars
This was one of my favorite series from my childhood, although I only read books 1-6,8-10 due to the fact that the local libraries didn't have them and the book stores didn't have them in stock whenever I went to them. So I am re-reading the books that I have read and reading for the first time the books I missed out on.
This is the third book in the series. Sam rescues an abused mare from outlaw horse rustlers, she knows she's done the right thing. But the ranch already has a full corral, and a long drought means the cattle are running out of grass. Of course her dad refuses to allow her to adopt another mustang.
The frightened and dangerous mare is just beginning to trust Sam when the rustlers learn Sam is the one who told the authorities about their illegal wild horse trap. Now, its up to Sam to keep the mare and herself safe. Brynna Olson a woman that works for BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is trying to bring HARP (Horse and Rider Protection) to Nevada and she believes that River Bend Ranch would be the perfect place for it, at least the first trials. HARP is for at risk girls and troubled mustangs, the goal for the girls is to get them on the right path by having them gentle a mustang and the goal for the mustangs is to get them to trust people and to hopefully get adopted to a forever home. Mikki is the girl chosen to try out the Nevada trial run, she thinks that being tough will make life better. Popcorn an albino mustang that was mistreated is chosen.
Mikki's disregard for what Jake, Pepper and Sam tells her leads to a disaster since she refused to listen to one simple one No Smoking. She ignores it causing a huge fire to spread through the property, thankfully no one is seriously hurt besides a few singes here and there. Mikki is the reason why the read wasn't a five star. I forgave her when she got scared and wasn't handling Popcorn properly. I can not forgive her when she almost burnt down the entire ranch though, she wasn't even punished besides cleaning up the old bunkhouse that burnt down.
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
4.25 Stars
This was one of my favorite series from my childhood, although I only read books 1-6,8-10 due to the fact that the local libraries didn't have them and the book stores didn't have them in stock whenever I went to them. So I am re-reading the books that I have read and reading for the first time the books I missed out on.
This is the third book in the series. Sam rescues an abused mare from outlaw horse rustlers, she knows she's done the right thing. But the ranch already has a full corral, and a long drought means the cattle are running out of grass. Of course her dad refuses to allow her to adopt another mustang.
The frightened and dangerous mare is just beginning to trust Sam when the rustlers learn Sam is the one who told the authorities about their illegal wild horse trap. Now, its up to Sam to keep the mare and herself safe. Brynna Olson a woman that works for BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is trying to bring HARP (Horse and Rider Protection) to Nevada and she believes that River Bend Ranch would be the perfect place for it, at least the first trials. HARP is for at risk girls and troubled mustangs, the goal for the girls is to get them on the right path by having them gentle a mustang and the goal for the mustangs is to get them to trust people and to hopefully get adopted to a forever home. Mikki is the girl chosen to try out the Nevada trial run, she thinks that being tough will make life better. Popcorn an albino mustang that was mistreated is chosen.
Mikki's disregard for what Jake, Pepper and Sam tells her leads to a disaster since she refused to listen to one simple one No Smoking. She ignores it causing a huge fire to spread through the property, thankfully no one is seriously hurt besides a few singes here and there. Mikki is the reason why the read wasn't a five star. I forgave her when she got scared and wasn't handling Popcorn properly. I can not forgive her when she almost burnt down the entire ranch though, she wasn't even punished besides cleaning up the old bunkhouse that burnt down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2025
Sam Forster is back and it seems that there are adventures to be had at River Bend Ranch.
Rustlers are using a mare to catch mustangs to be sold for meat and Sam somehow manages to stumble upon their operation.
Also, financial hardships mean dad Wyatt has to find ways to earn extra money to keep the ranch afloat. When the opportunity to provide equine-assisted therapy presents itself, what could possibly go wrong? They take on Mikki, whose shaky childhood has led her down many rough paths. As she is paired up with a mustang Popcorn, can they both tame each other?
Not only that, but San has to deal with fact that her dad seems to be getting chummier with head of the Bureau of Land Management Brynna Olson. Is she ready to see her dad with another woman other than her mother?
With so many things happening in this book, you really cannot put it down; you'll want to find out what happens next!
The adventures of Sam are the stuff for many wild imaginings if one is into open ranges, wild horses, rounding up bad guys, and standing up for humane treatment of animals.
The story flows very nicely and you can see, as each book comes along, Sam is also learning lessons to become a better version of herself. Here, the themes of rehabilitation and redemption are very strong and powerful.
A great read for children 12 and up!
Rustlers are using a mare to catch mustangs to be sold for meat and Sam somehow manages to stumble upon their operation.
Also, financial hardships mean dad Wyatt has to find ways to earn extra money to keep the ranch afloat. When the opportunity to provide equine-assisted therapy presents itself, what could possibly go wrong? They take on Mikki, whose shaky childhood has led her down many rough paths. As she is paired up with a mustang Popcorn, can they both tame each other?
Not only that, but San has to deal with fact that her dad seems to be getting chummier with head of the Bureau of Land Management Brynna Olson. Is she ready to see her dad with another woman other than her mother?
With so many things happening in this book, you really cannot put it down; you'll want to find out what happens next!
The adventures of Sam are the stuff for many wild imaginings if one is into open ranges, wild horses, rounding up bad guys, and standing up for humane treatment of animals.
The story flows very nicely and you can see, as each book comes along, Sam is also learning lessons to become a better version of herself. Here, the themes of rehabilitation and redemption are very strong and powerful.
A great read for children 12 and up!
September 11, 2025
I find myself going back and forth on this book and would aim this rating closer to a 3.5 if it were possible. I enjoyed it like I have the other books of this series so far, and I like what it brought to the table: a new character, new trouble, and new horses.
I think Mikki is a fascinating character and very realistic; kids who have been in her situation can be infuriating, yes but they have been through a lot and while it's very frustrating that it takes a horrible disaster for them to begin to change, it's not entirely fictional. I liked the closure on her character at the end, although might have liked a bit more.
While the conclusion to the main conflict of Dark Sunshine and the rustlers felt like it was quick and wrapped up without much closure outside of a couple paragraphs, I enjoyed this book for what it was.
It felt like much of this book's plot focused more on the HARP program and Dark Sunshine herself more than the villains of the story, or even the Phantom himself; it was a nice change of pace.
I think Mikki is a fascinating character and very realistic; kids who have been in her situation can be infuriating, yes but they have been through a lot and while it's very frustrating that it takes a horrible disaster for them to begin to change, it's not entirely fictional. I liked the closure on her character at the end, although might have liked a bit more.
While the conclusion to the main conflict of Dark Sunshine and the rustlers felt like it was quick and wrapped up without much closure outside of a couple paragraphs, I enjoyed this book for what it was.
It felt like much of this book's plot focused more on the HARP program and Dark Sunshine herself more than the villains of the story, or even the Phantom himself; it was a nice change of pace.
May 23, 2025
I honestly enjoyed the storyline. I know a lot of people say the troubled kids theme is too common, but it was one of my favorite parts of the book. It depicted it accurately and honestly, which I appreciate. It wasn’t sugar coated, or sunshine and rainbows. They didn’t leave out the hurt that these kids feel, or the terrible mistakes they sometimes make, or how maddening it can be to work with them. I appreciate honesty and realness in a story. That’s why I love Cujo so much.
I will say, Popcorn getting called “albino” so many times bothered me. These books typically have accurate information in them, which is one thing I appreciate about them, but true albinism doesn’t exist in horses. Horses that appear white are either gray or simply white, depending on their base coat and pigmentation.
I will say, Popcorn getting called “albino” so many times bothered me. These books typically have accurate information in them, which is one thing I appreciate about them, but true albinism doesn’t exist in horses. Horses that appear white are either gray or simply white, depending on their base coat and pigmentation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed. I thought this book would show Sam helping Dark Sunshine to trust humans again and overcome her trauma. But most of the plot is actually about Mikki, an at-risk girl in the HARP pilot. There's definitely a thematic connection there, but I care more about animals than humans (and Sam does too, it seems) and I found Mikki annoying even though I tried to be understanding. She causes so much damage at the ranch and sets things back, so we barely get to see progress for Dark Sunshine.
October 16, 2017
I think this book was very good. But also it tells you som,e things that I didn't know about in the book also. if you are looking for a good book to read read this one that is if you are a horse lover.
January 7, 2024
Great book. I like how it deals with certain issues in children. It also talks about second chances and who is deserving of those. It was a great addition to this series, and I find Sam a fairly relatable character, with real flaws. I would recommend.
January 18, 2024
Library copy
I missed this series back in 2002, so it's good to see that it has been reissued. It's hard to find books with Western riding, and I always have a few students interested in horses every year. I'm not sure I will purchase the whole series, but might go to five books.
I missed this series back in 2002, so it's good to see that it has been reissued. It's hard to find books with Western riding, and I always have a few students interested in horses every year. I'm not sure I will purchase the whole series, but might go to five books.
