Snel als de wind

The One Dollar Horse #2

by Lauren St. John

Na haar overwinning op de Badminton Horse Trials krijgt Casey een uitnodiging om met haar paard Storm deel te nemen aan een prestigieus evenement. Voor Casey is het een droom die uitkomt - maar die droomt verandert al snel in een nachtmerrie. Caseys vader wordt opgepakt voor een misdaad die hij niet heeft gepleegd, en Casey wordt het slachtoffer van chantage. En alsof dat nog niet erg genoeg was, gedraagt Storm zich weer als het losgeslagen paard dat hij ooit was. Om de overwinning te behalen heeft Casey meer dan ooit de hulp van haar vriendje Peter nodig. Maar staat hij wel aan haar kant?

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Contemporary, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Teen

211 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Lauren St John grew up on a farm and game reserve in Africa, the inspiration for her acclaimed memoir, Rainbow's End, and her award-winning White Giraffe series for children. Dead Man's Cove, the first in her Laura Marlin mystery series, won the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2011. Her bestselling One Dollar Horse trilogy for teenagers was followed by The Glory, a breathtaking YA adventure and romance about a long distance horse race across the American West. Formerly a sports and music journalist, Lauren is the author of Seve and Hardcore Troubador: the Life & Near Death of Steve Earle, a superb, gripping biography of an Americana legend. The Obituary Writer, her first adult novel, was published in 2014 and she is currently at work on her second. Both The White Giraffe and The Glory have been optioned for film.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to read this one for the second time, this time having read the first book so I actually knew the backstory in full! It raised my enjoyment from four stars to five, which was what I had expected.

After the exciting events of the previous book, Casey and Storm are invited to compete at the Kentucky Three Day Event. Casey's decision on whether or not to compete is soon out of her hands when she is blackmailed into going. What follows is a pleasing continuation of the previous book, complete with the ever stressful scenario of having a horse panic on a plane.

This one has a real mystery feel to it which I liked, especially because it added an atypical motivation for the characters desire to compete.

[Blondish And Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the One Dollar Horse trilogy takes up the day after book one ends, with Casey Blue just having won Badminton.

Casey is woken by the police pounding on the door to arrest her father for murder, and he calls her from jail to insist that she still go to the USA to compete at Rolex, the second 4**** event in the Grand Slam. She is of course reluctant to leave her father in his time of need—until she receives an anonymous note telling her that if she win Rolex then she will be given the evidence needed to free her father, but if she loses, he'll never see the light of day again.

And now the pressure is affecting her relationship with her horse Storm Warning! Her trainer Mrs Smith designs a program that includes bridleless riding to rebuild trust, and training with a boxer to increase Casey's strength, balance and speed, and they're off to the US.

The annoying: In both the first and now the second books, Casey uses the phrase, “Eventing is a sport of three disciplines” when she's arguing. Who talks like that? No teenagers I've ever met, and no eventers. Sounds like something you'd put in a term paper, but not a phrase you'd use in normal conversation. Also, in both books comments are made about how prepared or good Casey is because her trainer “was a dressage champion”. First of all, I think every 4**** eventer trains with people who are dressage experts (seriously, dressage trainers with solid experience at the highest level of eventing dressage are everywhere!), but more importantly they also train with jumping experts! In this book comments are made about how Casey should be ahead after dressage and cross country because of her dressage champion trainer. Ahead after dressage I'll buy, but I don't think that someone who's never competed XC is the best trainer for the upper levels...

The good: Book was overall exciting and a fun read. The plot was more unique and had some nice twists. There was finally a scene where Casey and Storm schooled over fences (although they were stadium and not XC). The airplane scenes and Rolex scenes were very well done. The plotline with Casey's father and the blackmail was a nice addition. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. Recommend to anyone who loves accurate and exciting horse fiction!

[Saar The Book owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn't suffer from the 'book in the middle series' -disease at all.
The story picks up where the first book stops and again it's a nerve wrecking story about friendship, love, betrayal and trust. And off course: horses!
I see this series as the version of the Heartland - series for YA - readers. It's all about what's going on in a teenager's mind: love, trust, family, the search for yourself...Also, again, the bond between a person and it's horse is beautifully written in the book.
There were also a lot of suggestions about how to behave with your horse, how to take care of your bond with him. I think the author did quite some research on the subject and also on the horse riding competitions. It made me think of the book about Seabisquit.

I'm looking forward on reading the last book of this trilogy!

[Morgan Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first one, I still found it so addicting and wonderful to read. I really appreciate the horse accuracies in these books; it is clear that the author is actually a horse person. I don't spend all of my reading time picking apart the things that are wrong, which is a blessing, because I don't get much of that when it comes to horse media of any sort. The plot of this book seemed a bit far-fetched, but was still an enjoyable read.

[Serendipity Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I used to be able to say with my hand on my heart that I had absolutely no desire to ever ride a horse again, especially after flying over the top of one when I was in my teens. Yet when I read this series by Lauren St John, I get this incredible urge to find a riding school! She makes horse riding so appealing and exciting, that you come away wondering why you never considered riding before.

The characters are awesome and always come across as the underdogs pushing their way to the top. Casey has so much more to deal with in this book – with her father facing many years in jail for a crime he appears to have been set up for, she must try and win the Kentucky to save him. Now this would be fine, if she wasn’t recovering from just winning the Badminton Cup and if Storm wasn’t ever so slightly temperamental. No pressure!

Storm is one of the best animal characters I’ve come across in a long time. He is just about to pip Manchee from The Knife of Never Letting Go to the crown! He is feisty and independent – if he doesn’t want to do something, he soon lets Casey know. He is a force to be reckoned with.

From the first page you are completely caught up in the story again. You are desperate to find out what will happen to the characters. On reading it I would say it could easily be read as a standalone as there was enough information in it, to understand what happened in the previous book.

I’m really pleased to see that this book is told from various view points which includes a few adults. The inclusion of McLeod added a comical element to the story, especially as his friendship with Peter grew throughout the story. I am secretly hoping he sticks around for the third book and perhaps falls desperately in love with Mrs Smith!

There are still elements of the story left to be solved. We know that Mrs Smith is poorly but as of yet we have no idea what’s wrong with her. I would imagine her illness will make a major part of the plot for Book 3.

Lauren St John has written a thrilling tale that leaves you breathless as you wait for the final book in the trilogy. As with the first book it has an old school feel about it which I love and will make this book appeal to children and adults. If you love Black Beauty and National Velvet, then this book is for you.

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was part of a trilogy when I picked it up at the library, so I didn't understand why a horse bought from a knackery in the UK cost a dollar (or why pet food renderers who are presumably there to make a living were giving horses away), but since it wasn't explained in this book I guess it wasn't important.

If it had gone a little bit further this could have been cracktastically entertaining (the dialogue! Do people still talk like that?). It had its entertaining moments and I appreciate this is a wish-fulfillment book. (Of course, I think wish-fulfillment books about low-income kids getting a horse usually end with them, say, having a good day at Pony Club and winning a ribbon, not winning Badminton/getting lots of lucrative sponsorships/making out with their farrier who never appears to do any farriery, but this is aimed at slightly older readers.) I was also quite intrigued by the lady villain who was just involved in the international crime plot because she wanted to be able to keep her Arabian horses after her husband died suddenly from eating a strawberry.

[Annerie RooibosReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, exciting, nerve-wracking, blackmail and love... These are some of my favourite things!

This book definitely lacked the stigma that goes with being the middle book in a trilogy. It was perfectly executed, the writing was excellent and Lauren St John took no shortcuts when it comes to character development and the development of her skills!

Definitely a 5/5 star reas!

[neya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yas, kolejny reread XD I tak będzie co roku z tą serią🥰

[N.L. McFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love horses, I've worked with them, ridden them, and felt the freedom and exhilaration of it all...this book brought it all back. I love horse stories, especially ones riddled with hidden agendas, criminal plotting, and a race against time... this is the second book in the series, and I love Casey Blues' character. The author has managed to perfectly capture eventing, horses, and her characters to bring them to life until you're almost breathing the air they breathe. With an intricate spiders Web of event laying before her, Casey has to navigate her new life, whilst trying to maintain who she is, what she wants, the people she loves, the love of her horse and her morals. Every action has consequences, and she has to learn in the heat of the moment, what those consequences truly are, and how much they could cost her. I highly recommend this series for any horse lover out there, you won't be disappointed.

[Keeley McJunkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. It reminds me of the Heartland series.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant addition to the series. Loved the the plot and the Kentucky three day event. Even though it was really quite predictable I enjoyed it so much. Quick short chapters. Very well described and I loved the fact that everything around Casey went from good to bad and you didn't find out if everything she wants back comes back. Only wish there was more on her father being jailed. But overall a good young adult horse novel. Can't wait till firestorm next year

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. There was never a part where i found boring. At times i was so angry and at others i was laughing along with the book. Plus, I had a signed copy!!

Definitely a book to read. I am so glad that i picked up The One Dollar Horse. If i hadn't, i wouldn't have come across this amazing 2nd book.

[Andrea Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this book series and feel like the author puts you in Casey's boots. You really come to care about the characters no matter how stubborn and frustrating they can be. St John beautifully weaves a story of riding that appeases the horse lover in me and I would recommend this book for anyone who loves horses and suspense!

[zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have got all three of these books.
all of Lauren St. John's books
I love her books so much!!

[Eva]

This book is a really good follow up from the one dollar horse. I live the way Lauren St. John fits a picture in your head I love it

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

great sequel to ONE DOLLAR HORSE, cant wait to get the next book, FIRE STORM!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

just finished this book it was unreal loved every bit of it especially the way the story was continued on.... i really think this should become a MOVIE or TV SERIES! like heartland

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sooo hooked. want to read the next book so much!!

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the chemistry between Casey and Peter! <3

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schattig en heerlijk ongeloofwaardig. Ik zou dit boek nooit zelf uitkiezen, maar het diende als prima guilty pleasure.

[Vi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I went into 'Race the Wind' expecting it to be disappointing and repetitive after reading the synopsis, however it was none of those things. In fact, 'Race the Wind' started very promisingly. I was pleasantly surprised when the first couple of chapters exceeded my expectations and I found myself immersed in Casey's story once more. I liked that St. John picked up from where she left off, only a few hours after Casey's victory at the Badminton Horse Trials. I immediately found myself admiring Casey's strong will, courage and the lengths she would go to for the people (or horses!) she loves. But unfortunately, I felt her character went downhill from there. I understood why she appeared to have lost her determination and her drive; it's not like she wanted to enter the Kentucky Three Day Event. Nevertheless I still found myself rolling my eyes at her sarcasm and her snappiness. Perhaps this alone wouldn't have drastically changed my overall opinion of her, but when I considered her treatment of Peter in addition to this, it was too much. I had hoped that her relationship with Peter would develop into something stronger this book but rather it went the opposite way. I think 'The One Dollar Horse' series would be more enjoyable if St. John simply allowed Casey and Peter to be friends rather than forcing a connection which I think is simply not there. In my opinion, Casey feels nothing more for Peter than friendship and lust. St. John writes paragraphs on Casey's thoughts about Peter's muscles and tanned skin but not a lot about his actual personality. Casey often chooses to see the worst in Peter and I actually felt sorry for him in this book. It's a huge character flaw of hers.

I have to admit, I did scoff when Casey received the anonymous letter, demanding that she win Kentucky or her father would be condemned to a life in prison for a crime he did not commit. I was sceptical about this plotline and thought it a bit ridiculous and unrealistic - who would honestly care if a teenager wins an equestrian competition or not? But I stand corrected. I had no idea where St. John was going with that idea but it turned out to be a really authentic, entertaining and compelling storyline.

What I liked:
- There were a number of new characters introduced in 'Race the Wind', Detective Lenny McLeod and personal trainer Ethan Gage included. I thought their characters were good additions; both likable and enhanced the story.

- The pacing was a lot better in this book than the last one; I felt like the story flowed more naturally this time around.

-I particularly enjoyed reading about how Casey trained for Kentucky - the personal training sessions and the "batty" methods Angelica taught her for training Storm.

- St. John revealed who the blackmailer was at the perfect moment! From there, the story really picked up and all the pieces clicked together and I became a lot more invested in the outcome that I had been previously.

What I didn't like:
- Casey's character development

- Casey and Peter's relationship

- The fact that the reader still doesn't know the exact condition Mrs Smith suffers from! I feel this is becoming a little dragged out.

- What I really struggled to grasp was why the blackmailer suddenly decided Casey needed to lose Kentucky rather than win. If they had bet money that she would win, why ask her to lose? If they had actually bet that someone else would win, why would they involve Casey in the first place? I don't know if this was something I simply failed to follow, but to me, it seemed St. John only added this element to add an extra layer of excitement, even if it didn't make sense.

Overall, I deemed 'Race the Wind' to be a 2.5 star read; it was enjoyable but not quite as gripping as its predecessor. I don't think it was a necessary addition to the series. I would have been quite happy to leave Casey behind at the end of 'The One Dollar Horse'. Yet, saying this, I know I'll definitely end up reading 'Fire Storm' anyway. Purely for Angelica Smith at this point, as she has consistently been a wonderful character; full of wisdom, intelligence, selflessness and intuition.

I don't want my review to come across entirely negative. There was still a lot I enjoyed about this book. I adore the way St. John describes the bond between Casey and Storm; she writes about riding beautifully and instils in me a desire to finally take horse riding lessons like I've always wanted to do (don't worry, I have no intentions of trying to win any competitions though!).

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another retelling of International Velvet with the young London heroine of 'One Dollar Horse' going off to Kentucky Horse Trials. She still appears to be thirteen in terms of maturity. Weirdly she never interacts with any other eventing competitors, so I don't know how the publisher persuaded Jilly Cooper to give the book a blurb quote. As in the previous tale our impecunious Council flat heroine (now 17 and it seems money appears from nowhere and she never has to study for anything) lives in her own bubble and nobody else matters to her. Except her dad, a man (and ex-con) so saintly that it's impossible to see why anyone thought he had committed the crime he's accused of in this book.

The cast list of young people is tiny, maybe two people with lines. And our heroine promptly alienates the other one. Then she goes and grooms her precious horse with the dandy brush - in midsummer when he has a thin coat - so this girl clearly rubs everyone up the wrong way. Does the author have a clue about grooming? She never mentions the horse getting groomed and plaited for dressage either.

The cover photo of my paperback has been badly Photoshopped to erase the halter and lead rein on the horse. However, nobody thought to shop the picture on the spine.

I am giving three stars because I am pleased to see eventing being featured and some research has gone into the writing, but the tale is unimpressive and the cast one-dimensional.
This is an unbiased review.

[Miruna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will truly grasp you and stay with you long after you finished reading the book.
Lauren St. John is an amazing author who never leaves any detailed unanswered.
Lauren St. John tells the story from a third person point of view, of the life of Casey Blue who just won the Badminton Horse Trials. Having achieved this Casey gets an automatic invasion to the Kentucky 3 Day event in America. The only problem is her father became framed for a murder he didn’t commit, Storm Warning(the horse Casey loves and saved from a knickers yard) is acting and won’t even let her touch him after an accident, and finally a relentless blaickmailer who asking the impossible from Casey. Now Casey has to rely on her coach Angelica Smith who has always been there, and her farrier boyfriend Peter to help get out of all these messes.

Throughout all of this St John also include minor conflicts that are actually very important later on. Lauren St John also writes with so much detail that it feels like you are the one competing in the event not Casey. While this book isn’t the most suspenseful book in the world it is definitely amazing.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Casey prepares to enter her next competition in Kentucky, she has to deal with her father being wrongly accused of a crime. Again, she has her faith in him he didn't do it but as the police feel it's a dead certain he did she feels helpless at helping him. She focuses on her upcoming competition whilst she also has a fall out with Peter...



However, one elderly officer enlists Peter, Casey's on and off boyfriend who sets about clearing her father's name as they uncover a horrid corrupt plot thats the scandal of the year in eventing!



Didn't see this coming at all, shocking ending but thrilling drama as Casey rides wanting to win and her father faces prison again! I wish I could ride horses but this book let's me feel like I am experiencing it anyway absolutely loved it!

[Karoliina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miksi kirjoillekin käy kuten leffoille... Jatko-osa ei päässyt edeltäjänsä tasolle. Casey muuttui ärsyttäväksi ja epäloogiseksi marisijaksi, joka aiheutti ainakin puolet pahasta olostaan itse. Tässä varmaan pyrittiin jotenkin aitoon ahdistuksen kuvailuun, mutta lopputulos oli raskas lukea. Jännityskin oli vähän siinä ja siinä, vaikka tässä kuitenkin selviteltiin murhaa ja lavastusta ja kiristystä. Siihen päälle ympättiin muutama sananen treenaamisesta ja hevoskuiskailuista. Laimea. Välillä tuli sellainen fiilis, kuin lukisi ekaa, suuntaa antavaa käsikirjoitusta heppaleffasta.

Kai mä silti sen kolmannenkin osan luen, että saan tarinan päätökseen.

[Yasmin Pirbhai · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the front cover of this book it says 'Lauren St John creates both humans and horse so real you can almost reach out and touch them.' It is probably the truest thing I have ever heard. The books have changed me as a rider, I respect the horses I ride more, treat them with more care.

This book sent me on an emotional rollercoaster. It started off awfully, yet right where the other book ended that I am kind of nervous to pick up the third one, yet excited to see the journey they are no doubt about to go on. This series has won my heart and my favorite spot on the book shelf! Love it.

[Roan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Race the Wind was short and sweet, enjoyable but not as good as the first book. It's more of a blackmail/detective story than a horse story which was alright, but not what I'm here for. We did get some of that though, and I loved seeing Casey learn to be genuine partners with Storm. I adored the scene where they go swimming and spiritually connect! I found the glory of the ending to be dampened by the cringy, corny teen romance plot but that's just my opinion haha.

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kicks off pretty much the morning after the previous book ends. So I wouldn't recommend leaving a big gap!

Not sure if I'm in a different headspace, but I found this one less enjoyable than the first. A lot more teenage girl angst and a lot less about horses (although there were still some good horse bits). The plot is also a teeny, weeny bit far-fetched. That said I still enjoyed it and I'm sure the target audience will love it even more.

[Jono McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic episode following the adventures of Casey Blue and Storm Warning, once again capturing the heart of horse-riding so vividly. I was looking forward to a deeper exploration of America, as in Kentucky Thriller, but the focus is more on plot and character than setting this time around. Thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read Fire Storm!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The One Dollar Horse, and the sequel did not disappoint. It was just as fast-paced, exciting, and addictive as the first one. This series is just so easy to get lost in and ignore reality for a while. I loved that we got to see Casey and Storm’s relationship develop even more. I can’t wait to read Fire Storm!