Book Review - Forever Horse by Jane Ayres

SUMMARY OF STORY
This is a trilogy consisting of 3 shortish novels, following the same characters throughout the trilogy. At the present time the books are only available in this trilogy set as an e-book. If I find out when/if  there may be separate editions or print editions I will add this information later.

Summaries of the 3 stories as follows:

Book 1: ALWAYS IN MY HEART: Piebald cob Logan and his teenage owner Maz share a special bond. Tragedy strikes when Logan is stolen. As he tries to find his way back to his beloved Maz he deeply touches the hearts of two other girls, Sophie and Alice. 

Book 2: HEARTBREAK HORSE: Logan has at last found happiness, but a sinister figure from the past re-appears and puts him in terrible danger. Will the girls who love him lose him for good?

Book 3: THE FOREVER HORSE: Sophie has never forgotten Logan and wonders if she can ever fall in love with another horse. Then she meets traumatised horse Lancelot, who needs her special care and attention. She realised that she has at last found her 'forever horse' until circumstances force her to make a terrible decision. Will she once more lose the horse she loves?

REVIEW

This is a highly emotional and thought-provoking trilogy which centres on the themes of love, lost love and learning to love again. The love here is of girl and horse but it is about love in general, be it for animal or human. My favourite pony stories have always been those about the close bond between girl (or boy) and horse - and this book is all about that bond. It follows three heroines and their special love for their 'forever horses.' As with many stories the girls lose their beloved horses but unlike the usual pony book formula there is not a simple reunion with the lost horse. The author instead prefers a more complex exploration of the situation: what happens if you lose your loved one forever, can you recover from this loss and learn to love again? Can you give up someone you love for a higher purpose? The stories also touch upon jealousy and envy, and learning to let go of these destructive emotions.

The story does not only focus on the feelings of the heroines, we also follow the thoughts and emotions of the various horses in the trilogy, in particular Logan. The author maintains that the horses, as well as their owners, have a deep abiding love for their human companion. We will never exactly understand to what extent animals feel love, loss and longing. If you know animals at all you will not deny that they do feel these emotions, in this trilogy they are shown to have emotions as strong as those of their human counterparts, whether this is to heighten the tension and emotional impact of the story, or is the author's own take on how animals feel, I am not sure. (I tend towards the latter). There is also an interesting sub-plot about the relationship between two of the horses and their own feelings of jealousy and insecurities.

As well as exploring the complex issues of love and loss, the books have good, interesting stories/plots. The three books in the trilogy are actually quite different in style, despite following the same theme. The first book is seen more from Logan's viewpoint, a modern take on the old pony-viewpoint books in the Black Beauty tradition. The second book centres more on the human characters and is more of a teen adventure story with menace and danger thrown in for good measure. The last book in the trilogy is a gentler story about healing a horse and having to face a moral dilemma. The first and last books are the strongest, the middle story feels lighter and more of a filler story, though still a good read.

The three heroines of the story are all very likeable and sympathetic characters. Although they are normal teenagers who like doing normal 'teen things' and competing in various events, their main focus is always on their relationship with their horses and making sure their companions are happy and contented. Animal welfare is also highlighted, with an animal sanctuary featuring in two of the stories.

Anyone who has felt deep love and loss, whether for a human or animal, will find this a highly emotional read, and may find the odd tear or lump in the throat appearing! At times there is deep sadness, but the central message of the story is that the human heart can endure tragedy and loss and yet still learn to love again. It is a very life affirming message - and fear not the trilogy does have an upbeat ending, if not what you may expect when you begin reading the book!

A fantastic read for horselovers of all ages, especially those who have felt that special bond with their 'forever horse.'

All in all I would award 5 horseshoes to the first and last books in the trilogy and 3 horseshoes to the central story.

OVERALL TRILOGY RATING: 5 HORSESHOES (EXCELLENT)

Read more and vote on the book here

Jane Ayres - Author Interview

Many thanks to author Jane Ayres who has kindly agreed to do an interview for the ponymadbooklovers blog. Jane is the author of a number of pony books including The Great Horse Rescue, Gallery of Horses and the Mattie series.

Hello Jane and thanks for talking to us!

Can you remember what made you fall in love with horses?

No, but I have always loved horses. I do think they are especially beautiful and inspiring creatures.

What were your favourite pony books and authors as a child? Do you have an all time favourite pony story?

I loved them all and luckily we were spoilt for choice in the 70s! I enjoyed the Pullein Thompson sisters stories and still have most of my pony books in a huge box under the bed! I really liked Jago by Hazel M Peel.

Do you still read pony books?

Yes, when I get the time. The most recent books I read were from the Heartlands series.

What is the best book you have read recently (horse-related or otherwise)?

The last (non-horsey) novel I read was Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce, a fabulous book which appeals to children and adults.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes.

How did you become an author and what was your first published work?

I had my first short story published when I was 14. It was called Dream Pony and was about a psycho show pony that attacks another pony at a show! It was published in Pony World magazine (no longer exists) and I was paid £10! That was the start. I kept writing pony stories and then serials, and when I was in my twenties I was lucky enough to be taken on by my wonderful agent, The Luithlen Agency after which I produced a collection of short stories called Horses in the Gallery for Collins Armada. And I’ve just kept going ever since.

Do you write any books other than pony stories. If so what?

I’ve written poems, articles and short stories on a range of topics. I also wrote a book for Stabenfeldt called Coming Home which was about 2 Norwegian Forest cats.

Are any of the horses and ponies in your books based on real life horses you have known?

Yes, lots, ranging from Binky, the little dapple grey I rode as a child who would bolt and then stop dead, shooting you over his head, to enormous bay Soames, my favourite riding school horse, who taught me how to do smoother transitions.

Do you have a favourite amongst your books, and/or a favourite character?

Transitions is probably the book I am most happy with. But I also enjoyed writing the character of Matty in the Matty series as she is fun to be.

Do you have any other books due to be published in the near future? Or are you working on one?

Last Chance Horse comes out in March (Stabenfeldt) and includes the US (not UK though). I’m now thinking about ideas for the next book.

How do you feel about the fact that most of your pony books are published outside of the UK?

I do wish that the books were published in the UK too.

Do you think that British publishers are ‘anti-pony book’ and if so do you have any explanations for this?

I don’t think they are anti, but it is a shame that there isn’t the huge pony book market here that existed when I was a teenager over 30 years ago.

Do you agree that pony books provide good role models for children, in particular girls, and if so why do you think this is?

I think they can do but it depends on the book.

You have written both traditional pony stories and some with fantasy elements.

Do you think that fantasy is somewhat taking over pony books, and indeed children’s books in general?

I couldn’t really say as I have not read enough, but fantasy is certainly very popular right now, especially vampire stories. I don’t think that’s bad though.

Do you have a favourite past-time (other than books and animals!)?

I love hula hooping! I go to a weekly class and have 2 hoops and know a few tricks.

Do you have any horses or other pets of your own?

Not at present. I used to have an amazing silver tabby called Biffa who we sadly lost when he was only 6 months old. I also owned a Welsh cob mare called Mellyn for a brief period.

Although I am unable to have a pet at present I am a keen supporter of the Brooke Hospital for Animals http://www.thebrooke.org/ and would urge all animal lovers to look at the work they do.

Many thanks for your questions!



Jane Ayres Bibliography:

GALLERY OF HORSES
THE GREAT HORSE RESCUE
MATTIE AND THE MOONLIGHT HORSE
MATTIE AND THE PROBLEM PONY
THE HORSE ON THE BALCONY
DARK HORSES
THE RUNAWAY HORSE
TRANSITIONS
ZEPHYR OF WILD HORSE ISLAND

I have reviewed some of these in my last blog post. You can also find out more by visiting the Jane Ayres page on the website.