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On a Wing and a Dare
(Flying Horse Books #1)
by
In Tremeirchson, a barn leader’s children are expected to follow their parents into the sky, becoming riders of the magnificent winged horses that are the medieval Welsh village’s legacy. Neither Emma nor Davyd, however, want to follow that tradition.
Sixteen-year-old Emma risks losing her family by following her heart. Eager to take her place in the air, she longs to ride ...more
Sixteen-year-old Emma risks losing her family by following her heart. Eager to take her place in the air, she longs to ride ...more
Kindle Edition, 232 pages
Published
May 30th 2012
by Flying Horse Books
(first published May 23rd 2012)
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Start your review of On a Wing and a Dare (Flying Horse Books, #1)

STORYLINE: A mysterious disease attacks flying horses (oh yes!) in a Welsh town, where the economy depends on the activities surrounding these magnificent beasts. Relocate to a new settlement with hope for a bright future, or stay in a place where the prospect might be bleak; that’s the decision the folks in the town of Tremeirchson have to make.
PLAYERS:
Emma: A young rider who is torn between responsibility to her family and her attraction to two brothers from a competing barn.
Davyd: The brot ...more
PLAYERS:
Emma: A young rider who is torn between responsibility to her family and her attraction to two brothers from a competing barn.
Davyd: The brot ...more

Tradition means everything in Tremeirchsen, and the elders expect the young people of their town to hold to what they have been taught. For Emma, that isn't easy when her father's plans for her future keep her from everything she loves. For Evan and Davyd, tradition must be set aside when the flying horses that are the town's livelihood start dying, but taking the lead may cost them more than they expected.
Now, some poeple might not think they would enjoy a book about flying horses, but I think ...more
Now, some poeple might not think they would enjoy a book about flying horses, but I think ...more

I read this book at my 12-year-old's insistence. I only complied because she hasn't shown interest in my reading pleasures before. And it is just $3.99 on Kindle.
I wasn't wildly excited about reading this book, but it surprised me. This is a really good book. Quite a page turner. In fact, I finished it in just over a day.
Without giving it away, the story centers around a charming town known for its annual horse race with winged horses that can fly, of course.
This story offers a good amount of ...more
I wasn't wildly excited about reading this book, but it surprised me. This is a really good book. Quite a page turner. In fact, I finished it in just over a day.
Without giving it away, the story centers around a charming town known for its annual horse race with winged horses that can fly, of course.
This story offers a good amount of ...more

I truly enjoyed this fantasy book about winged horses and the riders who love them. How totally awesome would it be to gallop with your horse as it picks up speed, unfolds and lifts his wings and takes to the sky? Wow, this is the stuff dreams are made of, and the author describes it well. But this story has lots for everyone: there's a great love triangle between Emma and two brothers from a rival barn, each who she loves in a different way. Then there's the horse she loves, also not from her f
...more

Linda Ulleseit is an amazingly talented storyteller. On a Wing and a Dare brings to life a story of fantasy, love, and coming of age. The author manages to pull the reader into a historical Welsh setting with flying horses in such a way that it is easy to believe that they once flew between the clouds. This is a wonderful start to a series that I look forward to continuing!

I love horses. I've always loved horses so when I came across this book about horses with wings, I was ecstatic! On a Wing and a Dare is an easy read about these magnificent creatures. Although they are in the story a lot, there is also a large focus on relationships. While the biggest relationship struggle is a love triangle between Emma and two brothers, Ms. Ulleseit also tugs at the heart strings while she delves into parent/child, parent/parent, and friendships. Of course, none are easy.
This ...more
This ...more

Emma is burdened with following tradition or following her heart.
She loves her family and takes her responsibilities seriously, but her strong bond with a winged horse from another barn is forcing her to make a tough choice.
Meanwhile, a mysterious illness strikes the flying horses and the townsfolk must decide whether to stay or move their settlement.
When I first discovered these winged horses I was so excited. I’ve had a love for them since I was a young child. and actually had an imaginary ...more
She loves her family and takes her responsibilities seriously, but her strong bond with a winged horse from another barn is forcing her to make a tough choice.
Meanwhile, a mysterious illness strikes the flying horses and the townsfolk must decide whether to stay or move their settlement.
When I first discovered these winged horses I was so excited. I’ve had a love for them since I was a young child. and actually had an imaginary ...more

