A Hundred Horses by Sarah Lean

Below are two reviews of this book.  I agree with both.  Nell is the main character and the story is told in her point of view but as in the reviews Angel overshadows the main character.  Don't get me wrong... the Angel character doesn't take from Nell, in fact I think the merging of these two characters is what makes the book so great.

 I told my writing buddies I would give this book a 10 (which from me is high praise) but after the glow of the last chapter faded... I would adjust it to 4.5.  Here are the reasons for the subtracted points... one Nell is a little annoying with her whining in the first few chapters (the author tried too hard to make the reader aware of how much Nell hated her life since her father left)  I think less would be more here but the saving grace is Nell finding her prize... the catalyze of the whole story.

  Then of course the horses were introduce and I was hooked.

 The story made me laugh, get a little teary and realize how lucky I am to have friends like these characters.  Friends that will stand with me though the good and bad... fight for me, cover for me and cry with me.

 How lucky the human race is that God gave us the heart to be a friend and to realize how lucky we are when others love us back.

Reviews:

A Hundred Horses emphasizes a loving connection between humans and animals, and the ties that bind members of a family -- biological or otherwise.

To an adult, A Hundred Horses gets off to a slow, predictable start, with the troubled city girl sent to visit a farm where fresh air and hard work will set her straight. That happens, but there's also a lot of magic and mystery: Angel's story, the legend of the hundred horses, and the connection between humans and animals. As the plot and characters deepen, the story grows more beautiful and uplifting. This emotional book is a marvelous find, especially for girls who love horses.