Linda Chapman, Fire Horse (Midnight Riders, #1), Hachette, March 2022, 192 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781408366776
Linda Chapman, Storm Stallion (Midnight Riders, #2), Hachette, March 2022, 192 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781408366790
Moonlight Riders is a new series by bestselling author Linda Chapman whose books about unicorns, fairies and magic are very popular. In Moonlight Riders, Chapman has created another appealing series about gracious, gentle, loving ponies that transform into magnificent, majestic horses with brilliantly coloured manes and magical powers over the elements.
The first book in the series, Fire Horse, introduces Amara who is thrilled to be offered riding lessons in exchange for helping out at Moonlight Stables. And then, Amara is even more overjoyed when Ember, the elemental pony of fire, selects her to be his True Rider. But Amara’s problems are only just beginning. Can she master bareback riding in time for the Moonlight Ritual? And can she protect Ember from the nefarious owner of rival Storm Stables, Ivy, who is determined to steal his powers?
In the second book, titled Storm Stallion, Amara faces new challenges. How will she help her friend fit in at the riding school without revealing the secret of the elemental horses? Is it too risky to investigate what is causing the nightly raging storms? Could the Moonlight Riders have stumbled upon Ivy’s latest destructive conjuring?
Black and white pencil drawings of the beautiful horses and their riders in action are scattered throughout, adding to the interest and appeal of the story. The numerous illustrations, together with large print, make the book less daunting reading than a full text novel.
I recommend this series as an enjoyable read for children aged 7-9 years old, especially girls who love horses and stories of magic and adventure. The horses are sublimely perfect, with a sparkly aesthetic, and the plot tension is engaging. Beneath the story events, there are deeper themes of perseverance, believing in oneself, loyalty and co-operation.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