May 6, 2018
An average teen series.
June 1, 2019
This is such a great little series about horses and growing up. I love them!
June 27, 2019
A Very Good Horse Book (i think)
July 22, 2019
I used to love this series when I was younger and “horse crazy”. It was so good to go back and read one that I hadn’t read yet and experience it all over again years later!
March 29, 2025
Campy, cringe and everything horse-obsessed me adored.
April 24, 2025
this series is healing my inner child one wild horse at a time
December 31, 2025
That kind of trust with a horse is incredible
September 10, 2024
3.5 stars
Rustlers and troubled kids make for some crazy adventures! I felt so bad for Sunny. And I feel for Sam with all the changes. It's definitely hard to let new people in.
Rustlers and troubled kids make for some crazy adventures! I felt so bad for Sunny. And I feel for Sam with all the changes. It's definitely hard to let new people in.
June 1, 2008
This book is filled with more then a personalitty. It makes you fell like you are there watching it happen. Nobody can see you but you feel the emotoins the character is feeling and you have the little mind movie flowing through your head. Not like in choppy peices where you have to stop a gajillion times to accutally figure out what happened. You sorta feel it. It's like it's natural.
The story is about a girl named Sam and she goes to meet her friend in a canyon and is alone when she hears a buzzing sound. Quickley she finds a hiding place to watch what happens. There are three ranglers that are chasing a horse. After the ranglers have left Sam takes the horse. She finds out it's name is Dark Sunshine. Meanwhile her Dad agrees to this girl named Brynna that he will do this thing called the HARP program.
This girl named MIKKI shows up at the ranch and she is a real brat. Jake (Sams Friend) helps Sam show Mikki what to do with a horse named Popcorn. Later there is a fire that happens and they barely make it. But, at the end of the fire Sam sees her Dad kissing this girl named Brynna. She goes in side and tries to take a shower but all the water is gone.
The next day Mikki comes and her mom is with her this is the part where the parents come see their kids. She does great. And then Sam sees the Phantom. Her old colt blackie. He has Dark Sunshine with him and he gives her back to Sam. She knows that now he is not mad at her and she gives Mikki and bracelet that is braided out of his hair. Mikki makes sure she can keep and and leaves with her mom.
I probably learned from this book that you really can't judge a book by it's cover or the nerds at your school just by their apperance. That is probably the best thing that I learned from this book.
You really should read these books. They aren't just about horses. they are also about history. I think you can really learn alot from these books. I sure have. I think that even if your not the best reader you can learn alot if you just turn the page of a book.
The way i tell if a book is really good is by turning to the middle page of the book and reading it if I can under stand it okay that means it's a good book for me to read. If I can't understand it then I just find another book to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The story is about a girl named Sam and she goes to meet her friend in a canyon and is alone when she hears a buzzing sound. Quickley she finds a hiding place to watch what happens. There are three ranglers that are chasing a horse. After the ranglers have left Sam takes the horse. She finds out it's name is Dark Sunshine. Meanwhile her Dad agrees to this girl named Brynna that he will do this thing called the HARP program.
This girl named MIKKI shows up at the ranch and she is a real brat. Jake (Sams Friend) helps Sam show Mikki what to do with a horse named Popcorn. Later there is a fire that happens and they barely make it. But, at the end of the fire Sam sees her Dad kissing this girl named Brynna. She goes in side and tries to take a shower but all the water is gone.
The next day Mikki comes and her mom is with her this is the part where the parents come see their kids. She does great. And then Sam sees the Phantom. Her old colt blackie. He has Dark Sunshine with him and he gives her back to Sam. She knows that now he is not mad at her and she gives Mikki and bracelet that is braided out of his hair. Mikki makes sure she can keep and and leaves with her mom.
I probably learned from this book that you really can't judge a book by it's cover or the nerds at your school just by their apperance. That is probably the best thing that I learned from this book.
You really should read these books. They aren't just about horses. they are also about history. I think you can really learn alot from these books. I sure have. I think that even if your not the best reader you can learn alot if you just turn the page of a book.
The way i tell if a book is really good is by turning to the middle page of the book and reading it if I can under stand it okay that means it's a good book for me to read. If I can't understand it then I just find another book to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 15, 2024
I've read a lot of heavy books lately, so it's good for my mental health to read a few children's/young adult books as an antidote. This was a cute story about mustangs but Terri Farley's facts about horses can get awfully screwed up at times. But hey -- why let the truth get in the way of a good story?
For example, there is an "albino" mustang in the story. There is no such thing as an albino horse. There are horses that look white, but they do have melanin and therefore are not albinos. Albino foals born do not live longer than a few days because of an incomplete digestive tract which unfortunately ALWAYS appears with albinism in horses.
If you are thinking about tackling this book anyway, bear in mind that you do need to read the previous two books in the series to figure out what's going on. This book is also crucial to many of the following books. Dark Sunshine becomes a major player in the series.
For example, there is an "albino" mustang in the story. There is no such thing as an albino horse. There are horses that look white, but they do have melanin and therefore are not albinos. Albino foals born do not live longer than a few days because of an incomplete digestive tract which unfortunately ALWAYS appears with albinism in horses.
If you are thinking about tackling this book anyway, bear in mind that you do need to read the previous two books in the series to figure out what's going on. This book is also crucial to many of the following books. Dark Sunshine becomes a major player in the series.
March 23, 2011
Another great story for the horse lover.
This book is about a young girl who has recently returned home after having lived two years with her aunt. In this book the main character, Sam Forster, watches horse thieves try to ruin her beloved wild stallions herd. It is up to her and her keen sense of protectiveness to save her stallion, The Phantom. Not only is she trying to save her beloved Phantom she has to learn to share her best friend Jake and her dad. Can Sam do all that is required of her?
This so far was one of my favorite books in the series. Mostly because there was a lot more action, it has Sam learning to deal with growing up, and because it was just all around descriptive. I do feel a little bad for Sam because even though she is expected to deal with a lot of things she doesn't seem to have anyone around that will just listen to her concerns and thoughts.
I would recommend this book for the horse lover out there. Has everything that is needed: lots of horses, a girl that loves them, and tons of action!!
This book is about a young girl who has recently returned home after having lived two years with her aunt. In this book the main character, Sam Forster, watches horse thieves try to ruin her beloved wild stallions herd. It is up to her and her keen sense of protectiveness to save her stallion, The Phantom. Not only is she trying to save her beloved Phantom she has to learn to share her best friend Jake and her dad. Can Sam do all that is required of her?
This so far was one of my favorite books in the series. Mostly because there was a lot more action, it has Sam learning to deal with growing up, and because it was just all around descriptive. I do feel a little bad for Sam because even though she is expected to deal with a lot of things she doesn't seem to have anyone around that will just listen to her concerns and thoughts.
I would recommend this book for the horse lover out there. Has everything that is needed: lots of horses, a girl that loves them, and tons of action!!
October 5, 2011
This book was an amazing story.....I found myself laughing at times. Some I thought was romance between Jake and Sam, but the suspense of the dangers the Phantom and Sam and Jake put themselves in is so fascinating that I couldn't put this book down at all. I'm defiantly think I'm going to finish this series this time. Sam and Jake have been best friends since they were toddlers, now they are both teenagers and working on Sam's farm. They pretend to be dating in the end to keep out of Lester's (a illegal horse wrangler) way so he could walk into the diner and they could talk, so they say that Flick (another horse wrangler) is heading up to a small canyon next to a bigger one. They save the Phantom and the herd and the Phantom trusts Sam once again since the Old Bunkhouse had burned down, and the barn had almost burned down. I can't wait to get started on the 4th book and will be starting very soon.
March 7, 2012
I only chose this to read because so many girls want horse books. And I felt like I should have started with the first book in the Phantom Stallion series because I was missing a lot. But we don't have the first one in our collection.
But I really enjoyed this book about wild mustangs, rustlers, and a ranch family. It was much better than I expected.
But I really enjoyed this book about wild mustangs, rustlers, and a ranch family. It was much better than I expected.
May 27, 2015
Dark Sunshine by Terri Farley focuses on Sam Forster's attempt to connect with the mnustang she "stole", as well as Mikki, the rebellious girl that comes to the ranch. This book is one of my favorites, and I love how Mikki's character changes. Sam's relationship with Dark Sunshine is also interesting.
December 21, 2014
Overall this book was pretty good, I would rate it 3 stars out of 5, it lost my attention in some parts but it was interesting to read, it broke my heart in some parts but made me happy in others, I would recommend this book to horse lovers, and anyone that just wants a book to read to pass some time.
October 23, 2010
I read this book back when I was in fifth or sixth grade. That is when I first started reading for the fun of it. I owe this series a lot because with out it I may to have become the big reader I am to day.
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January 16, 2008read them all!
July 25, 2008
I LOVE TERRI FARLEY
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