93rd out of 576 books
—
903 voters
Blood Red Horse (The de Granville Trilogy #1)
by
K.M. Grant
You need three things to become a brave and noble knight:
A warhorse.
A fair maiden.
A just cause.
A warhorse.
A fair maiden.
A just cause.
Will has a horse—a small chestnut stallion with a white blaze in his brow. Ellie is a fair maiden, but she’s supposed to marry Will’s older brother, Gavin. And as for the cause, King Richard is calling for a Crusade. The Knights of England must go to the Holy Land to fight.
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
April 4th 2006
by Walker Childrens
(first published April 1st 2005)
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Jul 04, 2007
nicole j. wroblewski
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Intense ten year olds and up
Shelves:
7up,
historical_fiction
Overall good, and a good message (hey, Muslims are people too! And you know war? What is it good for? I mean, aside from proving one's love to God/Allah/Baby Jesus? ABSOLUTLY NOOTHINGGG.) but a pretty tough read for the age intended (10+), and at times seemingly neverending... Or maybe it's just that one battle seems about the same to me as any other. Anyway, I never suspected I would like a book about the crusades, and I definitely never thought I would take interest in a book where a horse pla...more
This adventurous book is about the journey of two brothers, Gavin and Will de Granville, their father, Sir Thomas de Granville of Hartslove, and a horse, Hosanna. It takes place in the third installment of the Crusades. It starts when Gavin and Will are young, and Will (the younger of the two brothers) is finally able to choose his very own stallion. The young men soon fight in the Holy War led by King Richard the Lionheart. The journey to the Holy Land is tough and harsh; knights and horses los...more
Okay. This book was awesome... but I have to say it's a very specific drama... or at least it's not really going to hit all readers. If you like horses, you'll like this book. If you like history, especially English history, even more specifically history about the crusades, you like this book. When it all comes down to it, that's really what this book is about. But even if you aren't interested in those things, I must say you should really give this book a chance, because it was excellent.
The c...more
The c...more
I kinda liked it but the ending could have been better because it was all happy and stuff. All the books I read have happy endings and that's what ruins them! The authors can't always give inpressions to kids that life will always have a happy ending. If one book didn't have a happy anding, I think if the autor was good and it was well written with a likable topic and not cheesy and addicting to read, it would become a classic and New York Times bestseller. Overall this book was good it just cou...more
This book isn't as beautifully written as some YA fiction, but that said, the author skillfully and naturally worked in lots of great words like "chivied" (I'm always on the look out for good vocabulary) and the story is compelling. My favorite aspect of the book is the way the author presented both sides of the third crusade fairly and without creating good guys or bad guys. As a middle school teacher, I also like the fact that the author's representaion of the fighting over the Holy Land betwe...more
How about that cover! That cover had me at hello. With the crusaders coming on and the golden keyhole doorway? The title and tagline--"Two boys. One girl. The adventure of a lifetime"--didn't hurt either. I passed it on an endcap in a bookstore almost exactly four years ago. I actually completed an about face when I saw it, coming to a screeching halt to admire the general loveliness. The book came out in 2004, but it took me a couple of years to cotton onto it. I'll tell you one thing though--I...more
I have read this book about five times and have loved even more with each suceeding read. The story really brings the characters to life, you feel for them and with them, and the tale is just epic enough to hook you in. This book (and the rest of the series) is the first ever "Crusade" book that I didn't want to put down I was so enthralled.
Will and Gavin de Granville are destined to fight in the Holy Land. Both are young knights determined to find themselves. Gavin is the elder brother destined...more
Will and Gavin de Granville are destined to fight in the Holy Land. Both are young knights determined to find themselves. Gavin is the elder brother destined...more
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Will is a young noble growing up in England, where he knows two things: he must follow King Richard in the Crusades, and he needs an amazing warhorse to accomplish that. When his father finally gives him the chance to pick a charger, something draws him instead to a small red horse. No one expects this horse, named Hosanna, to be much of anything; some mock him for making the choice to take such a puny horse into battle. But time and time again Hosanna saves not only Will but those around him. H...more
Lots of adventure, backstabbing intrigue, and buckets of blood. Those are the highlights from this story of the Crusades. Grant zooms in on the brutality, cruelty and greed that were an integral part of God’s War, with historically accurate details concerning how and where events unfolded.
On the other hand, it’s difficult to care too deeply for the teenagers at the center of the story, especially the young men. They bounce too quickly from one emotional extreme to the next, and seem too quickly...more
On the other hand, it’s difficult to care too deeply for the teenagers at the center of the story, especially the young men. They bounce too quickly from one emotional extreme to the next, and seem too quickly...more
I loved this book a lot because of the fighting and romance in it. I liked how the storyline is like a family a father and his 2 sons set off 2 war with king Richard in mediaeval's times to recover the holy land of Jerusalem. As the family of men travel to reclaim the holy land with 900 of their men their home is slowly being taken over by a greedy man who wants their land and the son's fiancée for himself. This book shows struggles within the heart and of a young boy who has 2 choices kill or b...more
I was excited about this book initially, but unfortunately such great potential was never truly realized. The story and action were mainly glossed over, saving the most time and attention for displaying the static perfection of Will and his horse, Hosanna. Will is, at very best, a very boring male Mary Sue, who makes the right decisions and serves as the story's moral focus through the horrible climate of the Crusades. His horse is essentially an equine version of him, and while they go through...more
Well written and fast paced. But I got the impression that the author was telling us there were more paths to God then through Christ alone? Didn't Jesus say "I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me"? Definitely not a "Christian" book, but an interesting historical read all the same.
Historical fiction is one of my least favorite genres to read. Wait, let me re-state that. It's not one of my least favorite to read, it's one of my least often read. If I have a free choice to burn, I head to my fantasy shelves, or my science fiction shelves. Rarely do I head to the historical fiction shelf. I need to change that bad habit!
Blood Read Horse was amazing. It was action-packed and filled with adventure. The characters were well thought out, and the entire time I young brothers, an...more
Blood Read Horse was amazing. It was action-packed and filled with adventure. The characters were well thought out, and the entire time I young brothers, an...more
Wonderful book. I listened to the story and the narrator is fantastic. At first I wasn't sure about the story- the Crusades. But once the Blood Red Horse/Hosanna joined the story, I couldn't stop listening. When Gavin almost killed Hosanna I cried. I think I cried once for every CD. Beautiful story!!! I like how the characters grew and changed through their experiences. I also like how Ellie managed to hang in there- alone, while all the men were out fighting. In the end, the men realized they c...more
I read this book while I was going through grad school, and I absolutely loved it! It's the first part of a trilogy called the DeGranville Trilogy. I love a good Historical Fiction novel, and this one is set during the Crusades: Will has a horse—a small chestnut stallion with a white blaze in his brow. Ellie is a fair maiden, but she’s supposed to marry Will’s older brother, Gavin. And as for the cause, King Richard is calling for a Crusade. The Knights of England must go to the Holy Land to fig...more
This is about a boy that has a horse. He went through a lot with this horse. He wanted to race with this horse and he put a lot of hard work in doing his best. He made this horse become a well trained horse. This horse was very important to him and the horse meant a lot to him.
I can relate this to myself because when my brother used to have a dog I became attached and then after he decided to give him away and i was very sad. I know what it is like to be attached to something and then have it ta...more
I can relate this to myself because when my brother used to have a dog I became attached and then after he decided to give him away and i was very sad. I know what it is like to be attached to something and then have it ta...more
This book was surprisingly good. I picked up the series just for something to do and I find that I am quite excited to finish the rest of the series. Little Ellie is a darling girl who despite losing her family and knowing that she is not to marry the boy she loves but instead his older brother is still a happy child. The brothers start off with a typical sibling rivalry and end up as thick as theieves. Kamil is like Ellie's opposite he lost his family and takes it very badly. However because of...more
I gave Blood Red Horse a five star because I thought it was a perfect action- filled book to read! Not only did it have action and adventure, but a little bit of romance! I also thought that through all the fiction in the book, there were some true facts in it also! I think this is a wonderful book for people who love suspense and terror, and a little of love. I could barely put the book down! By the end of this book you were not sure what was going to happen, and your predictions were usually w...more
I'm only about half way through this book, but I wanted to stop and take a moment to let everyone know how fantastic this book is. It's the debut novel of a Scottish writer, and the first book in a trilogy (promptly ordered the other two in the series today). It takes place during the Crusades in twelfth century England and is about two brothers, the girl they are both in love with, and a very special horse. It's such a thought provoking book, and a perfect example of why I often tell people tha...more
I've never been much of a "horse" book person. My mom loves them, and growing up we always had plenty of horse books around the house so I have read several of them. The love of horses is strong in this book, and for anyone who does appreciate this majestic animals, I'm sure you'd enjoy the book. However, what I did like was the historical fiction aspect of the book. Learning about Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade was fascinating. Not sure if I'll continue the series, but I would cert...more
I appreciated the historical part of this book, but honestly, it was too much obsessing over a horse that made me dislike this book. It really couldn't go three pages without mentioning the horse. I just thought the book would be like in Ranger's Apprentice(highly recommend) when the horse was dear to the boy but not the center of the story. I was annoyed on more then one occasion by this. Besides that, the book has potential for a good love triangle and war series. If you're obsessed with horse...more
I hadn't read any Crusade era historical fiction before and the catalog summary intrigued me. I really wanted to like this book; there was so much potential here. I thought the basic plot was interesting but the pacing was abysmal and the characters rather flat. I swear there was action in this book but it seemed largely glossed over in order to rave about the utter perfection of Hosanna/Red Horse.
All that aside, I am tempted to see what the next book in the series has to offer. Hopefully, the a...more
All that aside, I am tempted to see what the next book in the series has to offer. Hopefully, the a...more
This is a fantastic story that takes place in 12th century England about kids who grow into adulthood duing the time of the Crusades(Holy Wars) and fight with King Richard the Lionheart. This story is about friendship, love, duty, war,loss, and a fantastic horse that wins everyone's heart! I Love this book, and have already finished the trilogy and will give separate reviews. I Loved this story! I Really like that in the entire Trilogy there is no bad language or immorality. This is ok for anyon...more
Such a rare find - a well written, compelling account with a horse as a main character. I wasn't sure I would like this book, although I have loved books in the past that anthropomorphize animals (Disney does such a shoddy job at this though). It's impossible not to fall in love with Hosanna - as the leader of the Saracens says, "Truth seems to follow this horse." Writing a review of this book is difficult because describing the story doesn't do it justice. This is a book where the author excels...more
Dec 03, 2007
Sarah
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
6th-9th-grades
Shelves:
children-historical
William and Gavin de Granville are adolescent brothers who live in Hartslove castle in England. Destined for knighthood, they both love riding horses and have natural competition between them. When William, the younger of the two, finally gets the chance to choose a Great Horse—a horse used in battle (Gavin already has one named Montlouis)—he ends up choosing a beautiful smaller horse instead. Everyone is shocked by this decision, as William has wanted a proper battle horse forever. However, Hos...more
Audiobook. Follows the story of two brothers, William and Gavin, a betrothed maiden, Eleanor, who is left behind, and the horse, Hosanna, who changes their lives as they go to fight in Richard I's crusades. An exciting historical fiction containing war, murder, revenge, and plots to usurp those in power. It gives human characteristics to both sides of the warring crusaders. You'll feel everyone's pain, and will occasionally find yourself wondering who you really want to root for.
First in a trilogy set in 12th century England, this book introduces us to the de Granville brothers, William and his older brother Gavin, and the girl, Ellie, who has grown up in their household after her parents died. Ellie comes from a rich family, and is expected to marry Gavin--but she is better friends with William. It's also the story of a brilliant red horse named Hosanna, who becomes William's battle horse when he is knighted and sent off on Crusade to Jerusalem. Very good historical no...more
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K. M. GRANT was inspired by her own family history to write How the Hangman Lost His Heart. Her ancestor, Colonel Francis Towneley, or Uncle Frank, was the last man in Britain to by hanged, drawn, and quartered. His head was passed down for generations of her family until it was finally reunited with his body just after World War II, when it was buried at St. Peter’s Church. It was Uncle Frank’s c...more
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