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Spirit of the West #3
Esperanza
Adventure, drama, wild horses running free. The American West is brought to life through the eyes of the horses who were there in a new program of books inspired by Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, the new film coming May 2002 from DreamWorks.
Strider is a wild mustang born to freedom in the Cimarron Valley. When a drought hits the valley, Strider sets out to find the horses a new place to live. But on the way, danger strikes, and Strider must make the ultimate sacrifice for the herd.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL77701...
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL73604...
Strider is a wild mustang born to freedom in the Cimarron Valley. When a drought hits the valley, Strider sets out to find the horses a new place to live. But on the way, danger strikes, and Strider must make the ultimate sacrifice for the herd.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL77701...
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL73604...
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
27 people are currently reading
1381 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Duey
157 books362 followersKathleen Duey grew up in Colorado. She loved riding her horses, hiking, being in the mountains. Reading was always important to her. Writing became a fascination early in her life. In the fourth grade, Kathleen began writing stories and told everyone who would listen that she was going to be an author. Then she did nothing about it until she was 35 years old. Writing was her passion and her dream-come-true.
from: fantasticfiction.co.uk
Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.
https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...
from: fantasticfiction.co.uk
Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.
https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Read
May 15, 2023Part two of reading books little me would love.
This one is very horse vs. nature/exploring new land/road trip storyline. I wish there were more hints that Esperanza would be Spirit's mom outside of her name, but also it's a 100-page kid's horse book so it was blissfully uncomplicated.
This one is very horse vs. nature/exploring new land/road trip storyline. I wish there were more hints that Esperanza would be Spirit's mom outside of her name, but also it's a 100-page kid's horse book so it was blissfully uncomplicated.
Want to read
December 31, 2025Pre-read
So you’re telling me this is the backstory for Spirit’s parents?!?!😱
Sold to the horse lover on the left! 😆
So you’re telling me this is the backstory for Spirit’s parents?!?!😱
Sold to the horse lover on the left! 😆
September 10, 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 is a book and also a series that I have always wanted to after learning about its existence but until now I have never had the chance. I highly recommend any horse lover or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron fan to read it.
Esperanza's original herd the lead mare and the stallion along with other members have died of starvation due to a longer and colder winter than usual. Alma, Esperanza's mother leads the mares who choose to come with her away from their homeland, without the protection of a stallion it is more than likely that the small herd will split apart and become even smaller. Midnight an older mare that slows the herd down, Willow one of Alma's friends and Aspen is a pregnant mare all choose to follow Alma but unfortunately the Alicia Esperanza's best friend doesn't come with them because her mother chooses not to. Alma is cautious to keep everyone alive and she desperately wants to find another herd that they can join. After traveling the tricky and dangerous terrain the small herd finally comes across another herd, one that is larger than Esperanza has ever seen and they have Cedar a young strong stallion protecting them. The lead mare and Cedar accept the small herd automatically much to everyone's relief. Esperanza is thrilled to be around other horses her age again, Cedar and the lead mare's son Strider has his eyes on her. He makes her feel uneasy and shy at first and tries to avoid him in the beginning, but when he starts to protect her form possible dangers she realizes he has no intentions to harm her. The two grow closer always beside each other. Aspen's foal almost gets bitten by a rattlesnake but Strider starts to attack the snake which cause Cedar to rush into action pushing Strider out of the way. Cedar now is watching Strider intently because Strider is closer to becoming a stallion and wanting a herd for his own. A giant thunderstorm shakes the land causing the herd to scatter, Esperanza and Strider are alone together. Esperanza tries multiple times to retrace her steps to get back to the herd but Strider stops her every time, Esperanza suddenly understands his motives if they return to the herd Cedar will force him out of the herd and Esperanza would have left with Strider. The two of them set off to find their own homeland where they can live together in freedom. During their travels they learn each other's flaws. Strider is proud and sometimes overprotective, Esperanza is bossy and a bit suspicious. Both of them are also stubborn and prefer to lead the way, nevertheless they discover that they can work together to survive. Strider's protectiveness saves Esperanza from harms way more than once. Esperanza's bossiness leads them to water and food. As they endure many hardships, the two grow even closer. They are affectionate, loving, and playful toward one another, but also fiercely inseparable. Eventually, they find a wide valley that they decide can called home.
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 is a book and also a series that I have always wanted to after learning about its existence but until now I have never had the chance. I highly recommend any horse lover or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron fan to read it.
Esperanza's original herd the lead mare and the stallion along with other members have died of starvation due to a longer and colder winter than usual. Alma, Esperanza's mother leads the mares who choose to come with her away from their homeland, without the protection of a stallion it is more than likely that the small herd will split apart and become even smaller. Midnight an older mare that slows the herd down, Willow one of Alma's friends and Aspen is a pregnant mare all choose to follow Alma but unfortunately the Alicia Esperanza's best friend doesn't come with them because her mother chooses not to. Alma is cautious to keep everyone alive and she desperately wants to find another herd that they can join. After traveling the tricky and dangerous terrain the small herd finally comes across another herd, one that is larger than Esperanza has ever seen and they have Cedar a young strong stallion protecting them. The lead mare and Cedar accept the small herd automatically much to everyone's relief. Esperanza is thrilled to be around other horses her age again, Cedar and the lead mare's son Strider has his eyes on her. He makes her feel uneasy and shy at first and tries to avoid him in the beginning, but when he starts to protect her form possible dangers she realizes he has no intentions to harm her. The two grow closer always beside each other. Aspen's foal almost gets bitten by a rattlesnake but Strider starts to attack the snake which cause Cedar to rush into action pushing Strider out of the way. Cedar now is watching Strider intently because Strider is closer to becoming a stallion and wanting a herd for his own. A giant thunderstorm shakes the land causing the herd to scatter, Esperanza and Strider are alone together. Esperanza tries multiple times to retrace her steps to get back to the herd but Strider stops her every time, Esperanza suddenly understands his motives if they return to the herd Cedar will force him out of the herd and Esperanza would have left with Strider. The two of them set off to find their own homeland where they can live together in freedom. During their travels they learn each other's flaws. Strider is proud and sometimes overprotective, Esperanza is bossy and a bit suspicious. Both of them are also stubborn and prefer to lead the way, nevertheless they discover that they can work together to survive. Strider's protectiveness saves Esperanza from harms way more than once. Esperanza's bossiness leads them to water and food. As they endure many hardships, the two grow even closer. They are affectionate, loving, and playful toward one another, but also fiercely inseparable. Eventually, they find a wide valley that they decide can called home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2013
This book is about a foal named Esperanza who is trying to find a new homeland and ends up joining a huge herd. When she joins the herd she makes new friends. Everything seemed to be ok until an extreme storm separates her and a stallion named Strider from the herd forcing them to find a new homeland themselves.
I think this is a great book for anyone who loves horses. The book shows a lot about nature and how horses live in the wild. It shows what part each horse has to help the herd. In my opinion the book was very entertaining.
I think they could have made this book a little better if they would have gotten back with the herd instead of being alone but besides that i think it was great.
In all i think this is a great book for all people who love horses.
I think this is a great book for anyone who loves horses. The book shows a lot about nature and how horses live in the wild. It shows what part each horse has to help the herd. In my opinion the book was very entertaining.
I think they could have made this book a little better if they would have gotten back with the herd instead of being alone but besides that i think it was great.
In all i think this is a great book for all people who love horses.
December 12, 2013
A youn filly goes on a life or deth gerny with a berve stallen when they get lost in a tornado. They seach for a peafet home land fare wast over the M.T. They have meny calinges a long the way. Like pereters, bares and a lot more. So go look at it. It is by Kathleen Duey.
December 23, 2018
Thi's good Book
March 15, 2019
This is the story of Spirits Mom and Dad. How they met and how they started a herd together. Such an amazing story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2021
ME encanta es te libro es el mejor.
January 23, 2023
Nice horse book without people
August 1, 2023
3.5⭐️ third book for magical readathon
February 10, 2024
Continuing the series, good backstory on the sire & dam of the featured horse in one of my family’s favorite movies as a kid.
February 14, 2024
Really quick but fun read about Spirit's Mom and Dad. More geared for young readers, but enjoyable for any age fans of the original movie!
June 8, 2024
Super cute
December 24, 2025
Well, this was boring. It was nice to know the stody pre-Spirit, but other than that🤷♀️
October 13, 2016
Re-reading this series, which was a childhood favorite, after finding them at the library. Overall, I have found them passably entertaining, mostly nostalgic, but weirdly soothing. The descriptions are very visual and you get into the horse's headspace pretty quickly. I've never been so worried about grass before.
I definitely recommend the series to young kids that like horses, and nostalgic adults who like to read kids books before bed.
I definitely recommend the series to young kids that like horses, and nostalgic adults who like to read kids books before bed.
May 22, 2024
Great prequel to Spirit. It was nice to see the background and history that lead to the book and movie ‘Spirit’. Cute, short story.
August 18, 2014
I think I read this book about fifty times right after the movies came out; I was only 9 and in that weird 'horse-obsessed' state that most girls (at least in my area) go through around that age. I would love to get my hands on another copy of this sometime so if I have a daughter, she can read it! And if I happen to reread for nostalgia's sake...so be it ;)
February 23, 2017
Another all-horse book by Kathleen Duey! This time, it's about Spirit's mother, Esperanza, and (shockingly) his charming father Strider!
I loved how it portrays two horses' struggle for survival, and how they relied on each other for strength and encouragement in their incredible journey in search for their new home.
This is probably my most favorite of the series!
I loved how it portrays two horses' struggle for survival, and how they relied on each other for strength and encouragement in their incredible journey in search for their new home.
This is probably my most favorite of the series!
July 2, 2016
This was a beautiful story, if a little unrealistic in the personification of the horses. I liked the fact that the author did not attempt to give the animals dialog, rather assigning meaning (communication) to their actions with one another. truly beautiful!
September 21, 2009
Awsome book!
Read
March 27, 2011loved it!!
December 14, 2015
It is about horses and it is in the spirit series
spirit
March 30, 2017likeee
May 1, 2017
This was one of those rare finds of books at a school book event that I went to for my niece. Having been a horse fan when I was younger this particular book captured my attention due to the cover art, the series title and the actual concept of the book. Unfortunately I didn't see a book 1 or 2 for the series but chose to get this book anyway to give it a try while I wasn't disappointed in my pick.
The book is definitely easy-to-read and understand while it only took me a few hours to complete it. Although there may be some problems with how to pronounce the horse's name for some the rest of the book itself if a breeze while including an interesting writing format where each chapter is started off by a paragraph from Esperanza's view before going into third person writing that focuses on both Esperanza and the other horses around her.
Although knowledgeable and really detailed about the land surrounding these beautiful horses as well as their coloring there were a few spots that annoyed me. The author had a gender fear since instead of using her and him when it came to other animals she ended up using it. We know for a fact that a mother bear is a female thus she should have been used instead of it so why ignore that or even the stag who is clearly well male?
The other irritation spot that I had is that for one who is so much into detail the author doesn't know how to use bison in the right place nor pronghorn. And I don't feel like going into a rant about this pet peeve of mine for a book review so due to the two combined problems of this book I am going to be finding this one a new home for someone who is a lot more lax than I am.
Otherwise those who enjoy YA/Juvenile horse books will most definitely find this a treasured read and will also be wanting to get the other books in the series just to see how they fit in with this particular one.
The book is definitely easy-to-read and understand while it only took me a few hours to complete it. Although there may be some problems with how to pronounce the horse's name for some the rest of the book itself if a breeze while including an interesting writing format where each chapter is started off by a paragraph from Esperanza's view before going into third person writing that focuses on both Esperanza and the other horses around her.
Although knowledgeable and really detailed about the land surrounding these beautiful horses as well as their coloring there were a few spots that annoyed me. The author had a gender fear since instead of using her and him when it came to other animals she ended up using it. We know for a fact that a mother bear is a female thus she should have been used instead of it so why ignore that or even the stag who is clearly well male?
The other irritation spot that I had is that for one who is so much into detail the author doesn't know how to use bison in the right place nor pronghorn. And I don't feel like going into a rant about this pet peeve of mine for a book review so due to the two combined problems of this book I am going to be finding this one a new home for someone who is a lot more lax than I am.
Otherwise those who enjoy YA/Juvenile horse books will most definitely find this a treasured read and will also be wanting to get the other books in the series just to see how they fit in with this particular one.
February 20, 2018
Read with my younger girls. They enjoyed it more than I thought they would. The whole story is told through the eyes of the horses. Thus there is little dialogue and a lot of descriptions about the ground, the plants, etc... Didn't realize it was part of a series. it definitely stands alone. But maybe I'll have to pick up another in the series for them.
general-fiction
January 25, 2019FIC
DUE
DUE
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews