Review of The White Horse

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
Post Reply
Joyful17
Posts: 288
Joined: 16 Apr 2021, 03:19
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 126
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-k17.html
Latest Review: Diary of a Talking (war) Dog by Daniel Tierney

Review of The White Horse

Post by Joyful17 »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The White Horse" by Harold Deen.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Horses can be delightful animals. Special breeds and well-trained horses often possess rare skills which may be of great value in battle. The White Horse by Harold L. Deen relates the tale of a regal white horse.

Rory is a young lad who has been properly coached by his father to thoroughly care for horses. He has his interests focused on a young girl named Colleen. A white Arabian horse has been placed in his charge. However, it is now about to be sold to a man of high rank and position. By a sudden twist of events, Rory gets to deliver the horse for sale and to receive the payment of a bag of gold coins. However, he is to deposit the money in his father's study at once.

This book of 38 pages was quite entertaining. I was in suspense for a while as I wondered how Rory came to be in possession of a gold coin. Also, the story was well developed and logically arranged. The narrative periodically switches from Rory and Colleen to Rory's family.

The historical aspect of the story was enlightening. It taught me more about the Irish people's love for horses. Also, the depiction of the different personalities in Rory's family makes for an amusing tale. The characters were consistent and unique. This is my favorite aspect of the book. I particularly found Colleen interesting. A sentence on page 12 reads, "The girl with her head continuing to be held high in a very proper manner and looking straight ahead had answered "You said your hello. Goodbye." Her prim and proper disposition was consistent throughout the story.

One of my dislikes is related to the editing of the text. There were awkward-sounding sentences and phrases which disrupted the flow of the narrative. Also, there were typographical and grammatical errors in the text.

Considering the fact that Rory, the protagonist, is a young boy subject to his parents, I was not pleased with the fact that some of his actions were not worthy of emulation. On page 29, he outrightly disobeyed a clear command from his father not to ride the white horse. Yet, he faced no consequence for this misdeed.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It was not professionally edited. However, the story was quite engaging and amusing. Readers who are interested in horses and history will enjoy reading this book.

******
The White Horse
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Pauls_
Posts: 646
Joined: 15 Jan 2022, 05:20
Currently Reading: A Dagger In The Heart
Bookshelf Size: 27
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-paul.html
Latest Review: Recognizing Beauty by Cyndi Burrough

Post by Pauls_ »

The storyline is simple and interesting. I believe I would learn one or two things about horses from the book. Thanks for the honest review.
Reading_Jack
Posts: 354
Joined: 19 Feb 2022, 10:59
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 38
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-reading-jack.html
Latest Review: Wild World by Peter S. Rush

Post by Reading_Jack »

The book's title and cover page is very inviting. thanks for this review.
Blessing Odii
Posts: 657
Joined: 01 Feb 2022, 08:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 67
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-blessing-odii.html
Latest Review: The Proximity of Stars by Benedict Stuart

Post by Blessing Odii »

I love the fact that the book talks about horses. Nice review.
User avatar
Mbenma Esther 080
Posts: 856
Joined: 19 Dec 2020, 11:52
Currently Reading: My Enemy in Vietnam
Bookshelf Size: 28
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mbenma-esther-080.html
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

Post by Mbenma Esther 080 »

For me, the issues which this book addressed are good enough to give it the star. Thanks for the review.
Ndagire Hassifah
Posts: 109
Joined: 13 Aug 2021, 08:03
Currently Reading: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ndagire-hassifah.html
Latest Review: Building A Coaching Culture by Andreas Von Der Heydt

Post by Ndagire Hassifah »

I really want to know more about Rory and what happened to the horse. Thanks for the review.
Post Reply

Return to “Historical Fiction”