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Phantom Stallion #2
Mustang Moon
The beloved second book in the middle grade Phantom Stallion series about a girl, her horse, and the beauty of the American West returns with a brand-new, stunning cover and bonus material! Perfect for fans of Canterwood Crest and classic horse stories like Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka .
Sam has befriended the mysterious, powerful mustang known as the Phantom, and she’s determined to defend his freedom on the open range. But when tame mares start going missing from local ranches, the Phantom becomes the number one suspect—and there’s one rancher who would use any excuse to capture the wild white stallion.
When a reward is offered to anyone who can bring the Phantom in, Sam is no longer just fighting for his freedom—she’s fighting for his life.
Sam has befriended the mysterious, powerful mustang known as the Phantom, and she’s determined to defend his freedom on the open range. But when tame mares start going missing from local ranches, the Phantom becomes the number one suspect—and there’s one rancher who would use any excuse to capture the wild white stallion.
When a reward is offered to anyone who can bring the Phantom in, Sam is no longer just fighting for his freedom—she’s fighting for his life.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
18 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Terri Farley
128 books415 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 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 9, 2025
So once again I am back with young Samantha racing across the open range with Zanzibar the phantom stallion and now he has a rival in a blue roan named Hammer. Reading this was very relaxing, even if parts of the plot were easy to guess ahead of time (but I really didn't mind that at all). The book details the everyday life of living on a ranch that has horses, cattle and chickens... Little mysteries fill the day (like why aren't the chickens laying more eggs) to the tearful worry of your favorite cow getting branded. And now Samantha has to start freshman year at her new high school.
The main plot in here revolves around Hammer stealing mares and how Sam works hard to prove the thief isn't her Phantom. But how do you prove it if the horses only come around at night?? Before I had started to read this, I hadn't known that horses could be blue. Or the horse version of blue anyway. Of course I just had to Google photos of these blue horses online.
There is one thing about this particular book that strikes me a bit. I seem to sense some hostility in the sentences between Sam and Jen. I am unsure if the author meant that to be there or am I just imagining it, but it's what I am picking up as I read this. Yet they are supposed to be friends?? I don't know, there seems to be some attitude there? I just think it's a tad strange.
The action in here is thrilling, including stallions fighting each other. There are also several of those magical moments between Sam and her horse the Phantom. Sam has different challenges in this story. The first book had mainly focused on her riding skills but in here she tries new things.
All in all I found this book a pleasure to read and it was relaxing.
The main plot in here revolves around Hammer stealing mares and how Sam works hard to prove the thief isn't her Phantom. But how do you prove it if the horses only come around at night?? Before I had started to read this, I hadn't known that horses could be blue. Or the horse version of blue anyway. Of course I just had to Google photos of these blue horses online.
There is one thing about this particular book that strikes me a bit. I seem to sense some hostility in the sentences between Sam and Jen. I am unsure if the author meant that to be there or am I just imagining it, but it's what I am picking up as I read this. Yet they are supposed to be friends?? I don't know, there seems to be some attitude there? I just think it's a tad strange.
The action in here is thrilling, including stallions fighting each other. There are also several of those magical moments between Sam and her horse the Phantom. Sam has different challenges in this story. The first book had mainly focused on her riding skills but in here she tries new things.
All in all I found this book a pleasure to read and it was relaxing.
February 8, 2021
I read the first book in September and it got pushed back by seasonal books. It had been long enough that I couldn't remember things about it. I had to refresh myself by reading the end of book one again.
It's unrealistic how horses can sense her across great distances, through the house, and through cars, especially when she whispers or doesn't even speak.
The opening scene is her seeing a blue stallion and she whispers through the glass window and he looks up as if he heard her.
Parked on the side of the road, she thinks her horses secret name in her head and down below in the canyon the horse runs as if he heard her. It's just not realistic.
Jake is a cool character, part Shosone, and teaches Sam Native American horse training techniques, how a secret name bonds the horse and rider. I didn't remember he was Native American, and I wished instead of telling us he taught her techniques we would be shown the techniques he taught her. That would be really interesting to hear.
I didn't like that Jake called Rachel Slocum cute; it's disloyal to Sam, knowing her dad is the enemy, and she's a snob and wouldn't like Sam. I also didn't like how he wouldn't let Sam ride to school with him and his brother.
Kachina Dancer was a cool name for a horse, and also War Drum Flats, a name of a part of the canyon there.
The night before her first day of high school, she wishes the Phantom would show up but knows he can't possibly know it's an important night for her. Even though he hadn't come to their farm in weeks, since before his capture, he shows up that night, very predictably.
It's a cardinal sin to me when characters cut their hair short.
I didn't like that Jake saw Sam at school and didn't even say hey or wave or anything. Apparently he was in shock at her haircut.
It was nice when Gram said her dad could brand the cow while she's at school but is waiting for the weekend to do it so she'll be there to comfort Buddy.
Sam can be a little thoughtless sometimes, forgetting to do chores or not helping out as much as she could.
Once she said "I bet there's something I should be doing to help" and I'm like yeah, go help your dad cut hay or your grandma cook.
It was cute how she wanted Jake to rope Buddy because he's skillful with a lariat and he'd be gentle but she knew he'd be embarrassed by that.
When she asks him he asks why him? and she says he'll get it right the first time. He looks bashful, and his dad overheard it! It's funny that she believed in his skill more than her dad's or another adults on the farms.
I love that she knew her dad and Jake were embarrassed over the fuss they made of branding one calf but they were doing it for her.
I didn't like how hot and cold Jake ran. One minute they're having a nice moment, the next he's ignoring her or mad at her.
Mustangs usually took care of themselves, using speed as a defense.
It was a cool moment when the Phantom came to Sam's rescue, carving a circle in front of her, marking her as his.
The mares weren't looking at the fight, they just waited for the victor of a fight. It's interesting learning stuff about horses like that.
It was cool how one of the sites in the cantons was said to be one of the last Indian battles.
Idl that Jake claimed he didn't care about his Native American heritage.
I was beyond annoyed when she goes to Mrs. Ely, Jake's mom and teacher, and she has Sam borrow a photography book. Rachel knew she was going to her classroom after school, so concocts a plan to be there when Sam's there. Mrs. Ely just so happens to have the book on a high shelf and she asks Sam to grab it cause she's taller. Rachel offers to hold Sam's camera while she gets the book, and Sam tells us her paranoia was childish. Which was stupid. Rachel's been mean from the get-go, and said she'd make Sam an outcast. Rachel, of course, drops the camera. So that Sam will now owe the school $500.
Sam irritated me to death then, when she gave her the camera.
She goes outside to see she's missed her bus and Rachel is the only one there. She's prepared to turn Rachel down when she offers her a ride home, except she doesn't, because why would Sam think Rachel would offer her a ride home? Especially after deliberately breaking her camera.
When Mrs. Ely asks if it was an accident she said maybe, she wasn't looking. Get a clue!
Sam was acting like an idiot. That was the first time I was more than mildly annoyed at her.
It was funny when Mrs. Ely tells Sam not to marry a cowboy because pride is their downfall.
Jake eventually tells her her hairs okay and that boys always think it's a mistake when girls cut their hair.
I liked the legend Jake told of one man and three ponies.
Sam was also pretty clueless about her dad and Brynna. I didn't remember what happened to her mom, but it was odd she didn't think of her until near the end of the book. And then didn't refresh readers on what had happened to her, so that didn't help.
I thought it was sweet Sam wanted to buy Jake that really nice bridle, even after he treated her coldly at school. And how she planned to use her reward money on it.
In the end Jake didn't help her capture the stallion, I suppose so she'd have the reward money all to herself and her family. It would have been nice if Jake had some money for a car he wanted. At one point Jen sharing the reward money was mentioned, and how she wouldn't get any because she was inside watching tv while Sam was trying to photograph the blue roan. Another easy way of getting rid of anyone splitting the reward money. It isn't very likely a friend would sit inside while you're out trying to photograph a mysterious stallion. Especially when it was her whole reason of coming over.
I kept hoping she'd see Jake at school or have classes with him. It was a letdown how they only like one moment at school, and it's when Jake ignored her! They didn't spend as much time together in here.
I wish this had covered Jake's birthday and her giving him the bridle which she mentioned early on in the book.
There were enjoyable moments, like the branding of Buddy the calf, and her moments with the Phantom and Ace, but the content in book one was better overall. It was more fun. School kind of ruined this one. It's a drag to read about school when the first one took place over summer, and she had free time to do whatever she wanted and go here and there. School definitely got in the way...as it does in real life.
The ending could have been a little better too. She goes to look for the Phantom, aka Blackie, to see if he's ok after she tried patching up his wounded leg, and she finds him in his secret cave. She's able to hug him for the first time, and then he nudges her back to leave. I'm not a fan of sudden endings.
Once again, I hoped for more progress between her and Jake. I don't know if it's the romantic in me or what, but I'm always looking for romance between characters. It seems to me they both like each other beyond friends, and I keep waiting for more between them. Or them to at least go back to being friends. The accident ruined that for them, but I want them to get back together.
This took place in August, with the end of summer and beginning of the school year, and I wish I had read it back then. It felt a little out of place reading now.
The sneak peek of book three shows a new addition of a female character and a horse, and I don't like the sound of them at all, or what happened. I hope the first book wasn't a fluke.
2.5 stars
It's unrealistic how horses can sense her across great distances, through the house, and through cars, especially when she whispers or doesn't even speak.
The opening scene is her seeing a blue stallion and she whispers through the glass window and he looks up as if he heard her.
Parked on the side of the road, she thinks her horses secret name in her head and down below in the canyon the horse runs as if he heard her. It's just not realistic.
Jake is a cool character, part Shosone, and teaches Sam Native American horse training techniques, how a secret name bonds the horse and rider. I didn't remember he was Native American, and I wished instead of telling us he taught her techniques we would be shown the techniques he taught her. That would be really interesting to hear.
I didn't like that Jake called Rachel Slocum cute; it's disloyal to Sam, knowing her dad is the enemy, and she's a snob and wouldn't like Sam. I also didn't like how he wouldn't let Sam ride to school with him and his brother.
Kachina Dancer was a cool name for a horse, and also War Drum Flats, a name of a part of the canyon there.
The night before her first day of high school, she wishes the Phantom would show up but knows he can't possibly know it's an important night for her. Even though he hadn't come to their farm in weeks, since before his capture, he shows up that night, very predictably.
It's a cardinal sin to me when characters cut their hair short.
I didn't like that Jake saw Sam at school and didn't even say hey or wave or anything. Apparently he was in shock at her haircut.
It was nice when Gram said her dad could brand the cow while she's at school but is waiting for the weekend to do it so she'll be there to comfort Buddy.
Sam can be a little thoughtless sometimes, forgetting to do chores or not helping out as much as she could.
Once she said "I bet there's something I should be doing to help" and I'm like yeah, go help your dad cut hay or your grandma cook.
It was cute how she wanted Jake to rope Buddy because he's skillful with a lariat and he'd be gentle but she knew he'd be embarrassed by that.
When she asks him he asks why him? and she says he'll get it right the first time. He looks bashful, and his dad overheard it! It's funny that she believed in his skill more than her dad's or another adults on the farms.
I love that she knew her dad and Jake were embarrassed over the fuss they made of branding one calf but they were doing it for her.
I didn't like how hot and cold Jake ran. One minute they're having a nice moment, the next he's ignoring her or mad at her.
Mustangs usually took care of themselves, using speed as a defense.
It was a cool moment when the Phantom came to Sam's rescue, carving a circle in front of her, marking her as his.
The mares weren't looking at the fight, they just waited for the victor of a fight. It's interesting learning stuff about horses like that.
It was cool how one of the sites in the cantons was said to be one of the last Indian battles.
Idl that Jake claimed he didn't care about his Native American heritage.
I was beyond annoyed when she goes to Mrs. Ely, Jake's mom and teacher, and she has Sam borrow a photography book. Rachel knew she was going to her classroom after school, so concocts a plan to be there when Sam's there. Mrs. Ely just so happens to have the book on a high shelf and she asks Sam to grab it cause she's taller. Rachel offers to hold Sam's camera while she gets the book, and Sam tells us her paranoia was childish. Which was stupid. Rachel's been mean from the get-go, and said she'd make Sam an outcast. Rachel, of course, drops the camera. So that Sam will now owe the school $500.
Sam irritated me to death then, when she gave her the camera.
She goes outside to see she's missed her bus and Rachel is the only one there. She's prepared to turn Rachel down when she offers her a ride home, except she doesn't, because why would Sam think Rachel would offer her a ride home? Especially after deliberately breaking her camera.
When Mrs. Ely asks if it was an accident she said maybe, she wasn't looking. Get a clue!
Sam was acting like an idiot. That was the first time I was more than mildly annoyed at her.
It was funny when Mrs. Ely tells Sam not to marry a cowboy because pride is their downfall.
Jake eventually tells her her hairs okay and that boys always think it's a mistake when girls cut their hair.
I liked the legend Jake told of one man and three ponies.
Sam was also pretty clueless about her dad and Brynna. I didn't remember what happened to her mom, but it was odd she didn't think of her until near the end of the book. And then didn't refresh readers on what had happened to her, so that didn't help.
I thought it was sweet Sam wanted to buy Jake that really nice bridle, even after he treated her coldly at school. And how she planned to use her reward money on it.
In the end Jake didn't help her capture the stallion, I suppose so she'd have the reward money all to herself and her family. It would have been nice if Jake had some money for a car he wanted. At one point Jen sharing the reward money was mentioned, and how she wouldn't get any because she was inside watching tv while Sam was trying to photograph the blue roan. Another easy way of getting rid of anyone splitting the reward money. It isn't very likely a friend would sit inside while you're out trying to photograph a mysterious stallion. Especially when it was her whole reason of coming over.
I kept hoping she'd see Jake at school or have classes with him. It was a letdown how they only like one moment at school, and it's when Jake ignored her! They didn't spend as much time together in here.
I wish this had covered Jake's birthday and her giving him the bridle which she mentioned early on in the book.
There were enjoyable moments, like the branding of Buddy the calf, and her moments with the Phantom and Ace, but the content in book one was better overall. It was more fun. School kind of ruined this one. It's a drag to read about school when the first one took place over summer, and she had free time to do whatever she wanted and go here and there. School definitely got in the way...as it does in real life.
The ending could have been a little better too. She goes to look for the Phantom, aka Blackie, to see if he's ok after she tried patching up his wounded leg, and she finds him in his secret cave. She's able to hug him for the first time, and then he nudges her back to leave. I'm not a fan of sudden endings.
Once again, I hoped for more progress between her and Jake. I don't know if it's the romantic in me or what, but I'm always looking for romance between characters. It seems to me they both like each other beyond friends, and I keep waiting for more between them. Or them to at least go back to being friends. The accident ruined that for them, but I want them to get back together.
This took place in August, with the end of summer and beginning of the school year, and I wish I had read it back then. It felt a little out of place reading now.
The sneak peek of book three shows a new addition of a female character and a horse, and I don't like the sound of them at all, or what happened. I hope the first book wasn't a fluke.
2.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
My favourite book as a kid
January 9, 2023
As with the first book, I enjoyed this reread of the second book in the Phantom Stallion series very much. And once again, I was really surprised how much of it I remembered. I always liked the conflict of a rogue stallion stealing people's horses at night and Slocum (sp?) trying to blame it on the stallion. A major strength in this series is that (aside from Slocum) Sam has good relationships with the adults in her life. It's realistic because of the good balance between her trying to be independent, as teens naturally want to do, but also getting help from adults at appropriate times. I especially liked in this book how Jake's mother taught Sam how to take good photographs with the camera she was given for her journalism class (I'd forgotten Sam took that class, but it felt right for her) so she could prove it wasn't the Phantom stealing people's horses.
I also liked how when Sam assumed her dad might include her pet calf with the cattle meant for slaughter (because the ranch was having hard times and she knew they needed extra money) her dad knew how much the calf meant to her and said they'd have to be really hard up before he'd ever do something like that. It just made be happy because adults in kids and teens stories can be so oblivious or mean sometimes, but this series never went there. Sam's dad even made sure they properly branded and tagged the pet calf to make sure it would never get mixed up with someone else's herd and have something happen to it. And he was considerate enough to make sure to do the branding when Sam was home from school to comfort her calf afterwards, knowing she would want to.
Something that was equal parts amusing and annoying (annoying in the way that it's meant by the author to be) was Slocum showing an entire schoolbus of kids how obsessed and nuts he is when he yelled at Sam to whistle for the Phantom, like he'd just come running in front of a bunch of people so Slocum could capture him. I've always laughed when the bus driver gets out and tells him to leave before she calls the police, and then rumor of what he did spread through the entire school, only to get blown out of proportion, with kids saying he'd run the school bus off the road. It just tickled me because that's exactly what would happen with a rumor in a real school.
So, yeah. I'm really enjoying revisiting these stories. On to book 3.
Content Advisory:
The only violence is horse-on-horse. At one point, Sam gets too close to the rogue stallion and it looks like it might be about to charge her, but Phantom defends her and the two horsed get in a pretty intense fight, as wild stallions will do. They both end up bloody from bites and kicks, and Sam fears it might be a duel to the death (wild stallions do occasionally kill each other, in real life, especially if there are limited natural resources) Phantom wins the fight without killing the other stallion.
As stated in the review, Slocum continues letting his crazy flag fly, showing that he's obsessed with the Phantom to the point of yelling at Sam and doing underhanded things to try to get the horse captured or euthanized. Anything to get Phantom for himself or keep Sam from having him. I don't recall Slocum swearing in this book, though, whereas he said one mild swear word in book one.
This book also featured some mild mean-girl content from Slocum's teenage daughter. There's nothing too intense, but the girl clearly thinks she's better than everyone else. She never outright bullies Sam, but also isn't nice to her. She then blames Sam for the rumors spreading through the school about her father, and later intentionally breaks Sam's camera. Like her father, she also does some underhanded things with her campaign for president, like handing out dollar bills with "vote for me" written on them. (One might also note that the school does nothing about this.)
I also liked how when Sam assumed her dad might include her pet calf with the cattle meant for slaughter (because the ranch was having hard times and she knew they needed extra money) her dad knew how much the calf meant to her and said they'd have to be really hard up before he'd ever do something like that. It just made be happy because adults in kids and teens stories can be so oblivious or mean sometimes, but this series never went there. Sam's dad even made sure they properly branded and tagged the pet calf to make sure it would never get mixed up with someone else's herd and have something happen to it. And he was considerate enough to make sure to do the branding when Sam was home from school to comfort her calf afterwards, knowing she would want to.
Something that was equal parts amusing and annoying (annoying in the way that it's meant by the author to be) was Slocum showing an entire schoolbus of kids how obsessed and nuts he is when he yelled at Sam to whistle for the Phantom, like he'd just come running in front of a bunch of people so Slocum could capture him. I've always laughed when the bus driver gets out and tells him to leave before she calls the police, and then rumor of what he did spread through the entire school, only to get blown out of proportion, with kids saying he'd run the school bus off the road. It just tickled me because that's exactly what would happen with a rumor in a real school.
So, yeah. I'm really enjoying revisiting these stories. On to book 3.
Content Advisory:
The only violence is horse-on-horse. At one point, Sam gets too close to the rogue stallion and it looks like it might be about to charge her, but Phantom defends her and the two horsed get in a pretty intense fight, as wild stallions will do. They both end up bloody from bites and kicks, and Sam fears it might be a duel to the death (wild stallions do occasionally kill each other, in real life, especially if there are limited natural resources) Phantom wins the fight without killing the other stallion.
As stated in the review, Slocum continues letting his crazy flag fly, showing that he's obsessed with the Phantom to the point of yelling at Sam and doing underhanded things to try to get the horse captured or euthanized. Anything to get Phantom for himself or keep Sam from having him. I don't recall Slocum swearing in this book, though, whereas he said one mild swear word in book one.
This book also featured some mild mean-girl content from Slocum's teenage daughter. There's nothing too intense, but the girl clearly thinks she's better than everyone else. She never outright bullies Sam, but also isn't nice to her. She then blames Sam for the rumors spreading through the school about her father, and later intentionally breaks Sam's camera. Like her father, she also does some underhanded things with her campaign for president, like handing out dollar bills with "vote for me" written on them. (One might also note that the school does nothing about this.)
March 17, 2015
Fast-paced and fun, I thought this was better than the first book in the series. I'd definitely read more by this author.
May 29, 2022
I always enjoy Terri Farley's stories no matter the age range of the average reader.
January 20, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book, i'm am a horse lover myself. The story was good plotted, and I highly recommend this book to horse lovers!
March 30, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
After raising Blackie from a foal, Sam fell from him, was badly injured, and had to spend two years in San Francisco with an aunt. Now recoveed, she is back at the River Bend Ranch in rural Nevada, ready to start high school. She's still friends with Jake, who is a talented horseman, but doesn't know anyone else at school except for the super smart Jen, who had previously been homeschooled. There's another problem; Blackie is most likely wild now, and known locally as The Phantom. Local wealthy ranch owner Slocum had wanted the Bureau of Land Management to let him adopt the horse, but they wouldn't let him. Sam sees a horse out and about at night, but it doesn't seem to be The Phantom, whom she also calls Zanzibar. This other horse seems to be taking mares from local farms, including Slocum's, which angers him and makes him suspect that Sam is somehow behind this. His daughter, cheerleader Rachel, is running for class president and also seems to bear a grudge against Sam. When Sam tries to get in the running for the school newspaper and attempts to take photos with a borrowed school camera, Rachel purposefully damages the camera, which Sam then might have to pay for. Luckily, Jake's mother is also a teacher at the high school and sees Rachel in action. Since she is also a photographer, Sam is able to borrow a camera from her, and manages to get a picture of the horse who is stealing mares. Will this photo be enough to help the BLM find the rogue horse, and will Slocum fulfill his promise of a cash reward to whoever helps solve the mystery of his missing mares?
Strengths: This was like reading a football book; I take it as a good sign that there were some horse things that I didn't understand! This definitely had the much needed Western setting that my students have been requesting, and a lot of intrigue as well as details about ranch life. There is a bit about high school that is great, since it gives it an upper middle grade feel, but would also be fine for actual high school students. I haven't read the first book in the series, so was confused about a few things.
Weaknesses: This series was first published 20 years ago, and there are a few things that feel dated, like Sam's concern about her clothing and hair for high school. The subplot with the camera also doesn't feel quite right, since most students probably shoot photos for the school web site with their phones. It's not a deal breaker, but if the rest of the series is going to be reissued, more attention should be paid to updating things like this.
What I really think: These books will be a good addition to my equestrin collection, but I don't know that I will be able to buy all 24 titles. I'll have to see how many are reissued and what the readership is before deciding how many to purchase, especially since both the local library and the Ohio Digital library have these in their collection.
After raising Blackie from a foal, Sam fell from him, was badly injured, and had to spend two years in San Francisco with an aunt. Now recoveed, she is back at the River Bend Ranch in rural Nevada, ready to start high school. She's still friends with Jake, who is a talented horseman, but doesn't know anyone else at school except for the super smart Jen, who had previously been homeschooled. There's another problem; Blackie is most likely wild now, and known locally as The Phantom. Local wealthy ranch owner Slocum had wanted the Bureau of Land Management to let him adopt the horse, but they wouldn't let him. Sam sees a horse out and about at night, but it doesn't seem to be The Phantom, whom she also calls Zanzibar. This other horse seems to be taking mares from local farms, including Slocum's, which angers him and makes him suspect that Sam is somehow behind this. His daughter, cheerleader Rachel, is running for class president and also seems to bear a grudge against Sam. When Sam tries to get in the running for the school newspaper and attempts to take photos with a borrowed school camera, Rachel purposefully damages the camera, which Sam then might have to pay for. Luckily, Jake's mother is also a teacher at the high school and sees Rachel in action. Since she is also a photographer, Sam is able to borrow a camera from her, and manages to get a picture of the horse who is stealing mares. Will this photo be enough to help the BLM find the rogue horse, and will Slocum fulfill his promise of a cash reward to whoever helps solve the mystery of his missing mares?
Strengths: This was like reading a football book; I take it as a good sign that there were some horse things that I didn't understand! This definitely had the much needed Western setting that my students have been requesting, and a lot of intrigue as well as details about ranch life. There is a bit about high school that is great, since it gives it an upper middle grade feel, but would also be fine for actual high school students. I haven't read the first book in the series, so was confused about a few things.
Weaknesses: This series was first published 20 years ago, and there are a few things that feel dated, like Sam's concern about her clothing and hair for high school. The subplot with the camera also doesn't feel quite right, since most students probably shoot photos for the school web site with their phones. It's not a deal breaker, but if the rest of the series is going to be reissued, more attention should be paid to updating things like this.
What I really think: These books will be a good addition to my equestrin collection, but I don't know that I will be able to buy all 24 titles. I'll have to see how many are reissued and what the readership is before deciding how many to purchase, especially since both the local library and the Ohio Digital library have these in their collection.
March 3, 2025
In Book 2 of the "Phantom Stallion" series, a rogue mustang seems to be "horse-napping" the mares in the nearby ranches as it tries to find its mate and build its family.
Linc Slocum is adamant that it is the one called "Phantom" or Blackie to Sam Forster. But she has to prove that her beloved mustang is not the culprit, otherwise, Slocum intends to capture the elusive mustang himself and possibly do it harm.
Sam tries to clear her mustang's name as well as navigate the milestone of being a freshman in a new high school. Can she keep up with the pressures of school as well as trying to find evidence of the real horse-napper?
I'm really loving the series so far. As a city girl, the stories have captured the imaginations of the wildness of terrains of the West and provides a wonderful peek into the ways of the wild animals. Readers can learn from these stories as well as empathize with a very relatable main character.
Linc Slocum is adamant that it is the one called "Phantom" or Blackie to Sam Forster. But she has to prove that her beloved mustang is not the culprit, otherwise, Slocum intends to capture the elusive mustang himself and possibly do it harm.
Sam tries to clear her mustang's name as well as navigate the milestone of being a freshman in a new high school. Can she keep up with the pressures of school as well as trying to find evidence of the real horse-napper?
I'm really loving the series so far. As a city girl, the stories have captured the imaginations of the wildness of terrains of the West and provides a wonderful peek into the ways of the wild animals. Readers can learn from these stories as well as empathize with a very relatable main character.
October 25, 2016
Mustang moon is about a girl named Samantha Forster who wants to save a wild horse. In the second book of the Phantom Stallion Sam is conflicted when she hears that a stallion is stealing mares and the people are blaming it on the Phantom a pure white stallion that used to be sam's. When Linc Slocum puts a five thousand dollar reward to turn the stallion over to him Sam is pressured to find out who is stealing the mares. Sam has been seeing another stallion around and he stole sweetheart her grandma's mare.Could it be him?
The theme of this book is to never give up and not let things get in the way. In certain parts of the story Sam is conflicted whether to stick with the safe side or go with the difficult parts. She perseveres to keep trying and eventually it pays off. She has a lot of help along the way which made it easier.
The theme of this book is to never give up and not let things get in the way. In certain parts of the story Sam is conflicted whether to stick with the safe side or go with the difficult parts. She perseveres to keep trying and eventually it pays off. She has a lot of help along the way which made it easier.
May 4, 2020
Sam and the Phantom aren't safe yet. They slipped out of Linc Slocum's attempt to claim her old horse as his own, but he's not giving up. When his newly purchased racing Appaloosa goes missing, Linc puts out a reward for his capture.
Sam is certain her lost colt isn't to blame, and there's a new challenger stallion loose who might be the culprit. With people desperate for the reward money and willing to let the legality of harassing mustangs slide, Sam needs to act fast to keep her horse free.
Well-paced, the story moves right along while keeping its sense of reality. School and chores don't wait just because you have a horse to save! I loved the moments that could still make me giddy with laughter, and the chance to learn more about these people and their lives. Luckily we have 22 books left, so their story isn't over yet!
Sam is certain her lost colt isn't to blame, and there's a new challenger stallion loose who might be the culprit. With people desperate for the reward money and willing to let the legality of harassing mustangs slide, Sam needs to act fast to keep her horse free.
Well-paced, the story moves right along while keeping its sense of reality. School and chores don't wait just because you have a horse to save! I loved the moments that could still make me giddy with laughter, and the chance to learn more about these people and their lives. Luckily we have 22 books left, so their story isn't over yet!
September 15, 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, although I only read books 1-6,8-10 due to the fact that the local libraries didn't have them and the book stores didn't have them in stock whenever I went to them. So I am re-reading the books that I have read and reading for the first time the books I missed out on.
This is the second book in the Phantom Stallion series and The Phantom has a new rival that Sam dubs "Hammer". "Hammer" is a huge broad-chested blue roan stallion that has a massive head and a bullish attitude. Linc Slocum believes that The Phantom is trying to steal his mares, but Sam knows that it's not him but how can she prove it? And is "Hammer" a normal mustang or is he something more?
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, although I only read books 1-6,8-10 due to the fact that the local libraries didn't have them and the book stores didn't have them in stock whenever I went to them. So I am re-reading the books that I have read and reading for the first time the books I missed out on.
This is the second book in the Phantom Stallion series and The Phantom has a new rival that Sam dubs "Hammer". "Hammer" is a huge broad-chested blue roan stallion that has a massive head and a bullish attitude. Linc Slocum believes that The Phantom is trying to steal his mares, but Sam knows that it's not him but how can she prove it? And is "Hammer" a normal mustang or is he something more?
July 20, 2024
First of all, Slocum and his daughter Rachel are the worst, so jot that down. But it's worth putting up with them, because Sam's triumph is so sweet.
I think this is so well-plotted. The main story about the blue roan who's been stealing mares is wrapped up with the tension of money concerns, and in resolving these threads we get to see the Phantom's trust in Sam continue to be revived. The author also does not neglect Buddy, the little calf Sam rescues in the first book. On the level of the series arc, Sam starts school and we find out about her interest in journalism and photography, plus get introduced to more lovable characters, including her old friend Jen and Jake's mother Maxine.
A very strong second book, moving things along and keeping characters and relationships so well-shaped.
I think this is so well-plotted. The main story about the blue roan who's been stealing mares is wrapped up with the tension of money concerns, and in resolving these threads we get to see the Phantom's trust in Sam continue to be revived. The author also does not neglect Buddy, the little calf Sam rescues in the first book. On the level of the series arc, Sam starts school and we find out about her interest in journalism and photography, plus get introduced to more lovable characters, including her old friend Jen and Jake's mother Maxine.
A very strong second book, moving things along and keeping characters and relationships so well-shaped.
January 31, 2025
This is one of my favorite horse series. It captures the spirit of wild horses so much better than most books, rivaling even Misty of Chincoteague. While Misty focuses on taming the wild animals, these books focus on their freedom. That’s something I appreciate. All across equine media, you find stories of capturing and “breaking” wild horses. It’s not often that you read stories about them being allowed to be free. This could be because writers believe that the most interesting thing about horses is the riding. While most of the time this is true, Terri Farley is able to make the most exciting parts of her books be about the spirit of truly wild horses, not about riding.
So glad I found books 1 and 2 at Barnes & Noble! I wouldn’t be able to read this series otherwise. I luckily have old copies of some of the later books, but there’s still hunting to do!
So glad I found books 1 and 2 at Barnes & Noble! I wouldn’t be able to read this series otherwise. I luckily have old copies of some of the later books, but there’s still hunting to do!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 25, 20234.5 stars
A good ole story of a girl and her horse. My favorite thing about this book is the way the author describes the horses. The way she writes of their graceful movements, their strength, their companionship with the main character, and their great personalities is perfect.
(However while her wild horses gave me chills, her description of Jen made me cringe a little. Not all homeschoolers have gigantic glasses, long skinny braids, or humongous calculators that they carry around everywhere 😂😂)
A good ole story of a girl and her horse. My favorite thing about this book is the way the author describes the horses. The way she writes of their graceful movements, their strength, their companionship with the main character, and their great personalities is perfect.
(However while her wild horses gave me chills, her description of Jen made me cringe a little. Not all homeschoolers have gigantic glasses, long skinny braids, or humongous calculators that they carry around everywhere 😂😂)
January 24, 2024
"Some horses just bond with one person."
These new covers are absolutely sending me - they're so pretty.
We start the basic format for all of these books that I remember reading: Yes, Sam has her ongoing storyline with the Phantom, but each book from here on out (that I remember) has a central horse that the plot revolves around. This one is the Hammerhead, a blue roan that's kidnapping mares (mareknapping?) to start his own herd. You do you, buddy.
These new covers are absolutely sending me - they're so pretty.
We start the basic format for all of these books that I remember reading: Yes, Sam has her ongoing storyline with the Phantom, but each book from here on out (that I remember) has a central horse that the plot revolves around. This one is the Hammerhead, a blue roan that's kidnapping mares (mareknapping?) to start his own herd. You do you, buddy.
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed the intensity of this book and the descriptions of love between a horse and a girl. I have enjoyed reading Terri Farley's Phantom Stallion books about a horse and a girl reconnecting after their pasts tore them apart. Rating - 4 stars due to heart-warming, lovable story and intense writing
September 6, 2025
I really like that this series seems to be relatively standalone books; the events of the previous book are mentioned and summarized when appropriate, but never feel like a full recap. The story is contained, but I find satisfying to have a beginning and end for a plot. I'll be starting the next book soon!
January 3, 2019
Started really strong but the end was kinda like oh okay... :(
Just felt rushed, but I love the characters to death and I've read later books back in high school so I know it gets really good later on so :) now comes the hard task of getting my hands on the rest of these rare books :) :)
Just felt rushed, but I love the characters to death and I've read later books back in high school so I know it gets really good later on so :) now comes the hard task of getting my hands on the rest of these rare books :) :)
February 25, 2019
Another good book in this series. I can't believe I never read these when they first came out. I will keep reading them as I come in contact with the novels, as even though the reading level is below me, I am now invested in these characters.
December 16, 2019
Endearing
I really enjoyed the scene changes and the plot development. It’s also nice to see a main character go through small amounts of change and yet still make mistakes to show how human and flawed she is. Looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoyed the scene changes and the plot development. It’s also nice to see a main character go through small amounts of change and yet still make mistakes to show how human and flawed she is. Looking forward to the next one.
November 29, 2017
I love this book!! It made me get up early before school just to read it! I highly recommend it.
May 6, 2018
An average teen series.
November 17, 2018
slocum causes more trouble. he's so cheesy and fake. he reminds me of my next door neighbor. thinks hes a horseman but he dosen't know a hoof pick from a curry comb.
July 31, 2025
The first book I’ve read when I was a kid apart from school books lol, absolutely loved it !
December 28, 2025
Photography and horses: perfect combo!
September 10, 2024
3.5 stars
One of my favorite things about this series was the banter. It's starting to come out between Jake and Sam. Jen is quite the character! Oh, and my favorite interaction is the line about Sam cutting her hair :)
One of my favorite things about this series was the banter. It's starting to come out between Jake and Sam. Jen is quite the character! Oh, and my favorite interaction is the line about Sam cutting her hair :)
March 1, 2017
I thought that it was a great book because of how the author wrote it because you get to know what is happening with everyone. I was also drawn in because there is always something going on and it never stops moving. I also love the characters because they all have different personality traits that make it fun to read.
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October 5, 2016Mustang Moon by: Terri Farley
Samantha “Sam” Forster is the main character of the book and series, The Phantom Stallion. She has a unique bond with horses. She lives on a ranch with her dad and grandma named Riverbend Ranch. For the past 2 years Sam has been living with her Aunt Sue because of an accident of her falling off her horse and hitting her head. She’s been back for about 2-3 months. One night Sam was outside and she sees a strange blue roan mustang near the ranch. All of a sudden there reports of horses having teeth slashes. Linc Slocum, a wannabe cowboy that owns Gold Dust Ranch, accuses the Phantom of doing that and wanting to steal his tame mares. Sam now needs to clear the Phantoms name. Then a local rancher offers a reward to anyone that can capture the wild stallion. Now not only is Sam fighting for his freedom but also for his life. Mustang moon was a very friendly type of book. It is a story about a girl and her faith in her horse. She’s trying to fit back in to an environment that’s familiar yet strange at the same time. I think lots of people can relate to this book in some way. With her just starting high school and not having any friends to hang out with. I really enjoyed this book and if you love a book that just displays a relationship between a horse that doesn’t trust humans and a girl that hopes to get some type of relationship back, then I recommend reading this book.
Samantha “Sam” Forster is the main character of the book and series, The Phantom Stallion. She has a unique bond with horses. She lives on a ranch with her dad and grandma named Riverbend Ranch. For the past 2 years Sam has been living with her Aunt Sue because of an accident of her falling off her horse and hitting her head. She’s been back for about 2-3 months. One night Sam was outside and she sees a strange blue roan mustang near the ranch. All of a sudden there reports of horses having teeth slashes. Linc Slocum, a wannabe cowboy that owns Gold Dust Ranch, accuses the Phantom of doing that and wanting to steal his tame mares. Sam now needs to clear the Phantoms name. Then a local rancher offers a reward to anyone that can capture the wild stallion. Now not only is Sam fighting for his freedom but also for his life. Mustang moon was a very friendly type of book. It is a story about a girl and her faith in her horse. She’s trying to fit back in to an environment that’s familiar yet strange at the same time. I think lots of people can relate to this book in some way. With her just starting high school and not having any friends to hang out with. I really enjoyed this book and if you love a book that just displays a relationship between a horse that doesn’t trust humans and a girl that hopes to get some type of relationship back, then I recommend reading this book.
March 14, 2011
Very cute read for the horse lover everywhere. I would recommend these books for anyone that enjoys a good horse story especially if you love a story about wild horses.
This is a story about the bond between a young girl named Sam and the wild horse, Phantom, that almost killed her. She had raised the horse from a foal, but one fateful day the horse was spooked and almost killed her. From there Sam was taken from the ranch and sent to live in San Francisco. She has recently returned to the ranch where the wild horse seeks her out. Since she has been gone a very rich, wealthy, city man - Linc Slocum - has moved in to play cowboy, but he wants the stallion and will stop at nothing to get him.
In this book of the series Sam is faced with a rogue "stallion" that tries to steal the Phantom's herd. When that doesn't work he moves on to horses that are saddle broke. Slocum is determined that the Phantom is stealing the horses, but Sam is determined to prove which horse is really doing it. Specifically after Slocum offers a $10,000 reward for the return of his horse.
Fun read.
This is a story about the bond between a young girl named Sam and the wild horse, Phantom, that almost killed her. She had raised the horse from a foal, but one fateful day the horse was spooked and almost killed her. From there Sam was taken from the ranch and sent to live in San Francisco. She has recently returned to the ranch where the wild horse seeks her out. Since she has been gone a very rich, wealthy, city man - Linc Slocum - has moved in to play cowboy, but he wants the stallion and will stop at nothing to get him.
In this book of the series Sam is faced with a rogue "stallion" that tries to steal the Phantom's herd. When that doesn't work he moves on to horses that are saddle broke. Slocum is determined that the Phantom is stealing the horses, but Sam is determined to prove which horse is really doing it. Specifically after Slocum offers a $10,000 reward for the return of his horse.
Fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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