Free Again

Phantom Stallion #5

by Terri Farley

For the Phantom, there is only one girl.For Sam, there is only one horse. When Sam finds a home for a group of "unadoptable" mustangs, she feels like a hero. But when she promises to help care for the horses –– especially the blind filly among them –– she's overwhelmed with responsibilities. Then the filly wanders off alone in a snowstorm. Will Sam be able to find her in time? Or will the Phantom be the one who saves the day?

Genres: Horses, Animals, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2009

About the author

Terri 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/

Reviews

[E.F. Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny how, when I read these as a preteen, they seemed like normal-length novels, but as an adult, they seem suuuuuper short. It's nice to have some light reads sometimes, though.

In this one, I liked that Sam was able to get help for an older woman who couldn't take care of her horses anymore.

Content Advisory:
Same content as is standard for this series. Sometimes horses are in danger from nature, other horses, or humans, but Sam and her friends/family are typically able to help them. Sometimes Sam puts herself in danger trying to help but never gets seriously hurt. No language, no sexual content.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cute. I like how Sam gets over her fear and makes a new friend because of it. She's also learning time management and organization :) Just a fun story. As a photographer, I enjoy seeing Sam getting into that discipline.

[Fabian {Councillor} · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have received this book seven or eight years ago as a birthday present, but never read it until now. It was better executed than I had feared it would be, creating an interesting world without establishing the feeling in my mind that it would only become another "girl-horse"-story. Though, it still wasn't well-written enough to deserve more than three stars, and my reason to only give two of them was due to the plot. We knew from the very beginning the horse would disappear at some point, but it was only in the final chapter that this plot point finally appeared. So, the plot summary on the book's back just gave a summary of everything except for the last five or ten pages, which is something I was very disappointed about.

If someone likes stories about horses and teenage girls, I'd recommend it to them, though.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

When Sam finds a home for a group of "unadoptable" mustangs, she feels like a hero. But when she promises to help care for the horses--especially the blind filly among them--she's overwhelmed with responsibilities.

Then the filly wanders off alone in a snowstorm. Will Sam be able to find her in time? Or will the Phantom be the one who saves the day?

[mimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would protect Faith the blind filly with my life!

Apart from baby horse adorableness, this book is full of warm feelings as Sam gets ornery neighbour Mrs Trudy Allen, who has a soft spot for mustangs, to take in horses no one else would want and fulfil her dream of starting a wild horse sanctuary. First, they help Trudy, then she helps the horses - pay it forward, spread the kindness around. Such good messages.

Can't wait to start the next book.

[Phares Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free Again was a story that pulled at my heart strings as I developed a sort of relationship with this blind filly. As you read the Phantom Stallion series, it may seem that the Phantom is a fierce creature, but this story reveals the Phantom's softer side. Upon completion of the story, I felt sad because it was over. Rating - 5 stars due to the heart-warming experience

[Emily Guyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a very tucking one. They saved some horses lives when they did deserved to be dead. They where nedding a goid home.

[Vonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

[Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really nice seeing Sam grow in this book, it feels like the most growth she's had so far in this series. She's still impulsive and stubborn, with a strong sense of justice, but it was nice to see her focusing herself, learning priorities, and listening to others around her.
I think this book strangely ends quicker than the others of this series so far; they've always wrapped up pretty fast, but this one ended basically right as the issue (one that was introduced only a chapter ago) was resolved without any room to see see the aftermath.
That being said, I love the character of Trudy Allen, and I'm hoping for more of her in the next books! I think it's sweet that Sam makes a friend out of her and, subsequently, helps Trudy reignite her friendships as well.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sam Forster tries to find a way save the "unadoptable" mustangs, she doesn't realize that her actions can also potentially bring new life to a recluse neighbor who has lost her connection with the rest of the world.

As Sam tries to help the unadoptables adjust to their new home, she also struggles with school work and is in danger of loising her dad and grandmother's trust. Will she be able to get her act together and prove that, with a little help from friends, she can manage to fulfill her responsibilities as well as save the horses?

Another engaging addition to the series on redemption and determination. Young people everywhere will find the story relatable and inspirational.

[Nicole Mosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average teen series.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Em's Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly one of my favorites out of the series so far.

[Casey Hauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was my absolute favorite of the phantom stallion series. I read it multiple times and still think about it so many years later.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book the same as as all the others with its plots and characters but each book is its own. with different plots and always a new character is introduced.

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You keep fighting for what's right until there's no use anymore."

Cute - I love little Faith, she's such a cute foal that definitely deserved another chance.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was one of the best in the series. It has been interesting to watch Sam Forster grow in this series. This book seemed to really focus on Sam and all the things that start to tug at a young girl that lives on a ranch. Without giving too much away this book is a must read for the young horse lover.

Free Again has Sam Forster facing more challenges, but receiving bigger rewards. Having just ended an illegal rodeo ring - Sam is headed toward a new adventure - one in which she faces her biggest challenge yet. She comes face to face with the scary witch lady down the road. Soon Sam is in deeper than ever before with failing grades, unadoptable mustangs that are headed toward death rather than a life of retirement on a preserve, and jealous friends. What is a 13 year old to do? Sam as always follows her heart and learns along the way that first impressions aren't always what they seem and sometimes giving a little can gain a person a whole lot more.

My niece and I have really enjoyed this quick reads that help feed the fire of horse love!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure where this book came from, (maybe it's my step-daughter's) but I picked it up on a whim, and thought it was a cute story. Maybe a little young for me, but enjoyable anyway. My ex-in-laws have horses on their farm, and it brought back pleasant memories for me. Sam (Samantha) is a young teenager that lives on a rural neighborhood where most of her friends have horses. She finds 3 horses who appear to be neglected when she's gets off the school bus one day. She can't abandon them, and although they wouldn't follow her home where she wanted to get them food, etc, but she is able to help them. School doesn't come easy for her, so trying to juggle school, her chores, riding her horse and helping these stray horses' owner is just too much for her. Enjoyable enough for me to check out at least another book in this series, I guess this was book #5.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Forster is once again working hard to protect some mustangs close to home. This time however, it isn’t her beloved Phantom or a member of his herd. It’s some mustangs that are considered to be unwanted. Free Again is the fifth book in the Phantom Stallion series. Read more at http://equus-blog.com/free-again-terr...

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite books in the series so far. I found the story heart warming and sweet and there was enough suspense in it that even I could feel it, although the book is aimed at younger readers. A nice read, I might even read this one again.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really great because Sam is starting to take on the challenges of high school, balanced with her ranch chores, her friends and a new little blind filly. I really like this because Sam takes on a big fear in her life - Mrs. Allen.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this is the best book in the series. Although it focuses on new characters (both equine and human) it has a realistic plot, a good dose of humor and a surprisingly optimistic tone. (Usually any book about mustangs is grim.)

[Cale_Steps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to pass time. Can be interesting/exciting-but def. for horse freaks!

[Jessica Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, not that interesting though...I didn't really have my mind on the book...

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute book. Loved it. It's really touching.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite of the pack so far

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Jessica Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and cute.

[Chiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of my favourite Phantom Stallion books when I was younger.
I love the fact that the horses are saved, and the blind filly is just too cute!