By Victoria Kasten
Morris Publishing
www.epicscrolls.com
3212 East Highway 30
Kearney, NE 68847
Mighty Stallion is an animal adventure novel that will tug at the heart of any horse-loving youth. The reading level of this book would make it appropriate for those in the 4th grade and above: "He braved the hardships of the wild western landscapes. He fought against the natural predators of his herd. He battled another stallion to win the mare he loved. His name is Sariavo."
The reader experiences the many transitions in Sariavo's life. Moving from the innocence of an open pasture with his parents close by to another farm where abuse was rampant is just the first transition the horse experiences. Sariavo's escape from abuse to the open frontier infuses a sense of freedom as the reader shares all of the triumphs and struggles. Throughout the story, Sariavo is driven by his desire to see his first love, Sari, once again.
Ms. Kasten does a remarkable job of bringing almost human attributes to the horses in this story. If it weren't for the setting, the reader might get so engulfed in the feelings and thoughts of Sariavo that the recognition that he is still an animal becomes blurred. This blurring may cause some concern for parents.
In his quest to be reunited with Sari, Sariavo enjoys the companionship of a new friend, Penny. During the journey, Penny foals and produces a young colt that Sariavo takes as his new stepson. Sariavo continues his quest for Sari with Penny and their new colt by his side. As the story concludes, there is joy as Sariavo reunites with Sari, but also maintains a relationship with Penny and the subsequent offspring that Sariavo fathers through both mares.
Our family lives on a farm and sees the normal mating practices of animals on a regular basis. Our children understand that animals are not monogamous in most cases and that we, as children of God, are called to a higher calling in our relationships as we honor Him. The characters in this story are animals, but they are given many human characteristics. Animals are not monogamous, but animals also do not journey for miles and months to find their long-lost love. The blurring of animal and human characteristics creates an ambiguity around the moral acceptability of Sariavo having two loves in his life and maintaining two families. Although this happened quite commonly in the Old Testament, I do not believe that this is the ideal design for marriage as God ordains it. Yes, the main character is still an animal. But will his human-like characteristics blur this for your child? Only you can answer that question.
Product review by Dawn Oaks, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2009
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