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Shoalie is a young horse being trained as a racehorse. However, she has memories of a fatal accident as a human rider when she was attempting a difficult jump on horseback. Additionally, Shoalie realizes she can read and also talk to a crow named Nik. None of the other animals, nor humans, can hear them. Wondering if this is a reincarnation gone wrong, Shoalie approaches Nik. Nik brushes it off and states his loathing of humans. Gaining a reputation for having a terrible temper, Shoalie nonetheless excels at speed. She loves the act of running, but seeing the self-serving side of horseracing lessens her enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate with humans. However, Sana, the owner’s niece, is different. There is an instant, otherworldly connection between the two. Shoalie knows there is something at work here and even feels a slight connection with Sana’s troubled brother, Mike.
Donley-Hayes’ writing is outstanding. Her sentence structure and use of descriptors at the right times and in the right ways without excess are of the highest caliber. In addition, she takes on a large plot with many moving pieces and parts that don’t seem to fit and makes it work. However, the most interesting plot points, Sana and Mike’s story, mostly take place off-stage and in the past, while the last chapter lessens the impact of everything that led to the previous one. Although books about horses are popular with middle-grade readers, this book is more geared toward older teens and younger adult readers, as there are parts that include human cruelty and profanity. Anyone who takes writing seriously can learn a lot from this book, and horse lovers, especially those actively engaged with the horse business, will likely fall in love with it.