The Silver Horse

The Chain of Charms #2

by Kate Forsyth

Book 2 in the Chain of Charms series, a brilliant new adventure series set amongst the gypsies of Cromwell's England.

From the bestselling author of the Witches of Eileanan series.

Once there was a gypsy queen who wore on her wrist a chain of six lucky charms - a golden crown, a silver horse, a butterfly caught in amber, a cat's eye shell, a bolt of lightning forged from the heart of a falling star, and the flower of the rue plant, herb of grace. The queen gave each of her six children one of the charms as their lucky talisman, but ever since the chain of charms was broken, the gypsies had been dogged with misfortune. Book Two: The Silver Horse 13th-14th August 1658.

Emilia and her cousin Luka have the gypsy crown, and are travelling with their menagerie in search of the Hearne tribe. They hope that this family, to whom they will soon be related, will surely help release their kin from gaol. Luka and Emilia find the Hearnes horseracing on the Downs above Epsom. But Emilia must compete to win their support. Will she have to give up her beloved mare in exchange for the Hearne family's charm - a small silver horse? And can they escape Coldham again?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, Historical, Middle Grade, Childrens

210 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven, and is now the internationally bestselling author of 40 books for both adults and children.

Her books for adults include 'Beauty in Thorns', the true love story behind a famous painting of 'Sleeping Beauty'; 'The Beast's Garden', a retelling of the Grimm version of 'Beauty & the Beast', set in the German underground resistance to Hitler in WWII; 'The Wild Girl', the love story of Wilhelm Grimm and Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told him many of the world's most famous fairy tales; 'Bitter Greens', a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale; and the bestselling fantasy series 'Witches of Eileanan' Her books for children include 'The Impossible Quest', 'The Gypsy Crown', 'The Puzzle Ring', and 'The Starkin Crown'

Kate has a doctorate in fairytale studies, a Masters of Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is an accredited master storyteller.

Reviews

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story kind of sad. Emilia and Luka are on the next step of their journey to try and find help for their family. And yet, the people who are supposed to be closer than kin are the very ones who turn their backs on the children. And also decide to take advantage of them. No matter that it is a family trying to take care of themselves, my heart broke a little for both gypsy children the further the story unfolds.

This is a reread of the Chain of Charms series, and although it has been over a year between rereading the first story, The Gypsy Crown, and this, the second, I still get that same great joy of the tale. And, as I’ve gotten older and revisited this story, I am realising more and more how amazing Forsyth’s talent is at mixing historical fact with imaginative fiction. The blending of the two, and the notes at the end of the story which highlight the facts and fiction intertwine beautifully.

As a child, there was something intriguing and alluring about being a gypsy. Probably for me, the no shoes and no permanent abode. I’ve mostly lost that intrigue (I can’t have a library like mine if I lived on the road). But, there is still something of that childish and innocent desire to explore the world. That nostalgia for a time and peoples that I’ve never met or experienced. It makes me incredibly excited to pick up the next in this story and continue my very enjoyable journey down nostalgia-lane.

[As You Wish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course there has to be an illegal horse race. I loved it! The bond that Emilia and Alida have is beautiful, and I don't like her uncle taking advantage of it. I'm not sure how they'll ever cover enough ground now with no mounts, though.

[Stephfafahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realise how accurate the author's writing was, and how true it mirrored history.

It was a lot more fast-paced compared to the first book in the series, and was very well plotted out.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and quick paced novel that reminds me of the old school adventure stories for children that I read in my youth. I particularly enjoyed the horse race towards the end of the novel.

[♡ venus ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars - fun read that was easy to digest

"Fly like the wind, my darling," she murmured. "Fast as the hot desert wind. God made you to fly like an eagle."