In some ways this is another story of a young girl rebelling against community and family traditions that stifle her dreams. It put me in mind of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series, albeit on a much less complicated scale.
I'm not sure if this was strictly a YA fantasy, but it certainly fits the category. The story caught my attention and imagination, despite being somewhat predictable. Ulleseit nailed a lot of physical and historical details, making her fantasy world credible. I only w ...more
I'm not sure if this was strictly a YA fantasy, but it certainly fits the category. The story caught my attention and imagination, despite being somewhat predictable. Ulleseit nailed a lot of physical and historical details, making her fantasy world credible. I only w ...more

If you like magic... and of course, flying horses, this book is for you! It has all of that, and more :)
Linda Ulleseit does a great job of building up characters that you care about, and relationships that you want to protect. In On a Wing and a Dare we have an adventurous coming of age tale that has many of the themes you might expect: Love, breaking free of traditions, and parental expectations etc. But in addition to all of that, Linda builds a wonderful fantasy world that feels real, and whi ...more
Linda Ulleseit does a great job of building up characters that you care about, and relationships that you want to protect. In On a Wing and a Dare we have an adventurous coming of age tale that has many of the themes you might expect: Love, breaking free of traditions, and parental expectations etc. But in addition to all of that, Linda builds a wonderful fantasy world that feels real, and whi ...more

Love or power—strength or control. These are traits that drive the children of High Meadow down the paths that will either bless or corrupt them. On a Wing and a Dare is beautifully written, visually captivating with winged horses that add enchantment. I hope there's a sequel.
~~Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead ...more
~~Susan Stec, author, The Grateful Undead ...more

http://bookbutterflyreviews.blogspot.ca/
This was a different read for me. I don’t usually read novels that are directed toward a younger audience (with an exception for anything Rick Riordan) so reading On a Wing and a Dare was something new, but it had some pretty great reviews, so I gave it a shot.
I loved a lot about this novel. I liked the premise (who doesn’t love Flying Horses?!), and I loved the novels mystery around discovering why these horses are getting this illness and dying. The auth ...more
This was a different read for me. I don’t usually read novels that are directed toward a younger audience (with an exception for anything Rick Riordan) so reading On a Wing and a Dare was something new, but it had some pretty great reviews, so I gave it a shot.
I loved a lot about this novel. I liked the premise (who doesn’t love Flying Horses?!), and I loved the novels mystery around discovering why these horses are getting this illness and dying. The auth ...more

I can't recall why I added this book to my list - did I see it advertised somewhere, or did someone recommend it to me? It sounded like something I'd be delighted to read; A universe where pegasi exist, and a young woman falls for the son of the rival barn leader. Sounds great, right?
This book, however, was a huge let-down.
My first issue with the book is somewhere between language and world-building. This is a world where women wear frocks and caps, which feels removed from 'modern society', but ...more
This book, however, was a huge let-down.
My first issue with the book is somewhere between language and world-building. This is a world where women wear frocks and caps, which feels removed from 'modern society', but ...more

...I really loved this book. While preparing for the Rider's Ceremony, the people of Tremeirchsom learn that their beloved winged horses are dying out. They are even more worried to find out it may have been poison that caused it. They face a decision of whether they are going to move and rebuild their whole way of life, or stay at home where the winged horses species may die out. Meanwhile, Emma is having her own problems. She must choose beetween her family and her heart. She wants to ride a c ...more

It was ok. I'm really excited to read the next book of series!
...more

May 30, 2012
Linda Ulleseit
rated it
it was amazing
· (Review from the author)
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Linda Ulleseit was born and raised in Saratoga, California, and has taught elementary school in San Jose since 1996. She has an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University, is Marketing Chair of Women Writing the West, and a founding member of Paper Lantern Writers. She enjoys cooking, cross-stitching, reading, and spending time with her family. Her favorite subject is writing, and her students get
...more
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