A Horse Named Viking

by Caroline Akervik

A rogue. An outlaw. An unlikely hero. Viking is the sole offspring of a savage and vicious mare. The colt is the pride of the stable until his dam kills a groom in her stall. Viking is a painful reminder of the tragedy, and so he is sold off. The black colt has a coarse face and a mean curl to his nostrils, but he is beautifully proportioned with magnificent gaits. With his teeth and thick weapon of a tail, Viking brutalizes everyone who handles him and humiliates the best trainers in the world until Anne O’Neil tries him. The first time she rides him, she declares she will not buy him if he was the last apple in the barrel. The second time, she rides him as if he is as sensitive as one of her Thoroughbreds, and she is amazed by the results. Kindness and sugar turn out to be the keys to Viking’s heart. Viking and Anne become rising stars until a cruel and brutal trainer seeks to crush his spirit. A Horse Named Viking follows the life journey of an incredible, unforgettable horse.

Genres: Horses

168 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2012

About the author

Caroline Akervik has always been a voracious reader of most any genre, with the exception of horror, because it's scary. Blessed with a wonderful husband and three amazing grown children, Caroline has worked as a horse trainer and as a school librarian. She remains an animal lover and believes that libraries are among the most magical of places. Her writings reflect the eclectic nature of her life and reading taste, and her books include sweet romances, horse stories and even science fiction. Caroline seeks to write from the heart, to transport her readers and to give wings to their imaginations.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this heartfelt story was the author's voice. Somehow, she was able to use extremely precise vocabulary while also being very universally understandable. Horse-experienced readers will love how the book brings the characters and components of the world of horses alive. Those of us with little or no horse schema will easily follow the storyline which spans a great many years but also will come to learn the complexities related to speaking a horse's language. Bravo author Caroline Akervick!

[Lynn Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, illuminating

Viki
ng, the story, brought me to tears.
How lucky you were to have known a similar horse! I have known trainers like the one that you described in your book. In my experience they should NEVER be allowed near any animal. I wish them dead
Thank you for being the writer you are.

[W.H. Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the world of international horse competition (which I knew nothing about, but now secretly wish I could be a part of), A HORSE NAMED VIKING follows the life of brilliant, but flawed, Viking. Viking’s a horse of champions—he has the build, the gait, the stamina, the intelligence, to be the best dressage horse in the world. Except…his mother was destroyed for her violent unpredictability, and, despite glimpses of talent, Viking seems headed down the same path. Trainer after trainer is lured by his power and grace, only to find Viking indifferent—or worse—to their best efforts. Time and again, Viking is sold, usually with relief and more than a few new scars on the rider. It’s not until a new owner gives Viking space, love, and trust instead whips and spurs (and a little sugar doesn’t hurt), that he finally finds a home and shines.

A HORSE NAMED VIKING reminded me of some of my favorite childhood reads—stories of underdogs and of that special bond a human and animal can form. Stories like MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE, BLACK BEAUTY, and BIG RED. But don’t reserve A HORSE NAMED VIKING for only the horse or animal lovers in your life; it’s a book for anyone who simply loves a great story.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid dressage rider and horse-owner, I loved the detail the book goes into about Viking and his training. What an amazing character Viking is - very believably opinionated and smart! However, I think the book is a little odd in that the main characters in the first few chapters disappear from his life and the book. I find myself wondering what happened to those people? It almost seems like the book should be written by Viking if it will follow his life, rather than the people. However, then he wouldn't seem like such a mystery to the reader like he was to many of his riders. It's a bit awkward, but I still very much enjoyed the book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely story. I learned a lot about the world of horses. But on a deeper level the story is about how we treat others. That when we react with love and kindness rather than cruelly and abusiveness we can develop a wonderful relationship. The relationship between Viking and the rider is based on a mutual trust.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well written book. I enjoyed following the life of Viking. I won this book on Goodreads Firstreads.