Horse Passages by Jennifer Macaire and a Clean Reads Giveaway!

A Horse is a Horse, Of Course… Or Is It?

HORSE PASSAGES by Jennifer Macaire

I’ll admit it. At first I hesitated to read this book. I’ve never been a huge, Horses Rule gal. But guess what—it’s the human characters who rule this book (although the horses do make wonderful companions and add a necessary thrill to the story).
Jennifer Macaire seamlessly weaves in factual details about horses—riding them and their care—without ever losing focus of the story itself. Not knowing a thing about horses, I found I really enjoyed feeling a part of the herders’ lifestyle. I never once felt as if I were an outsider looking in. Now, that’s good storytelling. And hey, if you ARE a Horses Rule gal or guy, you’ll find even more pleasure from this book!
Orphaned twins, Meagan and Carl Cadet, share an honored path—they’re horse herders. But the horses they herd are unique, for each horse grows beautiful clusters of unicorn-like horns made of living quartz. Like fingerprints, each is dazzlingly different from the other. The horses use these horns to travel through mystic passages, finding new planets for humans to colonize. Meagan and Carl are teenaged equestrians who make perfect caregivers for these unusual horses—if they can avoid the merciless Raiders.
Raiders stalk horse herders; capturing them to work their mines, using them until death finally takes the poor humans away from their endless misery. Once taken, no human has been able to escape the brutal grasp of these mysterious aliens.
HORSE PASSAGES is divided into two books with intertwining stories. Book I follows Meagan as she faces the same terror that took both of her parents and little sister—the Raiders. Carl is left behind, fearing the worst. He can’t save her. Meagan must save herself.
Book II follows Carl as he faces his own frightening reality—falling off a horse during mid-passage. He will die, unless he follows the light.
Each twin’s story in HORSE PASSAGES sends the reader into a whirlwind of emotions—just what I like! The main characters are well defined, written to be accessible and intimate with the reader.
HORSE PASSAGES is an exciting young adult read I highly recommend!
P.S. There’s a twist at the end of Book II. It’s left a strong impression with me. I feel both anxious and exuberant. Explore the book, and you’ll see what I mean!
P.S. P.S. Jennifer Macaire—I want more!!!!

Review by Kelsey E. Johnson Defatte, guest reviewer

GUESS WHAT? I have a copy of this book in my hands! And it's for YOU! This is how you can become the owner of this new copy of HORSE PASSAGES by Jennifer Macaire...Simply leave a comment on any Deliciously Clean Reads post between now and Monday, April 30th. Comments can be about anything, but I would appreciate if they were relevant to the book reviewed or your feelings about Clean Reads in general. Your comment must include your name (of course, it can be just a first name, or if you're really shy, just an online alias). Names of commenters will be tossed into a hat, and I'll announce a winner one week from today on Tuesday, May 1st.

Please let your friends know about the Clean Reads Giveaway! Thanks and good luck!

-Emily

Review and Free Book generously provided by the author, Jennifer Macaire.