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Book Description It has all the makings of a glorious day--the Black has just won the America's Cup! But the fruits of victory quickly sour when it is learned that the Black's challenger, shying at a shadow on the track, has suffered a fatal fall. Now, the Black himself is hobbled by a fear of shadows, a problem that could end his brilliant racing career. Will the Black become the next victim if he is not cured of his fright? ... Read more Reviews (8) 
Not his father's Black Stallion
Like other reviewers, I am an adult returning to the ongoing Black Stallion series that I loved as a child. I'm sure Steven Farley is a good writer, but his style is not his father's and his efforts to continue the Black Stallion stories from his father should be put to rest. The violent deaths of three horses in this book are enough to halt any fan of Walter Farley's. The relationship between the Black and Alec is missing the depth and understanding that readers of the series are used to. Time to go back to the originals and leave these new stories to others less familiar with Walter Farley's work.
Hang In There!
As a diehard fan of the Black Stallion, I felt obligated to (okay, well, I wanted to) read this continuation of stories about my childhood hero, The Black. While it wasn't as fast a read for me as the original Black Stallion series, Steven shows signs of becoming as good a writer of the Black series as his father. I was interested to see The Black move off the track and on to new adventures in other settings. Can't wait to see where the legacy of The Black goes next! Keep writing, Steven, and thank you very much for keeping this series alive for new readers (and us older ones!).
It's okay
I grew up reading Walter Farley's Black Stallion series. Although Steven is trying, he will never write the Black like his father did. I like how this book took Alec and the Black off of the race track and into new territory, and how the Black had to deal with his fear, making him more "real", and mortal, but it just wasn't the same. And the timing doesn't make sense. The Black is only 8 years old? I don't think so. It was exciting in spots, but the writing is too different; it doesn't feel like a "real" Black Stallion book. Maybe Steven should have just left the series alone.
Excellent
I think that Steven Farley is doing a superb job carrying on his father's tradition. The book, about a hopeless situation caused by on accident on the racetrack, is a mystery also. A great one for young horse lovers.
Perhaps not as exciting as the others, but still quite good!
The Black and Alec face several different challenges in this book, the main one is the fact that Alec is away from home on a ranch. After his horse gets a fear of shadows, Alec realizes that he cannot race again until the Black overcomes this fear. He asks for the help of his trainer, Henry's friend. He meets many new people, some good, some not so good. A good story with a great plot. I do not totally agree with the other reviews, because I love the Black Stallion and no matter what book he's in, he will still be the Black Stallion. This book is different, because it deals more with "other" activities than racing, horse grooming, breeding, etc. I think that this book deserves it's spot on the charts not as a book like the others in the series, but as a book by itself. Do not expect the expected when you read this book, if you have read others in the series. Writers truly do have their own way of writing and that is something we must accept.
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