I've never read the first book in this series, but the second book is pretty easy to follow even without having read the first one. Emilia and Luka Finch are gypsies. Their family has been thrown into gaol after being accused of vagrancy and murder, and now they're on a quest to collect six ancient gypsy charms and save their family from the gallows. I usually don't real Middle Grade Historical Fiction, but I quite enjoyed this one.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced advienture about 2 Romany children (gypsies). Historical (in the time of Cromwell) and packed with well researched historical setting. The portrayal of Roma culture makes me a bit uncomfortable even though it is positive (but leans into stereotypes to some extent).

I think if my kids were still young I would probably get the whole series in terms of the historical information (not info-dumped though) and setting.

[Alice Bloomfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️✨

I really enjoyed Kate‘s adult fiction books and I was curious to try a young adult book. It’s decent. It’s all written but it just didn’t really grab me. It could just be that. I’m not the right headspace to read it right now but it’s decent. it’s very readable and it would be good if you were on a road trip with kids as an audiobook.

[Asami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book years ago and this just happened to be in my library so I picked it up.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the six part series is another engaging story and well paced and plotted. A good entertaining read.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series and the adventures of Luka and Emilia. Enjoying learning about gypsy life under Cromwell rule.

[Noseymo · Rating 4 out of 5]

N read.

[Karen Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series.

Emilia and Luka are on the run from a thief-taker, Coldham. They must retrieve six charms from their gypsy kin as Emilia (and her grandmother, who told her about the Chain of Charms) believe in their magical powers, which will surely save their imprisoned family from the gallows. Luka, on the other hand, isn't convinced so he's trying to come up with an alternate method of saving the family. They are only thirteen and the burden is huge.

They have the gypsy crown charm (book 1) and now Emilia must race to win the silver horse charm, but at great cost to her.

This series is definitely written for younger readers. The books include snippets of information on the 1600s in England which is quite interesting. This is another exciting book filled with adventure. This one delves into emotional issues too. Worth reading.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed book two :) I like that the plot is starting to get more interesting and we're starting to find out more about certain characters. I thought it was really fast-paced, though, which I understand it needs to be because they need to get everything done within the span of a month, but there were a few parts in this book that I thought could have had a little more time spent on them and have more detail.
I also really liked (though it annoyed me at first) the end of this book because it was realistic in the sense that not everything is always going to work out as planned and I appreciate that as most books tend to let everything work out perfectly all the time... can't wait to get my hands on the book three! but unfortunately I don't own any more at the moment 3

[Muphyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series - Emilia and Luka are still on the run, trying to find the second charm in order to free their family (well, that's what Emilia is doing - finding the charms - Luka doesn't quite believe in them). It's only been a week since I listened to the audiobook but I can't quite remember what happened. The books kind of blur into one, should have written my reviews straight after I finished listening to the respective book. oh well. it was fun, that I can remember! :)

[Niamh Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Chain of Charms series. The children's adventure continues with the same energy, excitement and suspense as I enjoyed in Book I, The Gypsy Crown. Wonderful descriptions of beautiful woodlands, horses and ghastly places such as the prison. There is great insight into old Romanian travellers traditions, such as horse racing, family loyalty and storytelling and singing. The story creates a wonderful world to escape into and I'm excited to read the next book.

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book too, the second in this series about Gypsys and their quest to find the charms of their family and put them together again. Luka and Amelia along with their dog, monkey and bear meet up with the Hearn family in this book as they journey along to find help for their family who have been thrown in jail.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good but it ended really quickly. I had been waiting to read it for ages because I could never find it.

I think Tom Whitehorse was caught up in the Royalist plot and that was why he was there.

[Kara Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man these are just so fun! Some of the best middle grade I've ever read. I never feel like I'm being talked down to, and although these are quick, they manage to hit in all the right emotional places. I'm so excited to finish this series next year!

[Mia Scarlet Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply loved it how Emilia loved a horse named Ailda and how she had to race and simply everything was just amazing!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked the entire series

[Amanda O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. They are interesting and well written. I can't wait to get the next one!