Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic

Dark Horses: A Novel by Susan Mihalic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, just Wow! Mihalic's debut was stunning, gripping, terrifying! Roan is only 15 years old when this novel begins but she has the maturity and tenacity of an adult; a much older, time worn woman. Being raised by totally normal looking parents; they are a scary dysfunctional family with few redeeming qualities. Her mother is an alcoholic, a beauty who no longer models, hates her husband and daughter because she feels they chose each other and not her. Poor Roan does not know why her mother can't love her; she even told her about the abuse from her father and it fell on deaf ears. Roan has been lashed to her father since she was a child; he controls her every movement. She is an award winning equestrian (just like her father) but there are strings attached, and in order to survive Roan places aspects of her life in boxes in order to deal. As she grew up the abuse continued and with it threats--her father killed her dog, threatens to take away beloved horses, and punishes her when she falters. Add to this a high school friend who becomes someone special and life becomes filled with more and more secrets threatening to explode. But Roan has been groomed by the best, her father and along the way she has learned to become skilled in deception and as her life with her father collides with Will Howard, Roan tries desperately to live with her father's expectations and her interest in this new boy's attentions. I could not stop turning the pages while I was entranced by the world Mihalic created of the beauty of farms, horses, and competition. I rooted for Roan and hoped her resilience forged from her father's demands would help her find her way to a life she deserved. A must read about family dynamics, sexual abuse, and the power of love. Highly recommended!

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