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Fortune's Fool by Mary Pagones #1
Fortune's Fool
Alternate cover edition for ISBN 9781512125351
"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer."
No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place.
Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with his sexuality. To be a rider, after all, is to be...Fortune's Fool.
"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer."
No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place.
Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with his sexuality. To be a rider, after all, is to be...Fortune's Fool.
372 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2015
120 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Mary Pagones
17 books104 followersAuthor of The Fortune's Fool series
Author of A Study in Scarlet Marquis: Sherlock Holmes and the Trials of Oscar Wilde
Author of Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements
Also writes m/m romance under the pen name of Quinn Wilde
Author of A Study in Scarlet Marquis: Sherlock Holmes and the Trials of Oscar Wilde
Author of Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements
Also writes m/m romance under the pen name of Quinn Wilde
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 11, 2021
This is a story for readers who love horses, especially for those of us who were out in the barn braiding tails at 5 AM before a show, and who care which lead a cantering horse is on. There's a gay romance of sorts in here, but it plays second fiddle to the story of Simon, an 18-year-old determined young man (and sometimes close to genius) whose idea of a perfect day is anything spent around a good horse.
Simon is the kind of kid everyone tries to persuade to go to college, but he's impatient with rules, constraints, boxes, and hoops to jump through that are part of education. And he has no desire at all to end up in an office job at the end of the process. As long as he makes enough to eat, he's determined to work somewhere in the horse world, and he has a year of paid-student work with a great teacher lined up to start with. Adding a last-minute impulse buy of a horse is just the kind of challenge he likes.
Simon's an interesting character. He begins the story quite immature, intolerant in quirky ways, self-absorbed, and although he's a good guy at heart, he doesn't make much effort with regards to people, as opposed to the horses. He derides folks whose tastes or ambitions are different from his own. He's competitive, and so good at riding and understanding horses that he has success that feels somewhat effortless. And his breezy narrative style brushes aside emotions.
So it takes a bit of time to settle into liking Simon in spite of his flaws, and wanting him to find his way. The romance is also low-emotions, and the sex is all off-page. That makes it a bit harder to believe and feel the growing romance between the characters as something more than opportunity and proximity.
But as I read through the story, I was sucked in to Simon's life and troubles and triumphs. Enough so that I bought the next volume right away. (Note, this one has a very tentative HFN ending. Not a cliffhanger, but very unresolved with regard to Simon's future and his romance. And I note the series has 7 volumes...)
For someone like me, who watched the horse world of eventing enviously from the outside, the setting is fascinating and a bit like coming home, as I watch Simon grow up (a little) and start to think more deeply about what he wants from the world, and what he has to offer.
Simon is the kind of kid everyone tries to persuade to go to college, but he's impatient with rules, constraints, boxes, and hoops to jump through that are part of education. And he has no desire at all to end up in an office job at the end of the process. As long as he makes enough to eat, he's determined to work somewhere in the horse world, and he has a year of paid-student work with a great teacher lined up to start with. Adding a last-minute impulse buy of a horse is just the kind of challenge he likes.
Simon's an interesting character. He begins the story quite immature, intolerant in quirky ways, self-absorbed, and although he's a good guy at heart, he doesn't make much effort with regards to people, as opposed to the horses. He derides folks whose tastes or ambitions are different from his own. He's competitive, and so good at riding and understanding horses that he has success that feels somewhat effortless. And his breezy narrative style brushes aside emotions.
So it takes a bit of time to settle into liking Simon in spite of his flaws, and wanting him to find his way. The romance is also low-emotions, and the sex is all off-page. That makes it a bit harder to believe and feel the growing romance between the characters as something more than opportunity and proximity.
But as I read through the story, I was sucked in to Simon's life and troubles and triumphs. Enough so that I bought the next volume right away. (Note, this one has a very tentative HFN ending. Not a cliffhanger, but very unresolved with regard to Simon's future and his romance. And I note the series has 7 volumes...)
