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Phantom Stallion #23
Gypsy Gold
Samantha and Jen are out camping when they meet Nicholas, a boy traveling cross–country on a beautiful Gypsy Vanner mare, learning about his gypsy ancestry. His caravan also includes a young colt. Nicholas says it's a stray, but the colt looks a lot like a missing mustang. When people start getting suspicious, Sam wants to stick up for her new friend. But has she put her faith in an untrustworthy drifter?
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
427 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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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 12, 2024
I enjoyed this story quite a lot. It involves Sam meeting a boy with Roma heritage named Nicholas, (Note: Nicholas is called a "Gypsy" throughout, but as stated in the content advisory, the author has since acknowledged that this term is a slur and she wouldn't have used it if writing the book today.) who is completing a bit of a coming-of-age journey by traveling the roads with his horse. The story addresses the prejudices that some people had and still have against the Roma people. Linc Slocum, wonderful person that he is /sarcasm, accuses Nicholas of theft. Sam, however, believes in Nicholas and helps to prove his innocence. I liked Nicholas a lot as a character, and I always appreciate Sam's caring heart and desire for justice. It was also great to see some heat get put on Linc and I'm extra glad that it seems he may be about to see some real consequences for his many questionable actions.
Hard to believe, but there's only one book left and I'll have finally finished this series!
Content Advisory:
In the audiobook copy of this book (from Oasis Audio, released in 2022) the author includes a note at the beginning saying that, were she writing this book today (the book was first published in 2006), she would not have used the term "gypsy" because it has since been recognized as a slur to the Roma/Romani people. The story still addresses the prejudices that have plagued the Roma people for many years, ranging from people thinking they're thieves and/or making it so they couldn't make a home anywhere because they kept getting rejected and chased away.
Linc Slocum shoots a female coyote. Sam rides up just after it happens so she doesn't witness it, but is very upset, especially because her dog is distressed as the coyote was his mate and they'd apparently produced at least one puppy together (a "coydog") whom Sam had seen him playing with recently. The coyote's body is pretty described, with mention of the eyes, teeth, and flecks of blood. There are hints that Linc may have finally gone too far (he fired a gun with three minors nearby, among other things) and is about to see the legal repercussions he's deserved for a long time.
There's passing mention that something illegal that Linc did may have resulted in someone somewhere committing suicide. This person isn't anyone that Sam or her family or friends knew, so there are no details about it. The rumor is simply stated by her friend, Jen.
Hard to believe, but there's only one book left and I'll have finally finished this series!
Content Advisory:
In the audiobook copy of this book (from Oasis Audio, released in 2022) the author includes a note at the beginning saying that, were she writing this book today (the book was first published in 2006), she would not have used the term "gypsy" because it has since been recognized as a slur to the Roma/Romani people. The story still addresses the prejudices that have plagued the Roma people for many years, ranging from people thinking they're thieves and/or making it so they couldn't make a home anywhere because they kept getting rejected and chased away.
Linc Slocum shoots a female coyote. Sam rides up just after it happens so she doesn't witness it, but is very upset, especially because her dog is distressed as the coyote was his mate and they'd apparently produced at least one puppy together (a "coydog") whom Sam had seen him playing with recently. The coyote's body is pretty described, with mention of the eyes, teeth, and flecks of blood. There are hints that Linc may have finally gone too far (he fired a gun with three minors nearby, among other things) and is about to see the legal repercussions he's deserved for a long time.
There's passing mention that something illegal that Linc did may have resulted in someone somewhere committing suicide. This person isn't anyone that Sam or her family or friends knew, so there are no details about it. The rumor is simply stated by her friend, Jen.
December 14, 2024
The penultimate book in the series is just about the fastest moving book in the series, too. The story arc is coming to a promising conclusion. You absolutely have to read this series in order.
I remember the hoopla on the fledgling Internet when the first Gypsy Vanners were imported into America. There is even mention of The Gypsy King (1992 - 2015), one of the most photogenic horses that ever lived. Some of the best memories I have of living in England from 2000 - 2005 was my brief friendship with two Gypsy Vanners in their paddock. For a year or so, they lived near where I got my fresh water when I was homeless. One day, a van came slowly up, the pair were loaded, then driven away. I heard that they were sold. I never saw them again. I wondered if they were exported to North America.
Although the series promotes Mustangs overall, it does occasionally feature other horse breeds or crossbreeds. Here we get a lovely look at a Gypsy Vanner mare, albeit a rather fantastically perfect one. Her color is incorrectly described as a paint ... it's not, it's a pinto or piebald. Paint is a breed that is predominantly pinto in coloration. Pinto and paint are NOT synonyms.
And she comes with an actual Gypsy ... or a guy of Romany descent, anyway. Although this book has a lesson on stereotypes, Terri Farley couldn't resist making her Gypsy play the violin, drive a horse-drawn wagon (vardo) and be great with horses.
Ah, well.
We also finally find out what's been bothering Blaze the border collie for the last few books. I really thought the first books mentioned that he'd been neutered, but I might not be remembering it right. I remember as a kid being told that coyotes and dogs couldn't breed ... but I was told a lot of shit as a kid. When it comes to canines, every hole is a goal.
But, please, kids -- neuter your dogs.
The website GypsyGold.com mentioned in the afterward still exists. It's the website of the most prominent Gypsy Vanner breeders in America.
I remember the hoopla on the fledgling Internet when the first Gypsy Vanners were imported into America. There is even mention of The Gypsy King (1992 - 2015), one of the most photogenic horses that ever lived. Some of the best memories I have of living in England from 2000 - 2005 was my brief friendship with two Gypsy Vanners in their paddock. For a year or so, they lived near where I got my fresh water when I was homeless. One day, a van came slowly up, the pair were loaded, then driven away. I heard that they were sold. I never saw them again. I wondered if they were exported to North America.
Although the series promotes Mustangs overall, it does occasionally feature other horse breeds or crossbreeds. Here we get a lovely look at a Gypsy Vanner mare, albeit a rather fantastically perfect one. Her color is incorrectly described as a paint ... it's not, it's a pinto or piebald. Paint is a breed that is predominantly pinto in coloration. Pinto and paint are NOT synonyms.
And she comes with an actual Gypsy ... or a guy of Romany descent, anyway. Although this book has a lesson on stereotypes, Terri Farley couldn't resist making her Gypsy play the violin, drive a horse-drawn wagon (vardo) and be great with horses.
Ah, well.
We also finally find out what's been bothering Blaze the border collie for the last few books. I really thought the first books mentioned that he'd been neutered, but I might not be remembering it right. I remember as a kid being told that coyotes and dogs couldn't breed ... but I was told a lot of shit as a kid. When it comes to canines, every hole is a goal.
But, please, kids -- neuter your dogs.
The website GypsyGold.com mentioned in the afterward still exists. It's the website of the most prominent Gypsy Vanner breeders in America.
February 26, 2019
I reduced one star because Gypsy is a slur. Otherwise this is another interesting entry to Sam and Jake's adventures by Terri Farley.
It's been so long, and I've lost my copy, that I can't recall if the 'gypsy boy' ended up being a thief or not--but just the fact that a 'gypsy boy' is accused of being a thief as a plot line is not that comforting to my soul so I had to reduce one star and explain why so that some people don't read this and then think having 'gypsy boy' plots or characters is okay without understanding the nuances of why it might not be.
I understand Gypsy Vanner/Gypsy Cob/Gypsy Horse is a breed, but it has an alternative name called the Irish Cob. At any rate, that's just a reason I'm spitballing as to why the title of this book could have been something different that didn't include 'Gypsy.' I also understand this was written in the early 2000's when sensitivities weren't taken as seriously or were even known. But I just cannot give it 5 stars when the story kind of revolves around dangerous and harmful stereotypes about 'gypsies' and whether or not they are thieves.
I was a child when I read this and it led me to believe gypsies were interesting, fantastical people who just traveled around in caravans and were morally ambiguous and kind of mystical. Well, that's the problem--gypsy is a slur for a real group of people called the Romani, and all that stuff that is associated with them like thievery and mysticism is a stereotype that continues to cause them harm to this day. I really recommend googling the word 'romani' and seeing what pops up.
I continued to believe gypsy was not a slur until I had a professor in college who was Romani. She was the one who taught me how stereotypes bring about real harm and well, meeting someone face-to-face who experienced trauma due to stereotypes makes it hard to ignore their plea to simply not use a word.
So all that being said, this is a 5 star story but my soul can not give it 5 stars without talking about the modern day (as of writing this) impact of these types of stories and stereotypes. Especially bearing in mind children are most likely to read this. All that being said, I genuinely want people to enjoy this book and the entire series because it is really good!
It's been so long, and I've lost my copy, that I can't recall if the 'gypsy boy' ended up being a thief or not--but just the fact that a 'gypsy boy' is accused of being a thief as a plot line is not that comforting to my soul so I had to reduce one star and explain why so that some people don't read this and then think having 'gypsy boy' plots or characters is okay without understanding the nuances of why it might not be.
I understand Gypsy Vanner/Gypsy Cob/Gypsy Horse is a breed, but it has an alternative name called the Irish Cob. At any rate, that's just a reason I'm spitballing as to why the title of this book could have been something different that didn't include 'Gypsy.' I also understand this was written in the early 2000's when sensitivities weren't taken as seriously or were even known. But I just cannot give it 5 stars when the story kind of revolves around dangerous and harmful stereotypes about 'gypsies' and whether or not they are thieves.
I was a child when I read this and it led me to believe gypsies were interesting, fantastical people who just traveled around in caravans and were morally ambiguous and kind of mystical. Well, that's the problem--gypsy is a slur for a real group of people called the Romani, and all that stuff that is associated with them like thievery and mysticism is a stereotype that continues to cause them harm to this day. I really recommend googling the word 'romani' and seeing what pops up.
I continued to believe gypsy was not a slur until I had a professor in college who was Romani. She was the one who taught me how stereotypes bring about real harm and well, meeting someone face-to-face who experienced trauma due to stereotypes makes it hard to ignore their plea to simply not use a word.
So all that being said, this is a 5 star story but my soul can not give it 5 stars without talking about the modern day (as of writing this) impact of these types of stories and stereotypes. Especially bearing in mind children are most likely to read this. All that being said, I genuinely want people to enjoy this book and the entire series because it is really good!
August 25, 2024
The first word of the title is a slur, which I didn't know when I read this series as a kid. It refers to the breed of horse depicted on the cover, mainly, but there is a character with Romani heritage who is referred to using the slur throughout the book. But I think the story engages productively with topics of racism towards him, with Linc Slocum being even worse than usual.
Not even only for racism - also for animal cruelty. He shoots a coyote, who is Blaze's mate and the mother of his coydog pup, and nicks Blaze with a bullet. It's so satisfying when the sheriff is able to charge him with something major at the end of this book. I hope he goes away for good.
I like the interactions between Sam and Jake in this book, too, including various elements I'd forgotten about: Jake teaching her how to drive stick, Sam giving him the coydog as a belated birthday present, them riding on Witch together. My nostalgic reread is almost over, alas!
Not even only for racism - also for animal cruelty. He shoots a coyote, who is Blaze's mate and the mother of his coydog pup, and nicks Blaze with a bullet. It's so satisfying when the sheriff is able to charge him with something major at the end of this book. I hope he goes away for good.
I like the interactions between Sam and Jake in this book, too, including various elements I'd forgotten about: Jake teaching her how to drive stick, Sam giving him the coydog as a belated birthday present, them riding on Witch together. My nostalgic reread is almost over, alas!
October 24, 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
5 Stars
This was one of my favorite series from my childhood books 11-24 I did not have the pleasure of reading them during childhood I am reading them now.
Samantha and Jen are out camping when they meet Nicholas, a boy traveling cross-country on a beautiful Gypsy Vanner mare, learning about his gypsy ancestry.
His caravan also includes a young colt. Nicholas says it's a stray, but the colt looks a lot like a missing mustang. When people start getting suspicious, Sam wants to stick up for her new friend. But has she put her faith in an untrustworthy drifter?
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
5 Stars
This was one of my favorite series from my childhood books 11-24 I did not have the pleasure of reading them during childhood I am reading them now.
Samantha and Jen are out camping when they meet Nicholas, a boy traveling cross-country on a beautiful Gypsy Vanner mare, learning about his gypsy ancestry.
His caravan also includes a young colt. Nicholas says it's a stray, but the colt looks a lot like a missing mustang. When people start getting suspicious, Sam wants to stick up for her new friend. But has she put her faith in an untrustworthy drifter?
October 1, 2024
3.5 stars
An interesting story. Nicholas is a neat/unique character and I like Lace a lot :)
An interesting story. Nicholas is a neat/unique character and I like Lace a lot :)
October 23, 2017
This addition to the Phantom Stallion series was kind of fun. Sam meets a gypsy boy traveling in a caravan pulled by a gorgeous Gypsy Vanner mare.
But the ever awful Linc Slocum wants to cause trouble, because all gypsies are thieves and vagrants...
This did feel a bit like the Nod to discrimination, which is the kiss of Death to any story, but the realistic characters and the better than real horses saved it.
But the ever awful Linc Slocum wants to cause trouble, because all gypsies are thieves and vagrants...
This did feel a bit like the Nod to discrimination, which is the kiss of Death to any story, but the realistic characters and the better than real horses saved it.
Read
January 16, 2008really good one
February 10, 2009
Very interesting!! i like the gypsy vanner!!
Read
August 13, 2011I LOVE HORSES VERY MUCH.
December 25, 2012
I loved Nicholas, and the little colt. And that Linc is on his way to getting his just deserts.
April 19, 2014
it was funny but awesome.
November 30, 2014
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!
September 25, 2010
See the first book in the series for a full review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews