What do you think?
Rate this book
Rider in the Dark
Everything in Helena's life is in perfect order. The daughter of magistrate Lord Roseby, she has a comfortable home on a grand estate, and with the help of her best friend, Jamie the stable boy, she is able to secretly ride her father's powerful horses -- without the confines of a sidesaddle. Then, suddenly, everything changes. Dangerous smugglers are on the loose in Helena's quiet village. And Helena's father brings home a mysterious and beautiful new stallion. Helena's world is suddenly turned upside down, and becomes more exciting than she ever could have imagined.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Holmes
14 books86 followersVictoria "Vicky" Holmes comes up with the ideas for the New York Times Bestselling Warriors books, consisting of four miniseries: Warriors, Warriors: The New Prophecy, Warriors: Power of Three, and Warriors: Omen of the Stars, written by Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, and new addition Tui Sutherland under the pen name Erin Hunter, and published by HarperCollins. Holmes creates the plots, then Cary, Baldry, and Sutherland write the stories. Holmes is also in charge of maintaining series continuity and making sure that there's a consistent "voice" across the books.
Victoria grew up on a farm in England, where she learned to write at the age of two. She enjoyed reading and writing stories of her own when she had the time. She studied English at the University of Oxford, where the ancient buildings and sense of tradition inspired an interest in history. Victoria now works in London as a children's book editor and escapes to the English countryside whenever she can to ride horses and walk her dog, Missy.
Victoria is also the author of the books Rider in the Dark, published in 2004; The Horse from the Sea, published in 2005; and Heart of Fire, published in 2006.
Victoria grew up on a farm in England, where she learned to write at the age of two. She enjoyed reading and writing stories of her own when she had the time. She studied English at the University of Oxford, where the ancient buildings and sense of tradition inspired an interest in history. Victoria now works in London as a children's book editor and escapes to the English countryside whenever she can to ride horses and walk her dog, Missy.
Victoria is also the author of the books Rider in the Dark, published in 2004; The Horse from the Sea, published in 2005; and Heart of Fire, published in 2006.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 20, 2009
There are two themes in this book - one is that Helena yearns for a powerful horse, although she is a 15 year old young lady whose mother feels she should be concentrating on household duties. Second, after her father gives her a verging on dangerous stallion, Helene uncovers a smuggler's plot which tests her loyalties to her father, the magistrate for the Dorset area, neighbors and friends who challenge the legal system, and a handsome excise officer. This is the sort of book I would have enjoyed more as a child; as I read it, I kept thinking of adult historicals that handled the topic with more dimension such as Watch the Wall, My Darling.
Read
February 21, 2019I grew up on Black Stallion stories, and this one reminded me of my childhood passion. Set in the 1800's, but with a plot and themes reminiscent of my favorite Stallion books, it's beautifully written. I devoured every word, then passed it on to my daughter.
August 8, 2012
I REALLY liked this book!!!!! Unexpected twists right toward the end made it even more amazing! I can't wait to read Mrs. Homlmes other two books. :)
January 27, 2013
What started as an interesting horse story for me, ended in an thrilling tale I wanted to read again.
Helena is a girl who lives in Dorset, England in 1740. Her daily life usually consists of riding horses, and lately, everyone is preparing for the local Bridport horse race. There's a new addition to her family's stables... Oriel, a horse she can't stay away from, even though he is unbroken and dangerous. Her main goal is to prove to everyone that Oriel is not as wild as he seems... and she will take great risks to show this.
Her father is the leader in their quaint village, and even though Roseby is a small place, it has plenty of crimes taking place. The two most repeated criminals throughout the book are the smugglers (villagers who collect ship cargo without paying taxes) and the wreckers (villagers who deliberately crash a ship, murder the sailors, and steal the cargo).
Although the wreckers are notably worse, smugglers are punished on the same level. Lady Helena never gave much thought to these criminals until she discovers that the people she trusts the best are involved. She doesn't want to lose these friends to the death penalty, so what is there to do?
Helena is a girl who lives in Dorset, England in 1740. Her daily life usually consists of riding horses, and lately, everyone is preparing for the local Bridport horse race. There's a new addition to her family's stables... Oriel, a horse she can't stay away from, even though he is unbroken and dangerous. Her main goal is to prove to everyone that Oriel is not as wild as he seems... and she will take great risks to show this.
Her father is the leader in their quaint village, and even though Roseby is a small place, it has plenty of crimes taking place. The two most repeated criminals throughout the book are the smugglers (villagers who collect ship cargo without paying taxes) and the wreckers (villagers who deliberately crash a ship, murder the sailors, and steal the cargo).
Although the wreckers are notably worse, smugglers are punished on the same level. Lady Helena never gave much thought to these criminals until she discovers that the people she trusts the best are involved. She doesn't want to lose these friends to the death penalty, so what is there to do?
September 21, 2010
Not a bad read, although it was hardly the 'epic horse story' that the cover claimed. Sure, she rode horses, and was down at the stables a lot, and obsessed over the new horse, but it was more about the smugglers and wreckers than it was about the horses.
Interesting enough a read, though not among the best (not among the worst, either, for that matter!) I've ever read. It had the potential for far more than it delivered. Though I suppose thats chronic with 'young adult' books. The main character was only 15, so I suppose, believably there's only so much that can happen to the story. But, had it been taken from an older character's perspective, the tale could have gone a lot deeper, and a lot longer.
Over all, a nice simple read.
Interesting enough a read, though not among the best (not among the worst, either, for that matter!) I've ever read. It had the potential for far more than it delivered. Though I suppose thats chronic with 'young adult' books. The main character was only 15, so I suppose, believably there's only so much that can happen to the story. But, had it been taken from an older character's perspective, the tale could have gone a lot deeper, and a lot longer.
Over all, a nice simple read.
February 19, 2008
Great read, but to me, started waaaaaay too slow. I didn't like it near as much as The Horse From the Sea. I read it sporaticly because I couldn't get into it through the first half. Funny thing, once it turned wintery cold and I could feel the air Victoria described in or outside, then I plunged right into England. It really helped me to read this book when I could ride just as fast as the girl does in the book. The charactor development was awesome and I realy enjoyed that, but my honest opionion was that this would make a better movie. Actually, it would make an AWESOME movie.
February 4, 2011
I would give it 2.5 only because it was soo mediocre that 3 is pushing it. Basically, I should have read this when I was 12. But too late. It was fine, it just didn't do anything for me. I might be too progressive to read about women that had to wear skirts, ride side-saddle and not end up with the boy of their dreams because it just couldn't happen back then. Plus, there wasn't any magic. But it was a decent horse story and since I spilled water on my copy, I might have to keep it around until I have some kids to read it to who might enjoy it more than I did.
Read
July 2, 2009An epic horse story that takes place in Dorset, England in 1740. Helena Roseby, living as a magistrate and quarry owner's daughter in a Grand Estate, loves horses and riding. But when her father brings home a new horse, Oriel, her life is completely changed. Nell gets involved with local smugglers, and has to try to continue to have a normal life, despite visits from local customs officers question her family about the smugglers. Recommended for horse-loving girls.
February 14, 2012
the first time i tried to read this book was years ago and it just didnt catch me. this time i took time to sit and relax and enjoy it and it just overtook me with surprise at how sad i was to have finished it! i didn't want it to stop.
July 25, 2016
Found this children's book at my parents house and decided to try it out. I was left wanting more, but it introduced me to wreckers, which I found very interesting. I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it when I was 10 or 12.
July 25, 2009
I got a little bored of half the chapters repeating the same stuff over and over, other then that it was good.
October 9, 2009
Fairly commonplace historical fiction with little spark to it. A rather obvious story line. Horsey element is not especially strong.
March 21, 2010
I liked this book, especially the cover!
Read
January 21, 2011It was an adventure with accents! :D
February 5, 2011
coolio.
August 29, 2015
I love this book! There were many plots going on all at the same time and it was just an exciting adventure.
October 5, 2011
Needed romance.
April 13, 2013
I think that this is one of the best books ever!!
April 7, 2016
This one was not as good as Horse From The Sea, but it was still an interesting read.
June 7, 2009
COOL ANY HORSE LOVER HAS TO READ!
September 6, 2009
This is for any horse or animal lover
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews