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Stealaway
Bloodybow Castle is dark and fobidding. How can Nicky and her mother live in such an eerie place? But Nicky soon realizes that Bloodybow is haunted by a terrible past. Hundreds of years ago, border raiders stole a priceless stallion, starting a feud that led to the death of a young boy. And now strange and spooky events surround Bloodybow once more. Can Nicky lay a vengeful past to rest - before something terrible happens?
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Peyton
109 books149 followersKathleen Wendy Herald Peyton MBE, who wrote primarily as K. M. Peyton, was a British author of fiction for children and young adults
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2020
Revisiting a childhood favourite!
I still remember coming across this book in my primary school library, and how thrilled I was to read a pony story that was also a ghost story.
Rereading it was such a fun experience. Being reminded of everything that happened, and just why it was that I loved it so much.
The mysterious ghost horse Rowan, the living horses, including the beautiful stallion Stealaway, the violent and brutal history of Bloodybow Castle -- all just as wonderful as when I first read it.
I love the illustrations by David Wyatt which fit so well, especially the spooky and sad picture of a key event that I won't spoil!
I still remember coming across this book in my primary school library, and how thrilled I was to read a pony story that was also a ghost story.
Rereading it was such a fun experience. Being reminded of everything that happened, and just why it was that I loved it so much.
The mysterious ghost horse Rowan, the living horses, including the beautiful stallion Stealaway, the violent and brutal history of Bloodybow Castle -- all just as wonderful as when I first read it.
I love the illustrations by David Wyatt which fit so well, especially the spooky and sad picture of a key event that I won't spoil!
July 29, 2019
A girl arrives with her mother to a Scots historic house, where a rich American is retiring to breed horses. They are going to be employed to care for the horses. The atmospheric tale starts in winter with snow, and moves along as we hear about past battles and blood feuds, the border reivers, and a valuable horse. An elderly mare called Rowan is in the stable, along with the Fell ponies and a new Morgan stallion.
Rather swiftly the weather turns to summer and nobody has been to school, which I didn't think was likely. The two young people are just riding all day. An error I spotted was when the boy Jed is called Rob - his father's name, although Rob has departed for town.
This is a slim tale, intended to be part of a spooky set, and probably a nice length for young readers who want spookiness more than a story of learning about riding.
This is an unbiased review.
Rather swiftly the weather turns to summer and nobody has been to school, which I didn't think was likely. The two young people are just riding all day. An error I spotted was when the boy Jed is called Rob - his father's name, although Rob has departed for town.
This is a slim tale, intended to be part of a spooky set, and probably a nice length for young readers who want spookiness more than a story of learning about riding.
This is an unbiased review.
September 8, 2014
Danielle picked this book out for me to read at the library. She loves horses but the fiery page cover indicated that it would be "too scary" for her. I read the leaflet and it actually sounded pretty interesting. A mother and daughter move to an ancient Scottish manor to care for the new owner's horses. The new owner is an american millionaire that has recently found ancestral ties to the manor and wants to revive the horse breeding legacy. This is too much for the resident ghosts of an ancient dispute and the restless spirits come to take their revenge on the new occupants. WhooooOOOOoooooo...
What I liked about this book is the unsensational nature of the story. The Mother-Daughter pair move in with a Father-Son pair. Yet there were no illicit affairs, or innuendos. There was no sexual angst. Only a developing friendship and a good story.
American media sexualizes kids far too early, or dips stories in caramel sweet sparkle-licious goobers. This is a simple yet interesting story, with a well defined sense of place, and likable young characters who combat ghosts of a historical feud to save the horses and their parent's livelihood. A fun adventure for kids who aren't easily scared, and accessible to most readers at or above the second grade level.
What I liked about this book is the unsensational nature of the story. The Mother-Daughter pair move in with a Father-Son pair. Yet there were no illicit affairs, or innuendos. There was no sexual angst. Only a developing friendship and a good story.
American media sexualizes kids far too early, or dips stories in caramel sweet sparkle-licious goobers. This is a simple yet interesting story, with a well defined sense of place, and likable young characters who combat ghosts of a historical feud to save the horses and their parent's livelihood. A fun adventure for kids who aren't easily scared, and accessible to most readers at or above the second grade level.
January 16, 2024
Great ghost story with horses! I would have loved this as a kid. I immediately wrote to my sister about it. She loves horses and is caught up with ghost stories at the moment. I love KM Peyton. So sorry for her loss. I'm having fun tracking down titles of hers that I missed. Glad to have found this one. Short, quick read. More a novella or short story. Maybe a first chapter book, but the story not really at that level. Lovely illustration.
June 29, 2020
Loved this book when I was younger! I want to reread this at some point!
August 22, 2009
Not bad. An atmospheric horse story- very brief. More a novelette. I thought it was well written and descriptive. Showed a definite knowledge & love of horses & what it's like to ride. The ghostly elements were OK. Not sure kids would really appreciate this one.
May 8, 2013
very mysterious
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews