The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

Not sure why, but this one left me a little cold and I had to push my way through it. The setting and feel of the story were awesome. It's a little bit like The Secret Garden. I think I had a problem with Emmie's maturity level and had to have patience with her. I am also seriously overthinking this, and the more I think about it the more holes I'm finding.
While reading the final chapters I realized how incredible this would be read aloud. I think that might be the element that was missing for me. This would really work well read to children in a group setting.

This is a good book, but I am not a child, whom it is Definitely Meant For.

Oh, this book. I borrowed this on a whim from the library, and I'm so very glad that I did. Megan Shepard has woven a beautiful tale in The Secret Horses of Briar Hill. One that manages to mix fantasy and reality in a way that is both heartbreaking and sweet. I fell in love with Emmaline from page one, and I honestly wish that her story had gone on a little longer.

The writing in this book felt so familiar. Like an old friend, that I hadn't picked up in a while. I'd most easily compare this to something like The Secret Garden, with its rambling estate and precocious young characters. There was just enough magic patchworked into this story as well, with Emmaline's winged horses taking center stage. Which was perfection, to be honest. While there are definitely sad undertones, since this takes place during wartime, the magic here helps keep things on an even keel. I don't know if Middle Grade readers will get the layers here, but even with just the winged horses it's an excellent story.

As for the audiobook, I an attest that Fiona Hardingham is the perfect narrator for Emmaline's story. She brings the otherwordly place on the other side of the mirror, with its winged inhabitants, to life. I honestly think it gave me an even better experience than I could have hoped for. If you have an older MG reader, who is in love with simple magic, this is a book that you need to put in their hands. It was a gorgeous read.