This book had such potential - a troubled girl and an unwanted horse for form an unbreakable bond - but, alas, that wasn't the case. I adored the front cover and "Dark Horses" started well, but once Merritt and Red left Good Fences, the book seemed to lose direction.

The story was told from both Red and Merritt's point of view. I was rather sceptical when I discovered this, and with good reason. Red's voice was awful. He was too human and shallow, and sounded like a very bratty, immature adolescent. Also, his continual quoting of song lyrics became VERY irritating, VERY quickly. I can't fathom why the author thought this was a good inclusion. I was expecting Red to have far more depth and emotion, similar to Joey in "War Horse" who narrated the whole story. Michael Morpurgo was far more skilled at capturing a horse's essence than Cecily van Ziegesar was.

Merritt was an uninspiring protagonist. She fell instantly in love with Carvin, who had as much personality as a wilted lettuce leaf, she kept relapsing into old habits and she gave up when things were too tough for her. She became a champion the moment she rode Red competitively and, in typical YA fashion, she also had absent parents.

By the end of "Dark Horses" I should have been sobbing, but when I discovered that Merritt was back where she started, I shook my head, closed the book and thought, 'Why did I bother?' ( )

First let me say, I am an animal lover and equestrian. I have ridden all my life and I adore most any story about or centered around horses. Therefore, I was so looking forward to reading Dark Horses and crossing my fingers that the author got the horse stuff right. I can honestly report that she most definitely did.

The story is written from two points of view, Merritt a troubled teenager and an off the track Thoroughbred, named Red, with issues of his own. They both have ended up at Good Fences an equine-assisted therapy program in New England. The program pairs Merritt and Red together and they have an instant connection. Once it is discovered that Merritt is a very talented rider and together her and Red make a great hunter/jumper team, they are shipped off to Florida to train and prepare for the show circuit.

Regrettably, Merritt spent such a short amount of time at Good Fences that she never really had time to work through all her issues. The issues all come roaring back with tragedy strikes at a show.

The healing bond with animals is incredible and the story did justice to that. My only grip is with Red’s character. His character is too human. Does a horse really know what a text is? Come on…. For this reason I could not rate the book higher than a four. ( )

I have never read anything but this author, not even the Gossip Girl books that the television series was based after. Which, I did not watch this show when it was on television. What drew me to this book in the first place was the book cover and second the words "Black Beauty". I am a horse fan. It has been long over due since I have read a horse book. Which I found most of the other characters in this book good, it really was the Merritt and Red show. They were the true stars. I loved the alternating chapters with each of Merritt and Red's voices. The bond that these two shared was lovely. Watching them both blossom into butterflies gave me joy. I could not stop reading this book. I had grown such an attachment to Merritt and Red that by the end I almost cried and smiled at the same time. A must read for horse fans! ( )