Fueled by anger at the death of his two brothers in World War I, 16-year-old Edward abandons his ailing father on their farm and leaves Canada to enlist. After proving that he can tame any wild horse, he's is sent to Jordan to fight with the Cavalry.
Luckily, his horse is the extraordinary Buke; in battle, a trooper's horse is the key to life and death, and his true companion. In the harsh desert, Edward is grateful for the camaraderie of his tent mates, Cheevers and Blackburn,and letters from Emily, a nurse he met at base camp. As they close in on the enemy Edward finds that the glory and noble vengeance he seeks is replaced by the horror of war and the realization that he must fight not only to survive, but also, to kill.
Luckily, his horse is the extraordinary Buke; in battle, a trooper's horse is the key to life and death, and his true companion. In the harsh desert, Edward is grateful for the camaraderie of his tent mates, Cheevers and Blackburn,and letters from Emily, a nurse he met at base camp. As they close in on the enemy Edward finds that the glory and noble vengeance he seeks is replaced by the horror of war and the realization that he must fight not only to survive, but also, to kill.
About the Author
Arthur Slade is the author of Dust, a national bestseller and the winner of the 2001 Governor General's award for children's fiction, the Mr. christie's Book award and the saskatchewan Book award. His novel Tribes was acla Young adult honour Book and was nominated for five other literary prizes. He is also the author of Monsterology, the Canadian Chills series and Northern Frights series. Arthur Slade and his wife and daughter live in Saskatoon. Visit his website at www.arthurslade.com.
A good book. Arthur Slade used a mixture of war and romance in his plot, which makes the book appealing to all readers. The descriptions were also vivid without being tedious.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend this book to anyone interested in WW1 history or in understanding more about the plight of a soldier in this period.
-Bethany (WCHS)
I really liked this book. If you like learning about WW2, this is a book for you.
ReplyDeleteNicole (WCHS)
I meant WW1 sorry
ReplyDeleteNicole (WCHS)
I thought this book was rather interesting and had amazing descriptions, if not gruesome, but had a rather slow start. At first I could not wait to be done the book because it was not capturing my attention, but after getting into the plot some more I found that I actually enjoyed it. - Lisa (WCHS)
ReplyDeleteI absolutly love this book! But in a sense I hate it. It left me with this awful, sickening feeling of what war really does to a person, and to a country. But I still loved it and it's def. top 3!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. It was very sad, but at the same time it was very realistic. It was interesting to learn more about WW I. As a reader you get a glimpse of what war does to a soldier. Good comment, Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting book. Like everyone else said in their comments, reading this book leaves you with a mixture of feelings. You notice how terrible war is and how it really changes a person. The author entwined many aspects into this story which made it realistic while staying interesting and thought-provoking. It wasn't one of the best books I've read and I'll probably forget about it sooner or later but it was good while it lasted... if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteMikaela G-B (WCHS)
I read this book a while back but I remember likeing it very much. It was a good read. It was sad and dissapointing in area's but what story isn't somewhat like that.
ReplyDeleteLydia (DCHS)
It wasn't the best book i've ever read but i still enjoyed it. (even though it was super depressing)
ReplyDeleteJenny (WCHS)
it was really interesting and pretty well-written
ReplyDeleteKaitlin (DCHS)
good but not my favourite
ReplyDeleteMichelle (DCHS)
I am glad I had a chance to read this book. There are so many books that I would not think of picking up if it were not on the book club list. Many of them are good reads that leave me glad for book clubs. This is one of them.
ReplyDeleteCeleste W. (WCHS)
A good book
ReplyDeleteWhile it was a war novel it didn't just focus on the battles that the character went through but was more focused on his progression. Character driven versus plot driven.
I have to agree with the previous comments.
My biggest two complaints about the novel are really small, I felt it ended very abruptly and that the name is really incorrect, the whole Megiddo bit was mentioned once and wasn't dealt on at all.
Otherwise it was a good book and I have no real complaints.
-Will S. WCHS
I liked the book it kept moving and made an impresion on the reader
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