Stallion in the Storm

Animal Ark Hauntings #1

by Ben M. Baglio

After Mandy and James arrive at Folan's Racing Stables, they learn that some of the jockeys believe that the stables are haunted by Tibor, a horse who died in a race, prompting Mandy to discover the truth and help Tibor find peace.

Genres: Animals, Horses, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Ghosts

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Jenny Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a big fan of the ghost animal thing in this series, as it was so grounded before, but still well written and fun.

[brahski microsoft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially I was going to give this three stars because it's a nice little ghost horse story but not much else. But then there was the reveal about a SECOND ghost (a ghost man) making phone calls, which did surprise me in a big way. Glad things worked out okay. Excited for DOG IN THE DUNGEON!

Favorite part: Really great art of Queenie at the beginning of one of the chapters.

Least favorite part: When Blackie ate all the family's picnic and they mentioned he'd had chicken bones. I got worried for Blackie because chicken bones can splinter (but Blackie was okay :) )

[Riana Lindell · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story told in this book can definitely give you goose bumps at times. Mandy and her parents operate an animal clinic and one day they get a phone call to go inspect the health of some racehorses at Folan's Racing Stables. Mandy and a volunteer named James, are delighted when they get the opportunity to come along with Mandy's father and see some real-life racehorses first hand. On the drive there, Mandy notices a beautiful white stallion in a paddock and alerted her friends of the majestic creature, but it was to late for them to see, for he had gone out of sight. When they arrived at the stables, they all sensed something was wrong and peculiar about the place. The stables were dark and gloomy and all of the horses are frenzying and throwing a fit for unknown reasons. All the horses were checked and all came with healthy reports, but they could not pin point why they were acting the way they were. Then, the manager of the stable confesses that he thinks the stables are haunted by a horse named Tibor, who had been put down due to an accident at the races. It had been the owner of the stable's fault and they speculated that Tibor's spirit had come back to torment the stables until peace was made. The horse Mandy had seen early in the paddock was definitely no ordinary horse... it was indeed Tibor. I am personally not into books with hauntings and ghosts, especially of animals, but it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys haunting stories and to people ages 12 and up. I give this book one star out of five.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a review of the American Scholastic edition. It was originally published in the UK by Hodder. No matter what the author's name is on the cover, it's wrong. The real author's name is Jenny Walters, who really should've known better. I've read a Guardian article that ghostwriters for the Animal Ark series got over 20,000 pounds sterling per book. So, Jenny Walters had 20,000 reasons to toss all logic or series continuity under the money bus.

This was just an absolutely horrible book, even by Animal Ark Hauntings standards, which were pretty damn low to begin with. The idea of a horse ghost that not only controls the weather but also anyone can see is ... just ... not on.

Animal Ark became popular, I think, because it was based in reality. To suddenly shift to unrealistic plots and ghost animals was ludicrous. Mandy I could see believing in ghosts, but not James. He was too practical, and too full of common sense. The Animal Ark Hauntings series would only last nine books. It only pulled off a good animal ghost story once, with Cat in the Crypt.

If you want to know how NOT to write a ghost story, read this. Otherwise, skip it.

[Hannah Reeves · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good short book that was less than 150 pages that I read for the O.W.L readathon. I enjoyed this book, it was a cute story that I flew threw because it was so short.

[Stephanie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun trip down memory lane with a nice little sprinkling of "scary" for a little kid book.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite part was when the ghost was happy and the stables were happy because the ghost was gone. The worst part was when the stables were unhappy, especially the horses because Tibor's ghost was hunting the stables. Also the stables were unhappy because the horses kept losing the races and there was not many people working. My favourite character was Mandy because she helped by pointing the ghost out the first time, and leading it to the stable owner that rode it in it's last race. There was no worst character. Auryn 11 years old, 2015

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is the first book i read of the animal ark hauntings. its ok. theres more of them. there about animals that are haunted and mandy the main character has to help them...i think.

[Mallory Tabler]

this is one of my fav books

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite animal arc books xxx

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not remember much of this book, sad to say besides not really enjoying much other than the title.

[Sammy]

I was completely obsessed with this series of books when I was a child and my aim was to read every single book. They are a really good children's series.

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

really really really good

[☠☼Serena☼☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauntings are the best type of Animal Ark!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy and James help a ghostly stallion find peace.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "Hauntings" series is great if you want to send a little shiver up your spine.

[Seeba]

amazing and wonderful