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Diamond Spirit #1
Diamond Spirit
The first book in the best-selling Australian series, Diamond Spirit.
Can the right horse heal a broken heart?
At the start of the summer holidays, the unthinkable happens when Jess's beloved pony Diamond has a terrible accident. Why won't Shara, Jess's closest friend tell her what happened down on the river flats that day? Jess suspects the worst, and feels as though she's lost not just one best friend, but two.
But new friends and new horses come into Jess's life, along with the chance to compete in the Longwood campdraft.
And there's one special filly who needs Jess's help... can Walkabout help Jess in return?
SELECTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S READING LIST.
Can the right horse heal a broken heart?
At the start of the summer holidays, the unthinkable happens when Jess's beloved pony Diamond has a terrible accident. Why won't Shara, Jess's closest friend tell her what happened down on the river flats that day? Jess suspects the worst, and feels as though she's lost not just one best friend, but two.
But new friends and new horses come into Jess's life, along with the chance to compete in the Longwood campdraft.
And there's one special filly who needs Jess's help... can Walkabout help Jess in return?
SELECTED FOR THE NSW PREMIER'S READING LIST.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Karen Wood
63 books45 followersKaren Wood is the author of the five Diamond Spirit books. She has an Arts degree majoring in communications and a diploma in horticulture. She has syndicated a gardening column in several newspapers throughout Australia, has published feature articles in various magazines and has published photographs in bushwalking guides. She is married with two children, a few horses, some dogs, chooks and a very cute rabbit. She lives on a small acreage on the Central Coast, New South Wales, where she spends as much time as possible with kids and horses or at her laptop, dreaming up a new book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 15, 2015
I believe that this book is the beginning to an excellent series about horses, competition and friends. This book is ideal for teenagers and 10 year olds being the minimum age limit considering some language that may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Other then that, a splendid start to a splendid series.
February 4, 2018
I'm giving this one five stars for great setting realisation, with a caveat that not everyone will love it. Some fairly mature themes are handled, including serious accidents and death.
A horse-mad girl in Australia has to overcome losing not only her beloved mare but, due to a fight, her best friend. I admire the way Jess gets to work with an old stockhorse and teaches herself a new style of riding, while trying to resolve a conflict.
I'm not so keen on the way that Jess goes from thinking she has to have one horse after another. She learns more than one major lesson, starting perhaps with the simple fact that a saddle for a medium pony won't be suitable for a large horse. We all had to learn, we weren't born knowing everything. Certainly horse lovers will find a great deal of excitement and information in the evocative Diamond Spirit. This is first in a series.
I took advantage of a free download offer. This is an unbiased review. I should add that the formatting was strange in the Instafreebie version, but this may have been corrected by now.
A horse-mad girl in Australia has to overcome losing not only her beloved mare but, due to a fight, her best friend. I admire the way Jess gets to work with an old stockhorse and teaches herself a new style of riding, while trying to resolve a conflict.
I'm not so keen on the way that Jess goes from thinking she has to have one horse after another. She learns more than one major lesson, starting perhaps with the simple fact that a saddle for a medium pony won't be suitable for a large horse. We all had to learn, we weren't born knowing everything. Certainly horse lovers will find a great deal of excitement and information in the evocative Diamond Spirit. This is first in a series.
I took advantage of a free download offer. This is an unbiased review. I should add that the formatting was strange in the Instafreebie version, but this may have been corrected by now.
August 18, 2012
I found this book great! As a very horsey person it is so hard to find horse stories that aren't either childerns books or non-fiction. But this series is one of the few that is not in those two genres. Really enjoyed it!
August 28, 2011
I finally found a horse book for TEENS! There is no magic, no mystical castles or dashing princes; just the good-old outback and stud horses.
February 23, 2012
Great Book made me cry poor Diamond :(
December 5, 2012
i cried. i laughed. i cried
Read
June 1, 2017Cryed when read this
March 20, 2019
Heart breaking
This is every horse owners worst nightmare been told that your horse has a broken leg because there is nothing that they can do for that in horses and the kindest thing to do is out then to sleep. This is that book in the first few chapters.
Off you don't believe in reincarnation then this book is not for you when the young girl believes that her horse has been reincarnated into a foal who was born on the same day as hers who died. but when her parents can't afford the new goal she has to enter a competition to win the money but give up the new horse that her cousin gave her to raise the money it's a hard choice and she has to let the goal go to a man she doesn't like but when his own horse falls pregnant she makes an offer on that and he accepts. This book is hard on the emotions and might not be for some but worth a go
This is every horse owners worst nightmare been told that your horse has a broken leg because there is nothing that they can do for that in horses and the kindest thing to do is out then to sleep. This is that book in the first few chapters.
Off you don't believe in reincarnation then this book is not for you when the young girl believes that her horse has been reincarnated into a foal who was born on the same day as hers who died. but when her parents can't afford the new goal she has to enter a competition to win the money but give up the new horse that her cousin gave her to raise the money it's a hard choice and she has to let the goal go to a man she doesn't like but when his own horse falls pregnant she makes an offer on that and he accepts. This book is hard on the emotions and might not be for some but worth a go
August 24, 2022
Wow this is one of the best books I have read in a long time, yes I know it is meant for younger readers but brought back so many memories of my teenage love for the horse, the loss of a beloved animal is almost the first right of passage for a country kid, and the longing for a replacement that is every bit as special (not to mention way out of the parents pricerange) and the misunderstandings between friends and misjudgement of adults motives at that age. Reminder of what hardwork and dedication to the animal can achieve, this book ticks all the boxes.
November 30, 2017
The love of horses and good firends
I have this book five stars because the author seems to know about horses and describes what you have to do if you own and love them. Jessie finds out what it feels like to love a special horse and how it feels to lose a best friend, human and horse. A very great book about friendship.
I have this book five stars because the author seems to know about horses and describes what you have to do if you own and love them. Jessie finds out what it feels like to love a special horse and how it feels to lose a best friend, human and horse. A very great book about friendship.
April 4, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The detail in the setting made it very clear. I felt like it was me waking up to each morning to the heat of Western Queensland and me who felt the heartbreak of finding Jess's horse stuck.
February 26, 2019
This is a nice story, I enjoyed reading it.
April 6, 2022
The Diamond Spirit Series are a must read!
Karen Wood publishes the best books on offer!
I have read almost all of them!
Karen Wood publishes the best books on offer!
I have read almost all of them!
February 23, 2025
One of my favorite series forever
June 22, 2021
I was great! I want to read the second one though.
June 6, 2014
Ok first - anybody who knows me even a little knows that I would NEVER pick up this book on my own to read. I reviewed it for Booklist, sure. And it was unexpectedly good! Or unexpectedly better than ok at least. Not my thing, sure, but also not goopy or overwritten or formulaic.
I am feeling like I see a pattern. Everything I've read from Australia for as long as I've been paying attention (like, "Oh!" this is an Australian book!) has been kind of unusually well-written. Do we have better editors in Oz? Do they only try to publish stuff in the U.S. that hits a certain mark quality-wise?
What is going on in Australia? How come even the horsey series pot-boilers, which, no shit, this one totally is - are better written than big books by acclaimed authors in our country?
Ok now here's my review:
Jess and her best friend Shara spend all the time they can spare with their horses Diamond and Rocko. They compete in equestrian games put on by the pony club in their rural Australian district. But Diamond gets hurt, and Shara goes away to school, and Jess is left idle and sad. Fortunately, she is rescued by new friends, also riders, and soon gets to work training an older horse for a campdrafting (cowherding) contest. While this book is an obvious choice for horse lovers, other readers will appreciate its understated drama and clear prose. The author is clearly in love with the river flats and pastures of her country setting, and uses economical but descriptive sensory language to communicate the pleasures of riding and caring for horses. Australian vernacular and farm terms give the text additional color, and are easily deciphered from context. Summery and a little bit soapy, this is fine poolside reading.
Paula Willey for Booklist Online
I am feeling like I see a pattern. Everything I've read from Australia for as long as I've been paying attention (like, "Oh!" this is an Australian book!) has been kind of unusually well-written. Do we have better editors in Oz? Do they only try to publish stuff in the U.S. that hits a certain mark quality-wise?
What is going on in Australia? How come even the horsey series pot-boilers, which, no shit, this one totally is - are better written than big books by acclaimed authors in our country?
Ok now here's my review:
Jess and her best friend Shara spend all the time they can spare with their horses Diamond and Rocko. They compete in equestrian games put on by the pony club in their rural Australian district. But Diamond gets hurt, and Shara goes away to school, and Jess is left idle and sad. Fortunately, she is rescued by new friends, also riders, and soon gets to work training an older horse for a campdrafting (cowherding) contest. While this book is an obvious choice for horse lovers, other readers will appreciate its understated drama and clear prose. The author is clearly in love with the river flats and pastures of her country setting, and uses economical but descriptive sensory language to communicate the pleasures of riding and caring for horses. Australian vernacular and farm terms give the text additional color, and are easily deciphered from context. Summery and a little bit soapy, this is fine poolside reading.
Paula Willey for Booklist Online
February 13, 2014
I discovered this series a few years ago and they were my favorite books for ages!
Growing up I always wanted a horse, therefore being the bookworm I am I read HEAPS of horse related books.
I haven't read this book in a long time so this may not be the most accurate review. From what I remember this is a incredibly good well written book for horse and animal lovers in there early to mid teens. It is much more realistic and intelligent then a lot o other similar books.
Overall I really loved this book as well as the other books in the series and I highly recommend it.
Growing up I always wanted a horse, therefore being the bookworm I am I read HEAPS of horse related books.
I haven't read this book in a long time so this may not be the most accurate review. From what I remember this is a incredibly good well written book for horse and animal lovers in there early to mid teens. It is much more realistic and intelligent then a lot o other similar books.
Overall I really loved this book as well as the other books in the series and I highly recommend it.
April 28, 2013
i was so happy with finding the diamond spirit series...i spent so long trying to find a good horse book that wasn't childish and was actually good! but when i found this it was amazing full of drama and also full of horses i really enjoyed it... but i do think the first book wasn't as good as the others so if you enjoyed this book i do recommend reading the others as this is just the start to the wonderful series.
November 8, 2013
A nice read. It progressed well and for those not familiar with the campdrafting circuit it was a nice introduction.
A story not just about horses, but about loss, courage and friendship.
Would definitely read the next in the series.
A story not just about horses, but about loss, courage and friendship.
Would definitely read the next in the series.
October 4, 2014
I really liked these books and recommend it to anyone who loves horses it's got just the right amount of everything and whenever I don't have a book I always pick this one up even though I have read it a million times!!!!!
November 6, 2016
This was a fantastic book. I haven't read a horsey book in a while so it was good to get back to them. This book was about 2 friends, horses and some camp drafting. i would recommend it to ages 13+. the good thing about this book is that it is part of a series.
April 2, 2020
Best series for horse mad girls, particularly entering those early to mid teen years. I love the Australian setting to this series, which being and Australian girl myself was easy to relate to. This series has themes of coming of age, romance, friendships, family and of course horses.
April 25, 2011
Although I am not a horse lover, there was enough drama, mystery and interpersonal conflict to keep me reading. I would recommend it to 10 to 15 year olds who enjoy horse stories.
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July 25, 2011A story of friendship and horses that will be perfect for young girls 8-12. This is book 1 of a new series and the first book is only $9.95 to encourage people to try this new author.
August 30, 2011
One for girls who love horses with plenty of plot and strong characterisations.
May 31, 2012
Love this book sooooooo much and is there going to be more or even better a movie:)!!!!!!!
January 20, 2013
it was a pretty good book
January 22, 2013
AMAZING!! This is the book that started my obsession with the series!! I love all the horses and adventure!!!
March 14, 2013
I love it.
I did cry in it but is a good book.
I want to read the rest of the series
I did cry in it but is a good book.
I want to read the rest of the series
July 13, 2013
Educational and entertaining. A great Australian horse novel. More at http://equus-blog.com/diamond-spirit-...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews