Reviews

“In the tradition of Kevin Crossley-Holland's Arthur trilogy and Catherine Jinks' Pagan novels, this epic of the Crusades offers a historical perspective on modern conflicts, and lays bare the gap between propaganda about the Crusades and the ‘dismal, stinking nightmare’ of reality. Onlookers scoff when 13-year-old William de Granville chooses Hosanna, a charismatic red stallion with a puny, impractical build, for his first warhorse. But after what seems to be a miraculous recovery from a grave injury, Hosanna earns widespread respect and a celebrated place in the campaign for Jerusalem, which William and his elder brother Gavin have zealously joined. Left behind is Ellie, who is promised to Gavin but feels more connected to William. Awaiting the Crusaders is the noble strategist Saladin and his young ward Kamil, who eventually lays claim to Hosanna — and is similarly inspired by the horse's soulful presence. The parallel coming-of-age stories are compelling and Grant portrays both sides of the conflict without demonizing or idealizing either… The stallion's most amazing achievement is the way in which its story — the first in a planned trilogy — transcends boundaries of gender and genre, with something to offer fans of equestrian fare, historical fiction, and battlefield drama alike.”

— Booklist (starred review)

“There is nothing I like better than a good historical novel, and Blood Red Horse is an exceptionally good historical novel, all about the big things: life and death, love and loyalty, courage and despair, the treachery of friends, and the nobility of an enemy. As I did, you will lose your hearts to Will, Gavin, Ellie, and the Muslim Kamil, but most of all to a magical blood red horse named Hosanna."

—Karen Cushman, author of The Midwife's Apprentice, a Newbery Medal Winner, and Catherine Called Birdy, a Newbery Honor Book

“This first entry in the Crusader-era de Granville Trilogy introduces reckless, bullying older brother, Gavin; thoughtful yet courageous younger brother, William; and their father’s ward and the brothers’ mutual love interest, Ellie. At the outset of the novel, William has been given leave to choose a battle horse from his father's stable and he chooses Hosanna for his grace, speed, and endurance, rather than brawn. Gavin soon rides Hosanna past his endurance, and the broken beast is sent to the monastery as a work horse for the monks. A possible miracle restores Hosanna to full stamina just in time to accompany the brothers and their father on a Crusade to the Holy Land, where the elder de Granville loses his life, Gavin loses his sword arm, and (probably most distressing for readers) William loses his horse to Kamil ad-Din, teenage aide to Saladin. While Kamil tries to avenge his father’s death, plots against Saladin, and receives forgiveness from Saladin, and while Gavin learns to fight left-handed, and while William tries not to sulk too much over Hosanna’s capture, Ellie back home learns to
read, becomes embroiled in a scandal with one of the monks, and fights off the nefarious attentions of the estate's steward. Knights die, infidels die, horses die; Hosanna goes into battle in service to King Richard and nearly dies, but in a Cinemascope-worthy moment, enemies Kamil and William join forces to nurse the horse back to health. Sure, it all plays like a sprawling Hollywood epic, but effectively so — the whirlwind pacing and involving adventure will keep readers turning pages and leave them happily oblivious of (or cheerfully aware of) the hokeyness. Scrapping brothers, a languishing maiden, and a Noble Steed — what more could readers ask for, except perhaps a Trusty Dog?”

—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Based on the Third Crusade with England’s King Richard I and the Muslim leader Saladin, this novel takes readers from the de Granvilles’ Hartslove Castle to the bloody battlefields of the Middle East. It is a story of loyalty, honor, and nobility and centers around the loves of two brothers, Gavin and William; the fair maiden Eleanor whom they leave behind; and Will’s beloved red horse. Readers are caught up in the bloody battles, with alternating chapters revealing what is happening on the ‘home front,’ and in the Christian and in the Muslim camps. Tying these stories together is the red horse, Hosanna, who is the book's most compelling and empathetic character. The futility of war is a theme throughout and readers will discover that, much like war today, combat in the 12th century had devastating consequences. The historical setting and the vocabulary may challenge younger readers but ensure that older ones will find the book a rewarding adventure, one not soon forgotten and one that lends itself to great discussion.”

—School Library Journal