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The Nightrider
How many lives can a single ride change? Can the butterfly effect take the shape of one big, black horse and his rider, waiting on a petrol station forecourt in the dark of night?
Cai Sawyer - accountant, part time publican, heir to an artisan candy business, environmental activist, ex pony racer. Cai is all of these and nothing, with a hole in his soul that has eaten the spirit of the boy he once was. He stumbles through life on autopilot, challenged only by Ariadne, his weird as all hell little sister, until he meets Orwen and her Trakehner Toby under February’s full moon.
Their chance encounter should have ended with a short but sweet thank-you kiss, but the tides of fortune have other ideas. As ripples become waves, change sweeps not just through Cai’s life but through that of a whole host of humans, horses and dogs who are brought together by circumstance and leave as a tribe.
Written in the tradition of Iain Banks, if Iain Banks had written horse novels, The Nightrider is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty, in which everybody is wide awake.
Cai Sawyer - accountant, part time publican, heir to an artisan candy business, environmental activist, ex pony racer. Cai is all of these and nothing, with a hole in his soul that has eaten the spirit of the boy he once was. He stumbles through life on autopilot, challenged only by Ariadne, his weird as all hell little sister, until he meets Orwen and her Trakehner Toby under February’s full moon.
Their chance encounter should have ended with a short but sweet thank-you kiss, but the tides of fortune have other ideas. As ripples become waves, change sweeps not just through Cai’s life but through that of a whole host of humans, horses and dogs who are brought together by circumstance and leave as a tribe.
Written in the tradition of Iain Banks, if Iain Banks had written horse novels, The Nightrider is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty, in which everybody is wide awake.
- GenresRomance
Unknown Binding
Published May 1, 2022
About the author
Katharina Marcus
6 books101 followersKatharina Marcus is a British Brightonian author of German-Jewish descent with a Dutch passport and a nationless heart.
She lives in perpetual chaos on a ball in space with two to three children, four ponies and a couple of cats.
A life-long horse woman with a serious penchant for bareback riding, she used to top up her meagre earnings from writing by moonlighting as a freelance riding instructor and horse trainer when not practising as a psychotherapist or serving food. Presently she is employed as the resident woodland sprite in a school for exceptionally entertaining and diverse young people.
As the daughter of Antiquarian book dealers she reads - and always has read - loads but is so private about her personal book collection, she keeps it in her bedroom.
Nearly a decade after publishing her first novel she has finally got a website together.
She also occasionally blogs on GR but doesn't really do any other social media - or so she claims.
By and large she prefers her interaction to be face to face or in personal messages but is, of course, immensely grateful for every like, share, feedback and review left.
She lives in perpetual chaos on a ball in space with two to three children, four ponies and a couple of cats.
A life-long horse woman with a serious penchant for bareback riding, she used to top up her meagre earnings from writing by moonlighting as a freelance riding instructor and horse trainer when not practising as a psychotherapist or serving food. Presently she is employed as the resident woodland sprite in a school for exceptionally entertaining and diverse young people.
As the daughter of Antiquarian book dealers she reads - and always has read - loads but is so private about her personal book collection, she keeps it in her bedroom.
Nearly a decade after publishing her first novel she has finally got a website together.
She also occasionally blogs on GR but doesn't really do any other social media - or so she claims.
By and large she prefers her interaction to be face to face or in personal messages but is, of course, immensely grateful for every like, share, feedback and review left.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 2, 2022
Great read. I've enjoyed Katharina Marcus's YA books, but I enjoyed this one best of all (to date). The multiple POVS (one per chapter) work well, each character being distinct, with something worthwhile to say. Themes of being true to yourself, discovering what really makes you happy, and family (found and natural) intertwine with the horses at the heart of the novel. The horses are the catalyst for so much of the story, and as with all of this author's books, are so very well written. Katharina Marcus knows her horses (if there was any doubt about that!).
The writing was fluent, the story flowed well, characters developed in often surprising ways, but that is part of the joy of this story. I particularly loved Ari and Cassie.
It's hard to categorise. In no particular order, it's a horse story, a family drama, a touch of romance, a self-discovery story, a bit of mystery, a bit of coming-of-age. A great read for adults and teens. I loved it.
The writing was fluent, the story flowed well, characters developed in often surprising ways, but that is part of the joy of this story. I particularly loved Ari and Cassie.
It's hard to categorise. In no particular order, it's a horse story, a family drama, a touch of romance, a self-discovery story, a bit of mystery, a bit of coming-of-age. A great read for adults and teens. I loved it.
January 14, 2023
It’s fair to say I’m an equine ignoramus. But I love this novel in which horses are as important to the plot as the human characters. Being drawn into the world of horses turned out to be a stimulating and educational experience. But it was getting to know the horses’ human friends and protectors that kept pulling me back to my Kindle.
There’s not one central protagonist in this novel. The group is the central character, including the fascinating young man on the autism spectrum and the rich girl who hates being rich. The author does a stellar job of creating memorable characters and relationships, including romantic attachments that don’t feel like the same old thing.
This is a coming-of-age book about young adults – not teenagers – who must find the path that’s right for each of them. Kudos to the author for creating an interesting and believable world populated by quirky but likeable characters, and for adding some unexpected twists along the way.
There’s not one central protagonist in this novel. The group is the central character, including the fascinating young man on the autism spectrum and the rich girl who hates being rich. The author does a stellar job of creating memorable characters and relationships, including romantic attachments that don’t feel like the same old thing.
This is a coming-of-age book about young adults – not teenagers – who must find the path that’s right for each of them. Kudos to the author for creating an interesting and believable world populated by quirky but likeable characters, and for adding some unexpected twists along the way.
July 4, 2022
I took The Nightrider on holiday with me – it had been recommended and was from an author I hadn’t come across before—not under this pen name, anyway. I used to ride horses myself and so something about the title intrigued me, along with the description:
Written in the tradition of Iain Banks, if Iain Banks had written horse novels, The Nightrider is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty, in which everybody is wide awake.
I was completely captured from the start: by the meticulously drawn characters; the slow burn as the strands all gradually pull together; the wonderfully insightful portrayals of human behaviour and relationships; and also the insights into animal behaviour—horses and wolf-dogs specifically. The gentle and beautiful treatment of the developing relationships and love stories were entrancing. And all of this happening in a setting I am very familiar with—the South East of England—described lovingly with detailed accuracy.
Having looked up the author, I see that she usually writes for the Young Adult market but I would put this firmly in the Contemporary Fiction category as it has a far wider appeal— in my opinion. That being said, I will now be reading her previous books anyway.
Now it’s my turn: I totally recommend this book and look forward to seeing future titles from this author.
Written in the tradition of Iain Banks, if Iain Banks had written horse novels, The Nightrider is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty, in which everybody is wide awake.
I was completely captured from the start: by the meticulously drawn characters; the slow burn as the strands all gradually pull together; the wonderfully insightful portrayals of human behaviour and relationships; and also the insights into animal behaviour—horses and wolf-dogs specifically. The gentle and beautiful treatment of the developing relationships and love stories were entrancing. And all of this happening in a setting I am very familiar with—the South East of England—described lovingly with detailed accuracy.
Having looked up the author, I see that she usually writes for the Young Adult market but I would put this firmly in the Contemporary Fiction category as it has a far wider appeal— in my opinion. That being said, I will now be reading her previous books anyway.
Now it’s my turn: I totally recommend this book and look forward to seeing future titles from this author.
July 5, 2022
"In the beginning she had always taken it as rejection when he had so suddenly left her. Over the years though, she had learned not to take it personally. She'd come to understand that being with another person was so intense an experience for him that he could only sustain it for a short period of time before he needed a reprieve in order not to become anxious."
I don't know how this author does it. Somehow, her books always seem to contain very specific themes that go on in my own life.
With Boys Don't Ride it was subtle, a gentle reminder of why we love horses and how much they matter to us.
Prior to reading Eleanor McGraw I had experienced a trauma similar to the one in the book and this story had a major impact on me, making me feel heard and understood in a way even my therapist couldn't manage.
And now The Nightrider. I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD last year, and as if the author has read my mind, she weaves the struggles of autism into the fine web of intricate, lifelike characters, complex relationships and beautiful writing.
Every single character is on their own journey, which makes the story feel so believable and real. It was a heartwarming experience watching them figure out how everything isn't black and white and learn to follow their dreams, and ultimately becoming better people for it.
The book also goes to show how our love for horses can bring people together and lead us down paths we otherwise wouldn't have travelled.
All in all, I loved it.
I don't know how this author does it. Somehow, her books always seem to contain very specific themes that go on in my own life.
With Boys Don't Ride it was subtle, a gentle reminder of why we love horses and how much they matter to us.
Prior to reading Eleanor McGraw I had experienced a trauma similar to the one in the book and this story had a major impact on me, making me feel heard and understood in a way even my therapist couldn't manage.
And now The Nightrider. I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD last year, and as if the author has read my mind, she weaves the struggles of autism into the fine web of intricate, lifelike characters, complex relationships and beautiful writing.
Every single character is on their own journey, which makes the story feel so believable and real. It was a heartwarming experience watching them figure out how everything isn't black and white and learn to follow their dreams, and ultimately becoming better people for it.
The book also goes to show how our love for horses can bring people together and lead us down paths we otherwise wouldn't have travelled.
All in all, I loved it.
June 23, 2022
This is a book that really focuses on the characters and their internal hopes and dreams which are often hidden from the world. Cai with his successful career and ten year plan struggling with longing for his childhood days and horse companions. Ari torn between following academic success or her heart and Cassie feeling the burn of unrequited love. Then Orwen, showing us all how money does not buy happiness.
I used to ride as a child / teen and the book brought back so many happy memories of that as the stories of these characters twisted into the plot.
I adored the authors note at the end, it was so heartfelt and brought an extra dimension to the story for me, having that background information, it also reassured me somewhat about a relationship I had struggled with at one points.
Ari and Ben are beautiful together, but having not been exposed to Autism myself I found myself doubting whether some of their interactions were entirely appropriate. By the end of the book I felt assured, and I liked how the author acknowledged the fact that society would judge them.
Thought provoking, honest and real.
I used to ride as a child / teen and the book brought back so many happy memories of that as the stories of these characters twisted into the plot.
I adored the authors note at the end, it was so heartfelt and brought an extra dimension to the story for me, having that background information, it also reassured me somewhat about a relationship I had struggled with at one points.
Ari and Ben are beautiful together, but having not been exposed to Autism myself I found myself doubting whether some of their interactions were entirely appropriate. By the end of the book I felt assured, and I liked how the author acknowledged the fact that society would judge them.
Thought provoking, honest and real.
June 14, 2022
Horse-lovers Magic!
Katharina Marcus delivers another spell-binding, moving story of horses and their people. Similarly to the Hawthorne duo, there is an indefinable magic in the air. The bonds between Cai and Juno, Orwen and Toby and the ponies, between Ben and Sapphire and Cassie and Ari are both mystical and powerful, and at times downright earthy. These wonderful characters learn and grow, and show the reader something deeper about life, and about being 'different' in whatever form that difference happens to take. The relationships weave and change, nearer and apart and back again. The choices and actions of the characters are perfectly based on their personalities. There is love, and frustration, and joy, and struggle, and hard choices, while the writing is beautifully self-effacing, so as to leave the reader completely in touch with every horse, dog, and person in this amazing book.
The pace is not fast, but I believe it is perfect for the unfolding of this extraordinary love story. Once again, Katharina Marcus has produced a champion!
Katharina Marcus delivers another spell-binding, moving story of horses and their people. Similarly to the Hawthorne duo, there is an indefinable magic in the air. The bonds between Cai and Juno, Orwen and Toby and the ponies, between Ben and Sapphire and Cassie and Ari are both mystical and powerful, and at times downright earthy. These wonderful characters learn and grow, and show the reader something deeper about life, and about being 'different' in whatever form that difference happens to take. The relationships weave and change, nearer and apart and back again. The choices and actions of the characters are perfectly based on their personalities. There is love, and frustration, and joy, and struggle, and hard choices, while the writing is beautifully self-effacing, so as to leave the reader completely in touch with every horse, dog, and person in this amazing book.
The pace is not fast, but I believe it is perfect for the unfolding of this extraordinary love story. Once again, Katharina Marcus has produced a champion!
March 2, 2023
Yes it's a horse book, but it's character driven and smart, with relationships where people care for each other deeply. Each chapter led me onward, sucking me in so that I didn't dare stop in case something happened when I closed the pages and I missed out. It's not conventional by any means, with one character challenging our concepts of what it means to be autistic. As the parent of an autistic adult child I was pleased it didn't follow the traditional trope of a Rain Man super skill, but set me thinking about the what if's and the maybe's of love, for each other and for horses.
I know nothing about horses, nothing all, but it doesn't matter. The horses are important, but the people equally so. As always with Katharina's books, it's about finding our own tribe and belonging.
I know nothing about horses, nothing all, but it doesn't matter. The horses are important, but the people equally so. As always with Katharina's books, it's about finding our own tribe and belonging.
November 9, 2022
This book grips you from the very first page. Beautifully written in a way that captures your imagination and has you wondering and trying to guess what’s next…. With some unexpected twists! Bringing a wonderful dose of horses to the story that all equine enthusiasts will identify with but combining other factors it is not just a great read for the horsey bookworms! There is more that could be discovered about many of the characters and I’m hoping there will be another book to follow!!!
September 20, 2024
Wonderful Book!
Ms. Marcus has a truly special way of writing that really engages you. I love the characters in her books because they are so unique. I also admire the author’s skill at writing biting dialogue. I hope to see much more coming from this author.
Ms. Marcus has a truly special way of writing that really engages you. I love the characters in her books because they are so unique. I also admire the author’s skill at writing biting dialogue. I hope to see much more coming from this author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews