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Canterwood Crest #5
Best Enemies
Some Girls Just Have To Be The Best At Everything.
If any two girls know about being the best, it's Heather Fox and Jasmine King. Just ask them; they'll be happy to tell you.
But every girl knows that there can only be one "best."
Can Sasha keep the girls from turning the arena into a war zone and still snag a spot on the coveted Youth Equestrian National Team?
If any two girls know about being the best, it's Heather Fox and Jasmine King. Just ask them; they'll be happy to tell you.
But every girl knows that there can only be one "best."
Can Sasha keep the girls from turning the arena into a war zone and still snag a spot on the coveted Youth Equestrian National Team?
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
68 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Burkhart
137 books628 followersJessica Burkhart is the author of the best-selling Canterwood Crest series which has sold over 1.6 million copies in multiple languages. She has also written the Unicorn Magic series, the YA novel Wild Hearts, and edited a YA anthology--Life Inside My Mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 3, 2012
BEST SERIES EVER!!!
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February 7, 2014I love this book so much!
February 23, 2010
OMG I LOVED it. If u r a tween and luv horses (u don't even have to luv horses) it is a great book!
December 2, 2010
One of my fav's!
November 30, 2012
great for tweens and teens who are aspiring equestrians. It speaks to me because i'm a competitive equestrian and know what the girls go through in training!!
May 24, 2022
These books are my favorite for getting out of reading slumps
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August 18, 2011In this book there is SO much drama! Jasmine is so my least fav character!
September 14, 2012
i like how they keep ading new characters to the book so that keeps it interesting
June 18, 2022
cannot stand jacob. also justice for allison and julia
April 8, 2023
too much boy drama, not enough horse drama. heather fox is SUCH a lesbian tho and that's so valid
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January 15, 2019 Personal response:
I really liked this book because it dealt with horses. I also liked the bond that Sasha and Charm had. I could relate to Sasha by having to practice all the time to get ready for a horse show.
Plot:
In the beginning of this book, Julia and Allison were kicked off the advance team because they "cheated" on their test. Throughout this book, Callie and Jacob, Sasha and Eric,went on lots of dates. Most of this book consisted of the advance team preparing for the YENT, the Youth Equestrian National Team, tryouts. Near the end of this book, the advance team tried out for YENT. At the end of this book, Jasmine, Heather, and Sasha all made the YENT but Callie did not. As Sasha was walking to her dorm for the last time as a seventh grader, Jacob stopped her and told her he still had feelings for her even though he was with Callie.
Characterization:
The main character in this book was Sasha. Throughout this book, Sasha was preparing for YENT tryouts in the end of spring. Sasha started dating Eric at the beginning of this book. As this book progressed, Sasha spent more time with Eric than she did practicing and Heather made her feel insecure about it. Heather was also another main character. Heather was on the advance team and also was trying out for YENT. Heather spent every minute that she could practicing for the YENT tryouts. At the end of the book, all of Heathers hard work paid off because she made the YENT.
Setting:
This book took place in Connecticut because that was where Canterwood Crest Academy was located. This book took place in spring because when Sasha tried to get Charm over his fear of water, the creek was higher than normal due to all of the snow melting and flowing into the creek. This book took place in present time because of the communication the main characters use to talk to each other.
Theme:
The theme of this book was to always trust one's instincts. This was the theme because Sasha always knew deep down that she would make the YENT and she did. This was also a theme because if Sasha felt something was wrong with one of her friends she knew that they would talk to her about it when they were ready.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes horses. This book would be a good fit for middle school girls because it dealt with a lot of drama. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers because the reading level was low for high school students.
I really liked this book because it dealt with horses. I also liked the bond that Sasha and Charm had. I could relate to Sasha by having to practice all the time to get ready for a horse show.
Plot:
In the beginning of this book, Julia and Allison were kicked off the advance team because they "cheated" on their test. Throughout this book, Callie and Jacob, Sasha and Eric,went on lots of dates. Most of this book consisted of the advance team preparing for the YENT, the Youth Equestrian National Team, tryouts. Near the end of this book, the advance team tried out for YENT. At the end of this book, Jasmine, Heather, and Sasha all made the YENT but Callie did not. As Sasha was walking to her dorm for the last time as a seventh grader, Jacob stopped her and told her he still had feelings for her even though he was with Callie.
Characterization:
The main character in this book was Sasha. Throughout this book, Sasha was preparing for YENT tryouts in the end of spring. Sasha started dating Eric at the beginning of this book. As this book progressed, Sasha spent more time with Eric than she did practicing and Heather made her feel insecure about it. Heather was also another main character. Heather was on the advance team and also was trying out for YENT. Heather spent every minute that she could practicing for the YENT tryouts. At the end of the book, all of Heathers hard work paid off because she made the YENT.
Setting:
This book took place in Connecticut because that was where Canterwood Crest Academy was located. This book took place in spring because when Sasha tried to get Charm over his fear of water, the creek was higher than normal due to all of the snow melting and flowing into the creek. This book took place in present time because of the communication the main characters use to talk to each other.
Theme:
The theme of this book was to always trust one's instincts. This was the theme because Sasha always knew deep down that she would make the YENT and she did. This was also a theme because if Sasha felt something was wrong with one of her friends she knew that they would talk to her about it when they were ready.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes horses. This book would be a good fit for middle school girls because it dealt with a lot of drama. I would also recommend this book to middle schoolers because the reading level was low for high school students.
January 6, 2019
The drama continues at Canterwood Crest. Sasha and friends are determined to put their hated rival, Jasmine, in her place and win the coveted spots on the Youth Equestrian National Team. But fate (or Jasmine) seem to be in their way. Julia and Allison are accused of cheating on a test and pulled from the team, Charm has developed an intense fear of water that wreaks havoc on his cross-country runs, and Jacob, whom Sasha is finally over, seems to be acting very oddly.
A fluffy, formula series for tween girls that continues to be a fun read. Slightly higher than the Ride books, out by Nickelodeon, in quality, although parents may be concerned about the characters' intense focus on materialism. The answer to every problem for Sasha and her friends seem to lie in intense online shopping (in spite of the crammed closets and overflowing makeup cases they already have), and in stuffing themselves with junk food and sweets at every opportunity. Characters continue to be depicted as middle school girls but behave more like high school girls and have that level of freedom. A cute story, if somewhat unrealistic.
A fluffy, formula series for tween girls that continues to be a fun read. Slightly higher than the Ride books, out by Nickelodeon, in quality, although parents may be concerned about the characters' intense focus on materialism. The answer to every problem for Sasha and her friends seem to lie in intense online shopping (in spite of the crammed closets and overflowing makeup cases they already have), and in stuffing themselves with junk food and sweets at every opportunity. Characters continue to be depicted as middle school girls but behave more like high school girls and have that level of freedom. A cute story, if somewhat unrealistic.
March 13, 2024
“That day last September seemed like years ago. I’d been the scared new girl, terrified to make even one mistake and be sent home. Now I knew I belonged at Canterwood.”
The suspense, the drama, the riding, everything - so perfect, so good!
The suspense, the drama, the riding, everything - so perfect, so good!
February 19, 2022
Liked it like the others, but the only black girl not making the team and her boyfriend decide he don't like her anymore in the end? Hate it here, next
July 24, 2023
This book was pretty good. It left me on a sad cliff hanger though.
February 14, 2016
This was a good book in this series, however I am truly getting sick and tired of the whole Eric x Sasha x Jacob thing that apparently never will get resolved.
But even with that the book was good, there is also enough excitement because the YENT is coming closer and closer, and our characters are all working hard (some even work harder than is healthy for themselves and their horses) to make sure they get into YENT. I just loved the lessons, and the parts with the horses. Sasha was really great in this book, she is one of the few characters that understood that training is necessary, but overtraining/overworking your horse is not healthy. I am so glad that she has a strong head on her shoulders. And sure, she worries, she wavers, she is thinking she might not be good enough, but I think that makes her more realistic. Worrying is a good thing, I would be worried if she was just acting all cool. :)
I didn't like how she clung to Jacob. I can imagine she wants to be friends, but does she truly not see the hints? Is she so blind that she can't see further than her vision of friends? Can't she see that Jacob is clearly thinking of other stuff.
And that brings me to Jacob. Dear Lord, I hated him in this book. He was disgusting and I disliked him so much in this book. His behaviour and the thing he did near the end? It was horrendous and I just wanted to smack him so hard. That he would do such a thing. Oh well, I know how this will end, which didn't make me happy. Thanks spoilers... *sighs*
Eric, ah, Eric, I just loved him. He is so sweet and cute and he is just the perfect boyfriend for Sasha. He really cares about her, even giving her something that he knew she would love.
Jasmine, and also the Belles. Those girls are just the worst. I didn't like her when she made small appearances in the books prior to this/previous one, but I am just hating the fact she is so fully there in these books. Finally Heather is acting a bit more normal, and now we have a new überbitch? Urgh, no thank you! Can't she just go away, or at least go through a redemption arc? Or something else? Not that I would ever like her, should she go through such a redemption arc, but well, at least she would be a bit likeable. Now? Not at all. Her mean words, her bullying, the things she does. It is just disgusting.
I was happy to see Callie and Sasha being best friends again, they are such good friends and I was worried they wouldn't get back together as friends any more after all that happened. Thankfully they are back to friends. Though I wonder how long, considering some stuff that happened. Oh well, we will see in the next book (which I bought, currently waiting for it to be delivered, soon!).
The richness of the girls is also something that stands out at times. These girls can apparently just shop whenever they want, they have lip gloss drawers and so much more. At times it felt just weird and fake.
Again the ages. I will keep mentioning this. These girls are not 11 to 13. The way they act, the way they have relationships, the love triangles, sorry, these girls are (for me) 14 to 16 years old. Not younger.
All in all though this is a good series and I am really enjoying it. Never thought I would love it so much, sure it did look good, but I was still worried it would get boring. But that is something that never happens.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
But even with that the book was good, there is also enough excitement because the YENT is coming closer and closer, and our characters are all working hard (some even work harder than is healthy for themselves and their horses) to make sure they get into YENT. I just loved the lessons, and the parts with the horses. Sasha was really great in this book, she is one of the few characters that understood that training is necessary, but overtraining/overworking your horse is not healthy. I am so glad that she has a strong head on her shoulders. And sure, she worries, she wavers, she is thinking she might not be good enough, but I think that makes her more realistic. Worrying is a good thing, I would be worried if she was just acting all cool. :)
I didn't like how she clung to Jacob. I can imagine she wants to be friends, but does she truly not see the hints? Is she so blind that she can't see further than her vision of friends? Can't she see that Jacob is clearly thinking of other stuff.
And that brings me to Jacob. Dear Lord, I hated him in this book. He was disgusting and I disliked him so much in this book. His behaviour and the thing he did near the end? It was horrendous and I just wanted to smack him so hard. That he would do such a thing. Oh well, I know how this will end, which didn't make me happy. Thanks spoilers... *sighs*
Eric, ah, Eric, I just loved him. He is so sweet and cute and he is just the perfect boyfriend for Sasha. He really cares about her, even giving her something that he knew she would love.
Jasmine, and also the Belles. Those girls are just the worst. I didn't like her when she made small appearances in the books prior to this/previous one, but I am just hating the fact she is so fully there in these books. Finally Heather is acting a bit more normal, and now we have a new überbitch? Urgh, no thank you! Can't she just go away, or at least go through a redemption arc? Or something else? Not that I would ever like her, should she go through such a redemption arc, but well, at least she would be a bit likeable. Now? Not at all. Her mean words, her bullying, the things she does. It is just disgusting.
I was happy to see Callie and Sasha being best friends again, they are such good friends and I was worried they wouldn't get back together as friends any more after all that happened. Thankfully they are back to friends. Though I wonder how long, considering some stuff that happened. Oh well, we will see in the next book (which I bought, currently waiting for it to be delivered, soon!).
The richness of the girls is also something that stands out at times. These girls can apparently just shop whenever they want, they have lip gloss drawers and so much more. At times it felt just weird and fake.
Again the ages. I will keep mentioning this. These girls are not 11 to 13. The way they act, the way they have relationships, the love triangles, sorry, these girls are (for me) 14 to 16 years old. Not younger.
All in all though this is a good series and I am really enjoying it. Never thought I would love it so much, sure it did look good, but I was still worried it would get boring. But that is something that never happens.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 11, 2017
I think what gets me about these books is that sports stories (including ones about competitive equestrian events) and school stories each have some established traits or tropes which the main character personifies and which give us a reason to root for their success even in situations where that means another character will fail, but Sasha Silver doesn't... have or do any of it.
In sports or pony stories, our heroine is usually a scrappy underdog without the privileges her competition has enjoyed, which could sort of describe Sasha, but the scrappy underdog usually compensates not just with natural talent (and in pony stories an overwhelming compassion for animals) but also with an incredible amount of dedication and hard work. In this series it's Heather, an antagonist, who is depicted working hard while Sasha eats cupcakes and buys lip gloss. In school stories, our heroine usually wins out through a steady work ethic, kindness and genuine desire to help others. In this series, Sasha consistently lets her schoolwork go to the point where she has to rely on last-minute cram sessions to avoid being kicked out of school (in year seven!) and behaves inconsiderately to basically everyone she meets. She's selfish, pays no attention to other people's needs and is basically pretty horrible.
I find it quite hard to read the storylines where Sasha's peers are obviously upset or facing some injustice and she just shrugs her shoulders and goes to eat muffins with her boyfriend or the roommate who makes no emotional demands of her. I instinctively expect the main character in this genre to want to leap in and help other people, and Sasha barely even cares about her own goals, let alone what happens to others. I don't really care what Sasha does with her life and would probably be more interested in reading a book about Heather, who has been more substantively developed as an interesting character over the past five books than the narrator, and her two friends who have had more interesting and dramatic plot developments than Sasha or her friends have.
Anyway I bought the next one so stay tuned for another rant I guess.
In sports or pony stories, our heroine is usually a scrappy underdog without the privileges her competition has enjoyed, which could sort of describe Sasha, but the scrappy underdog usually compensates not just with natural talent (and in pony stories an overwhelming compassion for animals) but also with an incredible amount of dedication and hard work. In this series it's Heather, an antagonist, who is depicted working hard while Sasha eats cupcakes and buys lip gloss. In school stories, our heroine usually wins out through a steady work ethic, kindness and genuine desire to help others. In this series, Sasha consistently lets her schoolwork go to the point where she has to rely on last-minute cram sessions to avoid being kicked out of school (in year seven!) and behaves inconsiderately to basically everyone she meets. She's selfish, pays no attention to other people's needs and is basically pretty horrible.
I find it quite hard to read the storylines where Sasha's peers are obviously upset or facing some injustice and she just shrugs her shoulders and goes to eat muffins with her boyfriend or the roommate who makes no emotional demands of her. I instinctively expect the main character in this genre to want to leap in and help other people, and Sasha barely even cares about her own goals, let alone what happens to others. I don't really care what Sasha does with her life and would probably be more interested in reading a book about Heather, who has been more substantively developed as an interesting character over the past five books than the narrator, and her two friends who have had more interesting and dramatic plot developments than Sasha or her friends have.
Anyway I bought the next one so stay tuned for another rant I guess.
May 19, 2024
I love these Books.
I am the biggest horse fan you will meet; I ride horses and ever since I got this book, I have loved to read about horses to0.
The drama in this series is fire!
Callie and Jacob are the cutest!
Sasha and Eric are made each other!
I do see Heather and Sasha becoming friends. I hated Heather in the first 3 books, but she has grown on me in the last 2 I have read. I think her personality and Sasha match and that they would be good friends.
I am so happy for Sasha for making YENT, but jasmine is a different story.
I also think Callie had it coming after she turned up late to one of her lessons.
Going back to the end of book 4 and the beginning of this book I really want to find out how Julia and Allison cheated because they think they got framed. And by Jasmine, I would love that. And I know lots of you like Jacob and Sasha, but I disagree. They are not for each other!
But this book is great, and I give it 5 stars!
And I would say give this series a chance even if you don't like horses because it has much more than that.
This book is perfect for anyone who:
~ Likes Horses
~ Enjoys High School Drama
~ Or just wants to read a good book
I am the biggest horse fan you will meet; I ride horses and ever since I got this book, I have loved to read about horses to0.
The drama in this series is fire!
Callie and Jacob are the cutest!
Sasha and Eric are made each other!
I do see Heather and Sasha becoming friends. I hated Heather in the first 3 books, but she has grown on me in the last 2 I have read. I think her personality and Sasha match and that they would be good friends.
I am so happy for Sasha for making YENT, but jasmine is a different story.
I also think Callie had it coming after she turned up late to one of her lessons.
Going back to the end of book 4 and the beginning of this book I really want to find out how Julia and Allison cheated because they think they got framed. And by Jasmine, I would love that. And I know lots of you like Jacob and Sasha, but I disagree. They are not for each other!
But this book is great, and I give it 5 stars!
And I would say give this series a chance even if you don't like horses because it has much more than that.
This book is perfect for anyone who:
~ Likes Horses
~ Enjoys High School Drama
~ Or just wants to read a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
As if being on the advanced team and keeping up with the heavy school load isn’t enough, now it’s time for YENT tryouts. Despite being two competitors down after Julia and Allison are forbidden from riding, competition is still tight especially when up against Jasmine, Heather, and Callie and of course not everyone can make the team.
The parts I really liked about this book either revolves around the horses or Sasha’s friendship with Paige. I really like that Charm had an issue with water, horses can be weird about that and suddenly have issues that you’ve never had problems with before. And while it seems like he got over that with minimal effort (I don’t know I’ve never had to train a horse not to be afraid of water) I appreciate that it was addressed. I loved the over tired laughter that the girls had later in the book, I remember experiencing that with friends and it made their ages more realistic. The girls definitely act like 15-16 year olds more often than 12-13 with their boyfriends and make up and clothes.
The parts I really liked about this book either revolves around the horses or Sasha’s friendship with Paige. I really like that Charm had an issue with water, horses can be weird about that and suddenly have issues that you’ve never had problems with before. And while it seems like he got over that with minimal effort (I don’t know I’ve never had to train a horse not to be afraid of water) I appreciate that it was addressed. I loved the over tired laughter that the girls had later in the book, I remember experiencing that with friends and it made their ages more realistic. The girls definitely act like 15-16 year olds more often than 12-13 with their boyfriends and make up and clothes.
April 25, 2012
Some girls just have to be good at everything...
If any two girls know about being the best, it's Heather Fox and Jasmine King.
Just ask them, they'll be happy to tell you.
But every girl knows there can only be one " best ".
Can Sasha keep the girls from turning the arena into a war zone and still snag a spot on the coveted YENT [ " Youth Equestrian National Team " ] ?
If any two girls know about being the best, it's Heather Fox and Jasmine King.
Just ask them, they'll be happy to tell you.
But every girl knows there can only be one " best ".
Can Sasha keep the girls from turning the arena into a war zone and still snag a spot on the coveted YENT [ " Youth Equestrian National Team " ] ?
February 9, 2011
I loved this book! The line between friends and enemies is thiner than ever. Allison and julia can not ride until january and Heather is pretty sure Jas has something to do with it, Meanwhile Jacob confesses tht he wants Sasha back!
Read
April 9, 2014Honestly I thought this was a good book. BUT the fact that they are 12-13 and have all this drama and boyfriends and wear makeup and go to parties and whatever. Seem like something a 20 year old would do so that is really annoying and bugs me.
October 27, 2013
JASMINE GO HOME!! Sorry but really... shes annoying! GREAT BOOK! reading all of them.. So good! I can't stop
February 8, 2014
I love this book!!!!
March 2, 2014
Best book ever
April 26, 2015
LOVE IT !!!
OH MY GOSH !!! This is like the best book ever !! I never thought I would get into the series but , holy crud this is the BEST series ever !!!
OH MY GOSH !!! This is like the best book ever !! I never thought I would get into the series but , holy crud this is the BEST series ever !!!
June 1, 2015
these books keep getting better and better
November 30, 2015
Love canterwood crest books!!!!
August 13, 2017
This series is very addictive!
September 17, 2024
I love this series so much. I can’t describe how much I love it or even why. Like first I love like boarding school books I don’t know why there is just something so satisfying to reading about people in boarding schools and all. Also I love the drama. Like why does Jas even hate them I forget. I can’t even describe this book it’s just so good. Also I really don’t like Jacob. Like he’s such a cheater. First he acts like he really likes Sasha then he really likes Callie without even telling Sasha, and now he likes her Sasha again while they are both in relationships like bruh. I could never like him, Eric is amazing and if she leaves him for Jacob I’m suing because what!? Like Eric is a literal king and you’re going to leave him for a peasant. Also I’m not sure if I like Callie like if anything happens with her and Jacob she going to start hating Sasha for something she can’t control. Like what do you mean I stole your man’s from you!? Like first of all she stole him first and second Sasha can’t control that Jacob likes her. So if her and Callie start fighting because of them like, I actually quit. With that said 4.5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews