Read This Review & More Like It On Ageless Pages Reviews!A thoroughly satisfying mix of history, the paranormal, with a dash of romance to flavor, The Shadowy Horses does not disappoint. A bit more romance-orientated than my previous read by this author (Mariana), I can still easily endorse Susanna Kearsley as fast becoming one of my favorite authors; one that is adept at creating a wide array of individual characters, as well as intricately setting up an atmospheric read. She delivers every time, and this is no exception. If I was impressed after reading Mariana, I am entering full-on fan mode after finishing this offering from Kearsley in less than a day. Taking on the well-known mystery and search for the Roman Ninth Legion in Scotland, I was hooked early on. I simply could not put The Shadowy Horses down, but was conversely reluctant to finish once I was firmly engrossed in the novel.Kearlsey's descriptive (and it is very descriptive - from the countryside to the "not-posh" sitting room, Kearlsey crafts an easily imagined setting) and detailed style is present and used with a dab hand from the first chapter, to the benefit of both the locale and for the wide array of characters on the page. Both suspenseful and engrossing, each aspect of the novel, from the mystery to the romance to the supernatural, were all summarily well-handled and solid, with none detracting from the streamlined plot. These were characters who came alive for me as a reader, all with varying degress of characterization, as well as ones who made me care about each of them. This is a dynamic cast, with each character fully distinct, and, by and large, even with psychometric/psychic Robbie, one that doesn't strain credulity or irritate the reader. I do wish there had just slightly more of an antagonistic presence for most of the novel, but the minor conflicts and issues that were there, were enough to create increasing tension throughout the story.The first person POV of protagonist Verity Grey makes it easy to root for her through her struggles to accept what is going on in Eyemouth; her inner monologue reinforces the first impression of an impulsive, smart, and very independent woman who can more than handle herself. The strength of the novel, much like with Mariana, lies with main character Verity. The other elements of the novel are well-done and unique, but it is Verity who takes the cake (with some help from an accent Scotsman with a love of history!), and who will stick out in my memory. I appreciated the restraint with which the author took to the romance - it's a large part of the novel, but it doesn't drown the plot in melodrama or too much of a love triangle.The final conflict (and revelation of the antagonist) was a bit dry (ha!), but a nicely rounded denouement makes up for that slight misstep. Though Mariana will remain my favorite Kearsley (for now!), I loved The Shadowy Horses and think that this is an author that continues to impress and grow as a writer. This is an author who is very talented with crafting believable characters, with creating an atmospheric setting, and with making the past come to life. Well done and I can't wait for my next Kearsley read!
Fiction/Mystery Exquisite writing, this author is gifted, no doubt. The book has a decidedly Gothic feel to it, and a languid pacing that fits the setting perfectly. In fact, this story has that elusive quality that I am always searching for in a novel - room to breathe.Set in the windswept moors of the Scottish borderlands, in a coastal village still lingering under the miasma of a terrible disaster that claimed the lives of its menfolk a hundred years past.I adore stories that have dual timelines running at the same time, and this one came close to having three. Having never heard of the great disaster, an actual historic event, I stopped reading and spent some time researching it. By the time I came back to reading the novel, I could barely breath. And that brings me to my first slight complaint of this book. The characters make light of the townsfolk for still carrying the burden of that disaster in their hearts. But something of that magnitude cannot be so quickly forgotten. To put it in terms I understand, the disaster took place 118 years ago, from the date the book was written. If I apply that to my life, 118 years ago my grandparents were young children. They would have each lost their fathers and their grandfathers, beloved ones they were quite old enough to remember. I loved my grandparents deeply. An event that shattered their young lives would burden my heart too, even now after they've been gone forty years. You don't forget your loved ones' hurt. It hurt me that the characters made light of this.All that to say, while I appreciate the dual timeline, this village deserves to have the tale of the great disaster of 1881 told again. I wish the author had done so, I hope another will.Back to the book itself, the characters are well drawn, with the exception of the love interest, my second complaint. (view spoiler)[Davey's character is, at best, enigmatic. I think Ms. Kearsley wanted to leave us in suspense, just like Verity, our protaganist, but I wish his character was drawn with a little more depth. (hide spoiler)]
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- Sarah's Reading Guide for The Shadowy Horses -(1) Open google.(2) Load a picture of dry toast. Example:(3) Stare at toast for 3 minutes.(4) Leave the room. Trim your toenails.(5) Return to the computer. Stare at toast for another 3 minutes.(6) Close picture.Congrats! You've successfully duplicated the Shadowy Horses experience. Be proud -- you've saved yourself untold pain by not bothering with the tepid characters, bland plot, excruciating infodumps, cutesy humor, & nauseating romance of this book. Thank you, & goodnight.
—Sarah
Verity Grey arrives in Scotland to join in on an archaeological dig, one that she doesn't know all the details to until she arrives. Her employer, the eccentric old Peter Quinnell believes he has found the sight of the resting place of the Ninth Legion – a Roman legion who mysteriously disappeared around 177 A.D. The thing is, he doesn't have any kind of physical evidence. He's only going by what a local boy – who appears to have 'the sight'- has said. The boy has supposedly seen a Sentinel walking about – a Roman solider. Verity has her doubts, of course, but finds herself growing more fond of Quinnell and stays on to help. After hearing invisible horses at night, and being followed around by a ghost (the Sentinel) who seems determined to warn her about something, she starts to believe.I loved the archaeological aspects - going through the dirt bit by bit - with the anticipation of finding something. And the odd cast of characters rounds out another great book by Susanna Kearsley.The Shadowy Horses had the right balance of suspense, history, the beautiful sights, and a bit of romance.
—Christy B
I know there are quite a few Susanna Kearsley fans out there...and I am one of them! Not only is she a fantastic writer but she is a fellow Canadian - its great to support a talented writer from your own country. A Susanna Kearsley book always reemphasizes for me why I love reading and why quality writing always wins out over filler and flash. Instead of focusing this post on reviewing The Shadowy Horses though, I am going to discuss more why I love Susanna Kearsley and highly recommend this author!For me, what elevates Susanna Kearsley's novels is the development of the setting and the characters. Locations have related historical events and even though there are a variety of characters in her novels they are distinct from each other and well rounded. Kearsley lets the quality of her writing speak for itself, with wonderful descriptive language, historical detail, sparkling and sharp dialogue - not one word is superfluous to the story. Chapters rarely end with cliffhangers...though there is mystery enough. There is no race to the finish with the plot but a slow build to a satisfying conclusion. You really need to think about all possible motivations to determine the antagonizing force in the story. Ghostly or supernatural elements are interwoven into the storyline - often the protagonist relives a past life, or encountering ghosts or experiencing strange events. Another reason why Kearsley's novels are so great, is that the female protagonists lead independent, interesting and creative lifestyles, with careers such as painter, writer, archeologist, etc. Kearsley's stories can be appreciated by adult and young adult readers alike.The Shadowy Horses, specifically, is a smoothly paced book. Verity Grey is an intelligent and stubborn woman, an archeologist herself, helping another renowned and reclusive archeologist explore for evidence of the Ninth Roman Legion at an estate called Rosehill but someone...or something...is meddling and strange incidents and coincidences occur. Though the formula for The Shadowy Horses is similar to Mariana and The Winter Sea, the setting and characters are completely different and I found all the related history to the Ninth Roman Legion fascinating. I look forward to reading it and collecting this author's back list.http://myobsessionwithbooks.blogspot....
—Nicole