For someone like me, who watched the horse world of eventing enviously from the outside, the setting is fascinating and a bit like coming home, as I watch Simon grow up (a little) and start to think more deeply about what he wants from the world, and what he has to offer.
October 8, 2019
Wow, just wow
I can’t say enough about how much I love this series. The characters are all so realistic, and I admittedly have a soft spot for both Simon and Max.
The horses are well-written, the story pulls you in quickly and leaves you unable to tear yourself away.
This might just be my new favorite horse series!
I can’t say enough about how much I love this series. The characters are all so realistic, and I admittedly have a soft spot for both Simon and Max.
The horses are well-written, the story pulls you in quickly and leaves you unable to tear yourself away.
This might just be my new favorite horse series!
October 15, 2018
Loved this. Thoroughly enjoyable. Loved the relationship between Max and Simon, thought it was really sweet an based on true emotion. The relationship between horse and rider was pretty amazing too.😀
May 29, 2019
This was an excellent book with an engrossing story. I loved horseback riding when I was young, but for a variety of reasons, I haven’t had the opportunity to continue riding as an adult. Pagones’s books are the next best thing to a stable full of equine pals. Her writing is simply top notch and I feel like I’m really learning lots of fun and fascinating facts about the world of horses when I read her books.
I was happy to see Heather make a reappearance in this novel. I also enjoyed hearing the story from Simon’s perspective.
The ending to this novel was just perfect and very satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading more of Simon’s adventures.
I was happy to see Heather make a reappearance in this novel. I also enjoyed hearing the story from Simon’s perspective.
The ending to this novel was just perfect and very satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading more of Simon’s adventures.
June 11, 2017
I haven't read a book that has resonated with me so much for a long, long time. A very long time. Way deeper than it seems.
January 2, 2024
Social Drama and Horses
So I loved the horse stuff in here and I certainly learned some new things about horses \ horse sports I had never heard of before. And I found that stuff fascinating! For example I had no idea that a person could post without using stirrups. I had to read that line in the book several times to make sure I was reading it correctly. And then I had to go to goop to do a search to find out how in the world does someone do that?!! It was utterly mind boggling!
The book contains many scenes of training horses and eventing and just being in the barn. Riding lessons. Trying to figure out which horse should you buy. And there are a few medical scenes with horses too...
But there is a lot of other stuff in here besides the horse stuff. There is the human drama. And unfortunately I found this part of the book incredibly boring. I think part of the problem is that I could not relate to Simon at all. He was constantly talking about this music I had never heard of. These bands. Plus there was this other social stuff too and I just found it so boring. This chitchat that went on for pages and had nothing to do with his horse goals.
I didn't mind his dates with Max the vet. That was ok. It was the other social scenes in here. Like when he went home to his mother and brother. The book dragged then.
And the end seemed very unrealistic? I mean how often does that happen?
I did enjoy the scenes between Simon and the other two students working at the barn. Plus I learned about pulling the mane which is something I never heard of before. When I go to the ranch next week I will be sure to mention these new things I have learned from reading this book.
But plot wise the story was not that exciting in places.
So I loved the horse stuff in here and I certainly learned some new things about horses \ horse sports I had never heard of before. And I found that stuff fascinating! For example I had no idea that a person could post without using stirrups. I had to read that line in the book several times to make sure I was reading it correctly. And then I had to go to goop to do a search to find out how in the world does someone do that?!! It was utterly mind boggling!
The book contains many scenes of training horses and eventing and just being in the barn. Riding lessons. Trying to figure out which horse should you buy. And there are a few medical scenes with horses too...
But there is a lot of other stuff in here besides the horse stuff. There is the human drama. And unfortunately I found this part of the book incredibly boring. I think part of the problem is that I could not relate to Simon at all. He was constantly talking about this music I had never heard of. These bands. Plus there was this other social stuff too and I just found it so boring. This chitchat that went on for pages and had nothing to do with his horse goals.
I didn't mind his dates with Max the vet. That was ok. It was the other social scenes in here. Like when he went home to his mother and brother. The book dragged then.
And the end seemed very unrealistic? I mean how often does that happen?
I did enjoy the scenes between Simon and the other two students working at the barn. Plus I learned about pulling the mane which is something I never heard of before. When I go to the ranch next week I will be sure to mention these new things I have learned from reading this book.
But plot wise the story was not that exciting in places.
February 16, 2018
Fortune’s Fool follows Simon O’Shaughnessy who aims to become an eventer and is well on his known with a year’s work placement in a prestigious stables. When Simon buys Fortune, a gelding that needs a lot of work, he has to convince everyone, including himself, that he was right to do.
I really enjoyed this book, and it was definitely the exact kind of story i needed after feeling a bit of a book hangover from my previous read.
Simon is a really interesting character as he seems to have a lot of sides to him. He can be gruff, but professional, he’s extremely smart but also impatient with learning, and he seems cold at times but actually has a heat of gold underneath it all. I love that this book shied away from a lot of other tropes I see in horse books - both Simon and Fortune are already seasoned eventers, and it’s not a ‘Zero to Hero’ kind of plot. Simon knows that he’s probably only able to bring Fortune so far, and that he himself may never be a top eventer due to not really having enough money or opportunity but he’s doing the best he can.
Simon’s sexuality was explored in great ways too. He already knows he’s gay, and is out to the people that matter to him. He doesn’t shout it from the rooftops but nor should he have to. I really loved his relationship with Max and how sweet and normal it was. I also loved that Simon confronted some challenges and annoyances in how some of his female colleagues treated him because he was gay - like how he didn’t ‘count’ when they talked about men, or automatically became the GBF in their mind who loved shopping when he couldn’t be farther from that. I can believe that they may be real irritants to other gay men.
Nothing really happens in this book - like there’s so crazy plot or action. Its more just following Simon as he falls in love, and competes in events with Fortune. I really liked that.
I did miss the bond between rider and horse in this book, which I normally see in other horse novels I read (though that may be because they’re normally YA and this is mature YA/Adult). I didn’t see much of Simon and Fortune’s bonding practice, and while they were fond of each other, I wouldn’t really say they were partners in crime by the end of it.
I also wasn’t too crazy about Simon’s contempt for the people who worked office jobs and only had horses in their lives at weekends. Some people just don’t have those opportunities early in life to pave the way for a job in the horse world, and for many, like myself, the ‘box job’ is the only thing that allows for riding lessons and moments of peace with horse and rider.
But I did love this overall, and I’m 100% reading the next book.
I really enjoyed this book, and it was definitely the exact kind of story i needed after feeling a bit of a book hangover from my previous read.
Simon is a really interesting character as he seems to have a lot of sides to him. He can be gruff, but professional, he’s extremely smart but also impatient with learning, and he seems cold at times but actually has a heat of gold underneath it all. I love that this book shied away from a lot of other tropes I see in horse books - both Simon and Fortune are already seasoned eventers, and it’s not a ‘Zero to Hero’ kind of plot. Simon knows that he’s probably only able to bring Fortune so far, and that he himself may never be a top eventer due to not really having enough money or opportunity but he’s doing the best he can.
Simon’s sexuality was explored in great ways too. He already knows he’s gay, and is out to the people that matter to him. He doesn’t shout it from the rooftops but nor should he have to. I really loved his relationship with Max and how sweet and normal it was. I also loved that Simon confronted some challenges and annoyances in how some of his female colleagues treated him because he was gay - like how he didn’t ‘count’ when they talked about men, or automatically became the GBF in their mind who loved shopping when he couldn’t be farther from that. I can believe that they may be real irritants to other gay men.
Nothing really happens in this book - like there’s so crazy plot or action. Its more just following Simon as he falls in love, and competes in events with Fortune. I really liked that.
I did miss the bond between rider and horse in this book, which I normally see in other horse novels I read (though that may be because they’re normally YA and this is mature YA/Adult). I didn’t see much of Simon and Fortune’s bonding practice, and while they were fond of each other, I wouldn’t really say they were partners in crime by the end of it.
I also wasn’t too crazy about Simon’s contempt for the people who worked office jobs and only had horses in their lives at weekends. Some people just don’t have those opportunities early in life to pave the way for a job in the horse world, and for many, like myself, the ‘box job’ is the only thing that allows for riding lessons and moments of peace with horse and rider.
But I did love this overall, and I’m 100% reading the next book.
September 10, 2020
So Boring
I kept waiting for this book to get better but it didn’t; it just dragged on and on, repeating the same three or four themes over and over.
I kept waiting for this book to get better but it didn’t; it just dragged on and on, repeating the same three or four themes over and over.
March 23, 2022
An excellent book!!!
Simon knows what he wants. To make a living in horses! But has he got what it takes? No college for him. A year as a working student, a good horse and a boyfriend. Will he find all that? He's bought a horse that nobody approves of, for God's sake, one name after a phrase in Romeo and Juliet. Follow him through his year and see what happens to him and Fortune's Fool. You won't be sorry! Highly recommended for all ages over 16.
Simon knows what he wants. To make a living in horses! But has he got what it takes? No college for him. A year as a working student, a good horse and a boyfriend. Will he find all that? He's bought a horse that nobody approves of, for God's sake, one name after a phrase in Romeo and Juliet. Follow him through his year and see what happens to him and Fortune's Fool. You won't be sorry! Highly recommended for all ages over 16.
October 28, 2015
Simon, who makes his first appearance in The Horse is Never Wrong, couldn't be more different from Heather. It's several years in the future and Simon has gone from the local barn's resident bronc-buster, that teenager who will get on anything, to a high school senior about to embark on his life's dream. He's going to be a working student at an eventing barn (clearly inspired by Tamarack Hill) and take life by the horns. He's going to make a living as an eventer. He's going to ride horses forever and ever and no one can stop him.
Simon is brash, arrogant, proud, hot-tempered, know-it-all... and yet he's totally lovable. He listens to 80s punk and New Wave, worships The Killers, and is dying for a pair of Doc Martens if only they didn't cost as much as a new pair of paddock boots. No one can tell Simon a damn thing... Simon knows best, thank you very much, especially about his riding, especially especially about his hell-for-leather cross-country style and his possibly-psychotic horse, Fortune.
Oh boy, did I get Simon.
If Heather took me back to my awkward "only my horse understands me" freshman year, Simon took me back to my post-high-school "I'll sleep/earn money when I'm dead" years. (I'm still kind of in those years, except I give in to sleep way more often. I still don't really earn any money, though. I write horse books.) But seriously... I listened to 80s punk and New Wave. I wanted a pair of Doc Martens but couldn't justify the cost. I knew that my parents and my teachers and life and everyone were wrong -- there was no need to waste time on so-called intellectual pursuits, not when I could ride a horse, take care of a horse, clean up after a barn full of horses...
As truthful to writing from Simon's perspective as she was from Heather's, Pagones does a total 180 shift in her writing. Simon's sentences are jagged, his observations are hyperbolic, his language is very, very salty. Simon cusses like a sailor, but what 18-year-old working student doesn't? I used to boast that I only spoke English but thanks to fellow working students and foreign grooms, I could swear in five languages. (I don't remember them anymore.) Simon thinks in bursts of emotion and long moments of introspection; what some people see as editing misses are more likely the workings of his mind. No one thinks in perfect sentences.
The aching truth behind Simon's rough swagger is that he doesn't know what's going to happen and that's scary as hell. He doesn't have money, just talent. And he's just as plagued by thirty under thirty lists as I've always been -- of course, now my pet peeve are forty under forty lists. Could people stop being so accomplished, please? Here's Simon, telling it like it is:
The sense of motionlessness is particularly strong when I read about about someone my age winning an international event. This seems to confirm everyone's opinion that I'm making some sort of horrible mistake with my life.
He's eighteen, he's in a state somewhere between elation and panic about the future, and he's in very deep waters, not just professionally, but romantically.
We've all been there.
Simon is brash, arrogant, proud, hot-tempered, know-it-all... and yet he's totally lovable. He listens to 80s punk and New Wave, worships The Killers, and is dying for a pair of Doc Martens if only they didn't cost as much as a new pair of paddock boots. No one can tell Simon a damn thing... Simon knows best, thank you very much, especially about his riding, especially especially about his hell-for-leather cross-country style and his possibly-psychotic horse, Fortune.
Oh boy, did I get Simon.
If Heather took me back to my awkward "only my horse understands me" freshman year, Simon took me back to my post-high-school "I'll sleep/earn money when I'm dead" years. (I'm still kind of in those years, except I give in to sleep way more often. I still don't really earn any money, though. I write horse books.) But seriously... I listened to 80s punk and New Wave. I wanted a pair of Doc Martens but couldn't justify the cost. I knew that my parents and my teachers and life and everyone were wrong -- there was no need to waste time on so-called intellectual pursuits, not when I could ride a horse, take care of a horse, clean up after a barn full of horses...
As truthful to writing from Simon's perspective as she was from Heather's, Pagones does a total 180 shift in her writing. Simon's sentences are jagged, his observations are hyperbolic, his language is very, very salty. Simon cusses like a sailor, but what 18-year-old working student doesn't? I used to boast that I only spoke English but thanks to fellow working students and foreign grooms, I could swear in five languages. (I don't remember them anymore.) Simon thinks in bursts of emotion and long moments of introspection; what some people see as editing misses are more likely the workings of his mind. No one thinks in perfect sentences.
The aching truth behind Simon's rough swagger is that he doesn't know what's going to happen and that's scary as hell. He doesn't have money, just talent. And he's just as plagued by thirty under thirty lists as I've always been -- of course, now my pet peeve are forty under forty lists. Could people stop being so accomplished, please? Here's Simon, telling it like it is:
The sense of motionlessness is particularly strong when I read about about someone my age winning an international event. This seems to confirm everyone's opinion that I'm making some sort of horrible mistake with my life.
He's eighteen, he's in a state somewhere between elation and panic about the future, and he's in very deep waters, not just professionally, but romantically.
We've all been there.
July 11, 2016
Not my type of story
At first look I thought this would be an interesting book since I do like horses. But the sexual references were a but to much for me.
At first look I thought this would be an interesting book since I do like horses. But the sexual references were a but to much for me.
October 25, 2021
I haven’t read a horse book for 20yrs but this series filled a hole I didn’t know existed. It took me a little while to get into as I didn’t automatically relate to Simon but before long I was hooked! Even though I didn’t particularly like him as character I found the story compelling and I was straight onto the next book. I’m not a rider or horse person however found it easy to follow along with the lingo and enjoyed how in-depth it is in the eventing world.
June 24, 2021
My horse-girl heart enjoyed this and the series is on kindle unlimited so I already have the next book loaded up and ready to go.
The book needed a going-over by a editor, however. It reads like a Nanowrimo project; the author seems allergic to contractions and some sentences were so awkward I had to re-read them a couple of times.
The book needed a going-over by a editor, however. It reads like a Nanowrimo project; the author seems allergic to contractions and some sentences were so awkward I had to re-read them a couple of times.
September 16, 2017
Interesting story focused around the horse world
Recommend for mature open minded adults. This is a beautiful story of coming of age, first love, friendships, and the boundaries we all live within. Thought provoking and relatable characters leave you looking for more.
Recommend for mature open minded adults. This is a beautiful story of coming of age, first love, friendships, and the boundaries we all live within. Thought provoking and relatable characters leave you looking for more.
August 16, 2015
I was not sure if I would enjoy this book but I am so happy to say that not only did I enjoy this book but the characters have stayed with me even after reading. I did not think I would enjoy reading a coming of age story about a young, gay man but I loved it! I am hoping that Ms. Pagones writes more about this unforgettable character. Simon is a young man of courage and insight. The vivid writing style of the author brought the characters and the setting to life for me. I loved this book! I hope desperately that there is a follow up. I really want to see what happens to Simon next.
Read
January 14, 2025I know next to nothing about horses but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's not written in a way that is confusing for non-horsey people - I actually learned a lot - and although Simon is a protagonist/narrator with a lot of faults (hey, he's an 18-year-old, aren't we all insufferable at that age?) his voice and personality are strong and you can't help rooting for him. So yes, this non-horsey girl will be reading the next book in the series :-)
September 22, 2016
Fun read
I really enjoyed this book about teens with different challenges and their journey through horsemanship together. It was much more real to life than many "formula" horse stories I have read recently. A really good read and some interesting relationship and character development.
I really enjoyed this book about teens with different challenges and their journey through horsemanship together. It was much more real to life than many "formula" horse stories I have read recently. A really good read and some interesting relationship and character development.
October 12, 2024
I used to ride and show horses so I was looking for an authentic book that hit all those notes. I have already read Sara Gruen's - Riding Lessons, Flying Changes but I wanted more horse stuff then rship drama between characters. I find Mary Pagones and truly I loved this book! A solid four stars. The content was very horse world and there were a lot of things mentioned when Simon was showing and riding that would be considerations in real life. Simon's character was strange in many ways, not my favourite, but when he was 'talking' about caring for the horses and his overall mentality towards horses it was quite honourable. The last 30 pages tried to wrap up things quickly but leave room for the next book in the series. Had there been the continuity that was throughout the book and not rushing to finish, it would have made the book that much better. NOTE -There are a lot of spelling mistakes and 'wrong' words, so if that's a pet peeve you've been warned. I did buy another Mary Pagones book, also horse related, and I'm looking forward to reading that as well!
June 23, 2022
I almost want to say that I didnt read what this book was about before I put it on my TBR list. I was very surprised it was about a male.
I loved that Simon was gay. The gay romance was the best part. I loved Max and I wish he wasn't 34 because I know they won't stay together. That is the only reason I would consider reading more of the series.
Simon is kind of a jerk. He's pretty unlikable. By the end he's maybe a 7 on the personality scale. He's a braggart, and super judgemental. He's my way or the highway and never listens to anyone.
I love all the horses. That was also good. I was kind of sad the way everyone treated horses like shoes" just toss them off when you need something better.
I loved that Simon was gay. The gay romance was the best part. I loved Max and I wish he wasn't 34 because I know they won't stay together. That is the only reason I would consider reading more of the series.
Simon is kind of a jerk. He's pretty unlikable. By the end he's maybe a 7 on the personality scale. He's a braggart, and super judgemental. He's my way or the highway and never listens to anyone.
I love all the horses. That was also good. I was kind of sad the way everyone treated horses like shoes" just toss them off when you need something better.
January 6, 2019
Love this book!
September 14, 2018
Unlikely and unlike-able main character
You can’t win all the time...and too many inaccuracies about the sport...fast fun read but not remotely realistic story line
You can’t win all the time...and too many inaccuracies about the sport...fast fun read but not remotely realistic story line
June 1, 2023
The main character is a misogynist and the age gap is a little weird won’t lie. -1 star for each
August 18, 2022
I love horses so much that I'll read pretty much any book with a horse at the center. I'll read it and enjoy it even if it's a bad book. Lucky for me, this isn't a bad book. At the center is a complicated young man named Simon. He's a whiz at math and could easily go to college and go into a career in math/science. Instead, he wants to make a life for himself in 3-day eventing, on of my favorite sports. I hate that the televised Olympics never show much beyond a few snippets of this event.
Simon has the opportunity to buy a difficult horse that has great jumping skills. Unfortunately, he's bad-tempered, rank, and crappy at dressage. If he weren't so flawed, Simon would never have been able to buy him. Simon is just out of high school, working for rides and lessons. He and Fortune's Fool both grow and learn throughout this book. I really liked it. Obviously the writer has done her research, and my favorite scenes are when Simon is schooling his own horse, doing the drudge work around the stable, and teaching the other riders how to be better.
It has an open ending, with Simon moving up a notch in the rankings and a bright future ahead of him.
Simon has the opportunity to buy a difficult horse that has great jumping skills. Unfortunately, he's bad-tempered, rank, and crappy at dressage. If he weren't so flawed, Simon would never have been able to buy him. Simon is just out of high school, working for rides and lessons. He and Fortune's Fool both grow and learn throughout this book. I really liked it. Obviously the writer has done her research, and my favorite scenes are when Simon is schooling his own horse, doing the drudge work around the stable, and teaching the other riders how to be better.
It has an open ending, with Simon moving up a notch in the rankings and a bright future ahead of him.
February 14, 2017
It is nice reading a book written by someone that actually knows horses. Simon is an interesting main character as a gay man since most horse stories have girls or women as the main character.
June 7, 2017
I'm very excited to share this book of mine with the Goodreads community. Horse fiction has always been an important part of my life: even before I took up riding many of my favorite books were set in the horse world.
This book touches upon issues even larger than riding, such as the question of what to do when your life's passion isn't necessarily a financially sustainable occupation. The protagonist is male and doesn't resemble the traditional hero of most horse books and the resolutions offered by the narrative aren't meant to be neat or easy.
This book touches upon issues even larger than riding, such as the question of what to do when your life's passion isn't necessarily a financially sustainable occupation. The protagonist is male and doesn't resemble the traditional hero of most horse books and the resolutions offered by the narrative aren't meant to be neat or easy.
June 15, 2015
More like 3, but I want to encourage the author to continue writing! :)
This actually was pretty good. I think the author could do with a slightly heavier hand editing - there's a lot of unnecessary repetition (mainly w/ song names and the narrator's horse that had to be put down)and some awkward sentence construction/grammar. But the bones are good, and I think as she writes more, the flow of the narrative will get better. I do like that the narrator is a male, and that it's mostly set in the eventing world.
This actually was pretty good. I think the author could do with a slightly heavier hand editing - there's a lot of unnecessary repetition (mainly w/ song names and the narrator's horse that had to be put down)and some awkward sentence construction/grammar. But the bones are good, and I think as she writes more, the flow of the narrative will get better. I do like that the narrator is a male, and that it's mostly set in the eventing world.
June 13, 2015
I'm very excited to share this book of mine with the Goodreads community. Horse fiction has always been an important part of my life: even before I took up riding many of my favorite books were set in the horse world.
This book touches upon issues even larger than riding, such as the question of what to do when your life's passion isn't necessarily a financially sustainable occupation. The protagonist is male and doesn't resemble the traditional hero of most horse books and the resolutions offered by the narrative aren't meant to be neat or easy.
This book touches upon issues even larger than riding, such as the question of what to do when your life's passion isn't necessarily a financially sustainable occupation. The protagonist is male and doesn't resemble the traditional hero of most horse books and the resolutions offered by the narrative aren't meant to be neat or easy.
August 9, 2015
This sequel to The Horse is Never Wrong by Mary Pagones follows on with the after school aspirations of Simon Shaunessy. Simon is introduced in The Horse is Never Wrong as an ambitious teen who doesn’t make friends easily. His choice in sexual orientation and his attitude of not caring what others think of him win him few friends.
Now out of school, Simon is able to pursue his dream to be an incredible eventer. Read more at http://equus-blog.com/fortunes-fool/
Now out of school, Simon is able to pursue his dream to be an incredible eventer. Read more at http://equus-blog.com/fortunes-fool/
April 15, 2016
A well rounded story
Riding English is almost completely foreign to me. But this book was still interesting to me, having strong characters in it. So it wasn't completely about horses and competition., there were relationships to follow. Even though I had interrupted reading times, I was able to return to the story and remember where the characters belonged.
Riding English is almost completely foreign to me. But this book was still interesting to me, having strong characters in it. So it wasn't completely about horses and competition., there were relationships to follow. Even though I had interrupted reading times, I was able to return to the story and remember where the characters belonged.
January 31, 2017
Really well written. This book reminded me of the Killers, so I ended up adding some of their songs to my spotify playlist. Total blast from the past!
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