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On a Wing and a Dare

(Flying Horse Books #1)

Linda Ulleseit (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 44 ratings · 14 reviews

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

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Kindle Edition, 232 pages

Published May 30th 2012 by Flying Horse Books (first published May 23rd 2012)

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2012 Debut Authors (Young Adult & Middle Grade)

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· 44 ratings · 14 reviews

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Jul 09, 2012 J.L. Campbell rated it it was amazing

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 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 brother who longs for Emma’s attention, but the one least likely to win her.

Evan: The rider in his family and likely successor, as head of the family barn.

I LIKED: the concept of flying horses. Call me limited in the reading department, but apart from the legend of Pegasus, I haven’t read any work of fiction recently that contains these creatures. The writer did a nice job of putting me in the Welsh village she created and giving flight to these horses.

Though the main characters are young, they display a level of maturity that is in keeping with the timeframe of the novel.

I COULD HAVE LIVED WITHOUT: the pain and despair that came with the losses. The story was poignant in parts because of the death of the horses, the passing of one family member and the town that had to be left behind. The writer does well in conveying the emotions of the characters and putting the reader inside their situation.

COVER NOTE: I think a picture of the Welsh countryside described in the book, along with an actual picture of a horse (wings and all) would do this book a LOT more justice.

OVERALL COMMENTS: I’m a girl who has both feet firmly planted on the ground when it comes to reading material, so flying horses are way out there in terms of a storyline.

However, Linda Ulleseit does well in painting a beautiful setting, along with an interesting and varied cast of characters. At times, I had to consciously separate grooms/riders/stewards in my mind, however, the main players are always distinct.

The writer also pays keen attention to the setting, ensuring that the technology, food and living conditions are in keeping with the era. I like the addition of Welsh terms, which adds to the authenticity of the story.

The mystery was well played and the truth convincing when it unfolded. It left me with the thought that many times, people do things with one aim in mind, but the consequences explode beyond expectation.
...more

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Jun 10, 2012 DelSheree rated it it was amazing

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 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 those readers will be pleasantly surprised with this book. "On a Wing and a Dare" is so much more than a kids' book about horses. The three main characters struggle with breaking tradition at the risk of losing their families, unravelling the mystery of what is killing the flying horses, and getting tangled up in a love story that may break the brothers apart. Every aspect of the horse side of the book was very well done. The equine language added an element of reality to the story that really helped to draw readers in. I have always loved horses, but even those unfamiliar with the beautiful animals will fill right at home in the barns.

The mystery surrounding the illness that begins claiming the horses lives and threatens to destroy the whole town is another great part of this book. Linda keeps the investigation of the illness spread carefully throughout the book with hints that keep you reading without overloading the reader. She blends the worry over what will happen to the herd and town right up to the last chapter. I enjoyed how the decisions about saving the horses flowed so well into the difficult relationships of the book.

Speaking of relationships, I think the complex emotions and histories between many of the characters was what really pulled everything together and made this story shine. The love story between Emma, Evan, and Davy's is a beautiful part of the book. Emma's youth and naive nature makes her decision between the two brothers that much more agonizing. The threat that either young man ending up with Emma will tear their relationship apart, possibly forever, makes readers look forward to and at the same time almost dread the decision.
It was a beautiful love story, but every relationship in the book had depth and meaning, pulling readers into every aspect of the book. ...more

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May 30, 2012 Jenny rated it it was amazing

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

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Jun 18, 2012 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: horses

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

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May 31, 2012 Angela Fristoe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-books

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!

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Apr 14, 2013 E.M. Havens rated it really liked it

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

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Jul 28, 2012 Laura Thomas rated it it was amazing

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

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Feb 21, 2013 Valley Brown rated it liked it

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

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Jul 23, 2013 Justin rated it it was amazing

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

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Jun 01, 2012 Susan Stec rated it it was amazing

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

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Sep 11, 2014 Vanessa rated it really liked it

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 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 author did a great job with subtly giving the reader clues without slipping and showing all her cards. You grow with the characters as they go on an adventure to gain the knowledge they need to save their livelihoods. In addition, the world that is described is established quite well. The author explains foreign words and terms quite well and as a reader, I was never majorly confused at any point of the novel.

The Aerial Games was probably the most interesting aspect in my opinion. When I was reading up on this book before I read it, I read someone say that the Aerial Games reminded then a little bit of Quidditch, and I think that that is a great analogy. While yes, they are completely different games, the air aspect was similar, and it was nice to have something to keep in mind visually while imagining the games

Of course, with every good novel comes a love story. It’s a tale as old as time, which brother do you pick? While I loved the theory of the love story behind Emma, Evan, and Davy, I wasn’t in love with the execution. I believe that Linda Ulleseit did a pretty good job with laying it out and creating friction and conflict, I just found the choice of who would win Emma’s affections a little too obvious at the beginning, so I felt that the struggles surrounding the conflict a little futile.

I only really had one major issue with this novel, and that was the language used in combination with the world described. In my mind, the world was described in a medieval-esque fashion. By that, I mean that modern inventions like electricity, guns, cars, etc. haven’t been invented and aren’t used. However, extremely modern language was used. Despite the medievalness of the novel, the language used in writing it was extremely modern. I assume that the less mature and more modern language was used in attempts to relate better with younger readers, however, I personally found it extremely distracting. It was probably the one major thing that I found truly took away from the novel, but I did give the author a little slack seeing as this was her first novel (I believe), and that it was directed at a younger audience.

Overall, this was a quick, fun, and interesting read. I would definitely recommend it for my younger friends and readers because it does have quite the unique premise involved. Flying horses is definitely a niche that Linda Ulleseit discovered and she found a way to fill it in nicely. Also, did anyone else catch that Well-done Ms. Ulleseit! ...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Kim rated it did not like it

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 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 the main character uses words and phrases that seem very modern. For example: "Emma tried for hardcore sarcasm but she was betrayed by..." etc etc. The terms 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' are used frequently too, which doesn't seem to coincide with the era of frocks and caps.

Another thing that drove me bonkers was the constant point of view switching. It was all third-person limited but it would switch from being filtered through Emma's emotions to Davyd's, all in the same chapter, sometimes with only a paragraph break to differentiate. I don't mind when the POV changes to another character, but usually it's done on a chapter-by-chapter basis. The way this book read was distracting.

After reading Pegasus, I was really looking forward to this book. But the writing style was bland, it was hard to be invested in the characters' plights, and the attention to the pegusi was meager. The 'flying horses' were somewhat integral to the plot, but other than describing their colors and giving them names, it felt as though they were treated like props in a set design.

And finally, something happened along the way to my copy of the book. I got it as a free download from Amazon. But in almost two dozen places, there were random breaks, pieces of one sentence showing up randomly in other places, and pages where there would be one word per paragraph for several paragraphs. I started marking each page in my Kindle where one of these problems occurred. For example: "A vendor selling pies did a brisk business wait on other Robert's current nearby, and the scent of hot sweet berries made Davyd's stomach rumble." This was, I imagine, not the author's fault but perhaps Amazon's. Somehow, things got jangled between the author's computer to Amazon to my Kindle. Still, very distracting.

I feel badly writing a review that's this negative, especially since it's this author's first book (if I remember correctly). Hopefully, though, this will help make the next book better! ...more

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Sep 08, 2014 Natasha rated it it was amazing

...

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

...

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Sep 08, 2014 Brenda Sha rated it it was amazing

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

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Shelves: ya-mg-fantasy-challenge, ya-fantasy

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About Linda Ulleseit

Linda Ulleseit

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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