Review of Saving Snow Dragon

[Stephanie Runyon]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Saving Snow Dragon" by Ann Feifel.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Ann Feifel’s Saving Snow Dragon takes place in Cody, Wyoming. A truck driver hauling a horse trailer falls asleep at the wheel, goes down the side of a hill, and rolls. Snow Dragon manages to free herself from the wreckage. The white mare takes off into the wilderness. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management has done its annual roundup of the wild horses. Several years ago, Ace escaped his pen and was running free. Julia located him but allowed him to continue living in the wild. One afternoon, Julia sees him standing on a ridge. Unfortunately, Liesel also spotted Ace. When Julia refuses to consider selling a horse to her, Liesel sets her sights on capturing Ace. She hires Devon to catch the horse.

Julia has been giving her neighbor’s daughter riding lessons. Paige desperately wants to ride her pony outside of the training arena. Julia has rekindled her relationship with Luke, and they pursue a romantic relationship. While Paige likes Luke, she hates that he brought Gretta, a large Labrador dog, to live with Julia and her father. She makes it a point to show her dislike of the dog.

Saving Snow Dragon’s plot focuses more on Julia than on Snow Dragon. The poor view given to the wild horse roundups is somewhat embellished. Feifel describes how the animals run into holding yards, where “family members” are separated and adopted out. She fails to recognize Julia adds to the problem by allowing her stallion to run free; it creates more wild horses and results in more roundups. It also fails to recognize that inbreeding causes health problems, and most horses do not stay together as families in the wild.

I did like the character development in the story. Paige is a typical teenager with a bad attitude. Her demeanor changes as Julia becomes a positive mentor. Julia is a devoted animal lover and voices her opinion when she sees the conditions of the wild horse holding pens. Several mishaps occur with Gretta and her love of chewing everything. Her antics bring humor to the story. The editing appears professional.

I am rating Saving Snow Dragon three out of five stars. I am deducting a star due to the slow pace of the story. For example, Julia and Luke’s relationship development is at a snail’s pace. While one chapter focuses on their relationship, the next chapter changes the focus to Paige and then focuses on Devon. When it comes back to Luke and Julia, several seasons have passed. There isn't any idea as to how well their relationship is doing in the chapter. I am deducting the second star for the lack of attention paid to Snow Dragon. The book opened great by showing what Snow Dragon struggles with. However, her story never resurfaces. The end of her part of the book felt rushed.

Saving Snow Dragon contains profanity and sexual innuendos, making it inappropriate for younger readers. Readers who like stories that feature several main characters involving horses might find this book appealing. Feifel includes a glossary for horse-related terms and a link for learning more about the Wild Horse and Burro Program at the end of the book.

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Saving Snow Dragon
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[McDonald Lauren]

This compelling narrative immerses readers in a world where human-animal connections intersect with personal relationships, showcasing the bonds between people, horses, and the complexities of family dynamics. The blend of wild horse pursuits, relational conflicts, and the evolving romantic relationship between Julia and Luke creates an engaging tale of emotion, adventure, and the resilience of the human-animal bond.

[Aleena Augustine]

Your review was super helpful. Totally get the slow pace issue and the missed focus on Snow Dragon. It's always a bummer when a promising plot point gets rushed. Still, sounds like the characters and their quirks brought some humor to the table. Thank you for sharing your insights!

[Aaron Joseph Maupin]

This review provides a detailed analysis of the book "Saving Snow Dragon," highlighting both positive and negative aspects. It offers insight into the plot, character development, and writing style. While it may be helpful for readers seeking a story with multiple main characters and horses, the review mentions some shortcomings, such as a slow pace and lack of focus on the titular character. The reviewer also suggests that the book contains inappropriate content for younger readers. Overall, the review gives a balanced perspective, but it may not be sufficient to motivate everyone to buy the book or consider it a must-have addition to their library.

[Lisa P Cowling]

Starting the review, I wondered why there wasn't much on Snow Dragon as the title implies that the boo is about Snow Dragon. The book still has an interesting storyline though and the professional editing adds to its appeal.