The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

By Megan Shepherd

A girl must protect a magical horse from a sinister force in a colorless world.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,478 ratings

240 pages

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In a hospital filled with secrets, only Emmaline sees the winged horses in the mirrors. When a white horse named Foxfire escapes into her world, hunted by a dark force, Emmaline must find vibrant treasures to protect him. But in a world shrouded in gray, where will she find the colors to save her new friend? As danger looms, Emmaline's quest becomes a journey of hope and magic, revealing hidden wonders in the bleakest of places. Can she outwit the Black Horse and bring color back to her world?

From the publisher

Deserves a spot on the shelf next to the most beloved children’s classics–yes, even The Secret Garden. –Shelf Awareness, Starred ReviewDescribed as reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia in a starred review, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill shows readers everywhere that there is color in our world–they just need to know where to look.There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill hospital–the mirrors that reflect the elegant rooms once home to a princess, now filled with sick children. Only Emmaline can see the creatures. It is her secret. One morning, Emmaline climbs over the wall of the hospital’s abandoned gardens and discovers something incredible: a white horse with a broken wing has left the mirror-world and entered her own. The horse, named Foxfire, is hiding from a dark and sinister force–a Black Horse who hunts by colorless moonlight. If Emmaline is to keep him from finding her new friend, she must surround Foxfire with treasures of brilliant shades. But where can Emmaline find color in a world of gray? A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016 Endearing characters, metaphors for life and death, and a slow revelation of the horrors of war give this slim novel a surprising amount of heft.–Booklist, Starred Review In clear, gripping, flawless prose . . . this exquisite, beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel explodes with raw anguish, magic and hope, and readers will clutch it to their chests and not want to let go.–Shelf Awareness, Starred Review Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, Elizabeth Goudge, or a child’s version of Life of Pi. . . . Readers will love this to pieces. –Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Magical, terrifying, and full of heart. Open these pages, and ride true.–Newbery Honor-winning author Kathi Appelt A remarkable book. Astonishing!–Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

At a glance