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Cloud Horse
Two girls, separated by a thousand years, brought together by their love of horses....and magic.
Wild horses in ancient Iceland. A deadly blizzard. A terrifying witch. A magic amulet. Travel across time.
Arnora, whose love and understanding of horses is known throughout the land, is saved from death by her great horse, Skyfaxi, and the witch Thorbjorg, feared by everyone. The witch gives Arnora a tiny bronze horse, a talisman to carry when she voyages to Vinland with Ragnar, the Viking youth who loves her.
A Thousand years later, in a forest in Maine, Kate, a lonely girl, finds a tiny bronze horse, hidden in a cairn of stones, and then....the magic happens.
Wild horses in ancient Iceland. A deadly blizzard. A terrifying witch. A magic amulet. Travel across time.
Arnora, whose love and understanding of horses is known throughout the land, is saved from death by her great horse, Skyfaxi, and the witch Thorbjorg, feared by everyone. The witch gives Arnora a tiny bronze horse, a talisman to carry when she voyages to Vinland with Ragnar, the Viking youth who loves her.
A Thousand years later, in a forest in Maine, Kate, a lonely girl, finds a tiny bronze horse, hidden in a cairn of stones, and then....the magic happens.
- GenresHorses
236 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jill Pinkwater
47 books4 followersJill Pinkwater is an award-winning author and illustrator who has collaborated with her husband, Daniel Pinkwater, on many fine books, many of which feature polar bears and other noble creatures. They've also worked together on "Superpuppy," the world's best guide to owning and caring for a canine companion.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 24, 2012
I know that this is an "older" book, however, it seems that the author probably did a good bit of research about Icelandic culture, but relied on Hollywood for the quick dip into Dine (Navajo) culture. Only in Hollywood do drums made the "BOOM boom boom boom BOOM boom boom boom" sound. Drums are heart beats, either fast or slow, and no heart beats like that.
In any case, the story itself was a good read in spite of this and other flaws. It has a nice soft magical quality about it, and although a child has a positive influence through her love and dedication, it is adults who take action to solve a problem rather than inappropriately forcing a child to do so as seems to be common in more recent books.
I also love that this is a horse book that is actually about horses. I'd been disappointed in other stories that essentially use horses as a backdrop to a story about people. In this case, the people and horses are equally important characters to the story.
In any case, the story itself was a good read in spite of this and other flaws. It has a nice soft magical quality about it, and although a child has a positive influence through her love and dedication, it is adults who take action to solve a problem rather than inappropriately forcing a child to do so as seems to be common in more recent books.
I also love that this is a horse book that is actually about horses. I'd been disappointed in other stories that essentially use horses as a backdrop to a story about people. In this case, the people and horses are equally important characters to the story.
July 20, 2017
Happened to be visiting my grandmother while I visited Maine. What a wonderful story to be surprised with. I wish I had an Icelandic herd of horses 😍🦄🐴
June 21, 2025
I read it about 35 years ago. I loved it then. I still do. I have purchased copies for the children in my family and will forever have it on my bookshelf. I love the horses in it and the touch of magic and history.
January 10, 2016
The Cover
Hello gorgeous! Unfortunately, it hasn't much to do with the story. There are dreams but the whole magic aspect is more or less non-existent.
The Background
I love Icelandic horses, probably because they played a huge role in the very first horse novel I ever read. I'm also fascinated with Iceland and dream of visiting it one day. So far, it hasn't worked out yet, but one day, I'm sure it will. When I first heard about this book, I really wanted to own and read it. Well, it only took me 7 years to finally get to it.
The Story
When the blurb tells me two girls share a connection that bridges a millennium and they have to save their beloved horses, then this is what I expect the story to be about. It wasn't. Quite. I guess it's in there somewhere, but in general, the novel's four parts were not particularly interconnected. The first part focuses on a viking girl, her plans and dreams, life in Iceland, and of course her beloved horse. The second part tells the story of two horses, both descendants of Arnora's mare. The third part follows Kate learning about and falling in love with the Icelandic horses that are brought to Maine. The fourth - and by far shortest part - is actually about what the blurb suggested. It is a really weird mix. The novel just never felt like a coherent work. There's also not much of import happening so I grew bored rather fast.
The Characters
I never felt a connection to Arnora or Kate. I wasn't as invested as I hoped I would be, considering the premise and our shared love for Icelandic horses. Granted, they shared 220 pages between them and a horse, but it usually doesn't take me long to empathise.
The Trivia / Oddities
As far as I know, Icelandic horse names are gendered. For example, Skýfaxa is female, Skýfaxi is male (=cloud mane). In some cases, this was totally ignored which bugged me like crazy.
Hello gorgeous! Unfortunately, it hasn't much to do with the story. There are dreams but the whole magic aspect is more or less non-existent.
The Background
I love Icelandic horses, probably because they played a huge role in the very first horse novel I ever read. I'm also fascinated with Iceland and dream of visiting it one day. So far, it hasn't worked out yet, but one day, I'm sure it will. When I first heard about this book, I really wanted to own and read it. Well, it only took me 7 years to finally get to it.
The Story
When the blurb tells me two girls share a connection that bridges a millennium and they have to save their beloved horses, then this is what I expect the story to be about. It wasn't. Quite. I guess it's in there somewhere, but in general, the novel's four parts were not particularly interconnected. The first part focuses on a viking girl, her plans and dreams, life in Iceland, and of course her beloved horse. The second part tells the story of two horses, both descendants of Arnora's mare. The third part follows Kate learning about and falling in love with the Icelandic horses that are brought to Maine. The fourth - and by far shortest part - is actually about what the blurb suggested. It is a really weird mix. The novel just never felt like a coherent work. There's also not much of import happening so I grew bored rather fast.
The Characters
I never felt a connection to Arnora or Kate. I wasn't as invested as I hoped I would be, considering the premise and our shared love for Icelandic horses. Granted, they shared 220 pages between them and a horse, but it usually doesn't take me long to empathise.
The Trivia / Oddities
As far as I know, Icelandic horse names are gendered. For example, Skýfaxa is female, Skýfaxi is male (=cloud mane). In some cases, this was totally ignored which bugged me like crazy.
May 17, 2008
I think I might have read this book when I was in middle school. I do know that I loved it, mostly because it talked alot about Icelandic Ponies. I dont remember much about the actuall story however. Lets see... It started in modern times and then somehow switches to the age of vikings. The story moves from the eastern coast of N. America over to Iceland (maybe?). Lots of vikings and even more ponies! I think I should read it again.
May 9, 2012
I read this book cover to cover! Adored it's wondrful cozy setting in a wintery place and fiery yet loving characters! A must read!
November 27, 2012
an old old favorite from when i was young. not necessarily well written, but holds a place in my heart cos i loved horses and viking mythology.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews