I’ve been waiting for a while to tell you about these magnificent flying horses!
The day has arrived and the tour has begun.
I’ll be reviewing the first two books in Linda Ulleseit’s Flying Horse Trilogy.
I’ll be back to tell you about Book Three after it’s release.
Come to Wales and be enchanted.
In the Winds of Danger, Book #2
Synopsis
Nineteen year old Nia is shocked when she is secretly offered the leadership of Third
Barn. This new barn full of flying horses will need someone confident, experienced, and
innovative, so why are both warring factions pursuing an untried girl? Suspicious that
both sides want a puppet instead of a leader, Nia races to discover their secrets before
making the biggest decision of her life.
Some of those secrets are unknowingly buried in the disconnected memories of a young
groom named Owain. Terror and guilt haunt Owain’s dreams – and then a face from his
nightmare arrives in High Meadow. Owain looks for answers in his past and uncovers a
dangerous plot that could doom High Meadow’s future. How can he foil the plot and save
his people as well as the winged horses?
~~~~
Excerpt
As if choreographed, the First Barn mare and the Second Barn stallion converged on each
other. Eira’s upswept wing hid the other horse, then revealed him on the downbeat. Nia gripped
her mare with her legs and leaned forward, anticipating impact. She forced her eyes away from
Catrin’s approaching lance, focusing instead on the other rider’s armored torso. The horses’
wings beat in unison, down at the same time. Now! Nia’s lance struck somewhere near her
opponent’s shoulder and slipped off her armor. Meanwhile, Catrin’s lance connected with Nia’s
left shoulder, great pain accompanying the sound of the wooden lance thunking against armor.
The impact jerked Nia back, the restraining straps tightening against her legs, straining to hold
her in place as Nia fought against the weight of her armor to regain her balance in the saddle.
Eira’s wingstrokes broke rhythm as the weight on her back shifted. Panic roared inside Nia’s
helmet like the most violent storm, to be replaced by fury as she regained her balance. Eira
resumed the powerful wingstrokes that kept her aloft, and Nia patted the now-sweaty neck.
Fighting the urge to clap a hand to her injured shoulder, Nia struggled to maintain her hold
on the lance, now dipping and swaying above Eira’s head as if it had a mind of its own. The
mare flattened her ears against her head, and her neck stretched out straight in front of her.
Miraculously, the powerful wings beat cleanly as the mare swept past the other horse, feathers
brushing his tail.
Nia got the lance stabilized into its upright holding position and clutched it with her right
hand. Left shoulder throbbing, she guided Eira to the ground in front of First Barn. The mare
landed harder than usual, no doubt due to the extra weight she carried, and jarred Nia’s shoulder.
The pain inflamed her anger. Her left hand, freed of the reins, clasped her amulet. She hoped
serenity would flow into her from the necklace.
Catrin circled in to land at Second Barn as Tristan hurried toward Nia. “What happened? You
were supposed to go three passes!” he shouted up to her.
He was her barn leader, so tall she had to look up at him from her five foot height when
she was on the ground. Seven years older than her own seventeen years, Tristan sometimes
seemed younger. His blond hair was always neatly combed, but his dark eyes were charged with
emotion. If she ever wanted to know how Tristan felt about something, she read his eyes instead
of listening to his words. Right now he was angry. Well, so was she.
~~~~
My Review
The characters from On a Wing and a Dare return in this next book in the Flying Horse Trilogy, along with some new ones you’ll want to get to know.
The situations are more mature as the characters have grown and the suspense and intrigue are palpable.
I was eagerly turning the pages, flying(pardon the pun) through this book, eager to return to the air with these magnificent winged steeds, and to meet and come to know the new cast of characters and the challenges they face.
The aerial sequences are so vividly written, I was once again pulled into the skies, feeling the wind stream past my face and whistling in my ears. A good thing I don’t have vertigo!
I seemed to connect more with the previous and new characters in this follow-up book. The story reads like it’s written for a more mature reader, not so much for middle grade. I suspect that’s because the story should mature as the characters do.
I’m deep into this series now and anticipate a grand finale in the final book of this trilogy.
5 Stars
~~~~~~~~~
On a Wing and a Dare, Book #1
Synopsis
In Tremeirchson, a barn leader’s children are expected to follow their parents into the sky, becoming riders of the magnificent winged horses that are the medieval Welsh village’s legacy. Neither Emma nor Davyd, however, want to follow that tradition.
Sixteen-year-old Emma risks losing her family by following her heart. Eager to take her place in the air, she longs to ride a forbidden winged colt born in barn of her father’s biggest rival. She also dreams of the rival’s sons, not sure which she truly loves. Bold and exciting, Evan will someday lead his father’s barn. Davyd is quieter, more dependable, with an ability to get things done. Her father disapproves of both boys and pushes her toward an ambitious newcomer. He also insists she ride the colt he’s picked for her.
Davyd, also sixteen, is plagued with a secret—he is afraid of heights. Refusing to become a rider means public humiliation, his parents’ disappointment, and lifelong ridicule from his brother, Evan. He reluctantly prepares to join his family aloft in the Aerial Games that provide the entire village with its livelihood and tries desperately to think of an alternative.
As Tremeirchson’s barns prepare for the Rider Ceremony, winged horses suddenly start dying. Shocked, the adults hesitate, mired in tradition and politics. Is it a disease or poison? Accidental or purposeful? Someone must discover the answer and act before all the winged horses in the world are gone forever.(
~~~
My Review
Emma is burdened with following tradition or following her heart.
She loves her family and takes her responsibilities seriously, but her strong bond with a winged horse from another barn is forcing her to make a tough choice.
Meanwhile, a mysterious illness strikes the flying horses and the townsfolk must decide whether to stay or move their settlement.
When I first discovered these winged horses I was so excited. I’ve had a love for them since I was a young child. and actually had an imaginary world, which you entered through an old tree stump in my backyard, where I rode one of these magnificent creatures. It was so real for me, it makes me wonder.
Who could resist riding a winged horse in the Dance of Welcome or participating in the Aerial Games.
The games had me imagining jousting or polo in the sky.
I even visualized the games as playing Quiddich(Harry Potter) using flying horses instead of brooms. The danger is present as is the spectacular display of aerial feats.
A sky filled with these wonderous creatures would be something to behold.
As for the characters, once you become familiar with them, you are caught up in their stories.
There is a love triangle between Emma and the two brothers, Davyd and Evan. That’s not unusual with teenagers. Emma’s choice could tear this friendship apart.
While written for a younger audience, On a Wing and a Dare offers something for all ages: tradition, loyalty, tragedy, and coming of age.
Come fly with the barns of Tremeirchson.
5 Stars
~~~~
About the Author
Linda Ulleseit was born and raised in Saratoga, California, and has taught elementary
school in San Jose since 1996. She enjoys cooking, cross-stitching, reading, and spending
time with her family. Her favorite subject is writing, and her students get a lot of practice
scribbling stories and essays. Someday Linda hopes to see books written by former
students alongside hers in bookstores.
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Website
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